Tapestries of Hope

Home Stretch for the rough cut

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:07:00 +0000

Tapestries is beginning its home stretch (woo hoo!). With a strong post production team in place - led by line producer Christopher Bankston, editor Jessica Sison and writer Susan Black and backed by the amazing post production facilities at FatBox Films - the team, led by director Michealane Risley is hoping to have a rough cut in the Fall, in preparation for premiere in 2009!

Thanks for all your support (real world at our fundraisers, blogosphere and everything in between). We'd love to see you at an upcoming fundraiser on October 19th at the McGrail Vineyards in Livermore (see invitation below). Signup online.

TapestriesOfHope101908BenefitV2 - Upload a Document to Scribd

Also, Tapestries was invited to a panel discussion organized by the Producers' Guild of America featuring pathbreaking filmmakers who are leveraging new media to raise money, build audience and find distribution for their projects. Other filmmakers included Mark Jonathan Harris, who is behind Darfur Now and other Oscar-winning documentary films and the panel was moderated by Peter Broderick, who has worked with Christopher Nolan and 600+ other filmmakers on online strategies.

ps: huge shoutout to Jessica (our editor) whose short is screening at festivals everywhere. Track a screening near you!

Christian Science Monitor feature + Women@Google Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:26:00 +0000

Christian Science Monitor recently wrote a feature about filmmakers successfully leveraging their online / social network fans to help with fundraising, and Tapestries was featured in this story. An excerpt:

Filmmaker Michealene Cristini Risley has connected with activists concerned about sexual abuse by blogging about her experiences, which include being arrested and detained in Africa for filming without a journalist’s permit. “[The documentary] goes after that niche audience that is aware of the issue, that is somewhat socially conscious,” says Anand Chandrasekaran, one of the film’s producers.

The film is well into post production and preparing to be completed in the Fall. Also, director Michealene Risley was invited to the Women@Google series, which has featured Sen.Hillary Clinton among others in the past. Below is the video from the talk:

Benefit concert fundraiser at Wente Vineyards a SUCCESS!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:33:00 +0000

Our benefit concert fundraiser at Wente Vineyards on June 28th was a SUCCESS in terms of both entertainment AND fundraising!

Attendees were treated to an eclectic blend of jazz, world, classical, and rock from acclaimed band THE FRONT PORCH. Check out these three short music videos from the charity event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBNH4mFF-x4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLTNhD8F7s8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp9aq-KZvfw

Attendees were also treated to an inspirational speech by "Tapestries of Hope" Director Michealene Cristini Risley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrDdLH_JH_I

THIS Saturday, June 28th, 2008, from 1 to 3 pm

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:36:00 +0000

This is turning out to be a busy week for Tapestries of Hope with director Michealene Cristini Risley just finishing a talk by invitation at Google as part of the Women@Google series (This after Risley's successful Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders' Seminar at Stanford University with producer Anand Chandrasekaran).

This Saturday, June 28th, 2008, from 1 to 3 pm, is the Tapestries of Hope Fundraiser Wine & Music Event. You're invited to Wente Vineyards (California's oldest family owned and continuously operated winery) for an afternoon of live music, free food, wine tasting, and helping our human rights cause in the historic (air-conditioned) Estate Winery Barrel Room, located at 5565 Tesla Road in Livermore, CA.

Enjoy live music from winemaker Karl Wente's acclaimed band The Front Porch, which includes Tapestries of Hope producer Ray Arthur Wang, a retired concert pianist. The Front Porch rotates through multiple genres for a truly unique listening experience: hear original music as well as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Chick Corea, Beethoven, Gershwin, etc. (Joining The Front Porch for this charity event will be world renowned percussionist Kenneth Nash, famed for his collaborations with Bobby McFerrin, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B.King, Woody Herman, Weather Report, and many more.)

All proceeds from the concert ticket sales go to complete Tapestries of Hope, the human rights movie and social entrepreneurship effort that you're familiar with. Michealene will speak at the event.

For the philanthropists out there, tickets go for donation levels of $25, $100, and $500, the latter two coming with great perks. Click here to RSVP today!

For those with a tighter budget, there are group discounts: you can show up at the door in a group of 2 for $5 OFF each $25 minimum entry fee. Show up in a group of 3+ for $10 OFF each entry fee.

As a thank you for your donation to our registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, you will receive up to $50 savings off wine and merchandise in the Wente Family Estates tasting rooms. Restrictions may apply.

Finally, the blog love for Tapestries of Hope continues with this nice read.

Blog love for Tapestries

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:45:00 +0000

Tapestries is in post-production (a HUGE shout-out to Kent and the amazing team at Fat Box, and our editors Robin Chin and Vanessa Perez!)... feels like the beginning of the home stretch. From the first meeting with Betty Makoni in April 2007 and beginning of pre-production in Summer '07 to now feels like a long journey. Now the wait begins...

