BBC doc features Powell, Shoshone Irrigation District

Scenes from Powell and the Shoshone Irrigation District will be on TV this month as part of a four-part documentary series airing on BBC America.

Last spring, as part of a series on the U.S. and the West, Oxford Film and Television of London videoed the Powell area and a few locals (see May 13, 2008 Powell Tribune article).

The film, titled “The American Future,” will air Jan. 19 and 20 in two episodes each day.

Here's a synopsis of the documentary from the BBC site:

Shot against the backdrop of the recent US Presidential election, historian Simon Schama reveals how voters, anxious about a shaky prosperity and an on-going war, have become disillusioned with their government in numbers that haven’t been seen since Watergate.

Schama takes a look at four of the critical issues facing the country: war, religious or moral fervor, immigration, and the relationship between the expectations of prosperity and the reality of economic and environmental limits.

The film crew appeared to enjoy their experience here and passed their appreciation to Shoshone Irrigation District Manager Bryant Startin and company for their help.

“We really can’t make these films without people giving us great stories and wonderful locations,” said Oxford Film and Television in a letter to the District.

Startin said he hopes the documentary will help people realize the importance of water and irrigation in the West.

BBC America is on Direct TV channel 264; Dish Network, channels 135 or 879; Bresnan, channel 162 and TCT West, channel 72.