Karma puts filmmaker on path to document a man's 'blind' crusade

Filmmaker Richard Todd is a strong believer in karma even though the subject of his new film spent years trying to convince a Bali community the concept is nonsense.

God Made Them Blind is about humanitarian John Fawcett who moved to Bali over 25 years ago after a near-fatal accident in Australia. There, he noticed a strong need for help for people losing their sight to curable cataracts. However, the biggest challenge was a local karmic belief that those going blind deserved it.

Mr Fawcett had to convince them blindness is not a punishment from God. The documentary is being shown at a fund-raiser tonight at 7.30 in the Ladies' Recreation Club on Old Peak Road, with Todd (below) in attendance. 'I believe it was John's karma to nearly die and be drawn back to Bali as it was my karma to bring John's story to the screen,' Todd said. 'I was looking for stories on people helping people and a friend in Bali told me about this extraordinary man. That same week his name came up in conversations three times. I knew I had to meet him and within five minutes of hearing his story. I knew I had to do the documentary. I just didn't realise it would consume the next four years of my life.'