Dates: July 6-10, 2015
Venue: Alliance Française
Time: 6 pm
Free Entry
About
The ‘Why Poverty’ documentary series is a project that was initiated and produced by Steps International, a non-profit organization that combines documentaries, new media and outreach to get millions of people talking about big issues. 5 long films and 21 short films from all around the world aim to deepen our understanding of the underlying causes of poverty and inequality.
Mon. 6 July at 6.30 pm
‘Poor Us’ – an animated history: Do we know what Poverty is?
The film takes us on a journey through history and poverty, examining attitudes, drivers and solutions from the early hunter gatherers to today’s financial meltdown.
Related short films include ‘God is Rain: Kenya: what happens when the water runs out?’, ‘Whose land: Mali: Land grab or business opportunity?’, ‘Wilber Goes Poor 1: India: caste: a cause of poverty and discrimination?’ and ‘OK Brothers: India: worst job in the world’
Tue. 7 July at 6pm
‘Stealing Africa’ – How much profit is fair?
Based on original research into public documents, the film describes the tax system employed by multinational companies in Africa.
Related short films include ‘Sea Gypsies: Malaysia: the cost of tourism’, ‘Wilber Goes Poor 2: India: caste: a cause of poverty and discrimination?’, ‘Coal Boy: India: digging to the other end of the world?’and ‘The Barrel: Venezuela: sink or swim?’
Wed. 8 July at 6pm
‘Solar Mamas’ – Are women better at getting out of poverty?
Rafea attends the Barefoot College in India that takes uneducated women from poor communities and trains them to become solar engineers. The film follows Rafea as she finds that qualifying at the college is the first of many challenges.
Related short films include ‘The Thread: Uruguay: can microfinance fix a 15th birthday?’, ‘Afghan Girl: Do we know what poverty is?’, ‘Wilber Goes Poor 3: India: caste: a cause of poverty and discrimination?’, ‘A Beggar’s Loan: Bangladesh: from begging to business?’ and‘Miseducation: South Africa: What would you risk to get an education?’
Thu. 9 July at 6pm
‘Park Avenue’ – Money, Power and the American Dream: How much inequality is too much?’
Park Ave, New York City is home to some of the wealthiest Americans. Across the Harlem River is the other Park Avenue in South Bronx, where more than half the population need food stamps and children are twenty times more likely to be killed. In the last thirty years, inequality has rocketed in the US. While the richest lobby Capitol Hill for friendly legislation, the poorest are left asking what happened to the American Dream?
Related short films include ‘New Poor: Spain: who are the new poor?’, ‘Maua surroundings: Brazil: a new way to fight homelessness’,‘Lullaby: Germany: do the poor sleep well?’, ‘The crisis and the sunglasses: Greece: is anyone safe from poverty?’ and ‘Mama Illegal:Moldova: love or money?’
Fri. 10 July at 6pm
‘Land Rush’ – How do you feed the world?
The population of Mali comprises 75 per cent farmers, but rich, land-hungry nations like China and Saudi Arabia are leasing Mali’s land in order to turn large areas into agribusiness farms. Many Malian peasants do not welcome these efforts, seeing them as yet another manifestation of imperialism. Can Mali’s farmers combat food shortages and escape poverty on their own terms?
Related short films include ‘Waste: Global: why can’t we feed the world’, ‘Morris’ Bag: Kenya: can you feed a family out of bag?’ and‘Hunger for Profit: USA/Kenya: how can you make money out of hunger?’