The ability to tell such a powerful and important story... we're excited, to say the least!

The blogosphere is excited too this week. Following is a snapshot of the collective bear hug the project and its director received:

- Amy Jussel's Shaping Youth blog... an excerpt:

Obviously, it’s a touchy subject to awaken the world to the story of two child abuse survivors fighting to expose these horrors, but Michealene has managed to ‘pay it forward’ with profound positivity by giving people the tools to engage at IndieGoGo, a cool social media film fundraising site for supporters like me to make a difference.

- Mamalicious blog... an excerpt:

I’m so lame. Tapestries of Hope has been on my to-blog list for a minute, but I hadn’t gotten around to it because it deserves much more than a rush job, and that’s where I am these days. But Amy Jussel at ShapingYouth has done the damn thing–and done it right.

- Ideas for international development blog (blog in French).

On another positive note, Tapestries is the first movie to repeat online fundraising success on the new site IndieGoGo! Check out the project's page and get involved today. You can choose the movies that get made.

Thanks a ton for all the support. Stay tuned for more updates.

We love you too!

The Estimated Cost of Human Life in Zimbabwe is Four Dollars!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:34:00 +0000

Can you imagine? Four dollars would buy most of a fast food meal in the United States, perhaps a cup of designer coffee. In Zimbabwe it is enough to motivate boys to beat pregnant women with nail ridden planks and smash the skulls of old men into the earth, blending their blood with the rich red soil of this beautiful but anguished country.

To read the rest of this blog, visit The Huffington Post.

On a brighter note, here are the winners of the official Tapestries of Hope IndieGoGo raffle.

- Peter Johnson: Private Screening with Director
- Lorraine Hariton: 3 month free membership to Women's Independent Cinema
- Nancy Jamison: 3 month free membership to Women's Independent Cinema
- Adryenn Ashley: 3 month free membership to Women's Independent Cinema
- Lauren Kastanis: Chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company
- Joy Elliot: Playstation 2

In one collective pause-the World waits to stop the Atrocities in Zimbabwe!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:15:00 +0000

WHY? I don't get it. Does any country have the courage to confront President Mugabe of Zimbabwe?

To read the rest of this blog, visit The Huffington Post.

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:52:00 +0000

Cartoon From Business Day

Rumor has it that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has agreed to a run-off election. The date that I have heard bantered about is April 19th. There are text messages flying across the continent and various groups ramping up to ensure Zimbabweans get out and vote the tyrant out of the office. My message to Zimbabweans: go back to the polls and vote! This man needs a clear and swift kick out the door!

The other rumor, though unsubstantiated, is that "Bob" is busy filling bags of currency as he raids the treasury. The suggestion is that he will leave the country. This would be great for Zimbabweans in many ways. Yet if he does this, there are major concerns that he will not leave a single Zimbabwe dollar for the country's recovery. This is when the global community, that includes The International Red Cross and the United Nations, must develop a plan to help this country become stabilized.

None of this will happen without some global pressure to get Mugabe out of office. This is the time when other African leaders must take a stand to support the will of the people and not stand mute in support of their comrade. Enough. How do we teach these countries to step up to assist the people of Zimbabwe?

There is widespread fear that the election will be rigged in a run off. I don't think it is going to happen. Too many people voted the man out of office. Too many people know and talk that they must have change in this county if the people of Zimbabwe are going to survive. When I talk about survival, its not "survival" you think of here in the United States; instead, Zimabwean's survival entails avoiding starvation and/or death. How will they stop the hemorrhaging of people over the borders?

Yesterday I was told that Mugabe only truly got 46 parliament seats instead of the 97 that are listed. As we all struggle for information and if this vote will again be rigged on the 19th, I know for sure one thing: There will be violence. The people of Zimbabwe have such pent up rage on how Mugabe has treated them that many want to force him to stay in the country, to make sure that he pays for his atrocities.

If Morgan Tsengarai becomes the new President of Zimbabwe, it is his plan to keep Mugabe in the country as well. His agenda will include having Mugabe pay for his atrocities, not only for the ruthless beating of himself but also for his close allies that were tortured and killed.

We are getting a lot of messages about Simba Makoni joining forces with Morgan...and this is truly good news. With Simba Makoni getting at least 8 percent of the vote (approximately) there are people who love him and trust him. We cannot forget how his candidacy split some of the key allies in the current administration and helped create the unstoppable rift. The idea of Morgan Tsengarai and Simba Makoni joining forces as a team brings excitement. Those two men can create a new beginning for this tyrant ravaged country.

