POSSIBLE FUTURES Your attitude defines your fate Iniciative Instituto Avon | www.institutoavon.org.br/publicacoes In association with Instituto Noos and CECIP – Centro de Criação de Imagem Popular (Popular Image Creation Centre) Editorial coordination and Project supervision Instituto Noos Coordination: Carlos Eduardo Zuma Editors assistant: Anna Carla Ferreira Technical consultants: Carlos Eduardo Zuma, Delaine Martins Costa, Irene Loewenstein and Vânia Izzo de Abreu Planning and editorial execution CECIP – Centro de Criação de Imagem Popular Production General Coordination, graphic project, director of photography, storyboard: Claudius Ceccon Project Coordination: Claudia Ceccon and Dinah Frotté Executive Producer: Renata Lins Continuity and wardrobe: Sandra Vale Scriptwriter: Fernanda Frotté Script consultant: Juliana Lins Producer: Flávia Viana Photography: Flávia Viana and Yago Furtado Layout: Renata Figueiredo English Translation: Thomas Campos Electronic Editing – original Version Brazil: Um Triz Comunicação Visual / English version: Magic.Art.Br CAST Ronaldo José Carlos Silva de Jesus Joice Lucy Leon Mariana Sindy Feitosa Fabiano Italo Luiz de Lima Beto Klever Gonçalves
Bully Felipe Maia Dancer Gabriel Marinho Instructor Flavia Melo Bar owner (Seu Zé) Sinésio Ribeiro
Acknowledgements: Adrianne Ogeda, Alice Daflon, Andréia Moraes Alves, Fabiano Camilo, Clarisse Lopes, José Renato Monteiro, Maria de Fátima Pimentel Lins, André de Almeida, Renata Figueiredo e Ondjaki, bar do Sr. Antônio (IE/UFRJ), Maria José Tavares Lima de Matos, Waldecira Vicencia de Lima, Maria Edileuza Matias de Miranda, Mônica Santos Francisco, Tânia Albernaz de Araújo, Carolina Chianca, Gabriela Chianca, Mariana Chianca, João Marcos Teixeira, Bernardo Tairã Silva Botelho, Marcelo Avance and Cláudio Vinicius. The publication Futuros possíveis: sua atitude define seu destino (Possible Futures: your attitude defines your fate) was created in November 2011 by Instituto Avon in partnership with CECIP – Centro de Criação de Imagem Popular (Popular Image Creation Centre) and Instituto Noos, based on the publication Prevenção e atenção à violência intrafamiliar e de gênero: apoio às lideranças comunitárias (Prevention and attention to violence in the family and based on gender: support for community leadership), by Instituto Noos, published with support of Instituto Avon. Created by:
In association with:
Possible Futures
Your attitude defines your fate OUR STORY BEGINS WITH BETO, MARIANA’S BOYFRIEND, KNOCKING AT THE DOOR TO HER HOUSE
Hi, Beto... Mariana’s not in yet. Come in, make yourself at home.
Some snacks or something, Ma?
FABIANO, MARIANA’S BROTHER, ARRIVES
Fabiano needs to forget about books a bit, make some friends...
Hmm, somebody likes to take liberties!
...or girlfriends!
Hey Beto.
...Hola.
1
There’s a vacancy for an instructor at the dance school! I just need to do an audition.
LATER, AT THE DINNER TABLE That’s great, Mariana.
When will you have time for me now?
You rock, Sis, congrats!
Where’s Dad?
I don’t know. He’s practically been living in the corner store bar since he lost his job.
Fabiano, you could audition too!
FABIANO LEAVES THE TABLE, ANNOYED
I’ll always have time for you, honey. Easy, Mariana! Fabiano will find something soon. Something manly, to do us proud.
Did I say something wrong?
What’s a manly thing? What about “women’s things”? Do you think men should always be strong, provide for their families and protect them? And that women’s only concerns should be taking care of the home, family and children? Has it always and will it always be this way? How was it in the days of your grandparents? And how will it be in the future? 2
Fabiano isn’t a problem. As well as being your brother, everyone knows he’s a faggo...
NEXT DAY... These guys dance with you just so they can rub against you. And you tease them.
