Directed by Emmy Award winner Marina Zenovich and executive produced by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney, this National Geographic documentary film unfolds like a real-life film noir, uncovering the ruthless exploits of California’s notorious water barons, who profit off the state’s resources while everyday citizens endure a debilitating water crisis.
Water and Power: A California Heist
Parched, a feature documentary, explores a rich tale of water and power in the state of California. Through multiple investigations, we discover how a handful of water barons manipulate and exploit the state's most precious resource, while drought and a groundwater crisis leave everyday Americans desperate for better solutions. As California experiences more and more water woes, the future of its agriculture - which provides nearly half the country's fruits, nuts and vegetables - becomes less certain. Californians and the world are waking up to a stark reality: water is the next commodity, and it's growing more valuable. As a Porterville resident warns us, "You're going to be next. Just watch, you're going to be next."