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Participant Media, the company that has illuminated such issues as climate change, the industrialization of food and the state of public education in the U.S. with its ground-breaking documentaries An Inconvenient Truth, Food, Inc., and Waiting for “Superman,” turns its attention to the global water crisis in LAST CALL AT THE OASIS. With Academy Award-winning director Jessica Yu (Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien) and Academy Award-nominated producer Elise Pearlstein (Food, Inc.), LAST CALL AT THE OASIS sheds light on the vital role water plays in our lives, exposes the defects in the current system, shows communities already struggling with its ill-effects and introduces us to individuals who are championing revolutionary solutions. It also presents a convincing argument for why the global water crisis will be the central issue facing our world this century.
The filmmakers explore the issue from the standpoint of both quantity and quality, with insight from University of California, Irvine earth science professor Jay Famiglietti, University of Arizona law professor Robert Glennon, author of Unquenchable, Scripps Institute researcher Tim Burnett, the Pacific Institute’s Peter Gleick, UC Berkeley Professor Tyrone Hayes, and writer Alex Prud’homme, whose manuscript for the book The Ripple Effect served as an early resource. We see how because of overuse, population burdens and climate change, our water supplies are no longer being replenished. It is also revealed how the issue of water cannot be approached without understanding its connection to everything else, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the electricity we depend on.
UCCHM is excited to be part of this production. The documentary features Professor Jay Famiglietti as one of the water experts and appearances of UCCHM researchers and students.
Other cast members include activist Erin Brockovich and actor Jack Black.
Movie Distribution through Web-Platform TUGG
To increase accessibility, Last Call distributor ATO Pictures is significantly widening screening opportunities for the next 18 months through a new web-based platform called TUGG. TUGG enables any individual, group or organization to schedule a screening of Last Call at a local theater, as long as a threshold number of ticket sales (usually around 50) can be guaranteed. Promotion is done by the organizer, who receives 5% of ticket sales as an incentive.
For more information on how to organize a local screening of Last Call at the Oasis, please go to:
Read Jay Famiglietti's article in the Huffington Post
If you are interested in organizing a screening or if you have questions about the TUGG process, please feel free to contact UCCHM Office Manager Jennifer Wilkens.
Although it covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface, there is a very real possibility that in the near future, there won’t be enough water to sustain life on the planet.
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (TIFF)
This shocking investigation into the world's water crisis, draws upon the work of scientists and activists including the real Erin Brockovich, from Academy Award-winning director Jessica Yu and the producer's of "Food, Inc." Read more
NEW YORK TIMES Movie Review - When There Really Is No Drop To Drink
Jay Famiglietti, one of a handful of expert witnesses in Jessica Yu’s “Last Call at the Oasis,” is a thoughtful scientist with an engaging manner who specializes in water. In particular, he studies — and tries to raise public awareness about — the rapid depletion of water supplies caused by agricultural overuse, rampant development and global climate change. His analyses are thorough and clear, and he presents them, at public meetings and straight to Ms. Yu’s camera, with good-natured patience. For the most part, that is. At one point, contemplating a future of unchecked consumption and political paralysis, he sums it all up in blunt layman’s terms: “We’re screwed.” Read more
Jay Famiglietti, one of a handful of expert witnesses in Jessica Yu’s “Last Call at the Oasis,” is a thoughtful scientist with an engaging manner who specializes in water. In particular, he studies — and tries to raise public awareness about — the rapid depletion of water supplies caused by agricultural overuse, rampant development and global climate change. His analyses are thorough and clear, and he presents them, at public meetings and straight to Ms. Yu’s camera, with good-natured patience. For the most part, that is. At one point, contemplating a future of unchecked consumption and political paralysis, he sums it all up in blunt layman’s terms: “We’re screwed.” Read more
LOS ANGELES TIMES Movie Review - 'Last Call at the Oasis' smartly sounds the alarm on water
Jessica Yu provides a thorough examination of our dwindling water supply. The time to panic is now. Read more
Jessica Yu provides a thorough examination of our dwindling water supply. The time to panic is now. Read more
VARIETY - Last Call at the Oasis
Whether the glass is half full or half empty isn’t the point of the effervescent “Last Call at the Oasis”: It’s whether there’ll be anything in the glass at all. Read more
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Last Call at the Oasis: Toronto Review
A well-made argument that Americans should be much more concerned about water issues than we are, Jessica Yu's Last Call at the Oasis sits in that rank of Big Issue docs that are both convincing and attractive enough to catch on in theaters, given the right distributor and more than a little luck. Read more
IONCINEMA - Last Call at the Oasis. Got Water?
