Produced by the team behind the award-winning Brave Blue World documentary, Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey shows how human agency, ingenuity and community spirit can help rebalance the planet’s water systems.
Actor Liam Neeson voices the narration for Our Blue World, and the stories are told from the perspective of people who have had transformational journeys around water. The movie also looks back to engineering marvels that sustained civilizations for thousands of years, and explores the many ways modern countries are managing water and what they can learn from their ancestors.
Speaking ahead of the film’s release, Neeson said: “It’s incredible, they had it all figured out, we are just rediscovering the water wisdom of our ancestors.”
Paul O’Callaghan, executive producer of Our Blue World, added: “Our Earth is in trouble, and water is the vehicle through which the effects of climate change will be felt. Extreme droughts, floods, fires, loss of biodiversity, pollution and global warming are on the increase. Our Blue World will show that through a small shift in consciousness and practice we can bring enormous positive change and rebalance and regenerate life on earth. The greatest challenge we face in solving the global water crisis is getting people to value water.”
Our Blue World, which is directed by Irish filmmaker Ruán Magan, starts with the fundamental idea that - as humans - we already treasure water in many ways. O’Callaghan said the idea for Our Blue World came about while thinking of ways to connect people with the value of water at a very personal level.
“The film stretches out that canvas to include society, culture, mythology, and spirituality. By telling stories that are emotional, relatable, and universal, our goal is to guide viewers to feel a deep personal and cultural identification with water,” he said.
“We were delighted and honoured when we received the message that Bono had suggested Your Blue Room for the film. It is one of his all-time favourite U2 songs and a beautiful meditation.
“The symbolism of Your Blue Room as a metaphor for the planet - Our Blue World - a small intimate place where we all live, influenced the film in many ways,” added O’Callaghan.
Filming began in the Andean mountains of Peru with the amunas – a system of ancient, pre-Incan water canals and retention technology. Built by the Wari people, the amunas are being rediscovered and restored today to help bring water into the megacity of Lima.
The story - connecting ancient wisdom and indigenous knowledge with the need for water today - is told by Don Gregorio Rios, a local community advocate and member of the Amunas Brigade. It centers around a colorful festival where people come together to dance, sing and bless and celebrate water, a precious resource in their community.
The journey continues around the world - to China, where ‘sponge cities’ are mitigating flooding, by transforming cities from grey to green and reimaging the urban landscape. Then to Burundi in East Africa, where hundreds of solar-powered pumps are bringing clean groundwater to over 2.5 million people.
“Our ancestors lived in harmony with water,” said O’Callaghan. “They knew that water always wins. Our Blue World will demonstrate how relearning the wisdom of our ancestors, and fusing it with modern science and technology, we can transform this world for the better.”
Production of Our Blue World was supported by partners the Water Environment Federation (WEF), Backus, brewer Cusqueña, Procter & Gamble, investment specialist Sciens Water, Grundfos and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Impact partners are the non-profit water.org, start-up accelerator ImagineH2O, beverage company AB InBev and Yokogawa.
A pump highlight of the documentary is a segment filmed in Burundi, Africa, showcasing the impactful work of Grundfos and NGO Amazi Water. Through combined efforts, Grundfos and Amazi Water transformed the lives and communities of over 2.5 million Burundians by ensuring access to clean water with solar-powered pumps; enabling children to attend school, families to cultivate crops, and fostering a healthier future for all.
Grundfos group executive vice president and chief operating officer, Ulrik Gernow said: "As a leading global pump and water solutions company, we are excited to embark on this journey with Brave Blue World Studios. This partnership reaffirms our dedication to addressing the world's water challenges and to mobilize a movement for a more sustainable and water-secure future for generations to come. As a society, we need to recognize that water holds incredible value for the future of our world but our relationship with water is out of balance and we aim to inspire change to take good care of this precious resource."
Following a premiere in New York City, Brave Blue World Studios will be running a series of premieres around the world, including at Oz Water in Melbourne, Australia; BlueTech Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland; EU Green Week in Brussels, Belgium; WEFTEC 2024 in New Orleans, USA, and Singapore International Water Week.
