Help Is On The Way

Film Details

• Title: Help Is On The Way

• Format: HD (25fps)

• Sound Format: 5.1 / Stereo

• Production Co: Two Islands Digital

• Year of Production: 2020

• Genre: Documentary

• Duration: 91min / 52min

• Language: Indonesian, Mandarin

• Copyright: ©2020 PT Dua Pulau Digital

Synopsis

Help Is On The Way brings to the screen a busy nanny school in Indramayu, West Java, that prepares women to work overseas as domestic workers. Every year, hundreds of women like Sukma, Meri, Muji and Tari are recruited by local agents who are remunerated after successfully seeing their recruits enrolled in local training centers. They are among the many women from rural areas aspiring to work in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. They enrol in a school and learn language skills and elderly care, preparing themselves for the work they will undertake overseas while completing their paperwork and waiting for placement.

There are many reasons for women to work abroad, such as; to support their family, escape their family or to experience a sense of independence and excitement. Negotiations with family are carefully handled, as they are not always happy to see their loved ones go abroad, for what will be years, whilst other families are happy. While the women bring income that can alleviate their family poverty, at what cost and are they really improving their lives?

Help Is On The Way explores the lives of the various women that undertake the required training and development, following them from their village to the school, into Jakarta and eventually working abroad in Taiwan. It also explores the role of the agents, teachers, and personnel at the school as well as current workers in Taiwan. It is at times an emotional journey, but also funny, enlightening and a little competitive, offering a unique insight into a lifestyle not often seen on screen.

Film Team

• Director / Cinematographer: Ismail Fahmi Lubis

• Producers: Nick Calpakdjian & Mark Olsen

• Executive Producers: Amelia Hapsari & Wuan-Ling Guo

• Co-Producer: Yen-Ming Lai

• Editor: Nick Calpakdjian

• Composer: Arlo Enemark

• Colorist: Aldrian

• Assistant Editor: Alinda Rimaya

• Production Coordinator: Yournes Sari, Joe Tseng & Emily Wu

• Researchers: Muning Lai, Emily Wu & Sima Ting Kuan

• Impact Producer: Sofia Setyorini

• Sound Design: Hadrianus Eko

• Production Company: Two Islands Digital

• Sales Agent: Filmotor

Festivals & Awards

• Winner - Festival Film Indonesia Best Feature Documentary, 2019

• National Winner - Asia Creative Academy Awards Best Documentary Programme & Best Editor, 2020

• Taiwan International Documentary Festival In Competition, 2020 (Taiwan)

• 17th EBS International Documentary Film Festival Official Selection, 2020 (South Korea)

• Festival Film Documentar Winner Best Indonesian Documentary, 2020 (Indonesia)

• Joga-NETPAC Asian Film Festival Official Selection, 2020  (Indonesia)

• Bali International Film Festival In Competition, 2020 (Indonesia)

• Hong Kong International Documentary Festival In Competition, 2020 (Hong Kong)

• Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival In Competition, 2020 (Nepal)

• Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival In Competition, 2020 (Pakistan)

• Dili International Film Festival In Competition, 2020 (Timor Leste)

• Thin Line Festival In Competition, 2021 (USA)

• Darwin International Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 (Australia)

• Indonesia Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 (Australia)

• Ecofalante Environmental Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 (Brazil)

• Freiburger Film Forum Official Selection, 2021 (Germany)

• Humans of Film Festival Official Selection, 2021 (Netherlands)

Broadcasts

• PTS Taiwan (All rights, Taiwan)

• Go Play (All rights, Indonesia)

• EBS (South Korea)

• iWonder (Online, Worldwide ex Taiwan & Indonesia)

• Educational Rights (Alexander Street, USA non-exclusive)