Martha M. Foster
Martha started a nonprofit to create Living Earth Television (LETV), a global public television vehicle in order to foster better understanding between peoples as a path of peace and compassion. Martha has developed a good relationship with documentary producers and TV stations in China - and plans to launch LETV by translating some wonderful, compassionate nonfiction stories made by Chinese film makers in China - to be broadcast on public television stations in the US and on Link TV.
Martha put together her vision while in China weeks after the 9/11 attacks when she realized that the neighbors around the world must get to know each other. Documentaries often focus on the unusual and bizarre differences, but Martha finds films that focus on universal themes and how humans are so similar.
I nominated Martha for his award because Living Earth Television is a new concept in broadcasting that needs to happen. To truly understand people in other cultures, we need to look at life through their eyes - not our own. We understand this concept when it comes to artifacts in museums and even literature, theatre and feature films (e.g., Monsoon Wedding). However, when it comes to documentaries, all too often we are given narration and explanations from Americans or Brits or Aussies just because we speak the same language and may find their accents exotic.
But Martha's idea is to bring some of the wonderful documentary productions from all over the world with culturally sensitive translation for broadcast in the US and other countries. In a world where video content is still hard to find, this approach can revolutionize international and cultural programming - and it is far less expensive than shooting new films.
So, aside from the many personal and financial sacrifices Martha has made in trying to get support for her project, there is something about her vision of a better world that brings special merit and value to her important work.
posted by Earon on 12/ 4/2008 2:31 pm