- The Contested Water Issue - Dramatic Series titled "Till the Last Drip"
Situated idyllically in the Tauber valley is the fictional small town of Lauterbronn, where the widowed mayor Martin Sommer (Sebastian Bezzel) holds sway. He lives on a large plot of land with his daughter Ava (Hannah Schiller), alongside farmer Bernhard Schultz (Michael Roll) and his disabled brother Alex (Sebastian Urbanski). Agriculture plays a significant role in this town, and so does the availability of clean water. This region boasts an extensive deposit of high-quality deep groundwater, previously utilized by "Lauter Urquell".
However, this valuable resource has piqued the interest of an internationally active beverage corporation named "Pure Aqua". Its CEO, Rainer Gebhard (played callously by Ulrich Tukur), proposes secure jobs in exchange for extraction rights. With Julia Roland (subtly cunning, portrayed by Karoline Schuch), the water advisor in the environmental ministry, Martin Sommer finds himself inexplicably smitten. The complexity of the situation heightens as trust is as valuable a resource here as water itself. The drama "Until the Last Drop" (2022), airing on 3sat at 8:15 PM on Tuesday, revolves around this life-sustaining source.
The story develops with a gripping intensity. A resolute opposition emerges in the form of a citizens' initiative, as local water sources are already depleted - with dried-up ponds and the town hall starting to sink due to insufficient groundwater levels, which renders any report insignificant. It becomes clear that the ruthless beverage company, which exploits resources without concern elsewhere, is now eyeing Lauterbronn. To secure new extraction permits before regulations can be amended, they employ underhanded tactics - a scenario that Michael Praun captures brilliantly with vivid colors and Jörg Lemberg with apt music.
Daniel Harrich ("Master of Death", "Seed of Terror") shines once again as an author and director, delivering a relevant and gripping feature film that highlights a largely overlooked topic. In an ARD interview, Harrich stated: "Where money is involved, nothing is left to chance. Due to the excessive demand for water rights, large-scale corporations are applying for new extraction permits before legislation is updated. It's hard to believe that most of this is occurring legally. It seems the effects of the climate crisis have yet to fully register in our legislature." Until the water supply is jeopardized, it appears most underhanded tactics are considered permissible in the risky pursuit of water. The realization eventually dawns that without water, nothing can function effectively.
After hearing about the beverage corporation's proposals, Mayor Sommer finds himself deeply engaged in the television view of ongoing debates about water resources. Concerned citizens in Lauterbronn organize protests, which are widely covered on television view, demonstrating their strong opposition to the company's extraction plans.
