Last week I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation about international aid. This documentary film hit home with me in so many ways that I did not expect it to. I remember watching the trailer a week before I saw the film. I was just mesmerized by the intensity of information that was crammed into a movie trailer. It is important for people to know that the mechanisms used to “conquer” poverty in developing countries is another form of colonialism. This time it is just dressed nicely in diplomacy.

I liked that the film analyzed the intent of programs such as FAO, world food bank, TOMS shoes, and other non for profits known for their generosity. It is important for all of us to see that there is no moral absolutism. In everything there is so much more complexity than just a good and a bad side. I could not help but to look around at people’s reactions of the eye opening parts of the film. I was really excited about the turn out at the screening I attended. This film is something that affects each and everyone of us one way or another. I think it is so important for people to engage in these conversations and question in what ways our systems work and the true motives behind them. I did like that the film pointed out the money that immigrants make in western countries and send back home to their home country is significantly more than the aid from FAO and such programs. It is important to point out that those from developing countries are giving back in the best way they know how.

I was particularly intrigued by the  Q & A section with the co-director. He explained to us the reason why he decided to embark on this film journey. It all started when his wrestling team went to Bangladesh to go visit people that they raised money for. The whole theme behind the fund raising was that “strong bodies fight, so small bodies may be nourished” . That implies that the wrestling team, who happen to be westerners are strong and that they need to defend the weak. This sparked the whole concept behind the film of objectification vs relationship. The film did a great job of providing a lot of information that is digestible to the audience. I was intrigued by why Haiti was the star of the film when a west African country, like Ghana or Nigeria would have a better story.  Most importantly by spotlighting one of these west African countries would have had a more optimistic ending because real progress is actually occurring there.