Madonna Debuts Malawi Documentary, Slams US Aid

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NEW YORK (AP) _ Madonna's harrowing new documentary on Malawi is clearly designed to draw attention to the poverty-stricken nation's plight and help to its people. But the superstar doesn't think much about enlisting aid from the U.S. government.

"I don't know what our government does period, instead of getting us in more debt and blowing up countries," she told the audience at the Tribeca Film Festival after premiering the film "I am Because We Are" on Thursday night. The packed audience included close friend Rosie O'Donnell and Natalie Portman.

Madonna produced and narrated the film on Malawi after she traveled there, where she met the toddler David Banda, whom she took home and is in the process of adopting.

The film shows the abject poverty that children face, how the AIDS crisis is claiming lives, the deplorable conditions that cause disease and other hindrances to Malawian life. However, the film urges people to volunteer and tries to offer hope.

After the film, Madonna and director Nathan Rissman took questions from the audience _ one of which was from a filmgoer who wondered what the federal government could do. Madonna replied that change should come from the people, not the government.

"It's our own job to change that and I think it's a fool's errand to rely on the government to change things."

Madonna was also asked about the difficulty in adopting children from Malawi. Her adoption of David with husband Guy Ritchie has yet to be approved, though the boy has been living with the family since the fall of 2006.

"It's a new concept, the concept of adoption, consequently it's very very time consuming," she said. "I guess if you really want to do it you have to be willing to walk through the fire."

Madonna said she is looking for a distribution deal so the film can be seen in more theaters, and hopes to get it on DVD soon: "Fingers crossed, that will be happening soon."

"I Am Because We Are," is not Madonna's only project these days _ her new album "Hard Candy" is released in stores on Tuesday."

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On the Net:

http://www.iambecauseweare.com

Comments

[falco]

Read Perkins "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" and you will see that Madge is right on. We blackmail third world countries into borrowing and then when they can't pay, we go in and confenscate the infrastructure as payment. Who benefits? The elite who have the money to buy the electric plants, the mines, the water, etc. for pennies on the dollar. I guess the bigger question is who doesn't benefit? The people of the countries like you and me who are just trying to get along and get by on our measly wages (dictated by the elite), trying to find TIME to love and enjoy our families and hoping someday to have LEISURE TIME to enjoy life - that's who doesn't benefit. The system was set up long ago, it's a slight bastiation of fuedalism, and we are the worker bee slaves who pay for the poor and prop up the wealthy. The audacity of our government and other governments in making us think we are sending money to help. It goes right into the ruling elites bathroom fixtures. These countries are a great playgrounds for the pharmaceudical companies who want to test their vaccinations as well. And the military who lie to test their latest and greatest weapons. I mean, if we went to war with Iraq to get Saddam and WMDs they never found, why are we using bombs with depleted uranium?

[castlerider]

I've thought she's looked a little too muscly and a bit skinny lately, but in this photo, she looks absolutely great.

She is an awesome and dedicated talent, no matter what anyone says.

[SweetAngie]

Why not check out Madonna's latest photo . . . the one on her new album cover released today.

http://www.madonna.com/

This is who the people of Malawi have representing them. Sorry, but its just a lousey publicity stunt, otherwise, Madonna herself would be contributing them herself.

[ohiomark]

She is full of it.

America is the most generous nation in the world, both public and private money.

Of course, for liberals, it's never enough, especially if it's someones elses cash.

[Ragga]

Are you deranged? She said it shouldn't be left up to government. As a conservative myself, I in total agreement with her.

[expanse]

She is right, of course. Always has been,.

As for the people complaining that their negatives comments went away- GROW UP! This is not your personal space to attack Madonna just because you have a computer and some fingers.

Besides, HuffPo has always been anti-Madonna.

Also, just for those that like to gripe, Madonna is the celebrity who gave THE MOST to the 9/11 fund, the Tsunami fund, Katrina Fund and has spent millions in Malaw.

[ENK727]

I think it's great what Madonna has done and how she's brought attention to the people of Malawi. I think it's wrong of Huffpo to edit comments on the various boards when they're considered a liberal blog. Guess free speech isn't allowed out here.

[expanse]

Yes it is wrong of them to edit comments. I am just perplexed because they usually edit out positive comments towards Madonna. Perhaps the negative comments edited out were abusive?

[ENK727]

This website is a joke. I've noticed posts I've made on this article and other suddenly disappear. Aren't these websites supposed to encourage free speech and different ideas? I'm really disappointed in Huffingtonpost.

[SweetAngie]

HOW DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT 3 PEOPLE . . .

who already posted comments, disappeared from this site today?!?!? Hmmmmmmm, especially since they were not POSITIVE postings for Madonna. I wanted to get that website address that I saw before . . . how the heck did they disappear?

Just how much money and power does Madonna have?

[Tator]

HP is heavily censored. Liberal web sites have to be...

[WIpatriot]

Repuke sites do a background check before you can post. You also have to be a registered puker, Tator-tot.

[SweetAngie]

Thanks, Tator - I did not know that!

[MoeSart]

There is plenty of poverty in America. No need to go to the other side of the planet to look for it.

[bethonna]

In a another interview, Madonna made the point that children don't die in American orphanages. Funding a half a dozen orphanages, providing food and medicine and building a school outside of the U.S. I have no problem with her efforts.

[galters]

Shall we donate the shirts off our backs as well, Madonna?

[SusanRen]

If Madonna is so concerned why doesnt she pony up some of her money she has loads.

[lanaturner]

Bitter, party of one, your table is ready...

[Bart]

So...has Madonna added to her baby-of-color collection lately?

[sammy333]

She is right. It was disgusting to see the Bushes appearing on American Idol recently seeking an undeserved credit on behalf of the people who gave their own dollars to help children in Africa. Bush's government is spending 500B on his bloody war of destruction. That is about 20,000 times the amount people collected to help the children. Basically his message is: let me spend 20000 dollars on war and my criminal friends and then I will shed a tear and praise you for spending 1 dollar on something good. But do not ask me for anything ...

[SweetJudith]

The war is costing $4 billion a week.

[heretical_eggs]

Good on you, Madge.

[Baka]

For some strange reason, American "Foreign Aid" always seems to end up in some Dictator's Swiss Bank Account. It's just amazing what our generosity has done for the Swiss Banking System over the last 60 years or so.