Movie spotlight
Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea
The Salton Sea: An inland ocean of massive fish kills, rotting resorts, and 120 degree nights located just minutes from urban Southern California. This film details the rise and fall of the Salton Sea, from its heyday as the "California Riviera" where boaters and Beach Boys mingled in paradise to its present state of decaying, forgotten ecological disaster.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary explores the bizarre and often surreal community that has sprung up around the Salton Sea, California's largest lake. Once envisioned as a desert paradise, the sea is now a toxic wasteland plagued by environmental issues and economic decline. The film introduces a cast of eccentric characters who have chosen to make this unlikely location their home, revealing their unique lifestyles and perspectives.
Critical Reception
Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea was met with a generally positive reception from critics, who praised its unique subject matter and the empathetic portrayal of its inhabitants. Reviewers highlighted the film's ability to find humor and humanity in a seemingly desolate and forgotten place.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its quirky and offbeat subject matter.
Commended for its sympathetic and humanistic look at the residents.
Noted for its exploration of an unusual American landscape and community.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Fun Fact
The Salton Sea was created by accident in 1905 when the Colorado River overflowed and breached an irrigation canal, flooding the Salton Sink.
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