27 November 2012: A new film, titled “Mekong,” examines the impacts of hydropower development on the Mekong River, following stories of citizens and government officials with varying views on the dams. The film attempts to document potential environmental, ecological and livelihood impacts of the development of the Lower Mekong Basin, but presents neither a pro or anti dam agenda.

The production of the film was supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research’s (CGIAR) Program on Water and Food, as well as by the IUCN’s Mekong Water Dialogues project and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The film was made in four countries and is subtitled in English, Khmer, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese. It includes footage based on special access to the Xayaburi Dam site in Lao PDR, as well as interviews with the Government of Lao describing its goal of being transparent and open in the development of the dam.

The film explores the challenges of developing effective fish ladders to allow fish to move up and down the river, a particularly important issue considering the large importance of local fisheries for livelihoods and food security. It demonstrates successful and unsuccessful relocation processes in Laos and Cambodia. The film seeks to increase knowledge about the dams and to allow Mekong citizens to participate in the debate, and explore opportunities to find common ground. [CGIAR Press Release] [Film Website]