The Lake is an urgent documentary following a group of scientists and political insiders working to prevent the ecological collapse of Utah’s rapidly drying Great Salt Lake, long recognized as the largest natural saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. This unique, ecologically fragile lake has been rapidly drying due to rising temperatures and overconsumption, exposing a lakebed laced with arsenic and other toxic minerals that now blow across the surrounding landscape.

Peabody- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Abby Ellis, a native of Utah, directs the film in a verite style, capturing the tireless efforts of microbiologist Bonnie Baxter, ecologist Ben Abbott, atmospheric sciences professor Kevin Perry, and Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed. The film tracks their work to build public awareness and move political leadership before time runs out. Ellis leans into her subjects’ contradictions: Abbott is a devout Mormon unwavering in both his faith and his role as a scientist, opening up a more inclusive dialogue between religion, science and climate change. Steed, meanwhile, works to bring in local farmers and community members across different backgrounds and political affiliations, turning ecological catastrophe into a bipartisan cause. The takeaway runs bigger than the fate of the Great Salt Lake itself – Ellis is ultimately making a case for unity, for people setting differences aside to confront environmental crises together.

Planet in Focus is proud to present the Canadian premiere of The Lake, which premiered at Sundance, where it won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact for Change. It features a high-profile team of executive producers – Leonardo DiCaprio, Jimmy Chin, and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the Oscar-winning directors of the 2018 documentary Free Solo. -PLANET IN FOCUS