Martin MareČek

The Source

Director:	Martin Mareček
Country of production:	Češka Republika
Year of production:	2005
Duration:	75 min
Script:	Martin Mareček, Martin Skalský
Sound:	Ondrej Ježek
Camera:	Jiri Malek
Editing:	Martin Mareček
Music:	Martin Mareček
Producer:	Vratislav Šlajer
Production and distribution:	Bionaut Films / www.automatfilm.cz

Film plot

Baku in Azerbaijan, the site of the world’s first oil well, is once again becoming a focus for foreign investors eager to exploit the country’s vast oil riches. "Source" traces the pipeline from our commuter highways back to this surreal and sinister landscape on which our way of life depends, where cows graze on polluted land and children play in toxic gunge. With three quarters of the population living under the poverty line, the country’s post-Soviet government is promising oil will turn Azerbaijan into a "real country", a prosperous and flourishing "New Kuwait". But between big oil companies like British Petroleum and the corrupt government lining their pockets, what does this mean for the ordinary people of Azerbaijan? Is this "liquid gold" more of a curse than a blessing for this troubled country?

Awards

One World - The Plzeňský Prazdroj Audience Award; The Honorable mention of the Grand Jury; Ekofilm-The Grand Prix of EKOFILM 2005; Award Of The Ministry Of The Environment; Doc. film fest. Leipzig - MDR prize for the Best Eeastern European Films; Jihlava IDFF - Audience Award, Best Czech documentary film; TSTTT - Josef Velek’s Award; Trilobit Beroun 2005 - Award for documentary film of Czech Film and Television Association (FITES); Trento FilmFestival - Special Jury Award; CRONOGRAF - The Grand Prize and The Trophy, The Public Sympathy Prize; International television ecological festival "Save and Preserve" (Siberia)- Award of television Jugoria; CINEAMBIENTE, Italy, Audience Award

 

Martin Mareček, born 1974 in Prague, Czech Republic. Initially studying the theory of culture at Prague Charles university he later settled at the  Documentary Department of FAMU (Film and Television Faculty of Academy of Performing Arts Prague), where he now, after finishing his studies, teaches student from first classes. He acts as as director, cameraman, musician and participant.

Filmography

1998: Javor 98 (Maple 98)                              
1999: Metody vejce (The Egg Method)           
2001: Hry prachu (Dust Games)                                  
2003: Domov můj…
2005: Zdroj  (Source)