The difference of culture…

Making a documentary like this is interesting. Being married to someone from China for 8 years I thought I had the culture thing figured out but seems I have a lot to learn. For example, we were confronted today by someone claiming that our documentary was “fake”. While it is true that we have directed alot of what’s going on, the kids smiles are definitely not fake.

The question is this: How do you make a documentary with a mission and still make a documentary. Well, we have decided to include some of the process making in the documentary itself. Call it transparency or what have you but we feel it important to show our Chinese audience that some goofy foreigners have attempted to make this happen and attempted to challenge their thinking. Culture is a wall sometimes but definitely not insurmountable.

EDIT: In reading this back to myself I realize another problem, it’s easy as Americans to forget that we have alot to learn. I think I sounded like I was trying to be a teacher to Chinese people. That’s not it, honestly it’s this: There are so many poor kids in this country that would be better helped by their own people than by foreigners coming in with their agendas and so that’s the challenge of the film.

This is what one month into documentary filming looks like…

http://kck.st/9aS1y8

New Shoes, New Smile

I would like to introduce you to the first child we have chosen to be in the documentary. His name is Sam. Sam is 9 years old and is a very sweet little guy. When we first met him at his house he told us that his dad drinks alot and sometimes hits him. His house is a complete and utter mess. His Mom left when he was 3 years old and he is left with what appears to be an alcoholic father that tries his best but really needs help raising his son. Today we took him to the closest city to buy his first ever pair of new shoes and we got from him his first ever smile.

Thank You Policemen of China.

I would just like to say a huge thank you to a few policemen who have given us some amazing help the last two days. We had two kids that we wanted for the documentary and through some grace from up above and a little perseverance we met an amazing policeman who guided us to the first village to get permission for one girl yesterday. He also made a phone call to one of his policeman friends and that guy took us to the other village in the mountains and received permission there today. So basically we have had police escorts the last two days vouching for us so that we have permission to film and help these kids.

I will reveal the two kids and their stories soon. The documentary has been amazing so far and full of all kinds of adventure. Please consider helping our kickstarter project by going here and pledging some money:

http://kck.st/9aS1y8

While David and I were waiting for the police and our team to come back today in the village, David made a friend:

Synergy and the documentary.

I went and picked up David last night from the airport, his plane arrived around 1 am, and then we immediately headed to my house where he’s crashing for a few nights and launched our kickstarter. Went to bed around 3am and got up at 8am this morning to get Abby some breakfast.

Today we made some huge steps in documentary planning. We have decided to attempt to take two of the kids (instead of only one) we have found and develop their stories.

I really enjoy working with David, the word that comes to mind is synergy. He is a great leader and really allows people to take a part in his vision of seeing orphans and poor kids have a better life in China.

Tomorrow is a “befriend the government” day. We need official letters from a few government departments to show to the villages where these kids live so they can come to camp. It’s all about grace in these situations.

You guys, we have the coolest kickstarter thing going on right now, please join it if you like what we are doing!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rogergreenlee/roger-makes-a-documentary-in-china-bring-me-hope