Holly Mosher shares how her experience living and working in Brazil shaped her career as a documentary filmmaker focused on social justice, democracy, and political change. From stories of dictatorship survivors to modern issues like corporate influence in politics, her films aim to expose problems while offering real-world solutions.
By Holly Mosher
Brazil shaped her understanding of democracy and freedom
After living in Rio de Janeiro and working on Brazilian films as an assistant editor and assistant sound editor between 1995 and 1996, I returned to the United States and unexpectedly fell into film production. It was a path I never planned, as I always thought I would remain working behind the scenes.
My time in Brazil deeply changed my perspective. I worked with people who had lived in exile during the dictatorship and taught English to a Chilean who had fled torture under Pinochet’s regime. These experiences made me understand how essential democratic freedoms truly are.
Returning to Brazil and Finding Purpose
In 2000, I returned to Brazil to create the film Hummingbird, which followed two groups that began working with street children and women suffering from domestic violence right after the dictatorship ended.
It was clear that these groups were empowered by their newfound freedom. Brazilians understand the value of their voice because they know what it means to lose it under oppression. This lesson became central to my future work producing documentaries over the last 15 years.
Today, I create films that not only expose global problems but also present solutions to audiences.
Films Focused on Social and Political Issues
Pay 2 Play highlights money’s impact on U.S. politics
Some of my work includes:
- Vanishing of the Bees – addressing how bees are dying due to pesticides used by Big Agriculture
- Side Effects – exploring pharmaceutical industry manipulation
- Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety – exposing corporate influence in healthcare marketing
- Bonsai People – about Muhammad Yunus and microcredit as an alternative economic model
- Pay 2 Play: Democracy’s High Stakes – my most recent and proudest work, focusing on the corrupting influence of money in politics
Democracy, Corruption, and Global Impact
Pay 2 Play examines how corruption has transformed the United States from a democracy into an oligarchy benefiting a small elite.
The film encourages global audiences to engage with solutions such as:
- Compulsory voting
- Free airtime for political candidates (as seen in Brazil)
- Public financing of political campaigns
- Full transparency in campaign donations
- Non-partisan redistricting
- A constitutional amendment declaring that corporations are not people and money is not speech
These issues matter globally because U.S. political decisions strongly impact the rest of the world.
Final Message
I hope audiences worldwide watch these films and come together around the solutions we propose. It is important for Americans—and the world—to recognize what is happening and work toward meaningful change.
See you at the movies!
* Holly Mosher is a writer and a filmmaker with bachelor degree from New York University. She lives in Los Angeles and you can find out more about all of her great projects here: www.filmmakerforchange.com
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What influenced Holly Mosher’s filmmaking career?
Her time in Brazil and exposure to stories from dictatorship survivors deeply shaped her focus on democracy and human rights.
2. What is the main message of Pay 2 Play?
The film explores how money influences politics in the U.S. and proposes reforms to strengthen democracy.
3. What issues do Holly Mosher’s documentaries address?
They cover topics such as corporate corruption, healthcare manipulation, environmental issues, and political influence.
4. Why is Brazil important in her story?
Brazil provided real-life examples of democratic recovery and civic empowerment after dictatorship.
5. What solutions are suggested in her films?
Ideas include compulsory voting, campaign finance reform, transparency, and limiting corporate political influence.