If I could, I would only dance with Fabiano... but I love it when you feel jealous.
Mariana... That’s not what I meant.
That was really horrible!
NEXT DAY, AT SCHOOL...
Just kidding, my bad.
How about you? Aren’t you going to audition for ballet teacher? No.
Homophobia is what we call the attitude and negative feelings that some people have towards people whom they think are homosexual. This can generate rejection and even violent attitudes. 3
AT HOME, JOICE WORKS WHILE RONALDO WATCHES TV Would you mind getting the dustpan? You’re in front of the tv!
Dustpan? Do I look like the kind of guy that holds a dustpan?
How about getting off the couch and finding a job? Putting money into the home is a man’s thing, your duty!
I’ve got a cleaning job, by the way.
WHAT? You’re going to WORK? Someone needs to work around here! Do you wanna go?
Although they’re not causes of violence, many facts can contribute to bring about aggressive behavior, such as unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, detachment and the feeling of being humiliated. 4
MEANWHILE, AT THE DANCE SCHOOL, MARIANA IS REHEARSING
Don’t forget to pay the registration fee for the audition...
Pay the fee and convince Beto...
BETO IS WAITING FOR MARIANA AS SHE IS LEAVING THE DANCE SCHOOL Mariana, I saw it all.
Saw what?
5
BETO AND MARIANA ARRIVE AT HOME ARGUING AND FABIANO SEES EVERYTHING I saw you rubbing against him! Do you want him to think you’re a slut? Because that’s what you look like.
They’re fighting again! What do I do?
I’ve had enough, Beto. That’s it!
Are you breaking up with me so you can be with him?
BETO GRABS MARIANA VIOLENTLY
Come back here! This isn’t over, you hear?
Let go of me! Are you crazy?
Many situations involving violence occur because some people believe they have more rights, more power or that they’re better than others and for this reason, must be obeyed. If they’re not obeyed, they think that they can make the other person obey, by insulting, humiliating or even through aggression. 6
AT HOME, JOICE REALIZES SOMETHING IS GOING ON So, Fabiano, how’s school? Anything happening?
No, nothing. Nothing?
No, nothing, mom, I have to study.
IN HER ROOM, MARI IS HIDING HER TEARS What happened, Mari?
Nothing, that guy, as usual.
How about you, why the long face?
Nothing, it’s ok.
You can’t allow this to happen.
You have to speak to someone at school or talk to Mom.
Many surveys show that isolation is the biggest cause of physical and psychological illness. Sharing our problems with people we trust can help to find answers that we would not always be able to find ourselves. 7
AT THE DANCE SCHOOL...
I’m sorry, Mari. What was I thinking? I want you. It won’t happen again, I promise.
Don’t you see that this dream of yours is stupid?
It’s my dream, Beto!
Beto, I’m not going to give up dancing!
Do you believe that jealously is a sign of love or a feeling of possession? Do you agree that someone should determine what another person can do, wear, or where they can or can’t go? When we don’t make clear what is or isn’t acceptable in our relationships, we can contribute towards making our partners feel like they own us! 8
AT HOME, JOICE AND RONALDO CONTINUE TO ARGUE So, any luck finding a job?
It’s gonna be difficult lying in front of the TV all day.
Something will come up.
MARIANA ARRIVES HOME UPSET AND GOES STRAIGHT TO HER ROOM
All right?
Leave me alone, Joice! The end of the month is almost here and so are the bills!
JOICE PUTS AWAY THE MONEY SHE GOT FROM HER CLEANING JOB...
Ah-han... How about you? Uh-huh...
...AND RONALDO SEES HER
9
Mariana is worried because she has to pay the fee to take the audition.
Can I come in? What’s happening?
And Fabiano is...
Don’t say it, Mariana!
Next time, instead of worrying, ask your mother! I’ll give it to you.
MEANWHILE, RONALDO CAN’T RESIST...
10
AT SCHOOL, FABIANO’S “SCHOOLMATE” WON’T LEAVE HIM ALONE
Give back my book!
HEY, KID! If you come near my brother again, you’ll see what’s gonna happen to you!
