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COMPARING COUNTRIES COMPASSION DVD Individual = $43.00 (inc. postage) |
COMPARING COUNTRIES COMPASSION DVD Organisation = $58.00 (inc. postage) |
COMPARING COUNTRIES COMPASSION DVD Uni or Library= $108.00 (inc. postage) |
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Comparing Countries’ Compassion busts the myths surrounding sex work and highlights the power of peer education in combating HIV/AIDS by disseminating the message that sex work is real work, a human rights issue, and that the children of sex workers need fair and equitable access to education. “Jessie Abraham”, a sex work activist/some-time comedian/peer educator-turned-documentary-producer, jetted off to Delhi, India, to shoot her first film on this very important subject with award-winning Indian film maker, Vikrant Kishore. In it, Jessie compares laws, peer education, education, culture and condom accessibility to determine how these factors affect sex workers and the general community on a day-to-day level. Noting that decriminalisation is best practice for the sex industry, Jessie interviews sex workers, |
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minority group activists, people working in chemist shops and doctors while attending an international sex worker conference for sex workers and supporters where she performs "new worker training" in front of thousands of Indians.
It's a case of serendipity for Jessie; sex work is illegal in India. However, after many years of fighting stigma and discrimination, communities in India now consider sex work to be an occupation, but there is still a long way to go to reach decriminalisation. Sex workers take pride in being safe sex experts. This film celebrates sex workers' strength and achievements through interviews, dance, peer education and rallies. “While working alongside each other under state persecution, we've still managed to minimise the spread of HIV/AIDS through peer education. Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s highlight the positives-and learn from it!”, says Jessie. This unfunded project is fuelled by passion and a desire to educate the world on how safe-sex educated workers make informed choices. "It's important for everyone, all around the world, to have fair and equal access to condoms, lube and education", says Jessie. This film is relevant to universities, sexual health clinics, sex work organisations and anyone interested in supporting the rights of sex workers and their children. It aims to inspire and educate! Open letter to individuals and organisations that would benefit from viewing this documentary: To whom it may concern, I'm writing to advise your organisation of Comparing Countries’ Compassion—to sex workers, an Australian-made documentary that is a vital learning tool for your employees and target groups. It emphasises the importance of peers in community-based organisations and in developing appropriately targeted education and campaign materials and consultation processes in order to advance human rights. This documentary is a valuable educational tool aimed at the whole community, including organisations that interact with or provide health, medical or community services to the GLBT communities, minority groups and sex workers. Comparing Countries’ Compassion—to sex workers is a film that celebrates sex workers’ strength and achievements through interview, dance and peer education. Independently funded, this sex worker-made documentary stars "Minority activist Jessie Abraham" and has recently been purchased by many organisations, including Family Planning NT, the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council, Respect Inc. QLD and Scarlet Alliance, the national sex workers’ association. This documentary has been screened internationally in America, India and many states here in Australia. By supporting this local Australian film producer, you will be assisting "Jessie" and her producer Seranna to attend the World A.I.D.S Conference in July 2010 so that they can continue to film the next series as well as present a paper and the documentary to audiences in Europe. Yours sincerely,
Comparing Countries Compassion - The base Questionnaire for all. [read] Additional production notes from Jessie: I wanted to create a Documentary series called Comparing Countries Compassion that researched the laws & culture around sex work in different countries from a sex workers aspect and if these laws were compassionate and did it assist their human rights, civil rights and sexual health? Never actually been part of the film industry, never studied film making, I knew I could not do this alone if I wanted it to be seen as professional. In 2007 I contacted Vikrant Kishore and informed him about my idea. It was pretty broad idea as it needed to be flexible. He was happy to be part of the stake holders team. But money was the issue. Also I had no film experience or grant writing experience so it was overwhelming. I jumped at a opportunity to go over to India for a conference at the end of February 2009, and the Indian film maker happened to be over there at the same time. There was not much pre planning regarding scripts as I did not know what to expect in another country, and knew that whatever the plan was that there was a huge chance that other opportunities would arise. I used my own money to hire a 6 man film crew, and we spent 3 weeks filming interviews, rallies, re enactments , performances at conferences, and then spent around 100 hours editing it. A highlight of the movie was interviewing the most famous transgender minority activist in India, also the accessibility of condoms was also highlighted as a major issues so that was also added to the film. |
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