Intended Audience
This documentary is relevant for geologists, students, and scientists studying the nature and predictability of sinkholes. The primary targeted audience is prospective homeowners and people looking for properties to buy, who should check public records to learn about secure places for relocation and areas to avoid.
The Purpose of the Documentary
This documentary is adequately informative to help people begin to take measures to protect themselves by knowing what to seek out and what to avoid when choosing a property to purchase. The film also informs property owners and government agencies to beam up efforts in identifying sinkhole-prone areas.
Prior Knowledge of the Subject
I had a basic understanding of sinkholes, expecting to see more of them in Asian countries due to possible connection to hilly or mountains. I also knew that continuous rainfall effects could wear down rocks, which served as the primary cause of sinkholes. I had questions about whether sinkhole formation was not part of earthquake activity, and whether they could occur from the water bodies.
Summarize the Documentary
Filmed by NOVA’s Supecx Documentaries in Florida, this one-hour documentary illustrates the global impacts of the sinkhole. The video discusses the formation of sinkholes, highlights some sinkhole-prone areas, and sheds light on the sinkhole victims. Lastly, this film exposes the causes of such incidents and reasons for the increasing loss of property irrespective of early warning signs.
Sound Effects, Camera Work, Interviews, and Special Effects
Apart from the usual sounds surrounding every event, the film has background music and dialogue that enhance the filming atmosphere. Camera shots are detailed, comprising a blend of close-up, long, medium, and full shots. Several camera angles reinforce the filming and capture the motion of events. Sometimes the filmmaker tilts the camera through a high angle to capture the object from above or oblige to obtain a sideways view. The video has well-presented interviews comprising brief comments made by hydrologists, engineers, geologists, and eyewitnesses of catastrophes. The filmmaker accompanies each narration with clear pictures or videos making it stand out.
Personal Comments
I am amazed by the various topographies and scenes, especially in observing the type of things that fall into sinkholes. The highlight of a 40-acre monster in Louisiana as water swallows tree is an epic sight. What was so tragic that captured my attention was to see a woman plunge into a hole. The video of the train crash is visually fascinating, along with the horse that appears trapped.
I have learned that sinkholes can be accelerated by various human activities. Poorly designed and overloaded sewage systems help create enormous sinkholes. It was interesting to know that 20% of the earth’s surface contains soluble rocks; as such, human activities can increase sinkholes such as minefields and pipelines. Whereas technology could detect sinkholes, developers continue to erect structures in prone areas. One of the reasons is that when the county finds a sinkhole activity in any tract of land, there will be no revenue associated with it, thus letting the homeowners bear the brunt.
I did not find significant drawbacks except that the graphic content could irritate kids, especially those with a history of sinkholes. I would certainly recommend this documentary to students studying science, travelers, as well as landowners. Precisely, there is no limit on the audience since it is easy to capture and it involves property, safety, and learning.
Reference
Klein, L. (2015). Sinkholes-buried is alive [Film]. NOVA. Web.