Unlocking Love / Domin Nakloke Film Series

Thank you for your support in making these two new Domin Nakloke episodes possible!

On the 15th of December, NGO Ba Futuru launched the two new episodes of the Domin Nakloke film series. These films were produced as part of the Spotlight Initiative, a joint partnership between the United Nations and the European Union to eliminate violence against women and girls and foster a more inclusive and gender equitable society in Timor-Leste through innovative Social Behavior Change Communication tools.

These new films build on the success of the first season of Domin Nakloke, which received hundreds of thousands of views on social media. Episode 5, Darkness and Light, explores the issues of balance in relationships, with an exciting story line where disaster is juxtaposed with destiny.  Episode 6, the Family Network, opens with the situation around April 4th floods, and is about a child who lost her parents and must overcome her past and find support from the family to get through this dark time. These films bring to light important messages on violence prevention, and promotion of gender equality in Timor-Leste. 

Ana Xavier returns to star in these films as Teresa with her partner Rony, played by Mozanquinho Gomes. Familiar characters, Lola and Adao (Rosaria da Costa Dos Reis and Antoninho Rodrigues), also return in episode 6 as experienced parents that help coach Teresa and Rony as they prepare for taking on parenting role. Famous actor and film maker, Simao Alamar, also joins the team for episode 5, together with rising star Melchior Dias Fernandes, and both do a fabulous job in bringing this deeply meaningful story to life.

Outside of the acting realm, Ana Xavier and Antoninho Rodrigues have become dedicated gender rights activists since the release of the first season, joining Ba Futuru as changemakers raising awareness on the various social issues such as: promoting healthy relationships, and the prevention of domestic violence, sexual harassment and prevention of early pregnancy. They have collaborated on a project that has sponsored film screenings and discussion groups with hundreds of youth across various municipalities. Ba Futuru, with support from the Spotlight Initiative, has been working to empower a group of 30 new changemakers that will work with MSSI officials in Viqueque, Ermera and Bobonaro to hold film screenings and dynamic discussions with young people.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bilal Aurang Zeb Durrani, the Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator, and UNICEF Country Representative in Timor-Leste underlined the importance of promoting positive behaviors among intimate partners, eliminating harsh parenting practices and creating positive parent-child relationships as a way to break the cycle of violence against women and children at home. “Changing long-held practices and norms is not always easy. But we must do everything we can to stop violence from occurring, and ensure a safe environment for the children, girls and women of Timor-Leste,” he said.

These two new episodes are part of partnership between NGO Ba Futuru and UNICEF in Timor-Leste and part of Spotlight Initiative programme, in an effort to break the cycle of violence against women and girls in Timor-Leste through the use of Social Behavior Change Communication campaign including a plethora of resources like brochures, posters and a facilitation discussion guide developed by NGO Ba Futuru / For the Future in partnership with UNICEF Timor-Leste.

As a key part of its violence prevention work, NGO Ba Futuru utilizes innovative and engaging methods like film to create changes in attitudes and behavior.

Ba Futuru’s Director, Juliana “Lica” Marçal states, "Although women and children continuously become victims of various types of violence, many people ignore this violence. Instead, we must all work together in order to prevent violence in our societies".

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