Proposal

For the Moment will be a study, in the form of an observational documentary, of a critical contemporary issue. The film will follow the lives of two families with opposing beliefs about the state of their country and its future.

The last eight years have seen some dramatic changes in Venezuela . Since the election of its current President, Hugo Chavez, in December 1998, the country has been subject to a complete turnaround. Venezuela has a long history of capitalism, signing up to neo-liberal trade agreements and enjoying a relatively good relationship with the USA. Hugo Chavez is putting an end to this and is now steering the country towards a socialist state. As a result there has been a strong divide in the nation. The majority of people passionately back him and welcome his policies, but a large minority vehemently oppose what Chavez calls The Bolivarian Revolution. This divide has led to civil unrest and often to violent clashes between the two groups.

Chavez' supporters see him as a new hope for the country. Approximately 70% of Venezuelan citizens live under the poverty line and Chavez is the first president who seems to be addressing issues concerning this. He assures the people that their interests are his paramount concern. He is taking significant steps to eradicate illiteracy, is redirecting Venezuela 's large oil wealth back into the country's economy and has built free health care centres in the poorest parts of the country, a revolutionary concept in Venezuela and probably anywhere in the world. As a result he has been democratically elected repeatedly and is now serving his third term.

The opposition to Chavez feel that he doesn't speak for them. These people are mainly middle class, people for whom the economically volatile first few years of the Chavez government drastically affected. They feel that he has permeated powerful organizations which are meant to be autonomous such as the Judiciary, the National Assembly and the National Electoral Council, therefore undermining the very democracy that he advocates. They are worried about his preoccupation with military build up, also about his close ties with Castro and other notorious leaders. Most of all they don't agree with the direction he is steering the country. The majority of the opposition believe in USA style capitalism and therefore Chavez' ideas are in total conflict with theirs.

The result has been a clash of ideologies, with both sides strongly opposing the other to the point of violence. With no solution on the horizon the situation will remain the same for the foreseeable future.

Chavez' actions have meant that his international reputation has constantly been in question. His disputes with right wing politicians seem to dominate the media. The issues surrounding him have become near the forefront of the international political consciousness. However it seems that the people of Venezuela often get lost in this dispute.

In a time when the media has such an influence on peoples' perspectives of the world I believe that proportionate representation should be a basic human right. Therefore For the Moment will be about the citizens of Venezuela. The purpose is to get the thoughts and feelings of people from different ideological groups about their country's current political status and how this relates to them personally. The documentary will not be a propagandistic piece for or against the Chavez government. Following the people for up to a year, it will be an investigation into two different families, living very different lives, with two very different perspectives on the past, present and future. No-one seems to investigate the reasons for both sides' views. For The Moment will be exactly that: an unbiased investigation into the reasons behind opposing peoples' beliefs. From extensive interviews with both parties I hope to find out their thoughts on how the Chavez government is different from previous governments; how his rule has affected their lives; their hopes and fears for the future. It will be a political study into a very important time in a country's history, through the eyes of its citizens.

I feel that a documentary which deals with normal citizens is very important - the very nature of international media means that ordinary people often get forgotten. Therefore I think it is essential that films such as For the Moment are produced and made available to the public as an alternative. If you agree and would like to help this film get made then please go to the appeal page to see how.