{"id":35171,"date":"2014-03-13T11:40:07","date_gmt":"2014-03-13T16:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/?p=35171"},"modified":"2014-03-13T11:40:07","modified_gmt":"2014-03-13T16:40:07","slug":"filmmakers-argue-for-demolition-of-dams-across-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/2014\/03\/13\/filmmakers-argue-for-demolition-of-dams-across-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Filmmakers Argue for Demolition of Dams Across the Country"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ben<\/a>

Photo by Mose Buchele<\/p>

Ben Knight (Left) and Matt Stoecker are two filmakers involved making DamNation, a movie that takes a critical look at the impacts of dams across the country.<\/p><\/div>\n

The timing could not have been better for filmmakers Matt Stoecker and Ben Knight. Just weeks before their documentary on tearing down dams in the Pacific Northwest premiered at the South by Southwest Film festival, a huge crack was found in the Wanapum Dam<\/a> in Washington State.<\/p>\n

The discovery called attention to an often ignored aspect of America\u2019s aging infrastructure. And that\u2019s exactly what the activist filmmakers hope to do as. DamNation<\/a> is a protest film, documenting the history of dam building in the country and highlighting environmental concerns. The filmmakers also chronicle acts of civil disobedience against certain dams, and some of them even appear to participate in those acts.<\/p>\n

I sat down with co-producer Matt Stoecker and co\u2013director Ben Knight to talk about the film and what activists hope to accomplish in standing against dams. Take a listen:<\/p>\n