What is the natural world for? That’s the question behind writer and director Sasha Wortzel’s documentary River of Grass, whose focus is the Florida Everglades but whose reach is ultimately much broader. For those who believe the natural world exists to be exploited by man, and for whom value is defined exclusively in dollar terms, the Everglades has long been viewed as a swamp* whose natural characteristics form an obstacle to economic development. But for those value the natural world for itself, , who realize that people exist within a greater ecosystem whose destruction threatens human as well as animal and plant life, the Everglades form a key part of an interdependent environment that makes our existence possible.
River of Grass makes a strong case for appreciating the Everglades for what they are and for the natural correlative that it is our responsibility to preserve them for future generations. Wortzel builds her case primarily through the stories of individuals who share their personal relationships with the region, paired with sometimes stunning cinematography by J. Bennett, an approach more effective than the simple presentation of facts.
Wortzel shares her experiences growing up in the area but also includes a variety of other voices, most prominently those of Miccosukee educator Betty Osceola and the author and ecologist Marjory Stoneman Douglas, whose 1947 book The Everglades: River of Grass brought attention to the vital roles the Everglades play in the region’s ecosystem. We also hear from local fishermen, ecologists removing Burmese pythons (an invasive species that kills native wildlife, which were first introduced to the region as pets) from the area, and activists protesting the air and water pollution caused by sugarcane farming. You don’t have to be an economist to spot an externality, nor to recognize that the logic of capitalism encourages passing the cost of harms onto someone else whenever possible.
Douglas, who died in 1998 at age 108, is a recurring presence in River of Grass, as well as the original inspiration for the film: Wortzel says Douglas visited her in a dream, which led her to read The Everglades and ultimately to make this film. Archival footage allows us to hear directly from the eminently quotable Douglas, whose perspicacity did not diminish with age.
It’s hard to pick just one Douglas quote, but this one beautifully sets up the story of the Everglades, and of this film: “A man’s life on earth is limited by the conflict between his stupidity and his intelligence. I think man can prolong his life on the earth for many thousands of years if he is intelligent. But I don’t know whether he is intelligent enough.” River of Grass provides hope that, though it may be a continuing struggle, it’s just possible that intelligence will triumph over greed and this unique ecosystem will be saved. | Sarah Boslaugh
* The phrase “drain the swamp” is known today as a metaphor for cleaning up corruption, but the literal meaning applies in the case of the Everglades, and not in a positive way.
River of Grass had its World Premiere at the True/False Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri, and will be presented once more at that festival, on Sat. March 1 at 2:30 pm, which will include a question and answer session with director Sasha Wortzel.
