Mekong Alive (2010)

This film offers to discover the course of the river, from its source to its delta. In a succession of spectacular images we will discover the extraordinary geographical route that the Mekong takes, from the Tibetan plateau, down the mountains of the Yunnan Province in China, then in the tropical valleys and the virgin forest of Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand before reaching the green plains of Vietnam, bursting with vital energy. We will have a look at some ethnic groups that still live from gatherings and hunting, according to ancestral rules, even nowadays. Here, in the tropical forest, the river means Life. Here, nature abounds with wild animal species and rare plants and flowers that have to be protected. It is by discovering the rarest of them that we will understand that we face an extraordinary ecosystem, unequalled anywhere else in the world, making a huge contribution to the animal and vegetable diversity of our planet.

At present, about 65 million people in the Greater Mekong live directly from it and enjoy the great diversity of fish the river has to offer. Fishing methods are of course different according to places and ethnic groups: in Cambodia we will discover the life of a family living on a boat. It is a real floating house set up in the middle of Lake Tonle Sap. Fishing techniques constantly vary according to the volume of water brought to the lake by the Mekong. In total contrast, we will discover, while going up the river, the cormorant fishing in China, in the region of Gullin. And in Vietnam, while reaching the mouth of the waterway, we will follow the attempt and difficulties of setting up a fish farm. Once more, modern Times strongly challenge the fishermen in the Greater Mekong. Torn between tradition and modernity, these men and women have to make for themselves, and also sometimes for their children, decisions about new ways of life.

The film will deal with the vast farming lands that the waters of the river irrigate throughout the year and more particularly in the South where the plains naturally become nourishing fields. It is a basin covering over 2,5 million square kilometres giving life to an utmost important 'green' industry: the children of this agriculture are of course called rice, but also fruits, vegetables and flowers. The most impressive beneficiaries of the river's lavishness are the orchids and the lotuses. All along the Southern part of the course of the stream, the climate is very warm and favourable to the production of a large diversity of fruits. They are sold on the great market of Bangkok or, in a more traditional way, on the boats of the numerous floating markets. Also the climate of the Mekong region is ideal for rice growing. Farming methods are different according to the various countries and ethnic groups.

This film will focus on the omnipresence of spirituality in the Greater Mekong. It will make us realize that, as it is the case for the Ganges in India, in the perception of the inhabitants of this region, the Mekong is of divine essence. The river, with each drop it carries to the valleys, it takes a little of the divinity of the sacred mountains where it takes its source. The values of prosperity, as they are enhanced by the Western World, are in complete opposition with the values of renouncement of material wealth commended by Buddhist philosophy. As a matter of fact, over 90 % of the population of the Greater Mekong is Buddhist. The region is full of temples and pagodas because the spirits, the gods and the demons too are part of everyday life. They are the heroes of all festive events. It is more especially the dragon, as the symbol of superhuman forces, of spirituality and supreme power that still lives in the heart of the festive traditions of this part of the world.

It is at the end of an intense and authentic journey in space and time of the Mekong basin that we are led to ask ourselves questions about the future of the region. And it is through meetings with young Mekongese, and those who are responsible for the preparation, education and training of these young people that we will progress in these questions. Beyond their role in daily life, religions, and in particular Buddhist philosophy, actively participate in preparing for the future.