THREADS

Changing Lives, Stitch by Stitch

Documentary

JOIN IN A JOURNEY WITH WOMEN OF BANGLADESH

A visionary leader in Bangladesh frees herself and hundreds of other women and families from poverty and social hardships by creating timeless works of art.

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A FILM ABOUT THE POWER OF ART AND THE IMPACT OF EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD

THREADS touches on women’s economic opportunities and social inclusion, artisan enterprise and entrepreneurship, indigenous design, historical influences for contemporary design, and sharing talents for a better world.

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Artisan enterprise is the second largest employer of women in emerging economies.

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“Surayia: Art is necessary for every corner of the world. Art is love.”

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“We were all in bad situations. This embroidery work has enabled us to do many things. We are grateful.”

Their stitches tell stories. Surayia Rahman’s story-telling designs, stitched by artisans of Bangladesh, have been gifted to world leaders and are also in the permanent collections of Royal Collection Trust (United Kingdom), Textile Museum of Canada, the Embroiderer’s Guild of America, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Japan), and Powerhouse Museum (Australia).

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HELP BRING THREADS TO THE WORLD

Women artisans, once impoverished young mothers, have supported their families over the past 30 years, stitch by stitch. Just as each stitch has made a difference in their lives, so every contribution you make — small or large — will help to celebrate their many accomplishments and to bring the film to communities around the  world. Join us as we reach out to broaden awareness of the humanity of handmade and the art of craft for social change. 

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WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING

THREADS provided an amazing opportunity to engage Fashion Institute of Technology students in a conversation about artisanship, fair trade and intellectual property. The film is visually stunning and very personal in nature. It explores complex issues without being overwhelming or overtly political. Its balanced approach prompted a long conversation after the screening, allowing students to share their own feelings and perspectives with the director, Cathy Stevulak.

J’ai particulièrement apprécié ce bijoux de film qu’est THREADS. Un film si inspirant, tant humainement que artistiquement.

This documentary film will serve to preserve the legacy of Surayia’s work. She is an extraordinary artist who I have been fortunate to meet and whose work the Museum is grateful to have in its collection.

Your beautiful film is timely: a tribute to the remarkable Surayia Rahman, who overcame many personal obstacles in order to help hundreds of women realise their skills with a needle. While changing the lives of all these women she also raised the profile of the marvellous art of kantha embroidery.  This is a truly inspiring story on every level.

Threads is not just a film about the life of Kantha legend Surayia Rahman, it is an inspiring tale of how our dreams should be much bigger than the current reality and how we should keep pursuing them, no matter what. The filmmakers have done a great service to the next generation of Bangladeshis who otherwise would never have heard about Surayia Rahman. Technically brilliant and a great documentary that every young Bangladeshi should watch.

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