Stop dreaming, princess! Wake up to life!
If you don’t talk to somebody, I will. Someone needs to teach that kid some limits.
Mind your own business, girl.
Are you coming to the dance school today? No, I have to study.
Bullying is the term used to describe the type of aggression (Insults, mockery and sometimes even physical violence) inflicted frequently by one or more students against a colleague, at school or near it. This frequently happens far from the presence of adults and the victims don’t react, out of shame or fear. 11
RONALDO “CELEBRATES” AT JOE’S BAR... HIC!
Everybody listen up!
Drinks today are on me!
WHEN HE ARRIVES HOME, HE FINDS JOICE WAITING
Where’s my money? So you’re a thief now, as well as good-fornothing? What are you talking about, woman?
Give it back!
Violence among members of the same family is called intra-family violence. It can be psychological (insults, threats), physical (hitting, punching, pinching), sexual (forcing a sexual relation or taking advantage sexually of a helpless person) or through negligence (not taking care of someone who depends on us). 12
That is NOT your money! Give it back!
Stop it , Ronaldo! You’re hurting me!
POWWW!
In Brazil, the Maria da Penha Law was created to deter and prevent domestic and family violence against women and offers new protection mechanisms to encourage them to report assaults and other violent acts of which they may become victims. 13
How would you write the end of this story? What should happen to our characters? You can select more than one option:
1 - MARIANA should: a) Tell her family that she is being harassed and threatened. b) Seek help from a friend. c) Phone 180 and file a complaint. d) Keep this secret to herself and see how far Beto will go.
2 - RONALDO should: a) Apologize to Joice and try to understand, as a couple, why he is going through this crisis. b) Pretend that nothing happened and continue to be supported financially by her. c) Leave home. d) Try to find a job to help his wife.
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3 - JOICE should: a) Understand that he is going through a difficult time and help him to recover. b) Get more work and let time settle things. c) Kick her husband out. d) Warn him that if he ever lays a finger on her again, she’ll report him by phoning 180.
4 - FABIANO should: a) Tell a teacher/director that he is being harassed at school and seek help in order to resolve this situation. b) Let the boy at school keep on bullying him, suffer in silence and wait for things to settle. c) Get together a group of friends and teach the boy a lesson. d) Talk with his family and seek advice.
5 - BETO should: a) Continue threatening Mariana, thinking this will make her come back to him. b) Seek help in order to control his jealousy and try to win back Mariana. c) Try to understand why he acts this way, then try to change his behavior. d) Act even more radically so as to prevent Mariana from having other relationships.
We wrote two endings. You can write yours. 15
RONALDO ARRIVES IN THE EARLY HOURS AND JOICE PRETENDS TO SLEEP
ENDING
1
EARLY MORNING... That’s very unusual for Ronaldo! He didn’t even take off his shoes.
JOICE IS SAYING GOODBYE TO MARIANA Have a good day, honey.
Aren’t you late?
Just killing time, I only have to attend the second class.
16
MARIANA IS LEAVING WHEN HER FATHER APPEARS OOOOH... boy, I’m tired!
Morning, dad! Up so late? Mom’s already left for work.
Bye, Dad. I’m going to school.
Weren’t you going to school?
Oh, no. Beto’s outside!
I don’t feel so good. I’ll copy today’s subject later from Flavinha´s notes.
AT SCHOOL, FABIANO DOESN’T NOTICE HIS COLLEAGUE APPROACHING
17
FABIANO TAKES HIS BOOK FROM THE TRASH CAN Hey! Give me that book!
Oh, gross! I’m gonna throw it in the trash!
AT JOE’S BAR
18
Give me a shot, Joe.
Starting early today...
AT JOE’S BAR
AT HOME, JOICE IS HAVING LUNCH ALONE
This firewater is great!
How long is this going to go on?
Come here, give us a kiss.
Hey, are you crazy? No woman of mine says “no” to me.
Look, Mariana is coming.
I need that money for the fee.
No, there is no money! All grown up, having to ask for money! Deal with it!
I’m doing the best I can, Dad!
19
MARIANA GOES TO THE DANCE SCHOOL AND SEES BETO I don’t want to run into Beto.
