It was a combination of temple fair and outdoor cinema at the playground of the Khlong Luang community in Chatuchak district earlier this month. While waiting for the Sun to go down for the outdoor movie screening, children, teenagers and parents gathered, some sitting on mats while others were queued up for food, popcorn, desserts and drinks provided by the community members.
Children and adults gather for a screening of selections from Girl Rising.
But the night’s programme wasn’t all about fun. Organised by Plan International and Intel Corporation to mark International Women’s Day, the outdoor festivities were a means to send a message of empowerment.
Two short films from the Girl Rising project were shown — the stories of girls who, despite difficulties in life, manage to rise up through the power of education — to inspire young people in urban communities.
“The message is education is key in the development of boys and girls,” said Plan International (Thailand) country director Maja Cubarrubia. “There are many cultures where women and men have no equal opportunity in education. Equal education is key to the development to the community.”
The film, comprised of nine stories, directed by Academy Award-nominated Richard E. Robbins and narrated by renowned actresses such as Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway, was released globally last year.
Two segments of the film were screened at Khlong Luang, one about a Nepalese slave girl who struggles to get an education and aspires to be a songwriter, and another about a girl in India who dreams of becoming a painter.
“I don’t think you can expect major change after this,” added Cubarrubia. “But at least we can start planting the seed in the minds of adults and children about education and about equal rights for girls and women. Hopefully, this will inspire these children and their parents to realise that both boys and girls have to go to school.”
Children in Khlong Luang, comparatively, are living much better lives with easy access to education, but issues like drugs and teenage pregnancy are still prevalent.
Intel’s corporate affairs marketing manager for the Asia-Pacific region Russell Campbell said the film allows audiences to see the girls in their local situations and one can really build a connection with these characters.
“Each girl in the films faces a different issue,” said Campbell. “It might be poverty, it might be disaster, it might be sexual exploitation, but they each face a different issue that prevents them from getting to school.
“The first step to changing that is to really change people awareness of that issue, and then you start breaking down some of the cultural and financial barriers and find a solution to get girls to school.”
Although there was somewhat of a language barrier for young viewers, it was clear that just the images and acting caused quite an impact on their view of the world and their own lives.
Jutharak Niyomchuen, a 16-year-old who lives in the community, said the film made her feel both sad and inspired.
“I’m glad to participate in this activity, even though younger kids might not understand the film completely, but those around my age can really relate to it. I feel sad that those girls didn’t have a home and an opportunity to go to school like me. It made me appreciate more the money my parents have worked hard for,” she said.
Plan International and Intel Corporation are planning to screen the film at three other crowded communities in Bangkok, five communities in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, and a detention centre in Chon Buri province.
“Aside from letting children see the film, we will also give them the opportunity to speak up about their thoughts and ideas on the film so we can use this information to solve other issues,” Cubarrubia said. Community leader Natthachai Thaiplaek said it was good to see that all were able to participate in the activity.
“The concept is simple, picnicking on mats, and this can really reach the kids and parents. Usually, people will feel intimidated and nervous by activities from foundations. Children in our community are more lucky than those in the film, but it’s good because they will get to compare themselves to the less fortunate ones,” she added.
