CART Presents Filter Only

Posted on October 27, 2009 - Permalink
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Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi, professor and chairperson of the communication studies department, and Dr. Kevin Curry, professor of biology, will present their documentary, Filter Only, today at noon in the Moakley Center auditorium.

The event is organized by the Center for the Advancement of Research and Teaching, which provided a grant to make the film.

The film, directed by Dr. Al-Obaidi, is a 30-minute documentary focused on water pollution and lack of sanitation in the remote villages of Siem Reap province in Cambodia. It also illuminates the efforts of individuals at the college and in the Middletown Rotary Club in Rhode Island to maintain health, pure water and literacy for people in Cambodia.

On making the film, Dr. Al-Obaidi said, "I am deeply touched and moved intellectually, emotionally and spiritually; my experience in making this film is truly transformative. It provided me with an opportunity to reflect, evaluate, and to think of ways to support others, especially those in need of assistance, such as the residents of remote villages in Cambodia."

The film illuminates the Water for Cambodia project, which was created by the college, the rotary club and Rotary International and involves educating the residents of villages in Siem Reap as to the importance of water quality. Drs. Curry and Al-Obaidi have visited the city on a couple of occasions to work on the project. As of last year, 500 water filters have been put in place and a water-quality-testing lab has been established, which is essential for the province.

"For most of the world, water is a medicine and an essential source for good health, but regrettably, for the children of Cambodia and their moms, this is not the case," said Dr. Al-Obaidi. "It is distressing to know and hear about the high rate of newborn children who will die before the age of five because of the lack of clean and safe drinking water, undernourishment and other preventable diseases."

Following the presentation, the two professors will host a discussion about the issues addressed in the film. (Story by Rob Matheson, Institutional Communications)