Not only is there a looming water shortage, but nearly all of the so called “fresh” water we do have is contaminated by chemicals, many of which cause cancer, birth defects and a variety of other horrific diseases thanks to irresponsible industrial practices, EPA approval of chemicals without thorough testing and a lack of pharmaceutical filtration. Jessica Yu's new doc pulls back the veil on a little talked about problem that is literally apocalyptic is scope. Things are looking bad folks, but before we can change things we as a society must acknowledge the problem, or, in the words of Jay Famiglietti, a hydology scientist working with NASA, “We're screwed.” Read more
CINESPECT Image/Sound/Movement - Eau Crap
“...But don’t let that happy thought comfort you too much. As one scientist the filmmakers interview concisely explains, “We’re totally screwed.” I really don’t think that I can fully convey in words (but saying that helps, right?) the absolute necessity that everyone on earth see this film, surely the most important documentary of the year...” Read more
MORE LINKS
FILMMAKER - Five Questions for “Last Call at the Oasis” Director Jessica Yu
For Oscar-winning filmmaker Jessica Yu’s latest film, Last Call at the Oasis, she looks at the frightening realities of the current global water crisis. Produced through the social issue giants Participant Media, Yu’s film has the makings of a must-see like An Inconvenient Truth and Food, Inc. Read more
CBC News - TIFF docs program aims for attention-grabbing picks
For the social activists: Must-watch film: Last Call at the Oasis
"Last Call at the Oasis” is a look at water in the way Food, Inc. was a look at the food crisis in our world," Powers says of the latest film from Jessica Yu, an Oscar-winner for her documentary short “Breathing Lessons”. Read more
"Last Call at the Oasis” is a look at water in the way Food, Inc. was a look at the food crisis in our world," Powers says of the latest film from Jessica Yu, an Oscar-winner for her documentary short “Breathing Lessons”. Read more
AMC News - The New Documentary Last Call at the Oasis
Interview with Jessica Yu, Elise Pearlstein, Erin Brockovich
Interview with Jessica Yu, Elise Pearlstein, Erin Brockovich
CBC News - Last Call at the Oasis explores water crisis
INDIEWIRE
- Programmer Thom Powers on This Year’s Doc Lineup
“Jessica Yu’s ‘Oasis,’ which she did with Participant, will be a stand-out this year,” said Powers who, in addition to programming TIFF’s doc-centered Real to Reel section also spearheads the Stranger Than Fiction and DOC NYC events in New York City. Read more
VARIETY - Toronto Rock Star of Doc World
Prepare to get real at Toronto as several factors, including a rules change for Oscar, more available product and a competitive fall release schedule, have conspired the make the fest among the best places for a documentary to grab attention. Read more
SPOUT -
“Last Call at the Oasis” is Easily On Track for a Deserved Oscar Nomination
The other day I wrote a column about how documentaries premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival have a better chance of immediate turnaround for Oscar consideration. I mentioned Jessica Yu’s “Last Call at the Oasis” simply because it’s an issue-oriented film, and now that I’ve actually seen the doc I believe it truly is on track for certain Academy recognition. Read more
Screenings:
April 12 - 22, 2012
Select Screenings at the Dallas International Film Festival
Select Screenings at the Dallas International Film Festival
April 13 - May 3, 2012
Select Screenings at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival
Select Screenings at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival
April 27 and April 30, 2012
Newport Beach, CA - Newport Beach Film Festival
Q&A Session with Jay Famiglietti after each screening
Newport Beach, CA - Newport Beach Film Festival
Q&A Session with Jay Famiglietti after each screening
April 29, May 1 and May 3, 2012
San Francisco, CA - San Francisco International Film Festival,
April 29 - Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
May 1 - Film Society Cinema
May 3 - Pacific Film Archive
San Francisco, CA - San Francisco International Film Festival,
April 29 - Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
May 1 - Film Society Cinema
May 3 - Pacific Film Archive
Los Angeles, CA - The Landmark, 10850 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
New York, NY - Lincoln Plaza & Sunshine Cinema 5, 1886 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
New York, NY - Lincoln Plaza & Sunshine Cinema 5, 1886 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Sunshine Cinema, 143 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002
May 10, 2012
Tucson, AZ - The Loft Cinema, 3233 East Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85716
May 11, 2012 - June 7, 2012
Irvine, CA - University Town Center 6 Cinemas
4245 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Q & A Sessions with Professor Jay Famiglietti
Friday, May 11, 2012 and Saturday, May 12, 2012
after the screenings at 7:10 pm
Irvine, CA - University Town Center 6 Cinemas
4245 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Q & A Sessions with Professor Jay Famiglietti
Friday, May 11, 2012 and Saturday, May 12, 2012
after the screenings at 7:10 pm
Berkeley, CA - Shattuck Cinemas 10, 2230 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Las Vegas, NV - Century Suncoast 16, 9090 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89144
San Francisco, CA - Embarcadero Center Cinema, One Embarcadero Center (Promenade Level), San Francisco, CA 94111
Washington, D.C. - E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004
Also: Phoenix, Chicago, Austin, San Diego, Seattle, Denver
May 18, 2012
Denver, CO - Mayan Theatre, 110 Broadway, Between First and Second Avenues, Denver, CO 80203
Denver, CO - Mayan Theatre, 110 Broadway, Between First and Second Avenues, Denver, CO 80203
Minneapolis, MN - Lagoon Cinema, 1320 Lagoon Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408
San Diego, CA - Hillcrest Cinema, 3965 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Also: Dallas, Portland, Houston
San Diego, CA - Hillcrest Cinema, 3965 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Also: Dallas, Portland, Houston
May 25, 2012
Atlanta, GA - Midtown Art Cinemas 8, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
Atlanta, GA - Midtown Art Cinemas 8, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308
Detroit, Sacramento
June 1, 2012
Cambrigde, MA - Kendall Square Cinema 9, One Kendall Square (at 355 Binney Street) Cambridge, MA 02139
Philadelphia, PA - Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Cambrigde, MA - Kendall Square Cinema 9, One Kendall Square (at 355 Binney Street) Cambridge, MA 02139
Philadelphia, PA - Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
More Theaters announced soon.
Please also check for upcoming screenings here.