In some parts of the world, people with albinism often face social and cultural challenges (even threats to their lives), because the condition is often a source of ridicule, discrimination, or even fear and violence. Some cultures have developed beliefs regarding people with albinism.
In Tanzania, for example, there have been what reports are calling an unprecedented rise in witchcraft-related killings of albino people in recent years, because their body parts are used in potions sold by witch-doctors. News of killings of albino youth, and the severing of their body parts to sell to witch-doctors, aren’t so uncommon.
The president of the country (Jakaya Kikwete) has publicly and repeatedly condemned witch-doctors, their helpers and middlemen, and the clients, which include members of the police force, for these kinds of murders. He even ordered a crackdown on witch-doctors, while the Prime Minister declared war on albino hunters, revoking the licenses of all the country’s witch-doctors who use the body parts. And also the police have been ordered to generate lists of albinos in order to provide special protection for them.
We’ve featured past films on this site that directly tackle this issue in Tanzania, as well as in other parts of the world.
Here’s one intriguing upcoming new project that is currently in its fundraising stage, hoping to shore up production financing via crowdfunding site Seed & Spark.
In short, titled "Leche," the film, from director Gabriella A. Moses, tells the story of Nina, nicknamed Leche, a young girl who is ostracized from other Dominican kids in the small Pennsylvania community where she lives because of her albinism. When visiting hunters illegally shoot an albino deer in the woods, she obsesses over the murdered deer & finds herself targeted by a jealous classmate.
The filmmaker is seeking just $6,000 to help shore up financing.
First, watch the pitch video below, and if you’re sold (and I think you will be), head over to the project’s Seed & Spark page here to make a contribution so that Ms Moses can get the film made, and we will all eventually get to see it!
