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Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea
The Salton Sea: An inland ocean of massive fish kills, rotting resorts, and 120 degree nights located just minutes from urban Southern California. This film details the rise and fall of the Salton Sea, from its heyday as the "California Riviera" where boaters and Beach Boys mingled in paradise to its present state of decaying, forgotten ecological disaster.
Release : | 2006 |
Rating : | 7.3 |
Studio : | Tilapia Film, |
Crew : | Cinematography, Cinematography, |
Cast : | John Waters Sonny Bono Leonard Knight |
Genre : | Documentary |
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Cast List
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Reviews
Simply Perfect
Just what I expected
Don't listen to the negative reviews
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
This documentary was a sort of "off the beaten track" gem. The obvious thing that I loved is that it takes on a bit of a more obscure topic. The film was more than a commentary of the ecological crisis of the Sea. It was a whole experience of the history and the current culture. They followed these wonderful residents in these different towns, and you got this insight of what it was like to live there. You got to see what the area really means to people. They talked about the downsides, but then talked about the appeal and why it was worth it to be there. You got to see a little bit about how these communities function. In an area that is rather desolated you learn about these places with little infrastructure. I think that spending time on these fabulous characters makes it more than a documentary and more like (for lack of a better word) a traditional movie. I own the DVD and have already seen it more than once. I also thought the soundtrack complimented the movie very well. The contrast of music that you would associate with paradise with the images of this decaying place gave it that quirky feel.
I just wanted to express how much I enjoyed your documentary. I had heard about the Salton Sea from the 2002 film starring Val Kilmer, but until I saw your film I had no idea that there was such a promising past for the Salton Sea. It was truly heartbreaking to see how the once ideal location has grown into an ailing sore of sorts, but I especially love the fact that you were able to at once depict the sad depressing nature of the Salton Sea and showcase the beauty of it all, even in the face of it's ultimate decline into obscurity.I find it strange that I've never heard about the Salton Sea considering it was once such a promising place for investors and vacationers. I truly hope that in some way your film has helped to generate a new found interest in the forgotten city, and hopefully sparked some new efforts to alleviate the problems that the sea and all of the townspeople face.I've gone ahead and ordered the DVD. I can't wait to get my hands on it.Thanks so much for the experience and keep the doc's coming!
As an avid Salton Sea fan (been three times) I was totally excited about this film. The filmmakers do an excellent job in explaining all the circumstances that have affected, currently effect, and will affect the Salton Sea in a very entertaining way. You're introduced to many of the residents of the Salton Sea area and what draws (or keeps) them there.One of my favorite things in this film were the old films from when the Salton Sea was a major attraction. If you've ever been there recently, it'll break your heart to see it in its glory days.I highly recommend this film to anyone, especially those who love "weird" history.
I had the pleasure of watching this movie over the weekend. I've seen a couple of shorts on the Salton Sea in the past. My wife used to party there so I also have a personal history to draw upon. She watched it with me as well. This piece is a well balanced look at the beginnings of the sea as well as great footage of the heyday. The locals are presented in a less tabloid manner than the previous shorts I've already mentioned. I am drawn to the plight of the residents and will at some time make the trip just to see it for myself. This movie further solidifies my resolve for this trip. It is a documentary that is pretty evident in it's purpose to portray an even handed opinion. It also lists, to a degree, the pluses and minuses on whether CA should spend the money to reclaim the area. I think it's the best piece I've seen on the sea, to date. I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in the sea or just likes personal interest stories about people who just refuse to give up when everything around them tells them they should.