IndieGoGo.com: LIFE ON THE CHEQUE

LIFE ON THE CHEQUE

Six remarkable mothers who are living in poverty, their hopes for a better future for their children, their struggles to overcome the obstacles of poverty.

Kingston, Ontario
Canada

RATINGS (3)

Idea

Team

Chance of Success

Tags: welfare mothers children poverty kingston canada documentary socialinjustice mentalillness abusiverelationships socialstigma

Synopsis: LIFE ON THE CHEQUE is a feature-length documentary film that profiles six remarkable mothers who are living in poverty in Kingston, Ontario. The women tell their personal tales of adversity and misfortune: growing up poor, surviving abusive relationships, coping with mental illness, and navigating support systems that fail them. These women share a passionate and eloquent analysis of social injustice in Canada. They are united by their shared reliance on a government social safety net that is full of holes, and a cold bureaucratic welfare system that fails to deliver on its promises.

The film will follow the women through their daily lives, highlighting their hopes for a better future for their children, and their struggles to overcome the obstacles that keep them from escaping poverty. Meet Pam, who has overcome experiences of sexual abuse and a mental breakdown to become a personal support worker and a passionate advocate for the poor; Sytina, currently training as a cook at a catering company, who dreams of opening Kingston’s only soul food restaurant; Summer, who has learned to live on a welfare income after fleeing her abusive partner and leaving behind a suburban housewife’s life; Alison, who found roadblocks at every turn when she tried to get a better education and a job; Debbie, who can’t imagine how she’ll ever escape life on the cheque; and Sophie, whose fear of having her daughter further stigmatized by poverty agrees to participate in the film only if her identity is concealed. The stories of these six insightful women are a powerful indictment of Canada’s tattered social safety net, and a compelling call to action for change.

IndieGoGo URL: http://www.indiegogo.com/LIFEONTHECHEQUE

FUNDING

Goal
$1,500

How will these funds be used?
LIFE ON THE CHEQUE is in need of funds for the time-coded video transfer of the interview footage, and for the transcription of the interviews, to prepare the paper-edit and the footage for editing, which will begin in September 2008.

VIP PERKS

$10	Empty Pantry Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits.
$20	Rice & Spice Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard.
$50	Macaroni & Cheese Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard and poster.
$100	Canned Beans & Rice Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard, poster, and printed press-kit.
$250	Salads & Fruits Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard, poster, printed press kit, and a DVD of the completed film.
$500	Meat & Potatoes Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard, poster, printed press kit, invitation to your local screening, and a DVD of the completed film.
$1,000	Family Banquet Supporter	Thank you! Your support will be acknowledged in the film's closing credits; and you will be receiving the film's postcard, poster, printed press kit, two screening admission tickets to the films's world premiere, and a DVD of the completed film.

HISTORY

August 08, 2008	Fundraising Completed ($1,500 of $1,500)	Funds use: LIFE ON THE CHEQUE is in need of funds for the time-coded video transfer of the interview footage, and for the transcription of the interviews, to prepare the paper-edit and the footage for editing, which will begin in September 2008.
July 02, 2008	Fundraising Completed ($1,000 of $1,000)	Funds use: LIFE ON THE CHEQUE is in need of funds for the rental of the camera, microphones, lighting equipment, and the purchase of DV tapes.

EMPowerMedia (Fri Aug 08)

"Thank you for making such a important film. I want you to know that I’m grateful for what you’re doing and I’m glad that so many people are supporting you."

These are the words of Sophie, written in a letter I received earlier this week. "Sophie" is one of the women who agreed to be filmed for my documentary film project, Life on the Cheque, but only if her face isn't shown and her identity concealed. As much as she is able, Sophie tries to protect her 13-year old daughter from stigmatization by poverty and being on a disability cheque, wanting her to have as "normal" a life as Sophie can provide for her. Sophie grew up in a middle class family in the suburbs of Toronto and has a university degree from Queen's. Fourteen years ago, she spent three months in hospital with debilitating mental illness, and for the next eleven years, she was in and out of hospital, until she was finally prescribed medication that better controls her mental illness.

One of Sophie's reasons for writing was to apologize for not fully answering a question during the interview about the things she did to provide for her daughter. Even though her identity will be kept secret and her face not shown, Sophie was too ashamed to tell me about the "sex for favours" relationship she had with a previous landlord, or the things she stole and hocked. She is grateful that her financial situation has improved so that she doesn't have to do any of these things anymore. But, she says that she would probably do the same things again if she were in the same financial situation, not because she'd want to, but would feel that she had no alternative, as in the past.

I didn't know whether to cry or rage when I read Sophie's letter; I did both. Many other women are put in similar situations to try to provide their kids with a normal childhood. We can and must do better as a society to provide for women and children living in poverty.

Sophie's endorsement of the project is very heartening and encouraging, but also humbling. I hope that the film is able to live up to her expectations of it.

On behalf of Sophie and the other women, thank you for your interest in the project and to everyone who has already contributed financially.