Most importantly, some of those in exile are already talking about going "home". They are excited about the inevitable change in their country and the National Unity they feel is happening. They are excited about the loss of seats to ministers that harassed NGO's and women's group. The Minister of Women's affairs, Gender and Community Development, Oppah Muchinguri, was apparently trounced in the vote. This is good news to organizations who have sought assistance from the government on human rights abuses.

We are all watching the situation in Zimbabwe closely. If the dictator is truly going to fall, there needs to be quick and prolonged action. Now the international community must come together to help eradicate the AIDS epidemic, to provide food and medicine...and get the country planting crops. Things could change again, in the time it takes me to post this blog, but I still can't help but think there will be more than seeds being planted in this country soon.

"Tapestries of Hope" DONATION RAFFLE!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:08:00 +0000

Dear Tapestries of Hope Supporters!

“Tapestries of Hope” has teamed up with IndieGoGo to raise significant funds for the making of this important film.

We have some GREAT prizes in addition to VIP Perks if you donate by MAY 1 on INDIEGOGO.COM (www.indiegogo.com/tapestriesof hope)

For all donations of $100.00 or more, you will be eligible to receive one of the five following prizes:
- 1 three-month membership (there are 3 of these available) to Women’s Independent Cinema (www.wicinema.com)
- A brand new Play Station 2
- An assortment of Chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company

For all donations of $500.00 or more, we will enter those names into an additional SPECIAL RAFFLE. The lucky winner will win a private screening for your friends and family with the director Michealene Risley, who will travel to your home with a DVD of the completed film in hand. There will be a Q and A session afterwards.

**The raffle drawings will take place once we've completed this round of funding. Anonymous donors will not be included in the raffle.

This is also a reminder that you can receive a tax deduction on your donation. However, you MUST let us know if you would like to receive this after you donate.

Please go to www.indiegogo.com/tapestriesofhope to donate and help us reach our goals.

Even if it’s 5 dollars, it will help tremendously. Please take the time.

Please forward this message to all friends, family, and co-workers who might also like to help.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

The “Tapestries of Hope” Team

All Calm in Zimbabwe Before The Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:16:00 +0000

The calm before the storm is a frighteningly familiar feeling for me. As a Midwest gal born and raised, I know that feeling down to my bones. It is the eerily quiet time period before a tornado touches down, before the chaos hits, before destruction visits. Right before that touchdown, the air is clear and crisp, there is an unnatural stillness. The squirrels have stopped playing hide and seek amongst the branches and the birds have been silenced. For those of us hiding in basements, our eyes glued to the television, we are enveloped in anxiety waiting for information on where the tornado will touch down.

Zimbabwe is in this place right now, thirteen million people holding their collective breathe, waiting for the results of the presidential election. The longer the wait, the more that anxiety spreads like a pre-cursor to blood-shed across the country. The only response to the collective waiting has been silence and more silence. I spoke to a friend in Borrowdale earlier today, she said "Everyone has been off the streets today. All of us are quiet and calm, but we know that must stay indoors and wait for the results."

There are people around the world holding their breath with you, Zimbabweans. You are not alone. There are many people everywhere committed to democracy that are fearful that you will not sit quietly through another rigged election. All of us are fearful of increased violence in a country that has been decimated by poor leadership.

On Sunday, I heard reports that people were celebrating in the streets. In fact, one journalist, Jan Raath wrote this for The Times, (UK) "We are on the knife edge now. There is little doubt in the minds of a very large slice of the population that Robert Mugabe was dealt a severe blow on Saturday. They laughed in the voting queues about how they were going to skewer the rooster (Mr. Mugabe) and roast him. They cast their votes and went home to await the result. The slack Sunday morning was interrupted repeatedly by cars hooting long and loud, with young men whistling and waving wide open palms. One crowd was singing: "Saddam is gone, and now it is Bob's turn."

But is it really Bob's turn? As Drew Barrymore voice rings in my ears from the movie ET I can hear her say, "What's happening?" And I wish I knew. One interesting aspect of this election is that Mugabe had agreed in advance to allow local districts to count and post results on site. To me this seems to make it harder to rig the elections district by district. On www.Zimbabwemetro.com, one third of the vote counted puts Mugabe in second place, far behind Morgan Tsvangirai. So what is taking so long to get to the final results?

It has been over 48 hours since the polling sites have closed. Most people that I spoke with in Zimbabwe could care less which candidate gets in, as long as it is not President Robert Mugabe. One of three things will happen. The first is that Mugabe will state that there is a TIE and an election run off needs to happen. The second scenario is that he will give up his post, just after collects all of "his" money and exits Zimbabwe with his core alliance.

