It's been years - decades even - that there was a movie produced in Suriname, that has had such an impact and a great marketing and lobbying for it. I'm talking about the movie Wiren. I remember all of those posts on social media, seeking funding and those casting calls, etc. It was a real buzz back then and I couldn't have waited to see the end product.
Directed by Ivan Tai-Apin and with a budget of $95,000, Wiren got released in December 2018 and is (partially) based on the life of Wiren Meghoe, who is hearing impaired. The story follows Wiren from boy, to teenager till adult, who is high spirited through all of those stages in his life, despite him being less abled. This doesn't go unnoticed by the people in his life, who grant him some opportunities and/or do what they can to give Wiren some (better) chances in life.
All those opportunities had a limit though, as the systems in Suriname didn't grant him access to what able(d) people take for granted, like a higher education for example. Wiren wasn't allowed to apply for a university level education. This didn't stop Wiren though, as he took the state Suriname to court. Suriname had ratified the international treaty that protects the rights and dignity of less abled people. If he won the case, for that you'll have to watch the movie 😉.
