Bonsai People: The Vision of Muhammad Yunus

Filmmaker Holly Mosher's Bonsai People illustrates the pioneering work of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which offers “microcredit” loans to women (amounting to just a few U.S. dollars)—usually for small-business ventures but also to improve housing or pay for children's education. The documentary follows a young Grameen Bank manager establishing a new rural branch: in addition to running the enterprise, he approaches local families in order to find participants, organizes support groups, advises on using funds wisely, and addresses the community's social issues. Bonsai People profiles six individuals who have received loans, two of whom became community leaders as a result of their involvement (all were able to improve their economic status). Interviews with these six (combined with footage from their daily lives) are intercut with comments from Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus, who explains why he started working with microcredit and describes some of the other “social businesses” (non-profits) Grameen has underwritten that now provide telecommunications, healthcare, early childhood education, and marketing opportunities for the Bengali poor. Grameen and Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for these efforts. The film's title reflects Yunus's belief that the poor are like bonsai trees—they cannot grow or prosper because they're restricted by circumstances. DVD extras include featurettes on Grameen's non-profit organizations, and how to create a “social business.” Hopeful and inspiring, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)