Hilde Back writing a letter at home.

A Small Act is an inspiring documentary emphasizing how a single action can have a huge impact.  The film tells the story of Chris Mburu from Kenya, whose primary school education was paid for by the sponsorship of a Swedish woman named Hilde Back.  Because of her generous act, Chris was able to gain the experience that eventually led him to Harvard University.  Later in life, Chris founded the Hilde Back Education Fund to help support Kenyan children who may not otherwise receive an education.  This film is proof that every small act can make a difference.  I recently interviewed the filmmaker, Jennifer Arnold, about what drew her to this story and why she believes A Small Act has the power to change the world.

Q.  How did you first come across Chris Mburu and the Hilde Back Education Fund?
A.  I actually came across this story because I was trying to sponsor a child in Kenya.  I went to University of Nairobi back in the 90’s. I made a lot of great friends there and we stayed in touch.  I called a friend (Jane Wanjiru, who is in the movie) and asked her which education foundation would be reputable?  She said that she and her cousin, Chris Mburu, had started their own small fund.  First she told me about Chris’ search for his sponsor, and I thought, “that story would make a great film.”  Then she told me that they were about to select new kids, and before I knew it I was in Kenya researching and filming all at once. Read the rest of this entry >>

Last week I posted my interview by Director Cyrus Nowrasteh about his film The Stoning of Soraya M., which tells the true story of a woman falsely accused of adultery and stoned to death.  The film raises awareness of the harsh castigations that exist as law in Iran.  These punishments are barbaric and archaic, and it is time that the laws change to be more just and humane. From the Amnesty International Web site:

“Iran’s Penal Code prescribes execution by stoning as the penalty for adultery by married persons. It even dictates that the stones are large enough to cause pain, but not so large as to kill the victim immediately.” Read the rest of this entry >>

Last night I went to a screening of ‘The Stoning of Soraya M,’ the true story of a woman living in a remote village in Iran who was falsely accused of adultery and stoned to death.  I was able to sit down with director Cyrus Nowrasteh to discuss his compelling and powerful film about injustice and misogyny.

TakePart: What inspired you to tell this story?

Cyrus Nowrasteh: It’s a great story.  It needed to be told and it’s about an important subject that no one has ever addressed on screen.

TP: Did you face any challenges in adapting this tragic true story into a narrative film?

This is very sensitive material.  All of these issue that people are bringing up are ones that we felt and faced while we were trying to develop the material which is hardcore.  This is about a stoning.  We also felt that it is such an important subject that we had to tell it honestly and truthfully from the book, so the essence of the stoning in the movie is exactly as it is described in the book.  We condensed a lot of the back story and the framing story, and focused on Soraya and her aunt and their whole journey because that is really the heart of the book and you have to make those choices.

Read the rest of this entry >>

Father’s Day is June 21 — do you know what your getting your dad? This year I’m celebrating by going green. Here are a few of my favorite eco-friendly Father’s Day gifts:

Adopt a polar bear! Through the World Wildlife Fund you can adopt one of 80 species including a panda, snow leopard, or gray wolf. Whatever you’re animal of choice, this is a great gift and a wonderful way to help protect our endangered wildlife.

Recycle. There are so many wonderful things made out of recycled material and my favorite so far are these unique recycled cuff links made out of circuit boards.  If your dad is more traditional, shirts are a safe bet. Recycled cotton clothing is made from recovered cotton and without harsh chemicals.

My sister and I used to surprise my dad by washing his car every Father’s Day. Instead of wasting lots of water and making a big mess there is Waterless car wash. No bucket, hose, or waste required, just spray, wipe and Viola!

Golf equipment is a traditional favorite for Father’s Day but did you know that most golf balls contain pollutants like cobalt and lead? However, now there is a fantastic alternative; eco friendly golf balls made from 100% renewable material.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth, which makes it a great renewable resource. A few great gift ideas are a bamboo BBQ set or a tie rack.

Make something. Parent’s always love homemade gifts and there is no better way to say I love you. Think green by making a book of coupons like planting a tree, going camping,  cooking an organic dinner together, or just going for a walk.

Sebastião Salgado is an award winning photojournalist and environmentalist who has dedicated himself to revealing the lives of the world’s displaced. His photography sheds light on all humanity while protesting war, poverty, and other injustices. I recently saw a selection of his work from his Africa series on display in Los Angeles and was moved.

The beauty of his images lies in Salgado’s depiction of his subjects. He is known to live with people for weeks before ever touching his camera and when he does photograph his subjects he depicts them with honesty and respect.  Salgado has said that “It’s not the photographer who makes the picture, but the person being photographed.” Read the rest of this entry >>