Leaving La Floresta is a feature length documentary film that follows the story of Abelardo Joya, a Colombian Campesino (farmer), and his family. Internally displaced by the “war on drugs” and the fight against Coca (the plant used to make Cocaine), Abelardo, his wife, and five kids are forced to leave their Cacao farm (the plant used to make raw chocolate) and struggle to find a new way of life as a displaced family.
Colombia, South America now has the highest rate of internally displaced people in the world, thanks in part to the drug trade and the “war on drugs”. The internally displaced in Colombia now number more than 5 million. This feature length documentary will give those displaced a voice.
Over the past year, Whisper Productions has partnered with the non-profit organization Give Us Names, to capture the story of Abelardo and his family. The Joya’s were displaced due to the United States’ “war on drugs” policy called Plan Colombia. On his farm he grew Cacoa and yucca. Planes sent by the U.S., flew over his farm and dropped an herbicide which destroyed all of his crops. This herbicide caused his land to no longer be able to produce and forced him and his family to move to what you could barely call a home in the city.
Abelardo, his wife and five kids now call this one room, home, in the city. This is their bedroom, dining room, kitchen, everything.
Our feature length documentary follows his story and tries to dive deeper into the causes and real solutions to the problem of displacement and the “war on drugs”.
After 3 trips to Colombia, we finally feel we have all the footage we need to tell this story. We are now in the post-production stage and must face the enormous challenge of turning hours and hours of raw footage into a feature length documentary film, and getting the film and its message distributed throughout the world.
We had recently created a Kickstarter page to raise funds to help support this film but were unsuccessful. We are still going to honor the rewards we offered to people who donate here through our paypal donate button.
Here are the rewards.
1. PLEDGE $1 OR MORE
Your name will appear in the final credits of the film as a supporter.
2. PLEDGE $10 OR MORE
A high definition digital download of “Leaving La Floresta” once it is completed. + All of the above
3. PLEDGE $15 OR MORE
A 5X7 photo of Abelardo and his family taken by Cinematographer Josh McKague. Visit http://www.whisperproductions.com/support-the-revolution/ to view his photos of Colombia. + All of the above
4. PLEDGE $25 OR MORE
A “Leaving La Floresta” DVD and an official 11″x17″ movie poster + All of the above
5. PLEDGE $50 OR MORE
A signed 8X12 Photo of your choice by Cinematographer Josh McKague. Visit http://www.whisperproductions.com/support-the-revolution/ to view his photos. + All of the above
6. PLEDGE $75 OR MORE
A Whisper Productions special edition “Leaving La Floresta” T-Shirt + All of the above
7. PLEDGE $125 OR MORE
An invitation to the pre-screening party this spring where you will be able to watch the film, meet the Whisper Productions and Give Us Names crew, ask questions and give suggestions towards the final edit of the film. + All of the above
8. PLEDGE $250 OR MORE
VIP dinner with Whisper Productions and Give Us Names before the premier this fall. + VIP seating at the premier + All of the above
9. PLEDGE $500 OR MORE
All of the above + $600 credit with Whisper Productions. Whisper is a full service Production company with an extensive list of gear available for rent. Credit is to be used towards gear rental and/or labor. Visit www.whisperproductions.com to learn more.
10. PLEDGE $1,000 OR MORE
$1,250 credit with Whisper Productions. + All of the rewards at the $250 level
11. PLEDGE $2,500 OR MORE
$3,250 credit with Whisper Productions. + All of the rewards at the $250 level
12. PLEDGE $5,000 OR MORE
$6,750 credit with Whisper Productions. + All of the rewards at the $250 level
13. PLEDGE $10,000 OR MORE
$14,000 credit with Whisper Productions. + All of the rewards at the $250 level
Whisper Productions has had the great honor of producing this documentary for Give Us Names, we could not have done this without them. Whisper Productions has believed in Give Us Names and their mission to end displacement in Colombia so much that we have done work over the last year and a half at no cost to try and get this story out. We have come to realization that we cannot finish this film and release it with the quality it deserves and to a large audience without the proper funding. So your donations are going directly to the completion of this film. If you want to donate to directly help Abelardo and his family please give your money to
www.giveusnames.comThank you for being a part of giving a name and a voice to those displaced in Colombia.
***Note*** Whisper Productions is willing to work for your donations and even give you a discount towards credit with us. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone if the project would be considered a compromise to the standards of Whisper Productions. Thanks!!
Uncategorized | joshm | 
October 16, 2012 4:57 pm | 
Comments (0) 
Subscribe