Imperial Valley (Cultivated Run-Off)

Summary

Located in the southwestern United States and featuring extensive growing areas for fruit and vegetables, Imperial Valley stretches out for 80 kilometres, right up to the Mexican border. In the north, it borders on Salton Sea, a man-made lake created in the early 19th century. The agricultural exploitation and settlement of the valley can only be sustained through artificial irrigation. The run-off water and fertilizer involved in that process are channelled unfiltered into the lake, which lacks a natural drainage system. In the 1940s the US military used the region to conduct bomb tests and in the 50s it was opened to tourism and touted as the Californian Riviera. With the continuing aridification of the area and the stirring up of toxic dust particles Salton Sea is becoming a threat to humans and the environment at large – an ecological and economic disaster.

The camera-laden drone rises into the air, where it follows the artificial waterway. Underscored by electronic film music, the images of monocultures look like abstract paintings. Still, again and again the viewer is reminded of the function of the geometric forms and figures. An urge to grasp what will remain takes root.

Source: 68. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)