From much the same direction as Paul Close’s ‘Is there one thing that could make your life better?‘ comes ‘What makes you happy?‘ by Simon Sticker at Flow Media.
Based on the ‘50 People 1 Question‘ project ‘What makes you happy?’ consists of a series of short video clips asking the question to young adults from Rwanda. What I like about it is that it focusses on the universalities of human experience rather than the differences. It is anthropologically curious without looking for the exotic. It is touching without evoking pity or sadness.
This may seem a million miles away from the approach of social activism, that usually focusses on extremes of difference – the unimaginable. But how much closer do you feel to these people when you realise what you share, compared to being presented with the extremes of human cruelty and dispare without any humanising or common linkages? This is not to say we should be ignoring the bad things that go down in this world, we shouldn’t. But if you want me to really appreciate those bad things you need to bring me closer, and if I can feel the similarities in my life with those impacted then that is one step closer to me doing something.
Filed under: Video Tagged: | Africa, Central Africa, representation, Rwanda
Great stuff – thanks for sharing!