THE GIRL POWER BEHIND
THE MAASAI GIRL PROJECTS
HOW IT STARTED A Connection While I was in high school, I (Angelica) read a collection of short stories about women around the world and the many forms of injustice, oppression, and violence we face due to our gender. I was exposed to the diverse experiences and challenges that girls face while awakening into our greatest selves, but continue to persevere through in hopes of a better world. One particular true story deeply impacted me. It was the story of a young Maasai girl that pursued her education and independence despite the most terrifying obstacles for not only her own benefit, but the benefit of other women. I had found a role model. HOW IT HAS EVOLVED Short Film Mary is a fourteen year old Maasai girl living in a nomadic cattle farming village in Kenya, where a drought has come over the land. She is a strong, bright girl that has persuaded her father to keep her in school despite their poverty, but is forced to flee her family when they try to take her out of school, sexually mutilate her, and marry her to an old man in exchange for a dowry of five cows and a calf. Short Research Documentary Two young adult American women endeavor to the other side of the world to explore the social pressures, cultural expectations, and modern interpretations of being a Maasai girl pursuing her independence and education. We will be filming our travels to multiple villages and documenting our day-to-day culture clashes while getting to know the Maasai people. Short Web Series Katie Matthews, MBA, is an experienced short film writer that is helping me turn my short film into a series. Her previous work has gone to the Cannes Film Festival. All projects are currently in pre-production. |