The third scenario, and the one that terrifies me the most, is Mugabe rigging the election and declaring his 6th term in office. No one can afford this scenario. Another sources in Zimbabwe said that tomorrow Mugabe has a planned meeting with the Army General and the head of the Police force. It scares me that this may happen, and would be devastating to Zimbabwe. Then again, I can't even begin to get inside the mind of Robert Mugabe. So I like the rest of the world, must wait.

Is Zimbabwe Heading Toward Great Change Or A Colossal Fall?

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:14:00 +0000

I have been eaten with anxiety as Zimbabwe's national election looms closer this March 29th. My mind is torn between the agonizing wait and the fear of the day's arrival. Some of us are terrified at the endless possibilities of violence and death that civil disobedience will bring. I fear the inevitable; I hope to be wrong. Yet, I am also roused by a still beating heart from the people who are caught in this drama; a people so dogged in their determination to survive such prolonged oppression. A people so determined to have a voice. Zimbabwe is a place one cannot help but love. It is a rich land of olive-colored rolling hills and exotic animals; a spirited populace that continues to be courageous and resilient. Zimbabweans inspire me. A group of individuals that collectively have survived more wreckage than our consumption addicted country could ever know.

It is a tiny spot on the planet infested with poverty, disease and corruption at the hands of an 84 year-old syphilitic man that has hoarded power beyond the expiration date. Even when the people of this country say NO to another term of Robert Mugabe, he refuses to allow a fair and free election.

President "Bob" is running for his 6th consecutive term in office. He controls the media, the army, the Central Intelligence and the police force. He oversees the bank system, the food supply and the distribution channels. There is nothing that this man has not tobacco stained with his endless greed and corruption. I have seen it with my own eyes. His reign of terror is so wide and so powerful, that it followed me into South Africa after my deportation from Zimbabwe.

Mugabe continues to stay in power through his maniacal use of fear- thought erasing, palm sweating, heart thumping fear. As the election draws ever closer, bribery, battery and bruises are every Zimbabweans one meal-a-day. The prevalence of fear has caused many families to leave the country until after the election. Some have had their lives threatened, others have decided on self-imposed exile, and the rest have given up and permanently moved to neighboring countries.

Like the Grinch on Christmas Eve, Mugabe flings presents at the very people he has hurled into poverty; people with so many stories, so few heard. Money drops from the sky to erase the tears from land gone barren and shriveled up crops. The Grinch's laugh echoes through the night as his cronies hoard the cash.

I am confused by Mugabe's last ditch efforts. Did he have a flicker of fear as he thought, "Could I lose this election"? Did he not print out enough phony ballets? Why is he wasting money when the results of the election are pre-determined? Will his tweaking of the constitution to station police at the polling stations hurt him?

The starvation I witnessed last august was on the brink of catastrophic with empty stores and an ever decreasing food supply. Seven months later, dog food has become a staple food. Last week a butcher got caught selling human meat at his store, under the guise of pig meat. Apparently the butcher had been killing Albino men and women and selling their meat. After hearing this story over the phone, I truly found it hard to believe. I cannot begin to understand that level of desperation or the barbaric action, so I am mute. I feel a colossal empathy and sadness for this beautiful country and the people who are driven to their knees. And I wonder, in this election, if someone hands you a bag of maize, would you choose another meal of rage?

There are real heroes among the people still living in Zimbabwe. The current opposition candidates are at the top of that heroic list: Simba Makoni, Langton Towungana and Morgan Tsvangirai. These men have put their personal lives at risk to create a different country. They know very well the danger that they welcome by listing their names on the ballot, by shaking someone's hand and saying "Vote for me".

There are other everyday heroes that the world will never know; human beings that will never make it to the front pages of a major newspaper even though they will have lost their lives standing up for what matters: The mother with six children who fights to be heard over screams of outrage at a systematic eradication of femininity though rape, abuse and genital mutilation. She remembers somewhere in the recesses of her mind, that women can still create change. Another hero is the father, who once witnessed the president as a savior and watched his steady decline into corruption. He refuses to continue to give such a man his vote. Or the idealist youth, excited about their future and volunteers to put a candidate's poster up on the streets. Their belief continues to be that change is possible even when they are beaten and thrown in prison. Their only sustenance is the tattered remains of the posters. These everyday champions risk arrest and physical abuse, and are often forced into submission, but hope still sputters.

I'm scared for our country too. We have many critical issue to deal with in the United States right now; Issues that need a good plan and solid execution to American's to feel we are back on track. We have limited resources, and we need to choose carefully where we focus our time and energy and money. We cannot afford to be the Global Problem Solver. Yet, if we are to continue to be a nation that shows global leadership, we must help less fortunate countries. Zimbabwe is one of those countries. Yet, the United States is clearly absent as this drama continues to unfold. I have to question our criteria in assisting other countries. Is our decision of assistance dependent on intersecting needs or are monetary gains are involved? Where are human rights issues in that evaluation process? Are human rights on American's list at all?