She must be leaving about now...
Oh my God! I can’t believe I’m doing this! I’m going to miss my audition because I’m afraid of Beto!
20
THE FOLLOWING DAY, MARIANA IS ASHAMED TO SAY SHE DIDN’T DO THE AUDITION But I can’t understand how you failed.
It happens, Fabiano. I was too nervous and ended up doing everything wrong.
I’ll try again, if I get another chance.
But you practiced so much.
RONALDO AND JOICE CAN’T SEEM TO WORK THINGS OUT... Leave me alone, Joice! Are we going to start over again?
Yep, afraid so...
Is it too much for you to help me once in a while? At least put away your own stuff. You’re like a child!
IS THIS WHAT YOU IMAGINED? TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER ENDING, MAYBE IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH WHAT YOU ANSWERED... 21
RONALDO ARRIVES LATE AND JOICE WAKES UP
ENDING
2
I don’t know what’s happening to me.
Ronaldo, where have you been? I was worried.
I think you need help. We need help.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, JOICE, ON HER WAY OUT TO WORK, IS SAYING GOODBYE TO MARIANA. Have a good day, honey. Aren’t you late?
I’m just killing time, I only have to attend the second class.
There are resources which can help couples to overcome their problems, from talking to more experienced people to seeking help from professionals, such as psychologists or doctors. Family counseling, for example, is one form of professional help which you can count on in these situations. 22
OOOOH... boy, I’m tired!
Morning, Dad! Up so late? Mom’s already left for work. Bye, Dad. I’m going to school.
Oh, no. Beto’s outside!
What do I do?
Dad, I think I need help.
What happened?
I broke up with Beto and he’s stalking me, threatening me... I’m scared.
Who does that brat think he is? I’m gonna beat the heck out of him! Calm down, Dad. That’s not the way we’re going to solve this. What do we do, then?
In our society, people are frequently encouraged to “solve” problems violently, by shouting or hitting out. But does this really bring about change, or does it cause more problems? Can we think of other ways to settle our conflicts with others? 23
AT SCHOOL, FABIANO IS REVISING BEFORE THE TEST, WHEN...
...THE BOY WHO PERSECUTES HIM APPROACHES UNNOTICED AND TAKES HIS BOOK
Hey! Give me that book!
Know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna throw your book in the trash!
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That’s it! Today I’m going to talk to the teacher.
Is this the first time he’s done this?
All right, Fabiano, take a seat.
No, he keeps calling me ballerina and offending me the whole time.
People, I’m not going to ask you for your homework today...
We have a more important issue here.
Do you know what bullying is?
25
Good afternoon, Joe.
We’re starting early today...
It’s been a tough day, my friend. A tough month, to tell you the truth!
That’s just the way it goes, the important thing is to hold your head high! What can I get you?
I need a job, do you have any? I happen to know about a few odd jobs. Not exactly up to your standards, but you can make a buck or two.
So, what can I get you?
Nothing, but I’ll take the odd jobs. Tell me about them...
It’s important to keep in touch with friends, family, neighbours, workmates and other close acquaintances in order to feel welcome, cherished and part of a group. This network of friends is important to you, and you are important to it. Many opportunities result from this exchange. 26
THE FOLLOWING DAY...
Hi, Mr Pereira.
We reported you at the Police Station, you know.
Relax, Mr Pereira... I’m here to speak to you, specifically. Whaddya want?
I like your daughter very much and I don’t want to be far away from her. I know that I can be difficult sometimes, but ...I want to change for the better...
My family isn’t like yours. I trust your opinion more... What should I do?
I don’t know, Beto. For starters, stop stalking Mariana. Don’t you go to Technical College? They even have psychologists there, why don’t you talk to someone?
How can you control yourself and not be aggressive? One way is to observe the situations that bother and irritate you, see if they happen all the time and try to solve them so they don’t happen again. Talking about what bothers you with your friends and family. Even if things get tough, it’s not good to isolate oneself. There are people who can help. 27
NEXT MORNING...
Joice, I’m sorry, ok? It seems like I’m going to get a job, things are going to get better.
Mom, I need that money to pay the fee.
