PEOPLE COUNT: FACTS OF THE HEART

1994

“We want to produce – not reproduce!” is how one woman construction worker in Jamaica sums up the relationship between self-esteem and the number of children a woman bares in this compelling documentary produced for the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo.

Barbara Pyle travels the world examining this relationship and meets extraordinary people who are working to break the mold. The first stop is Manila where she goes behind the scenes on a soap opera that isn’t just selling soap – it’s selling social change. Cecile Alverez’s soap opera chronicles the lives of two sisters, one became a famous broadcast journalist and the other who eloped and had eight children because of the pressure she felt from her husband to produce a son. Tragically, she dies in childbirth leaving her husband to realize too late what he has done. Through drama and comedy the message of the soap is being heard.

Pyle then travels north and meets Lala, and learns first hand how a micro-enterprise lending project changed her life forever. We join her as she sells her first pig and experience the joy that is there for all to see.

Next Pyle travels half way around the world to a construction site in Jamaica. Verna Foster, a supervisor at the site proclaims, “we don’t want to make babies – we want to make money!” Foster’s success is due in large part to Angela Stulz-Crawle, a remarkable community activist in one of Kingston’s worst slums, who is diligently working to break the norms of the culture. Angela teaches that there are many options for young women other than becoming “baby mothers.”

In rural Jamaica, Pyle visits Terry Williams, a charismatic man fighting to stop the flight of people from rural areas into over crowed cities. Through his diligence he worked with the local people to create the Bluefields Peoples Community Association, which provides jobs locally from gardening to sewing.

Pyle concludes her travels in India at Development Alternatives, an innovative project founded by Ashok Khosla. Ashok introduces Pyle to Sunita, a worker in his paper making factory, who through economic independence gained the courage to stand up to her husband and mother-in-law, and stop at one child.

Produced for the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo)

Population Institute Global Media Award for Media Excellence and Best Television Documentary, Barbara Pyle, Correspondent.

Planned Parenthood Foundation Special Maggie Award for outstanding media coverage of reproductive health and rights.

  • Cable Ace Nomination 1994 - Public Affairs Special
  • Silver Medal - New York Film Festivals
  • ·merican Women in Radio and Television - Winner Public Affairs category
  • US International Film and Video Festival - Certificate for Creative Excellence - Environmental Issues and Concerns, Conservation, Energy Resources, and Recycling
  • Bronze Apple - National Educational Film and Video Festival Domestic and International Concerns
  • CINE Golden Eagle