Business has been a theme of films for decades, with companies often in turmoil or participating in illicit activities. But for all these tales of corporate greed and malfeasance, there are businesses trying to make an impact.
Fair Traders: Three Stories of Sustainability and Success details a trio of entrepreneurs who set out to not only make money but have established ethical and sustainable businesses. One theme that prevails throughout the documentary is the idea of fair trade. Fair trade values putting people and the environment first, rather than focusing on a business’s profit. The documentary also focuses on worker conditions, and how fair trade benefits workers by treating them with equity and respect.
We’re introduced to three separate companies that are ethical and sustainable. Remei was founded in 1983 by Patrick Hohmann. The company produces textiles made from organic cotton, and the organization works with 1800 workers in Tanzania and 3300 in India. Hohmann received the Swiss Sustainability Award in 2014, given to companies that are both economically successful and environmentally beneficial.
Claudia and Matthias Zimmerman have been running a farm and organic shop in the small Swiss village of Küttigkofen. They sell various items produced on the farm as well as from other producers in the area. We last have Sina Trinkwalder and her company, Manomama, in Augsburg, Germany. Founded in 2021, the textile company produces clothing from organic and locally-produced fabrics. The company employs those with limited job prospects (i.e. the elderly) and in 2016 Trinkwalder received Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit.
The educational documentary gives ample time for each of these companies to demonstrate their unique value. Fair Traders: Three Stories of Sustainability and Success would work for any aspiring business owners, and also those college students studying economics, human resource management, and business law.
Three entrepreneurs decide to create successful businesses that are also ethical and sustainable. In addition to wanting to create a strong positive brand image and customer loyalty, these businesspeople decided that it was important to build companies that serve their communities and bring opportunities for their employees. This approach also makes them feel good. Fair Traders follows these three entrepreneurs as each faces the challenges of starting and building an ethical company.
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FILM FESTIVALS
- The Hof International Film Festival, Germany
- The Solothurn Film Festival, Switzerland
- International Film Festival Innsbruck, Austria
- DOQUMENTA International Documentary Film Festival, Mexico
- DOLOMITALE Film Festival, Italy
- Bozcaada International Festival of Ecological Documentary, Turkey
- Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Hungary
- Solidarity – Human Rights Film Festival, Israel
- The Singapore Eco Film Festival
- Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival, Germany
THE FILMMAKER
Nino Jacusso was born in southern Italy, in the Molise region, Campobasso province, in the village of Acquaviva Collecroce (Cruc). The village is of South Slavic origin, the village language is Stokaviš. Nino Jacusso emigrated with his parents to Switzerland at the age of 5 and grew up in Biberist and Solothurn, where he also attended the schools. In 1978 he went to Munich to the College of Television and Film HFF, which he graduated with his diploma film, "Emigrazione". Since then he works as a freelance film author.
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FAIR TRADERS
Catalog # EPF16041 ● ISBN: 978-1-933724-81-2 ● UPC: 6-82086-16041-2 ● NTSC ● 89 Minutes ● Copyright 2018 ● German, English, Swiss German, Swahili, Hindi, English Subtitles
Click here to buy DVD: $29.95
Click here to buy DVD With Public Performance Rights: $250
Click here to buy DSL and DVD w/ Public Performance Rights: $375
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Larry Rattner - larry@epfmedia.com