Een steuntje in de rug

Filmmaker Frans Bromet travels to South India at the invitation of the Humanist Broadcasting Foundation and development agency HIVOS. He goes there to field-test his sceptical viewpoint that development aid is useless. The direct occasion is Bromet's firm statement about the futility of aid to poor countries ('Let them take care of themselves') he once made in the late Theo van Gogh's programme Theo Onderdak. Bromet visits a project for sustainable agriculture in the Warangel district where the Centre for World Solidarity is active. 'This organisation is questionable, if only for its name.' He applies his proven method of putting a camera on his shoulder and asking shrewd questions. Gradually, Bromet gains insight into the world of manipulated farmers, pesticides, medical expenses, blooming cotton and local, intercity and international relief organisations. Bromet cannot discover any 'futility' and is impressed with the results of the 'helping hands'.