The moving image is an undeniable force for social change. In a short interview with i-genius, recent member Camilla French tells us about how she has combined her love of film and documentaries with her concern for social justice.
Editor: What does being a social entrepreneur mean to you?
Camilla: Creating something socially positive through your work and sending out an important message to the masses. I think it’s also about believing in what you do and staying true to it.
Editor: How did you get involved in documentary making about social issues?
Camilla: I used to live in China where I first got into documentary film-making. When I was there I helped out on a film about struggling musicians. I realised that for me it was all about giving people a voice, and in my latest (fictional) film, the protagonist, Olena, gives a voice to women who are victims of sex trafficking.
Editor: What has inspired you to unite your interest in media with your interest in social and political causes?
Camilla: I think film is a very powerful tool. Documentaries especially are about real people and real stories and they can teach us so much about what is actually going on in the world. There is so much happening politically and socially which affects us and victimises minorities. As the media is so powerful it should be used in a productive and creative way to communicate ideas and solutions to people.
Editor: Do you believe that there is greater potential for the film industry to be involved in social initiatives?
Camilla: Absolutely. It’s all about reaching the masses and I think people are starting to become more socially aware. People want to know more about what’s really going on, and not just be fed news stories. Documentaries are becoming more popular at the cinemas and I think it’s just a case of big film companies welcoming more socially conscious films.
Editor: Could you tell us a bit about your forthcoming project in China?
Camilla: I’m going out there in April with Judy Bretschneider who I am starting up the company ‘Blind Spot productions’ . We’re going to be researching a few documentaries which we plan to start shooting in August. One is about the effects the pollution levels and climate change are having on the communities populating the Yangtse river. We also plan to do one on the Art bubble and foreigners living in Beijing.
Editor: What do you hope for as part of the i-genius community?
Camilla: I hope to meet people I can collaborate with and share ideas with, find more opportunities to network and build relations with people who want to work towards the same things.
