Intitulé Cherchez le courant, ce film est également disponible en anglais
In French and English with English subtitles
Seeking the Current thoroughly investigates and questions plans by Hydro-Québec to dam one of the few remaining wild rivers in Québec, the 500 km Romaine River that empties into the St Lawrence. The project has been presented to the public as making sound economic sense, one that will enable Québec to export electricity to the United States.
Yet as the team of filmmakers explore the reasoning behind this project, claims made emerge as theories full of holes. An economist at l’Université Laval points out that the cost of this project will outweigh any revenue it can generate and that it will be left to taxpayers to pick up the loss. As they canoe down this spectacular river, accompanied by Roy Dupuis of the Rivers Foundation, the filmmakers meet with a number of other entrepreneurs engaged in more sustainable practices of clean energy such as solar energy, biomass, biogas, energy efficiency, wind and geothermal power–all are thoroughly examined in terms of cost, applicability, and efficiency.
This documentary was released just before investigation started into corruption in the construction industry in Québec, and it poses some interesting questions about what is really driving this project. The opening quote in the film, taken from Premier Jean Charest’s 1998 autobiography, probably states it best: “One must never underestimate the capacity of governments to be wrong.”
Also available on Blu-ray, please inquire.
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