Q&A with Daniel Yam, Director of Open Doors: Singapore

Daniel Yam is an award-winning film director based in Singapore. Daniel wrote and directed IOM X and USAID’s ‘Open Doors: Singapore’, a video seeking to prevent the exploitation of domestic workers. The video has been viewed 77 million times online.

Q. What first attracted you to the IOM X video project about the exploitation of domestic workers in ASEAN?

I believed in the message of the story. I thought this is a story that needed to be told. I love stories with a strong message about humanity.

Q. Why do you think addressing the issue of the exploitation of domestic workers is important?

I was hearing more and more stories about the abuse of domestic workers. They left their country with a promise to make a living for themselves and to help improve the living conditions of their families. But some of them ended in a less than ideal environments, where they were treated cruelly.

All humans are created equal and should be treated as equal. When we give others respect and love, respect and love come back to us.

Q. What makes film a strong medium to address this issue?

Film has the ability to let an audience step into the life of a story character, and empathize with the character. The character leads the audience to experience a spectrum of emotions, and in a sense, the audience becomes immersed into that world. The lessons the character learns through the journey are also learned by the audience, as they experience of the story.

Q. Open Doors Singapore tells the story of a child watching how her parent treats their domestic worker and learning from that. Why did you choose that approach?

The script started off as a straightforward story about a domestic worker’s ordeal. Then we realized that it is may be more impactful if the story angle is driven by the employer, who realizes her actions have came back to haunt her.

I have personally witnessed the effects I have on my young daughter. She is a reflection of my actions and learns everything from my example. I decided that this would be a powerful way to frame the story.

Q. What advice would you give to employers of domestic workers?

Trust and respect go both ways. An employee only gives the best when he or she is well taken care of by the employer.

Q. The success of Open Doors: Singapore has started an online conversation about domestic work, with both employers and domestic workers sharing their stories. What do you hope is achieved by this conversation?

I’m grateful that the story has connected with both employers and domestic workers and ‘opens the door’ to a rewarding conversation and positive changes. I hope all employers will see themselves in the story, and learn from it. A negative environment not only impacts the domestic worker, but affects the family too. We need to take positive actions to create a loving and caring environment for their domestic workers.

Q. Has the video achieved what you hoped it would?

I think the success of a video is not always about the number of views, but rather about the influence of the story. If one viewer changes his or her actions for the better as a result of watching this video, then I consider it a success. With this video reaching the masses, I’m thankful that it is creating a positive energy that will make the world slightly more beautiful.

View Open Doors: Singapore at IOMX.org/HappyHome

Open Doors was produced with Love Frankie and the Sweet Shop, and distributed by BBTV Channel 7 and Viddsee.