Film: Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea w/dir Chris Metzler in attendance April 13, 2007

Friday, April 13. 7:00 PM. Admission: $5.00

Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea
Narrated by John Waters
With director Chris Metzler in attendance

Location: Fools Foundation - 1025 19th St. Off of K St, between 19th and 20th, next to the back-end of Old Spaghetti Factory.

The second film we screened back in September 2006 was this. Now, it’s coming back, along with it, and director Chris Metzler returns as well for another informative and engaging post-film discussion and Q&A! If you attended the September 2006 screening, you know that you have to come back for this. If you missed it - well -- don't make that mistake twice!

The timing of this scheduling is particularly fortunate, as a plan to rescue the Salton Sea is slated to be submitted to the legislature for consideration at the end of April.

About the film: Winner of 28 Best Documentary awards to date! Once known as the "California Riviera," the Salton Sea is now called one of America’s worst ecological disasters: a fetid, stagnant, salty lake, coughing up dead fish and birds by the thousands. Yet a few hardy eccentrics hang on to hope, including a roadside nudist waving at passing European tourists, a man building a religious mountain out of mud and paint, beer-loving Hungarian Revolutionary Hunky Daddy, and the real-estate "Ronald McDonald" known simply as The Landman. Through their perceptions and misperceptions, the strange history and unexpected beauty of the Salton Sea is revealed.

"Accidentally" created by an engineering error in 1905, reworked in the 50’s as a world class vacation destination for the rich and famous, and then suddenly abandoned after a series of hurricanes, floods, and fish die-offs, the Salton Sea has a bittersweet past. Congressman Sonny Bono himself was once dedicated to saving the lake, until he went skiing one day...

Now amongst the ruins of this man-made mistake, these few remaining people struggle to keep a remodeled version of the dream alive. However, this most unique community is now threatened by the nearby megalopolises of Los Angeles and San Diego, as they attempt to take the agricultural run-off that barely sustains the sea. The fate of this so-called ecological time bomb and the community that surrounds it remain uncertain, as the Salton Sea might just dry up.

"Fascinating! An alarming yet highly entertaining documentary." - Hollywood Reporter

"A heartbreaking, sidesplitting parade of humanity." - Village Voice

"An interesting, disturbing, and humorous look at environmental disaster." - Berkeley Daily Planet

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry. A must see." - Kansas City Star

We are doing regular weekly film screenings with Fools Foundation on Fridays at 7 PM - most are $5 (unless otherwise noted in advance), and will have filmmakers out from time to time. Digital projection on to a large screen. Seating is on folding chairs - feel free to bring a pillow or cushion - or even your own folding chair!

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