A Powerful Noise

Although women do much of the world's work, they often have little presence in traditional power structures. Directed by Tom Cappello, A Powerful Noise weaves together the stories of three women who have discovered the advantages of acting as a group. In Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, the imposing Madame Urbain helps out young women coming to the city to work as domestic servants, offering legal advice, moral support, and—most important—an education (tellingly, most of those she interviews don't even know their own ages). In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a Serbian named Nada joins with Bosnians to fight intolerance and economic stagnation by founding Maja Kravica, a women's association whose first multiethnic business is a raspberry growers cooperative. Hanh, a young HIV-positive Vietnamese woman who lost her daughter and husband to AIDS, forms the Immortal Flower group to unite people like her “who have to live in shame.” In a year, membership has grown to more than 130, who support others with the disease and distribute condoms. One aid worker from CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) even maintains that community groups led by women tend to be more effective and enduring than others. Shot on location with no narration, the documentary offers hope for the future. DVD extras include a 65-minute panel discussion with Madeleine K. Albright, Nicholas Kristof, Natalie Portman, and others; additional resources; and discussion guides. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Gardner)