Filmed in magnificent locations in Iceland, India, and the Middle East, this program looks at how control over water has been a central factor in human existence. Viewers take a precarious flight in a motorized paraglider to experience the water cycle up close; discover how villagers in the Himalayan foothills have built a living bridge to cope with the monsoon; and visit Egypt to study the connection between water and the regimes of the ancient Pharaohs. The result: an excellent launch point for discussing not only the undeniable role of water in any society, but also the fate of a culture that no longer has sustainable access to water sources.

A BBC/National Geographic-U.S. Co-production in Association with ZDF.