Aga Woszczyńska’s Black Water enters the editing bay – Cineuropa

Report on the Film ‘Black Water’ and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Project Overview

Polish filmmaker Aga Woszczyńska has concluded principal photography on her sophomore feature film, Black Water. The project, filmed on the Åland archipelago, explores the intersection of personal crisis and environmental disaster, aligning its narrative with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The film is currently in post-production with an anticipated release in 2026.

2.0 Narrative Synopsis and Thematic Link to SDGs

The film’s narrative centers on two women investigating the mysterious disappearance of their partners. This personal investigation is set against the backdrop of a significant environmental crisis: an oil spill from a tanker, which preoccupies local authorities. This dual-crisis structure provides a powerful allegory for contemporary global challenges.

• Personal Turmoil and Well-being (SDG 3): The film examines the psychological impact of uncertainty and crisis on its characters, reflecting the importance of mental health and well-being as outlined in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Director Woszczyńska states the film is about “balance in a world that is off-balance,” where an “inner collapse” pushes characters to embrace uncertainty.
• Female Agency (SDG 5): By focusing on the female partners who take the initiative to investigate, the narrative champions female agency and resilience, contributing to the discourse of SDG 5: Gender Equality.
• Environmental Crisis and Ecosystem Protection (SDG 14 & 15): The oil spill is a central plot element, directly highlighting the threats to marine ecosystems. This theme is in direct alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water and, by extension, SDG 15: Life on Land, as it depicts the fragility of island environments in the face of industrial pollution.

3.0 Production Details and International Cooperation

The production of Black Water exemplifies a commitment to international collaboration, a core principle of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The film brings together creative talent and financial resources from multiple nations to address themes of global significance.

3.1 Key Personnel

• Director: Aga Woszczyńska
• Writers: Aga Woszczyńska, Łukasz Czapski
• Cinematographer: Bartosz Świniarski
• Editor: Jarosław Kamiński
• Principal Cast: Agnieszka Żulewska, Dobromir Dymecki, Lisa Carlehed, Tomasz Włosok, Erik Enge

3.2 Collaborative Framework (SDG 17)

The film’s financing and production structure is a testament to cross-border partnership, crucial for achieving sustainable development.

1. Lead Production: Lava Films (Poland)
2. Co-producers:
   • napafilms (Finland)
   • Elemag Pictures (Germany)
   • Three Brothers (Estonia)
   • Mater Pictures (Denmark)
3. Supporting Institutions: The project is supported by a consortium of national and European bodies, including:
   • Creative Europe – MEDIA
   • Polish Film Institute
   • Finnish Film Foundation
   • Estonian Film Institute
   • Danish Film Institute
   • Regional funds such as MDM, FilmFyn, and the Film Estonia cash-rebate scheme.

4.0 Conclusion: Cinema as a Vehicle for SDG Advocacy

Black Water is positioned to be more than a cinematic narrative; it serves as a cultural commentary on the interconnectedness of human well-being and environmental stability. By weaving themes of ecological disaster, mental health, and international partnership into its story and production model, the film actively engages with and promotes awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 3, 5, 14, 15, and 17. It demonstrates the power of art to reflect the “fragility and hope of our times” and to foster dialogue on building a more sustainable and equitable future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is directly addressed through the article’s mention of an “oil spill from a tanker in the vicinity of the island.” This event represents a significant form of marine pollution, which is a primary concern of SDG 14.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article states the oil spill occurred near the Åland archipelago. Such environmental disasters have severe impacts on coastal ecosystems, which are the interface between land and sea, and threaten the biodiversity of the islands. The director’s reference to an “environmental catastrophe” further reinforces the connection to the broader health of ecosystems, including those on land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

   The “oil spill from a tanker” described in the article is a clear and direct example of the type of marine pollution that this target aims to prevent and reduce. The film’s plot point revolves around a failure to meet this target.

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

   An oil spill in the vicinity of an island archipelago directly threatens its coastal ecosystems. The “environmental catastrophe” mentioned by the director implies damage to these natural habitats, highlighting the importance of their conservation and restoration, as outlined in this target.

2. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   The oil spill represents a significant action that leads to the degradation of natural habitats on and around the islands. Such pollution events are a major cause of biodiversity loss, directly contradicting the objective of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention any official quantitative UN indicators. However, it describes events and situations that serve as qualitative or implied indicators of the status of the identified targets.

Implied Indicators for SDG 14

• For Target 14.1: The article’s central plot element, the “oil spill from a tanker,” serves as a direct, albeit qualitative, indicator. The occurrence, frequency, and scale of such pollution events are measures of failure to prevent marine pollution.

Implied Indicators for SDG 15

• For Targets 15.1 and 15.5: The “environmental catastrophe” resulting from the oil spill is an implied indicator. The extent of damage to coastal ecosystems and the resulting impact on local biodiversity would be the measurable effects used to assess the degradation of natural habitats and the loss of biodiversity.

Summary of Findings

Source: cineuropa.org