Given that the film industry has a seemingly infinite supply of empty-headed blockbusters and pointless sequels in store, it could be argued that these days cinema lacks depth.  Thank goodness then, for films like Even the Rain, which manage to combine a clever narrative with serious social messages that linger once you’ve left your seat. These qualities made the film a fitting choice to open the Take One Action Film Festival, currently taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The organisers’ overall aim is to promote taking action against global issues such as poverty and exploitation, and the festival aims to remind us of the impact that thoughtful filmmaking can produce. 

Even the Rain successfully demonstrates how art can be directly linked to taking practical social action. It manages to effectively combine fiction with reality through its multiple narrative strands. The main focus is on an ambitious feature film of Christopher Columbus’ new world conquest being made in Bolivia by director Sebastián (Gael García Bernal) and executive producer Costa (Luis Tosar).  The restraints of a tight budget mean the filmmakers are often forced to cut corners, particularly with the wages of local extras. This creative challenge is set against the real-life backdrop of the Bolivian water wars in spring 2000, when mass public protests were held against the privatisation of the national water supply. 

 
The film draws parallels between colonial history and the capitalist exploitation which is still in evidence today. Sebastián and Costa are initially set up as good versus bad guy in their moral positions, and one of the film’s strengths is its subtle blurring of the lines as the pressure rises and emotional ties develop. The key transition is seen in Costa’s tense relationship with native man Daniel, whose charismatic presence lands him not only a role in their film, but also in prison for his political activism. Daniel’s dedication to the most basic of human rights is humbling for the Spanish filmmakers, as he reminds Costa that after all, “water is life”. Even the Rain’s exploration into the often warped priorities of filmmaking ultimately achieves its desired purpose, by motivating audiences to consider the facts beyond its fiction.