What unites us is more important than what divides us. Emmy-winning filmmakers Tammy and Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films turn their lens on a network of people and organizations, in Iowa and Illinois, who are working toward improved water quality in the Upper Mississippi watershed. The Rundles’ new documentary “Moved by Waters” will screen in the theater of Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland Avenue, Morrison, IL, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Two films will precede the screening of “Moved by Waters:”
Emmy-winning “Over & Under: Wildlife Crossings”
Emmy-nominated “Places To Be Wild.”
This free screening and discussion event is funded by a grant from BeWildReWild and co-sponsored by the Northwest Illinois Film Office and Morrison Institute of Technology (Morrison Tech.)
“Ultimately, we need clean water to survive,” said Amy Kay, City of Davenport Clean Water Manager, during her interview. “Not to be too doomsday-esque, but if we can’t work together for something that we need to survive, we’re in big trouble.”
“Moved by Waters” is an uplifting and inspiring new documentary. It depicts collaborative projects involving organizations and diverse groups of students, teachers, artists, farmers, and volunteers of all ages. Setting aside political or other differences, all are working toward improving the quality of water in the Quad Cities region, and the Upper Mississippi Watershed.
*Did you know a piece of trash discarded in a Moline, IL, neighborhood could end up in the Gulf of Mexico?
* How is water quality monitored and evaluated?
* Is water pollution an urban or rural challenge?
* How does water quality affect wildlife and their habitat?
We all need water that is clean and safe to drink. People and projects in “Moved by Waters” model a way forward, that benefits us and the environment.
“Every creature…has an intrinsic, innate value…. Mother Nature doesn’t need us, but we need Mother Nature,” said Dave Murcia, Director/Naturalist at the Wapsi Environmental Education Center. “So, when it comes down to clean water…we are the one animal on this planet that pollutes its own environment.”
“When we get to talk conservation and water quality, I get real[ly] excited. It’s such an area that has changed in my lifetime, and I’ve been a part of it,” said Davenport, IA, farmer Robb Ewoldt, former President of the Iowa Soybean Association.
“I’m a 6th generation farmer,” said Mike Paustian, Partners of Scott County Watersheds Board Chair. “My grandfather and my father spent a lot of time trying to make improvements to the farm and minimize the impact on the environment. And now it’s my turn to care for the farm and make sure it’s in good shape for the next generation.”
“Moved by Waters” was made possible by a grant from Roger Ross Gipple.
Fourth Wall Films is a four-time Emmy award-winning, independent media production company. Formerly located in Los Angeles, CA, it is now based in Moline, IL. Contact Producers Kelly Rundle and Tammy Rundle, Fourth Wall Films, at 309-797-0544 or FourthWallFilms@aol.com.
Gary A. Camarano is Director of Northwest Illinois Film Office and Economic Development, whose office is Whiteside County, IL, 200 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270-2809. Call 815-772-5247 or search online at gcamarano@whiteside.org.
Scott Connelly, is head of Academics, Career, and Student Services, at Morrison Institute of Technology, 701Portland Avenue, Morrison, IL 61270. Call 815-535-8408 or send an email to sconnelly@morrisontech.edu.