Kafala (full length)

In the heart of the Persian Gulf, a journalist seeks to unravel a mystery of labor, culture, and abuse.

In 2010, I journeyed to Kuwait to complete a documentary about the Kafala sponsorship system. Over a period of three years, I collected interviews with Filipino domestic workers, Kuwaiti activist, policy makers, and humanitarians. Kafala was the result of these interviews. Centering around four Filipina maids, the play exposes the abuses in a broken system, as well as challenges of foreign intervention.

Performed February 12-14, 2014 The John Wells Video Studio at Carnegie Mellon University

PRODUCTION CREDITS: Directed/Written Andrea Zile Bish, Scenic Sophia Mysel, Lighting Jackson Gallagher, Costumes Mary Lepiane, Dramaturg Rachel Abrams, Actors Kelsey Carthew, Johari Mackey, Cathryn Dylan, Maddy Schulman, Joelle Weil, Maya Maniar