Blood Berries

The Isaan Record, an independent media in Thailand, spent over three years following the fate of Thai people who traveled with hope to work as wild‑berry pickers in the forests of Finland and Sweden.

They believed that wild berries in developed countries would revive their fortunes and help them escape debt, so they borrowed money to take jobs offered through the Ministry of Labour and brokers. But they were deceived into becoming victims of human trafficking.
After three months some returned home empty‑handed and deeply in debt. Over the years, thousands of victims have been reported, leading them to organize and demand justice. 

This screening is free. 

Over 300 people from Khon Kaen and nearby provinces filled the FA Theater at Khon Kaen University to watch the premier screening of the documentary film “Blood Berries | หมากไม้,” created by The Isaan Record. There were repeated requests, at the event and on social media, for the film to be shown in other locations as well.

The approximately 50-minute documentary “Blood Berries” is about the trafficking of Thai people for berry picking in Europe, enabled by collaboration between private companies and governments. The problem dates back over 20 years, and a large number of Isaan people have traveled to Finland and Sweden to harvest forest berries. The film follows the stories of many of these workers that fell victim to human trafficking. The creators of the film were attacked with SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits by a top official in the Thai government, attempting to silence The Isaan Record for its reporting on the evidence of rapacious bribes and the alleged exploitation of migrant workers from Thailand. The public screening in Seattle has been specially organized, on its way back after a screening at the Montreal Women's Film Festival, and the film will be followed by a Q&A discussion session with the film's director.