Why Women?

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After my documentary pitch, I was faced with the question: why do all- female landmine clearance teams even exist in Cambodia? I asked the person who I felt would know best, a previous contact and landmine victim – Stuart Hughes – and he got straight back to me with the following answer: (I found it a very interesting hypothesis)

Quite simply, a generation of men were exterminated by the Khmer rouge, opening the way for women to take on traditionally “male” roles. Many of the men who could have worked as Deminers were killed – which is why the percentage of people under 30 in Cambodia is so high.

Also, you’ve got the traditional Khmer gender roles of subservience to men being subverted by women Deminers, which is a really interesting dynamic.

Have a read of this (‘Women in Cambodian Society’) http://www.seasite.niu.edu/khmer/ledgerwood/women.htm

The Pitch

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I had to give the pitch for my documentary proposal today, and I am quite happy with the result. The pitch is to outline the itinerary of my trip, who I intend to speak to and where, the treatment of the footage and the intended audience. With the feedback from my tutors and peers, and I am still very confident with my proposal and documentary idea and look forward to meeting all of the contributors when I go out in just over 3 weeks time!!

Title: Female Bomb Disposal Teams of Cambodia

Dates: 9th June – 2nd July 2012

Locations: Cambodia (Siem Reap – Cambodia Landmine Museum; Phonm Penh – CMAC)

Question: ™What does it mean to be a female landmine clearance worker in Cambodia in a predominantly male orientated role?

Interviewees: Song Kosal (landmine victim and ambassador to the cause); Aki Ra (founder of Cambodia Landmine Museum); Sophrin Sophray (second in command at Cambodia Landmine Museum); H. E. Heng Ratana (director general of CMAC)

Audience: Al Jazeera Witness Strand

I have subsequently heard back from MAG who are now happy for me to contact them on the ground in Cambodia for an interview.  I will therefore have three landmine clearance organisations that I have access to:

  • CMAC
  • MAG
  • Cambodia Landmine Museum (Self- help demining)

The most interesting point I took away from my presentation was the question: ‘Why are all-female landmine clearance teams even in existance?’ It is a rather crucial point in relation to my title, and one that I had overlooked, so I will be interested to see why this is.

One World Media Funding

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So it was a stressful process, many a late night… but I have just found out that I have been successful with the One World Media student funding!!

I am SO excited!!

My Title: Female Bomb Disposal Teams Of Cambodia

The funding body, YourWorldView is looking for a 3 minute trailer of my overall 20 minute university documentary. This will go up on their website and hopefully showcase the work of female landmine clearance workers in Cambodia.

I will be starting up a new blog to focus on my progress with this documentary and the filming I do out in Cambodia, so watch this space…