Talk to your dad.
That’s great, Ronaldo!
I borrowed it, but I’m returning it.
There you go! Good luck, baby!
Thanks, Dad.
Ronaldo...
Ah, Mariana, I ran into Beto at Joe’s store...
...all that’s mine is yours too.
28
Beto?
...and he said he wanted to talk to me. I think the kid wants to improve. Who knows...
Who knows...
AT THE DANCE SCHOOL, MARIANA IS DANCING BETTER THAN EVER
You’re doing just great, Mariana!
29
AT HER EXIT...
So, Mariana, tell me!
I passed, Fabiano!
Great! You deserve it!
30
I’m so happy!
I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I got a job, and I begin next Monday.
A toast to Mari’s victory!
And I am going to be a student assistant
Beto sent me a congratulations card saying that he’ll only be happy if I’m happy! Isn’t that cute?
And I’m very proud of this family of mine!
When we have a problem, the problem also belongs to everyone around us; everyone is involved... Nobody can determine on their own what will happen, but a small attitude on our part can bring about big changes in everybody. 31
FOR MORE INFORMATION National Freephone lines in Brazil: Police – 190 Ambulance – 192 Fire Brigade – 193 Central de Atendimento à Mulher (Women’s helpline) – Call 180 The Women’s helpline receives reports from women in situations of domestic violence and offers them shelter and protection. Calls are free, privacy is maintained and lines are open 24 hours a day, every day, including holidays. Ouvidoria Geral do SUS (SUS {National Health Service}) Ombudsman / Disque Saúde (National Health Helpline) – Call 136 By dialling this number (136), citizens can make requests, suggestions, complaints or compliments, request information on health, diseases, medication or regarding Ministry of Health campaigns. Disque Direitos Humanos (Human Rights Hotline) – Call 100 Disque Direitos Humanos (100) is a service that receives reports connected to rights violation of the homeless, the elderly, members of the LGBT population (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestites and transexuals), the disabled and sexual violence against children and teenagers. Lines are open 24 horas, every day including Sundays and holidays and calls are free. Viva Voz – Disque Informação ao Dependente Químico (Substance Addiction Hotline) - 0800 510 0015 This service provides guidance and information about drug and substance abuse. Its purpose is to help drug users and their families to talk about their problems, provide support in critical times, diagnose likely problems caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco and other legal and illegal drugs and use techniques to give advice or propose intervention with abstinence as the main objective. Calls are treated in confidence, callers do not have to give their name and the service is free.
Look for your local numbers for these services and write them down: Alcoólicos Anônimos (Alcoholics Anonymous) www.alcoolicosanonimos.org.br Centro de Valorização da Vida (Life Preservation Centre) Centro Integrado de atendimento à Mulher – CIAM (Women’s Integrated Support Centre) Defensoria Pública (Public Defendants’ Office) Delegacia de Mulher (Women’s Support Centre) Delegacia do Idoso (Senior Citizens’ Support Center) Disque Denúncia (Crime and Misdemeanor Report Hotline) Disque Idoso (Helpline for the Elderly)
For more information visit the websites: 123 Alô! – A voz da criança e do adolescente (Speaking out for children and teenagers) www.123alo.org.br White bow Campaign of Brazil: Men for the end to violence against women. www.lacobranco.org.br Cartilha de Prevenção à Violência Intrafamiliar (Violence in the Family Prevention primer) www.noos.org.br/portal/outraspublicacoes Instituto Avon www.institutoavon.org.br/publicacoes Rede Não Bata Eduque (Education, not Corporal Punishment Network) – www. naobataeduque.org.br
Possible Futures Your attitude defines you fate Mariana is young and dreams of becoming a dancer, but Beto, her boyfriend, does not accept her choices. Her brother, Fabiano, has to deal with a bully who persecutes him at school and seems intent on not letting him get on with his life. Ronaldo, their father, has lost his job and is almost giving in to depression and alcohol. The burden is passed on to their mother, Joice, who has to help the Pereira family get it together and try to understand what is happening in order to get the family back on track. Will it work out? The story of this family proves that even under difficult circumstances, there is always a way!
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