Image Courtesy of Patagonia.com

“There is a place in far southern Chile, in the remote region of Aysén, where the long road south—the famed Carreterra Austral—simply comes to an end. Beyond lies a magical and uninhabited land where the earthly elements combine in a breathtaking though at once intimidating mosaic of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and fjords.” (Benjamin Witte, “Patagonia’s Pascua River Threatened By Massive Dam Project” – April 1, 2008)

The area described above lies in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, in the Southern part of South America, which stands as one of the last remaining areas of the world virtually untouched by modern industry. All of that is about to change. A multinational conglomerate called HidroAysén is planning to build five massive hydro-electric dams on two of the most remote rivers in Chilean Patagonia. Included in the project is the plan to run fifteen hundred (1,500) miles of power lines from the generators up to the Chilean capital, Santiago, which will permanently transform Chilean Patagonia.

Nature’s Edge Productions has begun development on a documentary film to explore the story behind this project. “Patagonia Dammed” will examine the issues in depth, with cinematography that captures the beauty and grandeur of Patagonia, and starring the characters who make up the front lines of this debate. With oil running out, and electricity growing more expensive, these types of energy-development projects will be crucial to our survival as the century goes by, and the decisions we make now will have wide implications.

Nature’s Edge is currently in negotiations for funding, with production scheduled by 2010.

For more information, or to speak with the producers, please contact us.