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Amidst the collapse of Communism in the last decade of the 20th century, the Republic of Moldova declared independence from the USSR and formed a democratic government dedicated to free-market reforms.
The celebration was short-lived, however. Impeded by an ineffective parliament, violent separatist movements, a lack of natural resources, and criminal activity, Moldova's transition to democracy has faced great difficulty from the outset.
Now, 15 years later, the Moldovan economy teeters on the brink of collapse. It is the poorest nation in Europe. The power void created with the disappearance of Communist rule has been filled by widespread government corruption and the growth of organized crime, two forces which have exacerbated endemic poverty. Many Moldovans feel abandoned by both the socialist safety net on which they once relied, and the empty promises of the current leadership.
The Moldova Project
In 2004, American photographer Shea Roggio traveled to Moldova to document local elections as a freelance photographer for the Associated Press. He also investigated humanitarian issues on his own time.
Touched by the people he had met, Shea returned in 2005 to continue his work and reunite with friends.
Shea’s photojournalist experiences in Moldova led to his recognition that still photography could only skim the surface of that which could be captured in a motion picture. Consequently, Shea committed himself to producing The Moldova Project, a high-definition video documentary, currently in the pre-production stage. Principal photography is expected to begin in the summer or fall of 2007.
More information about the goals of this film, from production to humanitarian efforts, will be outlined in future updates. Learn more about some of the developing story lines here.
©2006 Packafoma Films | Dax Roggio
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Director
DAX MACKENZIE ROGGIO
Director of Photography
CAMERON PEARCE
Producer
SHEA WINTER ROGGIO
Associate Producer
ADRIAN COVALCIUC
Associate Producer
MELANIE FOX
