Audience questions about TO SPEAK

Audiences viewing TO SPEAK at the Montreal World Film Festival have had many questions about the film and the life of the Cambodians it portrays. Key Q&A that has followed the screenings follow below:

WAS THE FILM REALLY BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
Yes - the central story of Ratana and her brothers and sister was based on a family who's parents died and were adopted by the village. In fact, the story was based on the individual stories of many families in Cambodia, and consolidated into the story of TO SPEAK.

WERE THE ACTORS TRAINED?
No - all the people appearing in the film were either from the village where the film was shot or from the organisation upon which the story was based.

HOW WAS THE FILM SHOT?
The film was shot in July 2005 over 17 days. There was a crew of 4, a single Panasonic camera, a single boom microphone. The film was shot using only available natural light. Post production at Infinite Frameworks and Home Studio Singapore helped transform the raw material into the wonderful sound and images projected on the big screen.

WHERE DID THE WONDERFUL MUSIC COME FROM?
The music soundtrack was written specifically for the film by the highly talented Reuben Kee. At only 20 years of age, Reuben put together more than 50 minutes of music combining the rhythms and textures of many asia instruments to give TO SPEAK, its unique and moving soundtrack.

WHY DO THE VILLAGERS NEVER CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES?
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries on earth. Many families living in the poorest villagers only have one set of clothing.

DO VILLAGERS REALLY BREAK ROCKS AND CUT GRASS FOR A LIVING?
Yes - there are many unusual ways that villagers will find to earn a megre income. It is cheaper to pay people to spend weeks breaking rock into gravel than it is to by a machine to do the same work.

DOES THE SAVING PROGRAM DEPICTED REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE VILLAGER'S LIVES?
It makes a truly revolutionary change. Certainly in the first few years of saving, the amounts are small and the items the villagers can buy are small. But once they hit a certain level of income which allows them to purchase further income earning assets, their standard of living improves dramatically.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAMBODIA AND THE ORGANISATION DEPICTED IN THE FILM?
More information on the film and the Tabitha organisation can be found on our website - www.tospeakmovie.com