For every decision we make, we must consider the needs of others, and the needs of people seven generations into the future - “The Great Law”

This Great Law is the message behind Gemini award-winning filmmaker Kevin McMahon’s powerful new documentary about the Great Lakes. Waterlife is narrated by Gord Downie, Trustee for Lake Ontario and includes clips with Doug Martz, the St. Clair Channelkeeper. It premiers at the Hot Docs film festival in Toronto on May 2, 2009.

Waterlife challenges audiences to abandon our short-term view of the Great Lakes. The film chronicles the 350 year journey of a water molecule travelling from the headwaters of Lake Superior to where the St. Lawrence River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

McMahon follows the water as it passes through through wetlands, factories, and even people. In these stories, Waterlife reveals a Great Lakes region under siege:

*Local fish populations plummeted to 20% of their historic numbers, in part because of invasive species like the sea lamprey and the zebra mussel.
*Thirty percent of coastal wetlands are stranded every year by receding waterlines.
*Areas of the heavily industrialized lakes now contain toxic sediments 25 feet deep

“Waterlife is meant to be a community tool,” explains McMahon. “We hope the film can help raise awareness of what’s going on in the Lakes.” McMahon has also created Ourwaterlifecommunity.com for people to connect and learn more about the issues.

Living at the Barricades had a chance to sit down with Kevin McMahon recently. Kevin talks about the changes he has witnessed first hand during his 30-year career documenting Canada’s great waterways.