Jo in the Water

A passionate sea swimmer becomes a reluctant activist, taking on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in the fight for clean, safe waters.

For Jo Bateman, sea swimming is more than exercise. It is joy, connection, ritual and a deep relationship with the natural world. But when sewage pollution threatens the Exmouth waters she loves, Jo finds herself moving from passionate swimmer to reluctant activist, taking on one of the UK’s biggest water companies in a fight for the right to swim safely.

Jo in the Water follows one woman’s determination as it becomes part of a wider movement for clean rivers, seas and coastlines. The film captures the anger and frustration of a failing water system, but also the energy, humour and solidarity of the people refusing to look away. At its heart is a simple, powerful question: who gets to protect the waters we all depend on?

jointhewater.com

Jo in the Water photo: Will Reddaway

Film Details

Screened at LandxSea

About the Filmmaker

Pip Piper

Pip Piper is a producer, executive producer and director specialising in feature documentaries, with 25 years' experience producing and directing award-winning films. He produced two BAFTA-winning documentaries by Michael B. Clifford, Bicycle and Chasing the Sun, and co-produced The Insatiable Moon with Tim Sanders (Lord of the Rings), which won Moondance Festival USA and two NZ National Film Awards. Pip has set up MA programmes in film, led industry bodies, and founded Doc Lab with Exeter Phoenix. He champions grassroots independent filmmaking rooted in sustainability for both filmmakers and the planet.