Everyone in Poland is so beautiful
Aconversation with Jacqui Rainers, Shopsteward from South Africa
How long have you been involved with INPUT?
I don’t have much experience being a Shopsteward; I ran sessions last year when INPUT took place in my country. I also visited Uganda and Accra to lead discussions there. This is my first INPUT abroad.
What will you be doing this year? What have you been doing up till now?
I have two sessions at this year’s INPUT. The first is “Who is in Control,” a presentation of three interesting programs concerning the problem of controlling the public media. “The Republic of Dreams,” a program from Indonesia, is particularly interesting. In Indonesia, politicians are so influential that they are rarely criticized, but in this program stupid, helpless characters are presented, who in fact are a criticism of the most influential politicians. I like that kind of satire very much.
On Thursday I’m moderating “Once Upon a Time…,” a session dedicated to telling stories. Today, reality shows dominate television and everyone is fighting for ratings. Often the purpose is not to entertain the viewer, but to simply make money on advertising. The session “Once Upon a Time…” is a celebration of good story telling.
What can you say about the discussions? How engrossing have they been thus far?
I think the discussions at INPUT are always very lively, but I have noticed that Poles often don’t participate in the discussions, they don’t want to talk, though they do watch the films.
I watch Polish television and I can see that it has a lot to offer, even though I don’t understand the language. There’s a very vibrant TV culture in Poland, television is very intelligent, witty. Everyone in TVP is so… beautiful, everyone’s so young or at least they look that way. I think that Poles should also share their opinions with others.
Interviewed by Jakub Osiejewski
