So Others May Live (Part 1)
Click the link below to watch Matt’s thirteen-minute documentary, a great look at the heart of our mission as told by some of our senior staff on the ground. You can also watch it on our Facebook page.
One of the more powerful ways to tell a story credibly is through the creativity of independent artists.
Matt Blauer is an independent documentary producer/cameraman/editor with two decades of experience working on stories in Southeast Asia with a focus on human rights and advocacy. He has worked with some well-known names including the BBC, CBN, UNICEF and FBR. He has a heart for the Karen and knows their situation well.
During our time working with the Karen, we have become good friends. I recently asked him to help mentor some of our Karen staff in video shooting/editing.
While he was at RTC he made his own film—So Others May Live. I did an email interview with him so you could get to know him a bit better as an independent artist.
Why are you interested in Burma?
I initially came to Thailand in 1999 to work on documentaries about HIV/AIDS, but after I learned about what was happening in Burma, I came to care a lot about Burma. I have tried to use my skills in documentary film making to help. Also, as a matter of faith, I think God cares more than we know about the suffering people endure, so I credit God for moving me to do something to help.
Why the Karen?
There are a few reasons to "why the Karen". Proximity to northern Thailand is one. The unjust suffering that seems to come their way so often is another. But I think the thing that draws me to the Karen the most is their faith. I've heard it said the Karen are a lost tribe of Israel. I don't know if it's true but there is definitely something about their faith that feels like it. Christianity feels very natural to them, I think God had his seed in their hearts long before the missionaries arrived. I am always humbled by their sincere faith and joyful way of living.
Why did you make this film?
I've known Dr. Mitch since at least 2006 when we went on a mission with the Free Burma Rangers together. During that time, he encouraged me a lot in the making of my documentary, Prayer of Peace. I appreciate his humble approach to caring for the "least of these" and his way of really partnering with the people he serves to help lead the vision. So, it was just a matter of things lining up for me to be able to visit RTC and document the stories there.
What do you hope to see coming out of the film?
I want people to open their hearts to care about these people that I believe God cares about, both the villagers and medical professionals. I don't know exactly what viewers will do with that, but I hope they pray for them, maybe they will support the medical mission or maybe they will join God in some other way. That's for God and them to decide. I think the best I can do is share the story and love we have for these people and trust God is working through it.
What have you learned from it?
RTC is full of wonderful people. I enjoyed meeting and learning about the people there. Dr. Augustine was an especially interesting subject to me. In his interviews and talking to him, he allows himself to be vulnerable and shares his heart openly. I think we assume doctors are kind of non-emotional, strictly business, but he's a person of faith, complex, caring and articulate.
Technically, shooting in an operating room was a learning experience. The way the operation theater unfolds is well coordinated and everyone knows what they are doing there, except for me. While filming I had to anticipate what was going to happen and felt a bit lost at times, but I enjoyed it. I also love seeing anyone do something well and seeing the dedication of all the medical staff working together to help one person, it's a beautiful thing.
Making a film is always a new experience. I approach no two films the same and they all need to be told in their own way. I usually feel overwhelmed starting to film and especially in editing, so when the story starts to take shape, it's exciting to see it happen, and a relief.
Whenever I make a film I relearn that experience, the stories are there, we just have to bring them out and pray they do some good. I look forward to Part 2.
If after seeing Matt’s film you would like to see more of this kind of effort by independent artists, please feel free to send letters of encouragement or financial support. To give, click the link below, select “Special Projects”, and in the Memo line write “Support for independent artists telling the Karen story.”
