Indiegogo

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The People v. Aissatou Ba

An immigrant housekeeper picks up the pieces of her life as the man who assaulted her walks free

Editi Films is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of Editi Films must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Vote TPVAB indieWIRE's Project of the Day!  Deadline Jan 30 11AM EST!!

Thanks to our amazing funders, we had a great campaign. 

If you'd still like to donate, visit our Fractured Atlas page.  

Our Story

THE PEOPLE v. AISSATOU BA is a film about an African immigrant housekeeper moving on with her life after the case against the man who assaulted her is dismissed. The film depicts the impact of sexual assault, the judicial system, and the media on a woman's life, in a universal story of faith, hope, and courage against all odds.


The Impact

THE PEOPLE v. AISSATOU BA portrays a woman living in the aftermath of a high profile court case that pitted her against the American justice system.  Inspired by the New York v. Strauss-Kahn case, the film asks the question: What price does Aissatou pay for telling the truth?  




It's a critical question with real-life social justice implications. 


Hotel unions report that sexual harassment, requests for sex, and assaults go underreported because housekeepers--largely immigrant, single mothers--are scared to lose their jobs. In life, as in film, no matter what the cost, the price of silence is too high. 


The Campaign

THE PEOPLE v. AISSATOU BA is an Editi Films/NYU Grad Film production shooting on location in New York City in January 2012. NYU will provide: a SONY F3 HD camera, sound and grip equipment, insurance, post-production facilities, and a $1500 stipend.  Through IndieGogo, with fiscal sponsorship from Fractured Atlas, we are raising $12,000 of a $13,500 budget to complete this project.


The Budget

Every dollar helps us achieve this vision.  Your donation will help cover:

  • Cinematography and equipment rentals--$3,000
  • Set and costume design--$3,000
  • Location rentals--$2,500
  • Meals for a 30-person cast and crew--$2,000
  • Transportation--$1,500


The Gifts

In exchange for your tax-deductible donation you may receive:

  • A T-shirt or poster
  • A DVD of the film
  • An Executive Producer credit
  • A signed copy of the Director's notebook
  • Two tickets to the NYC premiere


Spread the Word

We also need help raising awareness of our fundraising campaign through social media.  To stay connected with us and help spread the word, you may:


Thanks for your support!  For more info, download our prospectus.


About the Director

IQUO B. ESSIEN is a Nigerian-American writer/director completing her MFA in film production at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Ms. Essien started Editi Films to engage, enlighten and inspire people through film.  Her work often explores race, culture, language, and first generation American identity.  She has made several short films and recently spent five months in Nigeria working on Elizabeth’s Daughter, a multidisciplinary memoir about her late mother.  Ms. Essien also writes a popular blog called Alligator Legs.


Pictured L-R: Director Iquo B. Essien, DP Elena Greenlee, and actress Zainab Jah filming How to Make Afang Soup (Photo credit: Mykwain Gainey)

Team on This Campaign: