Dead Sea Guardians is a compelling environmental documentary that follows an extraordinary grassroots effort to draw global attention to the catastrophic decline of the Dead Sea — one of the world’s most unique natural wonders. Shared by Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians, the Dead Sea is disappearing at an alarming rate due to overconsumption and poor water management, leading to ecological damage, collapsing shorelines, and sinking landscapes.
At the heart of the film are three passionate men from three nations, Oded, an Israeli entrepreneur; Munqeth, a Jordanian environmentalist; and Yusuf, a Palestinian lifeguard, who choose to act rather than watch the sea die. United by their love of swimming and belief in cooperation beyond political divides, they plan a dangerous and unprecedented swim across the Dead Sea from Jordan to Israel. Their goal: to create a bold, high-profile event that forces the world to confront the environmental crisis unfolding in their own backyard.
As the group recruits international swimmers and prepares for their historic challenge, the film intimately explores not only the physical and environmental obstacles but also the personal, cultural, and political tensions that shape — and sometimes strain — their collaboration. Set against the stunning yet threatened landscape of the Dead Sea, Dead Sea Guardians is at once a story of environmental urgency and a testament to the power of cross-border connection and shared purpose.
Directed by Ido Glass and Yoav Kleinman, this documentary invites audiences to consider what it takes to protect the world’s natural heritage in a time of crisis — and how courage and cooperation can ripple outward from even the harshest divides.
Grand Junction Jewish Film Festival 