In the Wake (2019)

Set in Kerala, India, In The Wake reveals the weaving community as a place of abundant beauty and a strong cultural heritage. The workforce, that today is comprised of mostly women, weave six yards of fabric a day using hand-looms. They compete with power loom machines that produce cheaper materials in bulk. Consumers often cannot distinguish between the two, therefore demand for hand-loom products is declining. The craft that has been passed down from generations may not be carried forward because of income disparity when compared to other labor jobs. In August 2018, a massive flood disrupted their lives, putting their livelihoods at stake. At a time of loss, hope was found with the help of several non-profit organizations. The looms were revived and now are recovering thread by thread. However, problems still persist. How do we consumers continue to value this traditional craft that has touched so many lives amidst the chaos of consumerism and mass production?