LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12, 2005 -- The Desert Research Institute announced Aug. 5 that it will hold two special screenings and receptions for the compelling documentary feature film "Running Dry" on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 at 7:00 p.m. The film will be introduced by the writer, producer and director Jim Thebaut, president of the Chronicles Group. A panel discussion regarding solutions to water crisis issues will follow the premiere. The discussion will be led by Patricia Mulroy, general manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, who appears in the film and Dr. John Warwick, executive director of DRI's division of hydrologic sciences.
"Running Dry" was inspired by the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon's powerful book "Tapped Out." Jim Thebaut, the film's producer and director, had been developing the project in association with Simon until his recent death. Simon's widow, Patricia Simon, has continued her husband's legacy by working with Thebaut and will be present at the premiere. Award-winning actress Jane Seymour narrates the film, as it takes viewers on a journey that explores the impending severity of the global water crisis throughout specific regions in southern Asia, northern China, the Middle East, Africa and the American southwest. Various experts and world leaders, including former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, are interviewed throughout the documentary stating their concerns, not only about their own regions, but also about the challenges that exist throughout the world.
Every day an average of 9,500 children die due to the lack of water or disease caused by polluted water. "Running Dry" promotes and reinforces the message that water is a precious global resource, while also presenting a variety of solutions that are available to solve the crisis. The "Running Dry" project is designed to be a comprehensive public information education project concerning the evolving water crisis.
The "Running Dry" documentary was fully funded and made possible by a grant from American Water, as well as a substantial grant provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York. Other public and private entities have also contributed to the evolution of the project. For more information about the film and the Running Dry Project please go to the website www.runningdry.org.
Monday, Aug. 15
Desert Research Institute
755 East Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV. 89119
Drinks & hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:00 PM
Tuesday, Aug. 16
Desert Research Institute
Elizabeth West Stout Conference Center
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV. 89512
Drinks & hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:00 PM
Jim Thebaut, Jane Seymour, Patricia Simon, Patricia Mulroy, Dr. John Warwick and members of the panel will be available to media for interviews.
A nonprofit, statewide division of the Nevada System of Higher Education, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale. Nearly 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct more than 300 research projects at DRI annually. DRI generates $45 million in total revenue consisting predominately of competitively won research contracts and grants. The State of Nevada provides critical funding in support of DRI's administration, operations and maintenance, through the Nevada System of Higher Education's budget. While DRI's portion of the NSHE budget is less than 1 percent, the institute leverages these funds to enhance its competitiveness. All DRI news releases available at http://news.dri.edu/.
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