I can't stand the fact that the only countries in Zimbabwe to help create a fair and free election this weekend are Russia and China. Where are all the other African leaders? How can they hide as they bear the brunt of a mass exodus from Zimbabwe? Do they not understand how it taxes their own countries and creates more crime and poverty? Are their pockets lined so deeply that they cannot get up from their plush leather chairs to see the line of beggars on the sidewalk below?

I am done. The truth is, even writing doesn't comfort me now, or reduce my anxiety. I am mostly resigned to the outcome of Saturday's election and can't bear to read a newspaper this weekend.

I wish someone would accuse me of spreading enormous exaggerations about this rogue inhabited country. It might give me someone else o focus on; to yell and scream at during this agonizing wait. The problem with that scenario is that anyone calling me on gross exaggerations would be wrong. They would learn that my words only scratch the surface of the atrocities unfolding in Zimbabwe. The helplessness I feel is shallow compared to Zimbabweans who are trapped in a world not of their own making. American's absence in this unfolding tragedy is criminal.

United Nations Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:07:00 +0000

As most of you know, Tapestries director Michealene Risley was invited to speak and moderate a panel at the United Nations on "The Role and Responsibility of Men in Preventing Violence Against Women" last week. The panel went great and here is an excerpt from a message sent by Michealene to friends and supporters of the project:

I wanted to let you know how "incredible" the event at the United Nations was on Monday. The Secretary General of the United Nations has launched a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. It was inspiring to say the least...and hopeful.

Secondly, there is a chance that the landscape of rape and abuse in Zimbabwe can be changed. The current political situation in Zimbabwe right now, is at a critical juncture. For those of you interested, there is HOPE that the dictator, President Mugabe will be voted out, and Simba Makoni will be the new President. If fair and free elections will be held this can be possible.

The shift will begin to change the standard of living, and availability of food to all Zimbabweans. A change in leadership with also dramatically alter the level of violence against all human beings in this country. Anyone who is interested in helping spread the word, contact me directly. There are a number of ways to get involved.

Below is another picture from the event:

Tapestries of Hope's Director Invited to Speak at United Nations

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:20:00 +0000

The following is the United Nations invitation Tapestries of Hope's Director Michealene Cristini Risley received recently:

Permanent Missions, NGOs and headquarters staff are cordially invited to attend an interactive panel on

The Role and Responsibility of Men in Preventing Violence Against Women

Monday, 25 February 1.15 pm
Conference Room 2, UN Secretariat Building

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of men who are working hard to end all forms of violence against women throughout the world. To accelerate this momentum and create a critical mass, the United Nations Secretary-General will, as part of his multi-year campaign to end violence against women, enlist the support of men leaders in mobilizing men and boys for action.

Please join us in a dialogue with a survivor of violence, a government official and three men activists on the intrinsic contribution and responsibility of men in preventing violence against women in an inter-active panel.

Moderator:
Michealene Risley, women's advocate, author and award-winning documentarian

Panelists:
Marie Delva, a "face of courage"/survivor of violence who turned adversity into opportunity to help herself and other survivors in Haiti

Todd Minerson, Executive Director, White Ribbon Campaign - the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women

Captain Aimable Mushabe, a Rwandan military officer implementing measures to protect women against violence

Prateek Suman Awasthi, a young leader actively working with Indian youth and women to end violence against women

Kevin Powell, writer, author of seven books, including The Confessions of a Recovering Misogynist,and political activist involved in pro-feminist and anti-sexist work

For further information, please contact:
Patricia Cortes, Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), Tel.: 1 917 367 3197, Email: cortesp@un.org

#1 on YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:04:00 +0000

2007 was not an easy year - as a lot of supporters know - for the project. After a challenging pre-production schedule during which many who understood the subject matter and/or the geo-political dynamics in Zimbabwe recommended against doing the project - the crew ran into some 'difficulties' in Zimbabwe during production. As a result, all blogs written during the shoot had to be temporarily removed out of concern for safety of director Michealene C Risley & the crew!

We've come a long way since then and are very excited about where the project is headed in the next several weeks and months. Here is a re-cap at some of the key recent milestones:

- Huffington Post carried a series of blogs written by Michealene Risley describing the incidents during the shoot.

- The Tapestries trailer (recently updated for better readability) is featured as the #1 video under "Film and Animation" Category on YouTube. Stay tuned for more teasers!

