Salt: Tears of the Earth

There are millions of solutions to the problems of survival but there is only one substance that has awakened all organisms to life: salt.

No creature can live without this magic mineral and no living organism can produce it on its own. Amoebas, algae or humans – all life-forms are completely at the mercy of this simple chemical compound.

In all bodies of water on earth, there is salt in abundance, and animals and humans have always been able to extract the valuable crystals from water – directly through their organs or with the aid of evaporation in salt lagoons.

But on dry land, the white gold needed to be laboriously mined – sometimes at danger to life and limb. Enormous power and lavish wealth developed in the few privileged areas where salt production flourished.

Salt: Tears of the Earth takes a look at the very ancient and back-breaking industry of salt mining. It focuses on regions such as Bolivia, Turkmenistan and Portugal.

The viewer learns the process by which salt is harvested and gets to know the people whose livelihood depends on it, often under harsh conditions. Along with the human aspect, the documentary also teaches about the history behind salt mining.