Darwin, N.T., 19th February, 2009 –
Seranna, a local sex worker/activist/comedian turned movie producer, is jetting off to Delhi, India this week to start shooting her first film with award winning Indian filmmaker Vikrant Kishore.The film is entitled Comparing Countries Compassion.
Her altar ego ‘Jessie Abraham’ plans to compare laws, culture, police corruption, and client condom usage to discover how these effect sex workers on a day to day level. Noting decriminalisation as a best practice for the sex industry, Seranna will interview sex workers, clients, HIV experts and sex work activists while attending an international conference.
What is Comparing Countries Compassion about?
1) Busting the myths surrounding sex work
2) A tour of the sex industry in various countries, comparing culture & politics
3) Jessie’s personal stories and experiences
4) Disseminating the message that sex work is real work, whilst being educational
5) The personal stories of individual sex workers, creating a realistic portrait of ‘the other’
Just five weeks ago it was decided the filming of the movie was to start in India, a choice made at random. It is a case of serendipity for Seranna— in India sex work is illegal. However, after many years of fighting stigma and discrimination, communities in India now consider sex work as an occupation. But there is still a long way to go, Seranna says,
‘In a country with a billion people, and government estimates that between to 25% Indians are living with HIV, I’ve never felt so proud to be an Australian sex worker: there’s never been a reported case of HIV transmission in a commercial setting in Australia.
‘Sex workers take pride in being safe sex experts. This movie will celebrate sex workers’ strength and achievements through interview, dance, and peer education. While we’re working alongside each other under state persecution, we’ve still managed to combat HIV/AIDS. I think that’s a big achievement, really.’
The unfunded project is fueled by Seranna’s passion and her desire to spread the word of condom use. ‘It’s important for everyone, all around the world, to have fair and equal access to condoms. Because informed people make educated decisions... If I can make even the slightest difference, I’ll be one happy hooker!’ Seranna gushes.
Donations are being welcomed to help fund the films production, which starts shooting on Tuesday the 24th February. The film will wrap on the day of the Festival of Colour, an event of great Hindu importance, in which locals splash rainbows of coloured paint into the streets.
For Further Media Information Contact :
Seranna Jane ALA Jessie Abraham
till 4pm Saturday 21st 0406748691 for more information
After 26th February + 8801731422010 ellemikah@hotmail.com
