Kony: The Hunt For the World’s Most Wanted
Field Producer
BBC Panorama
Somewhere in the vast, dense jungles of Central Africa is hidden Joseph Kony, one of the world's most wanted men. For the past 25 years, Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army have waged one of the continent's darkest conflicts; using an army of abducted and brutalized children to kill and maim tens of thousands of people. But how has one man, said to take his orders from the spirit world, managed to escape capture for so long? In the wake of the infamous 'Kony 2012' Internet campaign to bring him to justice this year, BAFTA-winning reporters, Sorious Samura investigates the myths surrounding Kony and travels to the front line of the fight to bring one of Africa's most bizarre and brutal leaders to justice.
Nanny Business
Researcher/Narrator
Global Currents, Director Shelley Saywell
The Nanny Business explores the domestic labour market that brings in an estimated 5,000 women to Canada every year to serve as caregivers. These women, mostly escaping poverty in the Philippines, leave their own children behind. Their dream is to satisfy the requirements of a Canadian government program that promises a “fast-track” route to citizenship. For many that dream becomes a reality, however a disturbing number of these women become victims of fraud and abuse. Following the journey of Edelyn and Joelina, two single mothers who arrive with only their hopes for the future. The Nanny Business puts a personal face on a story exploitation that is occurring all around us. From the moment both women arrive in Canada, they are victims of unscrupulous agents and employers, vulnerable in a system that does not protect them. University-educated, determined, and brave, they both fight back. In the end, they find ways to overcome their circumstances and the bravery to go public. They hope their stories will help force change, both in attitude and action, in the new country they want to call home.
The Nanny Business was inspired by Susan’s award winning article for Walrus which exposed the abusive system in which many Filipino caregivers to Canada become hopeless victimized by. Susan became consultant on the documentary, and though we didn’t originally intend it that way – became one of the film’s on-camera characters.
MAGIC MESSES
Girl Dayz
Producer
The digital website and series Girl Dayz, (now Magic Messes) explores bullying and self esteem building among elementary school aged girls. Winner of a Ministry of Education of Ontario grant and the Louise Russo Award of Excellence, the videos and website seeks to showcase girl on girl bullying through parody and provide information and innovative activities to help girls build their self confidence and awareness in a culture that often negatively pits girls against girls.
The Last Great Escape
North Korea is among the world's most mysterious and secretive countries. The little we know comes from desperate souls who risk everything escaping overland in search of a new life. Many are captured in China and sent back home to an uncertain future. But a few somehow manage to make it all the way to Canada. The Last Great Escape is the story of two courageous individuals who fled a life of privation and fear and survived to tell the tale. One of those stories is Lucia Jang's, as written in the Stars Between the Sun and Moon, by Susan McClelland.
