Emotional maturity and an inclusive message.
Written by duckrabbitI love this. It starts with redemption. Goes to shock and then back to redemption. The emotional maturity and the awareness of the need to engage, not to either preach nor alienate audiences really comes through.
I know it is a video but photofilms/photography can and does have this transformative potential by thinking outside of the image.
[youtube width=”500″ height=”405″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6zCNdEfm5w[/youtube]
Others might disagree, find it soft, not serious and ask “does it do enough” but to those people, think about the following:-
1. I know the power of retrovirals in 90 days.
2. I know I can make a difference – it is not a desperate situation.
3. I know the problem is bad and people’s individual situation can be desperate.
4. I am not depressed watching this. I feel good that progress can be made.
5. I am not subjected to shock in every frame – so maybe it can also reach a much younger demographic.
6. No stereotyping – the nurse is a local so it is showing people helping themselves in their own communities.
6. I am empowered to invest in this person’s life.
7. I have experienced a broad range of emotions.
8. I have learnt something I did not know before – see no.1
9. The producers do not feel the need to say a single word themselves (none of the “I shot this to show how I was moved by what I found…”). I do not have to filter the information given to me in order to think for myself.
To me that shows a certain humility.
All this in just under 2 mins.
This is not a template or prescription for how things should be done because I am just me, a member of the audience, the public, someone who wants to make a difference within the context in which I live my own life. I do not feel bad for not being there, for not giving enough, for not putting my life on the line.
The message is inclusive. It brings me in. Gives me the space to think for myself and does a lot more by actually not trying to do too much.
Here is the follow up:-
[youtube width=”500″ height=”405″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDeARb_Vlrc&feature=channel[/youtube]
Topsy Foundation is the charity. Directed by Kim Geldenhuys and produced by Egg Films in South Africa.
Congratulations to all involved.
Author — duckrabbit
duckrabbit is a production company formed by radio producer/journalist Benjamin Chesterton and photographer David White. We specialize in digital storytelling.
Discussion (9 Comments)
One of the most powerful things I’ve seen in a long time, for all the reasons you mention.
Doesn’t patronise or make me feel bad, just that there is something that can be done.
Amazing.
(tweeted)
Wow … THANKS for posting this. Bang. It really got to me. What a brilliant idea, for all of the reasons posted above.
I was just thinking I wish the film had ended back at day 90, and in the end we heard the woman’s voice. That would be something else.
Goose bumps! This video has a big impact on me. It shows what can be done with good medication in a very effective way.
Definitely works on a younger audience. My 2 year old daughter asked to watch the ‘sleeping lady’ again and again.
Seriously though. I once told someone well known in the industry that I wanted to shoot ‘good news’ stories. I got a look that bordered on derision and was told “Good Luck with that”.
This shows we can talk about harrowing issues in a positive way. Good stuff.
Great comment Tom. Just think who people who have AIDS feel when they see some of the most harrowing pictures … it takes the hope from them and promotes stigma around the disease.
WOW what a powerful video! What makes this piece so powerful is its simplicity. I particularly liked how the message and call to action was not forced down my throat. Like duckrabbit I also think hearing the woman’s voice may have added something extra to the piece. Throughout the video I also found myself empathising not only with the woman but with the nurse and other carers that are in the same predicament as many families are often left feeling helpless because they can’t afford the treatment.
Hi Muna,
GREAT to see that you have been on the blog! And thanks for your comments!
Benjamin
Also I think the cover image is really bad. It puts me off clicking on this film. Which is a shame.
Seriously, I never knew that anti-retroviral drugs could have such a retorative effect on a person..incredible..this film really does give hope to people with the AIDS virus and shows those in a position to help that we can make a difference to someones life.
Not long ago I listened to a really interesting radio documentary on BBC Radio 4 about the black market surrounding anti-retrovirals in Africa. Apparantly the drugs highten the effects of ‘recreational’ drugs such as cocaine and so desperate people who are being prescribed the drugs are being exploited by criminal activity and paid (a relatively small amount of money) for their supply so they are never actually getting the help that they need. That documentary made me feel very sad – that the help is there but there is always some greater force there ready to take it away..usually money