- IndieGoGo, a new community site which connects filmmakers with their fan bases and supporters and launching at an exclusive Sundance 2008 event and party, will feature Tapestries as a launch partner. Other filmmakers signed up include Steven Starr (For Love or Water, 2008 Sundance selection), M dot Stange (We are the Strange, 2007 Sundance selection), and Chris Roberts (The Believer, 2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner).

- This blog recently won the New Communications Review’s ‘Award of Excellence’ due to the live blogs Michealene posted while in production in Zimbabwe.

- Our Facebook Group “Silent Bravery: Women of Africa” has close to 1,000 members and our continued collaborations include Stanford University to make headway on the social initiative leading up to the film's release.

- Keplers' bookstore in Menlo Park and La Belle Day Spa in Palo Alto are carrying a line of silver jewelry (also available online at http://savehope.blogspot.com) that designer Janelle Gibson co-launched with Freshwater Haven (the non-profit side of Fresh Water Spigot) to support the project.

We look forward to your continued support!

Cinematical covers TAPESTRIES Trailer launch

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:27:00 +0000

Cinematical, the top blog covering independent film, makes a mention of the recent Tapestries trailer launch on YouTube. From the post by Kim Voynar:

While it's always fun to enjoy a big, effects-laden blockbuster or the latest rom-com at the theater, it's little films like this, driven by the filmmaker's passion for the project, that really speak to the dedication it takes to make a doc. like this.

Stay tuned for news and updates throughout the year! Contact us to get involved!

Other blog mentions about Tapestries trailer launch:

- George Karahalios' blog
- Srihari's blog
- TED Fellow Ethan Zuckerman's blog (I left my heart in Accra)
- AfricanLoft feature article

TAPESTRIES' teaser trailer out in time for the holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:22:00 +0000

The exclusive TAPESTRIES OF HOPE teaser trailer is now live! Check it out and spread the word...

Expose the myth. End Abuse. Donate.

Thanks a lot for your support, and happy holidays!

Update 1: The trailer subtitle text has been updated and the new embedded video is the updated trailer. Enjoy!

Update 2: Tapestries trailer honored on YouTube as one of the top videos to watch on Mobile!

Tapestries' blog wins "media blog of the year" award for 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:14:00 +0000

We're pleased to announce that Tapestries of Hope's blog has been awarded the "media blog of the year" award by New Comm. Review.

This award is given to companies and projects that use new media in the most innovative ways. Other winners included the innovative PostSecret site and established companies like GM, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. Read more.

As you might remember, back in August 2007, director Michealene C. Risley live-blogged from Zimbabwe during the shoot, during which the crew was arrested and imprisoned!

Also, here's your chance to "become a fan" of the project on Facebook and spread the word: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=19290823912

Changing The World, Together

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:23:00 +0000

There are so many organizations and non-profits that have a desire to improve the world. I have deep admiration for those groups. Whether it is the current deplorable situations in Burma or Darfur, or issues of world hunger or Global Warming, many people are finding ways to create change. One of the challenges I often see amongst these groups is the duplication of efforts. If these passionate groups could find ways to communicate and collaborate with each other, we could combine resources, save time, and accomplish a great deal more. Besides, there is power in numbers. The internet is flush with stories that exemplify that power of mass and its ability to create a viral effect. We should be looking at these new models of success for guidance.

You might have heard of the organization "Laptop for Every Child"....

To read the rest of this blog, visit The Huffington Post.

Women's Radio News... radio interview!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:43:00 +0000

Check out the Women's Radio News radio interview conducted by Pat Lynch (editor of 'Speak Up') with Michealene C. Risley!

Topics include distributing Flashcards to the members of the Girl Child Network, arrest of the crew in Zimbabwe, help from a volunteer who knew of the crew through Facebook, the current situation in Africa and the efforts to tell the story of TAPESTRIES OF HOPE.

Seeing the Depths of Hell in a Hungry Child's Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:07:00 +0000

Dear President Mugabe,

I am haunted by the current situation in your country. I am haunted by the hunger I see in a little girl's eyes. I met her in a rural village that I cannot list here, for fear of danger to many lives. I do not know this child's name. She had walked many miles with her grandmother and younger brother to thank my friend for her gift of blankets. I look into those deep, hollow eyes and see through to the depths of hell. I cannot look away, terrified as I am by this images being thrust at me.

I am haunted by my memories of your country -- one that I cannot stop thinking about . Yet, I am forced into silence. To speak brings interrogation, punishment, even death. I am followed by horrific images as unwanted as a stalker that follows me to the car wash or out to dinner. The voice cries out in my head. I feel so spoiled, so privileged, so American -- and yet, so helpless. The helplessness is the worst of all feelings, for I cannot assist these kids or alleviate their condition. I have seen young girls who have been raped and abused. A common occurrence in Zimbabwe brought about by men who seek to rid themselves from HIV/AIDS by raping young virgins. I have talked to a doctor, shook the hand of a man who talks about the rape of a one-day-old girl. The ignorance and apathy is incomprehensible.

