TONLE SAP The Great Reversal

Описание: Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater ecosystem and one of the world’s most extraordinary seasonal water systems.

Each year, the lake reverses its flow. During the monsoon, water from the Mekong River expands across forests and floodplains. Months later, it retreats, transforming aquatic landscapes into farmland. This dramatic cycle — often called the Great Reversal — shapes fisheries, agriculture, settlement patterns, and daily life for millions of people.

This observational documentary follows communities living within this shifting environment — fishing, navigating floating villages, preparing food, and adapting to constant environmental change.

The film also documents ecosystem restoration initiatives developed in collaboration with local authorities and international partners, aimed at protecting Tonle Sap’s fragile ecological balance while supporting sustainable livelihoods.

This updated edition combines footage from both flooded and dry seasons, offering a balanced portrait of Tonle Sap as a living hydraulic system — defined by seasonal transformation, resilience, and the deep relationship between water and civilization.

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🎬 Part of the Asian Waters documentary series
📍 Cambodia | Mekong Basin
Directed & filmed by Andrea Pistolesi