This is a perfect time for me to announce that "The Search For Mae Posop" is back on track.  The hows and whys will be fully developed over the coming weeks as I describe Rice Mother's ascension onto a world stage.  Her process.  My process.  It's all about evoking an ancient and familiar spirit with a strongly expressed message that will be seen on the web, hand-held devises and projection throughout Southeast Asia.

I'll start with the question, why are we searching for her?   The answer has very much to do with the fact that for thousands of years rice has shaped the history, culture, diet and economy of billions of people in Asia.  As a result, rice permeates all aspects in the life of people in all walks of life. What caught my eye originally was that rice also takes many forms in the arts - from poems to music to painting to sculptures.  Rice is in the traditions, folklore, ritual and even the language.  Is that a perfect window of opportunity for a documentary film, or what?

Five years ago, while searching for a pragmatic way to inform the struggling rice farmers of Southeast Asia (SEA) the concepts of climate change resiliency and sustainable agriculture, my friend Benjamas at the Local Development Institute in Bangkok, reminded me of Mae Posop's historical and far-reaching influence.  And the seed of doc series was planted.

My own personal search for the Rice Mother is simply to return to, or rekindle, the strength of her ancient wisdom for the struggling farmers of Southeast Asia (SEA).  Her doc film series will showcase how rice farmers can manage their lives in such a way that will insure their ability to continue to feed their families and to be resilient during this time of climate change. Already everybody in SEA struggles with a climate that is no longer the climate of the past.  They are her audience.

Last November 2014 I pitched the project to the members of Scary Cow Productions (a San Francisco-based film company) and I waited for feedback as I worked on my other four film projects. Waited and and waited some more.  Then, 5 months later, I got an Email from a young woman who informs me that she is experienced in, and passionate about, documentary filmmaking and would like to join the team.  Team?  We are magically a team again - or is it some more.  It's like a new star is born in the universe.  To be sure, I gladly accepted an invitation to have a face-to-face.  It was on the day of our first meeting that I decided the person to direct the trailer for doc-series was Elizabeth Jackson - the dynamo sitting across from me.  In a coffee-dive deep in the Mission District is where the new star first glimmered.

First thing she did was call a preproduction meeting so I could meet three of her hand-picked doc film associates (I love a Director who directs).  And, of course, the meet-up was also arranged so they could meet me: the old guy with the fire in his eyes.  The message I intended to leave behind was that I have a deep instinct and desire to produce this series as soon as our 2-1/2 minute trailer can be created and production funding can be subsequently arranged.  No small task, but our project is an important one and I am confident that the right funder(s) will appear.  They're already in my sights.

The spirit of Mae Posop is a compelling one.  There's no mistaking whether she's present or not. Know this: I have experienced her presence again now in the form a renewed energy and a vibrant momentum.   And believe me, that's always a good thing in this doc filmmaking line of work.