I have also seen the unintended consequences of celebrity adoptions in Africa. Men are going...

*Read the entire Blog on The Huffington Post

Washington DC's Reaction to the Situation in Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:29:00 +0000

Dear Tapestries of Hope supporter:

Thank you so much for supporting the work we are doing in Zimbabwe and for kids everywhere. As some of you may know, I went to Washington, DC last week to meet with Senators, members of Congress and House representatives to address the issues in Zimbabwe. There were a couple key issues that I presented:

• The Rape and Abuse of girls and infants in Zimbabwe is increasing. Unfortunately, the age of the child being raped is decreasing. We videotaped a doctor who discussed the rape and abuse of a one day old infant.

• The Hunger and poverty issues are at critical levels, with current news reporting Zimbabweans eating their dogs and cats as a way to fend off total starvation.

Washington’s initial response was worse than pathetic. Some of the comments included:

• Congress has “Rape fatigue right now”
• Congress has already approved appropriations for foreign aid for the year.

My favorite bit of advice (from a Washington strategist) suggested I use fear tactics to let Congress know that the rape and abuse of young children is coming here, as African men are migrating.
(I am not kidding!)

Here is what you can do:

1. Help us make our FACEBOOK group and causes pages grow. Tell your friends to join Facebook and join the 'Silent Bravery: Tapestries of Hope' group. Also have them join the TAPESTRIES OF HOPE cause!

2. Donate to our cause. Every dollar helps!

3. Call or email your government representatives to tell them we must do more to help in Zimbabwe. You can reach the following representatives by phone or email:

Subcommittee on African Affairs:

Senator Russell D. Feingold, Chairman
• Savannah Lengsfelder: Legislative Assistant, Human Right and African Affairs: savannah_lengsfelder@feingold.senate.gov
• Washington Office: (202) 224-5323

Senator Barack Obama
• Elizabeth Olson: elizabeth_olson@obama.senate.gov
• Adam Cohn: adam_cohn@obama.senate.gov
• Washington Office: (202) 224-2854

Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations,
Democracy and Human Rights

Senator Bill Nelson, Chairman
• Rob Gatehouse: Foreign Relations: 202-224-5274

Senator David Vitter, Ranking Member
• Rachel Bolander: (202) 224-4623

THANK YOU for doing one thing to shift the world to a better place.

Michealene

Invited blog on Huffington Post - personal recounting of events during shoot in Africa!

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 09:04:00 +0000

This is the first time that I have used my pen to write an original thought since my arrest. I will never take for granted the power of free-thinking or the ability to speak of my experience without fear of repercussions, torture or death. I type these words with a great deal of reverence, responsibility and respect. I borrow from Edward Bulwer-Lytton:

Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! -- itself a nothing!
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! -- Take away the sword
States can be saved without it!

Read the entire piece on The Huffington Post. If you are interested in donating, you may do so directly off the blog.

An interesting week...

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:28:00 +0000

Admittedly, the last week has been a crazy one. Director calling a producer from a Zimbabwe prison and crew detained for 24 hours after day-long interrogations isn't exactly dream scenario for any project. Here's an excerpt from one of the press reports:

Internationally-acclaimed child activist Betty Makoni was arrested in Harare on Tuesday. Two other women - American filmmakers - were also arrested on the same day.

According to media reports, 15 state security agents descended on the home of Betty Makoni on 21 August 2007. They arrested her for allegedly bringing in foreigners (the two American women) to cover Zimbabwean issues without state accreditation. The two women were actually documenting the experiences of Girl Child Network that enabled the organization to win a World Prize on Child Rights for Zimbabwe.

If you are a member of the media and would like to contact Michealene Risley, feel free to email michealene(at)freshwaterspigot(dot)com directly for inquiries or if you would like to schedule an interview.

The crew did come back with footage from filming at the end of 3 very difficult days.

UPDATE:
Interview With Michealene Risley (on Voice of America)
Listen to Interview With Betty Makoni

POSTCARDS FROM AFRICA - #8 of Michealene Risley's live-blogs from Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:46:00 +0000

Ed. Note: Sincere apologies for the delay in posting this. These blogs were written during the production/filming of TAPESTRIES OF HOPE in Zimbabwe. Between sporadic electricity in Africa and getting to blogs back in California, we lost a couple of days. Afterwards, the crew was arrested and interrogated by the Zimbabwe Police, and the blogs were temporarily taken down out of concern for their safety.

