Frisline from “Poto Mitan”

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - “Poto Mitan” co-director Mark Schuller will discuss the movie about five courageous female Haitian workers following a screening at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at California Lutheran University.

The first event in the 2011-2012 Reel Justice Film Series, which examines the themes of equality and social justice, will be held in Lundring Events Center.

Through the compelling stories of the Haitian women, “Poto Mitan” gives the global economy a human face. Each woman’s personal story explains the economic impact of neoliberal globalization and how it leads to inhumane working and living conditions, violence, poverty, lack of education and poor health care in Haiti. While the 2009 film offers an in-depth understanding of Haiti, it also shows that women’s subjugation, worker exploitation and poverty are global concerns. Through their collective activism, the women of the film demonstrate that, even given the monumental obstacles in a poor country like Haiti, change is possible.

Marie-Jeanne toils to give her children the education she was denied because of gender discrimination and the high cost of school. Solange details how Haiti’s current violence stems from a long-brewing economic crisis. Frustrated with male-dominated unions, Frisline offers a gender and class analysis of Haiti’s contemporary situation. After 30 years of work, Thérèse brings wisdom and historical perspective. Pushed off her land by foreign agricultural policies, activist Hélène leads a new grassroots campaign against violence.

The women’s own analyses are supported by interviews with Haitian activists, government ministers, and scholars providing global, economic and political context. The women’s struggles to unionize and images of their deplorable working conditions are juxtaposed with contradictory interviews of factory owners.

The film showcases a range of contemporary Haitian music by Emeline Michel, Boukman Eksperyans, Brothers Posse, Manze Dayila and The Nago Nation, and Awozam, along with songs of empowerment by the women.

Mark Schuller is an assistant professor of African American studies and anthropology at York College, the City University of New York. He spent more than two years in Haiti studying women’s nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). He befriended the female staff and volunteers, earning their trust through patient research and home visits and by staying in Haiti during the violence in solidarity. Ever since, he has kept in regular contact with the women in the film, visiting Haiti three times per year.

The Reel Justice Film Series will continue with “Miss Representation” on Oct. 19 and “Which Way Home” on Nov. 9.

The Center for Equality and Justice is sponsoring the free event. For more information, contact Sam Thomas at 805-493-3693 or sthomas@callutheran.edu.