New documentary focuses on traditional crafts around the world and the pressures facing artisans
‘Handmade Future’ spotlights the economic and market challenges experienced by craftspeople in six countries
A documentary, titled "Handmade Future," focuses on the world's traditional crafts and the challenges faced by artisans. Master marble-inlay worker Irfan Ali in Agra, India, creates intricate floral designs on a large marble plate using more than 5,000 stones. The inlay process takes over three months, and Ali earns only around $50 from the piece, despite gift shops selling it for $3,000.
Worldwide, traditional craftspeople face economic pressures at the bottom of the supply chain. In the documentary, we see women basket weavers in Kenya's Taita Hills struggling with minimal market access. Their situation improved when they formed a cooperative named Mrurunyika Basket Weavers in 2012. Agra's marble-inlay artisans face similar issues, including poor treatment by locals and lack of appreciation.
Director Kirsten Dickerson aims to raise awareness and empathy for artisans like these. The film highlights cooperatives in Morocco, Kenya, the UK, the US, and Kenya, where artisans form groups to gain more control over their work and profits. In Kenya, Hadithi Crafts, a cooperative started by founder Lore Defrancq, buys baskets from artisan groups for a negotiated price and hosts skill-development workshops.
The organization has expanded from 552 to over 1,902 female artisans and 24 to 64 active women's groups. However, the market remains fragile, but the documentary showcases how artisans can create a small-scale economy for themselves and their families.
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