ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
In the very near-future, as a severe drought devastates the Southwest and puts 40 million people in an unprecedented water and energy crisis, Emery, a botanist working with the Bureau of Reclamation, is sent to monitor a new hydroelectric project along the Colorado River corridor. As the group enters the Grand Canyon by boat, Emery confronts the environmental impacts of the project, while conducting her own research on the Tamarisk Beetle and being frequented by memories from the past that provide clues for the river’s future.
SYNOPSIS
Emery drives down a deserted highway, passing abandoned vehicles strewn along the roadside. Her view of the drought-stricken terrain is interrupted by memories of time spent along the Colorado River with her aunt. She stops at Glen Canyon Dam, now a relic of a bygone era, its concrete structure marked with closed signs and graffiti. Despite the dystopian surroundings, Emery observes the Colorado River flowing through the canyon.
She drives on, to Lee’s Ferry, the boat launch for the Colorado River, where she meets two developers, Noah, geologist turned corporate hack and Floyd, land for extraction CEO from the Hydroelectric Company. Sent by the Bureau to monitor their progress, Emery joins them on a seven-day river trip. The expedition also includes Jordan, and Kendall, two river guides and river devotees.
As they navigate the river into the canyon, Emery monitors the group while studying the ecosystem, particularly the invasive Tamarisk plant and its bio-agent, the Tamarisk Beetle. Tensions develop between Emery and Noah as their plans for new, smaller dam projects along the river start to take shape, and Emery’s research reveals crucial information about the river’s health.
The sheer magnitude of the river and canyon becomes overwhelming to Floyd who abandons the trip, exiting with Kendall at Phantom Ranch. This leaves Emery with Jordan and Noah to continue downstream. Noah attempts to seduce Emery to persuade her to sign off on the project, despite their flawed methods.
When, Noah suddenly disappears, and Jordan sets out to find him, Emery is left alone in the canyon.
PROJECT TYPE Narrative Feature
DIRECTOR Emilie Upczak
SCREENWRITER Emilie Upczak
PRODUCER John Otterbacher, Emilie Upczak, Lisa Yellow Eagle, Christi Cooper
WEBSITE siltthemovie.com
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