Documentary — Poverty in Paradise: the Price We Pay

In conjunction with Afflare Films, the Coalition produced a Bermudian-based documentary which explores the causes and consequences of living in poverty in Bermuda and the struggles Bermudian families face in providing for themselves and their children. The goal of the documentary is to raise awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of living in poverty in Bermuda as well as the everyday struggles for low-income and working class families. The documentary gives a voice to those who are struggling by interviewing and tracking the lives of homeless, low-income and working class families. The testimonies are accompanied by an analysis of current social and economic policies as well as alternatives solutions from various professionals in the community.

Currently, the number of people living at or below the poverty line is over 3,600 Bermudian households and encompasses 30% of Black Bermudian children. In a country that boasts one of the highest levels of per-capita income globally, this is unacceptable. Our objective is to transform the assumptions held by many as to why particular individuals/families struggle or live in poverty. Our hope in doing so is to affect the social and political will to seriously address the problem by implementing substantive changes.

To complete this task, the Coalition hired award-winning, Bermudian documentary film producer Lucinda Spurling of Afflare Films. The premiered on April 30th, 2011 at the Bermuda Docs Film Festival and has now screened to over 1500 indiviudals.

The film will be available for purchase in the summer of 2011. Please contact the Coalition for more information.

Film Synopsis

Poverty in Paradise: the Price We Pay explores the causes and consequences of the widening gap between Bermuda's wealthy and poor, the struggles families face in providing for themselves and their children and the consequential spiral in crime plaguing the community. In 2000, 50% of Black Female headed households with children were living at or below the poverty line and there is every reason to expect that the results of the 2010 census will reveal an even larger portion of the population struggling to afford the basic necessities. The documentary gives a voice to the lives of low-income and working class mothers, many of whom are homeless, addressing assumptions held by many as to why particular people live in poverty Our hope is to affect the social and political will, transforming the way Bermudians understand their community and influencing the necessary policies to put Bermuda on a more positive and prosperous path for all.