About Us

Film Background

In 2016, Thai government announced Chana district, Songkhla province in Southern Thailand to be the ‘New Engine of Industrial Zone’. In fact, the industrial zone would cover over 4 districts – Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi.

Despite local protests and pleads, in 2019, the government started construction preparation. In January 2020 over 580 million USD was allocated to start the construction which is 2.78% of total budget of over 20.87 billion USD. Around 16 sq. km of land owned by private sectors. The total land area is yet to be announced and likely to invade another 16 sq. km. belonging to fishery and farming communities.

Chana District alone, where fishery communities reside is recognised as a national and international food source. With more than 400 breeds of edible sea animals, its ecological service is worth 20.7 billion USD per century (calculated by Dr. Somneuk Jongmewasin, environmental activist). It is home to over 107,000 people. Establishing ‘New Engine of Industrial Zone’ would destroy homes, livelihood, sea creatures and the environment.

Local activists who have been actively saving their home since 1992 and our team believe that communicating internationally via a documentary film is another way to help stop further development.

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Keywords

Muslim soft power / women empowerment / youth empowerment / human-nature interdependence / food security / sustainable development / civic engagement / Muslim leader / youth power / teenagers / sea and shores / mangrove forest / fishery community / fishing boat / dolphins / natural reservation / friendship / industrial development / global energy crisis / fisherman / natural resources / feminism / children / local / community / activist / shark / human rights / environment

Director’s Statement

In November 2017, local people walked 64 km. to hand a letter to the Prime Minister to reconsider the coal power plant planned to be constructed as a part of the ‘(Chana) New Engine of Industrial Zone’ – the project that would cover Khairiyah’s hometown. Protesting peacefully and unarmed, 16 men and 1 juvenile were arrested.

This unjust news struck me hard, I befriended their lawyer and 5 of the men, one of whom was Khairiyah’s father. The story I learned even intrigued me more as a documentarian. Khairiyah who was 15 at the time, recorded a clip when the officers attacked her father which helped them won the trial.

Having documented Khairiyah and Chana people for 2 years, from when she was 17 to now at 19, having been through protest after protest with them, watching Khairiyah grow beautifully from a teenage girl who cared to reserve the sea into an internationally known environmental activist – as a poet and a children literature writer, I am certain of how poetically her story can be portrayed to empower any audience, especially young adults.

This coming-of-age documentary film will not only voice a teenage girl who has been reserving the environment and the culture since 8 years old, it will also reflect civic engagement from Southeast Asian perspective that resonates with global environmental activism.

Producer’s Statement

Global Warming is announced by many countries as urgent priority.

In Thailand, I see small people contributing more to the society than the government.

During the past few years, I have collaborated with environmental activists from different regions. Northern activists try to reduce haze pollution, North-eastern activists raise awareness about drought around Mekong river and Southern activists are actively fighting against the government’s ‘New Engine of Industrial Zone – a huge industrial estate which would cover 4 districts in 2 provinces.

While researching in Songkhla, southern Thailand, I encountered, Khairiyah, a teenage activist whose experience will inspire many. I spent quality time with local activists, fishermen, educators, researchers and a doctor to learn the insight. I am motivated to share an amazing true story, a path taken by the people who devote themselves to protect their homeland and the environment.

As a filmmaker, I see the potential to grow, to explore new approaches of filmmaking in terms of storytelling and artistic style. I am passionate about making sensitive topic from minority group relatable to the general public.