Producer Gayle Ferraro has answered questions from the audience at many screenings. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) and Gayle’s answers. If you have further questions, please email info@aerial-productions.com or use the research cues below. Thank you for your interest.
About the film and its content
Q: What inspired you to make this film?
A: I wanted to work with the concept of poor women in Bangladesh as empowered, rather than helpless. As a businesswoman myself, I was inspired by these women who are starting businesses with very little and being held accountable.
Also, after working at both Boston’s public television station (WGBH) and at WBZ-TV as a researcher and production assistant, I wanted to produce an independent film on a topic I care deeply about: women’s lives.
Q: How did you meet Selina?
A: Initially, I worked through the Grameen Bank to visit different villages and met with as many women as possible. As I interviewed a range of women and the process continued, I realized I wanted to profile a new borrower. I wanted to document the experience of someone still new to the process.
Q: How many times did you visit and for how long?
A: Over 7 months, I traveled to Bangladesh three times. Each trip was 2 weeks.
Q: What was it like to work with Selina on this film?
A: I met Selina on the first trip. She was very shy. Eventually, Selina became more relaxed and seemed to enjoy feeling that she was being helpful on this project.
Q: Has Selina seen the film?
A: No. At some point in the future I would like to follow up with Selina’s daughter, to see how her life develops. At that point, I would probably have to arrange taking a generator, a VCR and a television so that Selina could see it.
Q: Does the practice of giving dowry still exist in Bangladesh?
A: It is an ongoing practice. In the film, I strive to give information and insight into this complex theme.
Q: Where do the proceeds from this film go?
A: There are no proceeds at this point. The documentary cost $35,000 of my own savings from running a gymnastics school. None of the production costs have been recovered to date. All semi-theatrical screenings have been subsidized by the filmmaker, Aerial Productions, and participating organizations.
(continued on flip side)
About microcredit
Q: How substantial are the changes to daily life after women receive these loans?
A: Progress is slow, but steady. Most women can still barely feed their families, but they are managing. Perhaps most important is that it gives them hope, a direction, community and they
are not falling back—they are holding their own. The ‘16 decisions’ charter also gives them information and guidance on how to better themselves and their families. It gives them goals they believe in.
Q: Why are the loan recipients mostly women?
A: Over the years lenders have found that women are vastly more responsible in terms of repayment and investing the money in their homes and on their children. The fact that women are usually less mobile than men is also a factor. Dr. Yunus talks about this in the documentary.
Q: Has the Grameen model been successfully implemented elsewhere?
A: Yes, Grameen has been a model for many programs around the world and in the U.S.
Q: How can I find out more about the Grameen Bank and microcredit in general?
A: Grameen has a Washington DC program. Their website is www.grameenfoundation.org
There are many other lending programs (Boston: Center for Women in Enterprise, Working Capital, ACCION; Chicago: Women’s Self-Employment Project, South Shore Community Bank; New York City: Project Enterprise, Credit Where Credit is Due, Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union.)
Next Steps
Q: What is the next project for Gayle Ferraro and Aerial Productions?
A: Gayle is currently working on "Anonymously Yours," a film about sex trafficking in Burma. Tragically, most families seem to be affected -- either with a daughter in the sex trade, a man who uses prostitutes, or someone in the family working as a pimp. This is routine in many Southeast Asian countries, yet the topic is underreported. Now in post-production, the projected release of "Anonymously Yours" is Fall 2001.
Q: Can I show "Sixteen Decisions" to friends or colleagues, or arrange a public screening?
A: Sure, contact us at www.aerial-productions.com. We have an on-line screening form that can get you started.
A final note from Aerial Productions
We appreciate your interest and would love your ongoing support!
To contribute to Aerial Productions' endeavor to create and distribute more films on important topics, please e-mail us at info@aerial-productions.com or call us at 617-492-4222.
Produced by AERIAL PRODUCTIONS, 2001.