April 25, 2005
Documentary will look at global water crisis
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A stark documentary that shows a worsening global water crisis – based on former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon’s book that examines the looming catastrophe -- is being shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
“Running Dry,” a film based on Simon’s 1998 book, “Tapped Out: The Coming World Crisis in Water and What We Can Do About It,” will be at SIUC’s Student Center Ballroom D. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is presenting the event. Admission is free
Jim Thebaut, who produced and directed the 80-minute film, will provide a brief introduction. Simon, then-director of the Public Policy Institute, worked on the project and was to narrate the documentary. Simon died in December 2003.
Actress Jane Seymour narrates the documentary, which also includes interviews with Israeli leader Shimon Peres and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
“Jim Thebaut has used his remarkable talent to advance Paul's agenda on this vital issue,” public policy institute director Mike Lawrence said. “We look forward to joining Jim in celebrating this documentary and rededicating ourselves to a cause that Paul embraced passionately and with great vision.”
The documentary is being shown throughout the country. Members of Congress and their staff viewed the film in Washington, D.C. in February, and showings are also being scheduled at the United Nations. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars also screened the film.
In producing the documentary, Thebaut directed crews in China, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, South Africa, India, and the southwestern United States to show the level of the water crisis.