Article 2. The Documentary and The Maker from LADY AIR: MAKING A DOCUMENTARY IN NEPAL- Second Installment by Lisa Pellegrino

23/11/08

Nepal, Women, Media and Me

Background behind the documentary and the filmmaker, by Lisa Pellegrino

In May 2008, I traveled to Nepal to make an independent documentary about the condition of women in the country’s rural Plains and how the media (print, radio, television and computer/internet) can be used as a tool of empowerment, education and a source of identity, confidence and career. Over two and a half months, a friend and I traveled across the cities and country-side; staying with local families, visiting countless villages and radio/television stations and conducting interviews and research along the way.

In this second article detailing the documentary, I will discuss what the documentary is about, tell you a bit about myself and why I choose to make this film.

What is the documentary about?
The documentary, with the working title “Lady Air: Women in the Media in Rural Nepal” is about the condition of women in rural areas and how the media can be used as a way to empower and develop communities, the condition of women and the situation of other disadvantaged groups. We not only looked at the men and women who are the audience of this media (from farmers listening to the radio in their fields to families watching television in their homes) but also at the men and women working in these media institutions and stations, many of whom have had to face many difficulties to do so.

About the filmmaker
My name is Lisa Pellegrino and I am a 23 year old female from Adelaide, South Australia. I am a former undergraduate Anthropology and Psychology student (with a Diploma of language in German) from the University of Adelaide. I have worked in community radio (Radio Adelaide 101.5FM) for 4 years and on commercial radio (NOVA 919FM) from 2007-2008. I also have a variety of other media and music experience (including TV, print and DJing). In 2007 I volunteered in Tansen (rural Nepal) at a local radio and television station and at a multimedia training centre through UNESCO.

In late 2007 I was offered a position to work in rural Nepal on a UNECO project entitled “Finding a Voice” by my former Anthropology lecturers. With no experience of traveling in Asia, no real idea about Nepalese culture and just general lack of preparation, I arrived in Nepal and immediately fell in love with the country. The more time I spent there the more I learnt about the culture and adored the lifestyle. I stayed with a local family in Tansen and spent much of my time with the community and visiting local villages and media outlets.

Why Make the Documentary
During my first visit to Nepal, I learnt a lot about the importance of community media in rural areas and how it is truly seen and used as a tool of community development and empowerment by the Nepalese people themselves. I was particularly impressed by the amazing women I met both working in the media and consuming it. I met so many strong, passionate, hard-working and intelligent women working as journalists, presenters, editors and producers (often facing many struggles and obstacles to do this) and just as many amazing women living as housewives, students, daughters, friends, shop-owners and so on.

After returning to Australia, I could not get past how impressive and devoted many of the media institutions were as well as the women and men who work there. I also could not get over how amazing the general community was in these united efforts. I also missed my friends and ‘family’ there so much and wanted to see them again. So I though…..hmmmmm….how can I incorporate capturing the stories and efforts of these people, share it with others, see all the people I adore again and make it all fun, entertaining and exciting? How can I capture and celebrate these women and the general community and all the work they were doing?

With little film experience and no real idea how to even begin such a project….I thought….”YES! I will make a documentary about this! Then I can share it with a larger audience, give it to universities and NGOs to use and provide the Nepalese communities I visit with a record they can have and use for themselves.” And so the hard work began in order to turn a mere idea into a living, working project!...................

In the next edition, Before Take-Off (Funding, Planning and Injections!) , I will describe how this mere idea of making a documentary was turned into an actual working project, thanks to the help of some lovely people………