8/19/07
A train approaches and I awake to its distant horn. The roosters' persistent crow prohibits me from further sleep. I give up and climb out from the bed. My mind begins to race so it is impossible to attempt to sleep again. It is 3:40am in Rusape, Zimbabwe.

Betty and I stayed up last night, sprawled out by the fire in the Lodge's community room. We talked of our husbands and kids and the difficulty of being away from them. She is a force of energy and commitment and I am humbled by her.

Yesterday was a day that has forever shifted my level of consciousness. The day started early at the market in Rusape. I ached to tape the activities but it was too dangerous. Many of the rural people support President Mugabe, even though they suffer greatly. So, they support Mugabe's ban of journalists and those documenting their way of life. Ru, the matron who oversees the Girl Child Empowerment Village, tells me a story about a man who pulled out a camera here at a filling station and was chased away. Camera smashing by the police is a common practice.

So, we just observe as we enter the market. Lauren, who is helping me to tell this story, is very tentative to the idea of bringing out the camera at all. But nonetheless, we both get out of the car without cameras. The market is a hub of activities as people are constantly moving and carrying food from local farms. There is far more food here than I have seen in Harare.

Our driver, Concelia, tells me that it is because the area is less populated and is in close proximity to the farms. Young women carry sugar cane and babies strapped to their backs at the same time. Ru purchases a variety of goods quickly and confidently. The back of the car is suddenly filled with fresh vegetables and sugar cane.

We arrive back quickly at the Mugabodo Lodge. I take a walk with the camera. Where we are staying it is much easier to use the camera. These areas of Rusapa do not want to have cameras recording anything that would be negative on the President, but in the residential areas it is okay.

Every person walking on the road stops to greet me. I wonder if it is my white skin or the camera but either way, I am reminded of the friendliness and hospitality of these people. There is something unique and interesting about the lack of any white people here.

Betty and our crew eventually get started to the empowerment village. It is a little later than we had planned. The traditional healers have arrived by bus and are milling around outside the main hut waiting for us. This room is called the "Princess Room". There is no electricity in this room, but a fire pit lies at the center. I am a bit dismayed that the fire is not going, as it is very cold here. The "Princess Room" is the hut where all greetings are made. It is the sacred place where little girls come to tell their stories to the princess. There is an old lady here, whose job is nothing but taking care of this small hut.

After introductions we move to the "Women as Role Models" museum of achievements hut. It is similar to the Princess hut but much larger. There is much formality in this culture and I have to remind myself of this, as we go through another round of introductions. I thank the healers for coming from so far away. The traditional healers dressed in their native dress begin a dance that enchants us all. We then begin the questioning.

As many of you know I came to Africa to explore the increased rape and sexual abuse here and the myths and traditions associated with this culture that have been detrimental to its eradication.

As we explored the issues, the conversation get complicated and heated. The local language here is Shona and in the midst of the debate Betty stopped translating. I struggled to decipher what was going on, with a few scattered comments from Betty. I become acutely aware of the dark looks I am getting from some of the traditional healers. A crazy, naïve thought goes through my head. I am suddenly concerned about a hex being placed on me. My imagination runs through various snippets I have heard about witch doctors here. I am suddenly sober.

The arguments continue as the healers deny any responsibility for the widely held belief that men with AIDS should rape a virgin to cure their illness. It gets worse as we discuss the "avenging spirit" practice here. In tribes, if a man kills someone from another tribe, they must provide a girl child to replace the one killed. This is considered fair compensation. She is to bear children for that tribe until a boy child is born. Then she can go back to her tribe. The practice not only uses women as a commodity but increases the rape and sexual abuse in Zimbabwe.

The heated debate continues and Betty listens to all of the voices. She then whispered to me, "I am going to crush them" and stands up to speak. She is passionate and clear as she addresses their denial and platitudes and makes it clear that there are laws now in place and they will be jailed. She speaks a bit of English throughout and I struggle to understand her. As she sits down, I notice the traditional healers are very angry. Some of them walk out of the hut.

The last to speak is Mapako, second to Chief Makoni. Again, the passion and anger are apparent even through the language barrier. When he stops speaking, I glance at the healers. All of their heads are bowed and their eyes are cast to the floor. Betty whispers, "He has told them to learn how to tell the truth". The group gets up to go to the Greeting Hut. It is time for the meal. The traditional healers stick together in the corner of the room and the tension is high. After the meal, I leave to go see the girls. I leave Betty to this situation.

More to come…

Michealene Risley

POSTCARDS FROM AFRICA - #7 of Michealene Risley's live-blogs from Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (Fresh Water Spigot Team) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:39:00 +0000