The Fair Trade

[Meghan Kraley]

I haven't seen this movie (it hasn't been released yet), but something to keep tabs on:

The Fair Trade movie is an innovative documentary film recounting the story of successful fair trade entrepreneur Tamara Johnston. Johnston, devastated by the tragic death of her fiancé, makes a bargain with God to postpone suicide in exchange for a meaningful life. She quits her job at Dreamworks, her twin sister Shelby quits her job teaching art history at California State University at Los Angeles, and brother-in-law Steven quits his job at JPL in order to spend their days making soap for their start up fair trade skincare company Anti-Body. Johnston becomes an activist for human rights and social justice causes, but despair over her loss remains unabated for several years. As she nears the deadline of her bargain, a trip to Kenya for Heifer International allows her to visit the fair trade co-op in Togo, Africa, from which Anti-Body buys its organic shea butter. There, she finds a surprising answer to what is required of her in exchange for a sustainable life.

[Tracy Young]

Meghan, I know the director of this film and have seen her past work and this is bound to be wonderful. My guess is that this will make a great doc for small groups.

[Amy]

I just received this in the mail and I'm GR for the next two weeks if you want to borrow it. (Then I'll be in Burlington for a week if anyone there wants to borrow it.) Or all get together and watch it? Haven't looked at it yet, just opened the cover is all.

[Charlton Breen]

Amy, How did you get a copy of this film? Netflix says that the release date is unknown.
I attended the Fair Trade event in Grand Rapids. It was such a pleasure being in the company of these people. Easttown GR is kind of like a Fair Trade capital of West Michigan. I have this back burner dream of opening a fair trade store in downtown South Haven. After Saturday, I just want to pursue the idea even more.

[Amy]

www.filmbaby.com

I can't remember how I found this site, I think it was from here, but it's great. I just received four movies I ordered but haven't had a chance to watch them yet.

[Amy]

OK, we showed this at lunch at the CRCNA(USA) building yesterday and it was well recieved. It isn't what I expected and we didn't get to discuss it (lunch hour and a 58 minute movie only leaves 2 minutes to heat your food see). It was good and I have heard several people still talking about it.

fyi: I am leaving the DVD with the Social Justice office.