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On March 5, 2004, we moved to our new location. All orders and other correspondence should be sent after that date to our new address, as follows: University of California Extension All of our phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same. If you have questions, please email us at ucmedia@ucxonline.berkeley.edu or call us at 510-642-0460. We appreciate your support and we hope that our move does not inconvenience any of our customers.
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Video Duplication, Licensing,
and Public Performance FAQ
Featured New Releases |
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Alcatraz
Is Not an Island After generations of oppression, assimilation, and near-genocide, a small group of Native American students and "Urban Indians" began the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island in November 1969. This remarkable documentary interweaves archival footage and contemporary commentary to examine how this historic event altered U.S. Government Indian policy and programs, and how it forever changed the way Native Americans viewed themselves, their culture, and their sovereign rights. |
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Anonymously Yours This extraordinary documentary on sex-trafficking in Southeast Asia interweaves four young women's stories to reveal an institution that enslaves as many as 40 million women worldwide. Shot clandestinely in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Anonymously Yours is often shocking, frequently harrowing, and always compelling. Through the brutal honesty of the four women's stories the film exposes the commonplace bartering and selling of women and the cycles of poverty that enslave them. |
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The Ash
Barge Odyssey This eye-opening documentary chronicles the 16-year saga of a small mountain's worth of incinerated toxic waste from Philadelphia as it traveled on a barge around the world in search of a dumping place. |
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Borrowed
Fire: The Shadow Puppets of Kerala |
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Calling Tokyo Despite their own, their family's, and their friends' internment during World War II, a small number of Japanese Americans played a crucial and secret role in the American war effort against Japan by serving as hosts of Japanese-language radio propaganda shows that were broadcast by the U.S. Office of War Information and the British Political Warfare Mission via short wave to Japan. |
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Confederacy Theory This powerful and thought-provoking documentary explores the complexities of a controversy steeped in American history and racial divisiveness: the debate over the Confederate flag in South Carolina, the last state to fly the flag on its capitol. |
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Dignity "Dignity" provides a fascinating introduction to the world of schizophrenia, not by pandering to nor belittling its subjects, but by letting them be themselves on camera and express their thoughts and feelings freely. Commentary is also provided by staff members and psychiatric specialists. |
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Dignity II This poignant sequel to "Dignity" documents the impact and the stresses on residents and staff members alike when Mercer was forced to close for budgetary reasons and most of its residents were forced to move in with the residents of the Summit Inn. |
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Discovering
Dominga This unforgettably dramatic and powerful documentary relates the extraordinary story of a young Iowa housewife who discovers she is a survivor of one of the most horrific massacres in Guatemalan history, committed in 1982 against Maya Indian villagers. The film follows her remarkable journey of transformation and discovery as she returns to Guatemala in search of her heritage and ultimately joins efforts to bring the perpetrators of the massacre to justice. |
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Flag Wars Simply put, this profoundly compelling and thought-provoking documentary is the best case study available of the social and human consequences of urban gentrification in contemporary America. Filmed over a four-year period in Columbus, Ohio, "Flag Wars" explores with eye-opening candor and unforgettable poignancy the effects on a long-established black neighborhood when gay white professionals move into and begin to transform the area. |
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The Forgotten Expedition Most Americans have heard the story of Lewis and Clark's exploration of the Louisiana Purchase's northern territories from 1804 to 1806. What most people don't realize is that President Jefferson also commissioned a second expedition, led by William Dunbar and George Hunter, to explore the southern areas of that new frontier. This exemplary historical documentary recounts this important but long forgotten expedition. |
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Funny Old Guys Frank Tarloff was a man for whom there were "no more victories." This poignant and deeply affecting documentary, filled with the sparkling humor of its subjects and a perceptive eye for compelling moments of revelation, follows Frank and his friends through the last months of his life. |
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Gender and
Relationships: Male-Female Differences in Love and Marriage This often humorous, often poignant, and always profound video explores the differences in the ways that men and women experience the love relationship. It features men and women from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds who provide eloquent -- and sometimes rueful -- testimony on how gender differences affect love, courtship, "couplehood," marriage, emotions, understanding, and sensitivity. |
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The Great Gathering This remarkable documentary provides a rare and fascinating study of the history, meaning, and diverse participants of the Maha Kumbha Mela, a spectacular Hindu sacred festival held every twelve years on the banks of the Ganges in India. |
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Hofmann's Potion Long before Timothy Leary urged a generation to "tune in, turn on, and drop out," lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was being used by researchers internationally to understand the workings of the human mind. This superb multidisciplinary documentary combines wide-ranging interviews and fascinating archival footage to investigate the early years of LSD. |
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Inipi: Breath
of Life This innovative and reflective documentary explores one of the most widespread of all Native American rituals -- the sweat lodge ceremony. |
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Journal of Grief: Death of a Baby This poignant and illuminating documentary is the newest and final addition to the widely acclaimed Australian series, "Understanding Maternal Grief." It recounts the long-term grief of a mother who lost twin girls at 18 weeks gestation. |
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Karam in Jaipur This absorbing documentary is the third film in renowned ethnographic filmmaker David MacDougall's long-term study of childhood and adolescence at the Doon School in northern India. It follows Karam, the main character of the earlier "With Morning Hearts," into the next phase of his life in Jaipur House, one of the five "Main" houses of the school. |
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Kawitan:
Creating Childhood in Bali This informative and compelling documentary systematically examines the key Balinese early-life ceremonies at every social level in South Bali. The focus of the film is both ethnographic and ethnomusicological as it explores the relationship between Balinese music, movement, ritual, and identity. |
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Madres Unidas: Parents Researching for Change This unique and inspiring documentary follows five immigrant mothers who became involved in an effort to start a new small school for their children, and later became researchers and videographers to document their journey. Their stories are set in the context of a city-wide school reform and community organizing movement in Oakland, California. |
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Mothers in Prison. Children in Crisis. At a time when "tougher" prison sentences are being handed down and more children are being affected by a parent's imprisonment, this eye-opening and disturbing documentary explores the social, economic, political, and emotional costs of America's determination to incarcerate large portions of its population. |
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The New Boys This landmark documentary is the fourth film in renowned ethnographic filmmaker David MacDougall's long-term study of childhood and adolescence at the Doon School in northern India. |
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Orphans of Mathare This powerful documentary examines the lives of former street children now living at the Good Samaritan Children's Home, an orphanage and school in the sprawling Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Although it focuses on one orphanage in Mathare, the film lays bare the complicated relationship between poverty, violence, disease, Christianity, tradition, and the orphan crisis in Kenya and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. |
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Primates Like Us In 1998 a group of primarily American undergraduate students went to Bali as part of a new Balinese Macaque Project field school to experience Balinese culture, study macaque monkey behavior and document the process with on-location video footage. After compiling and reviewing the footage, however, it became clear that what was actually captured was an ethnographic account of a group of undergraduates who were experiencing simultaneously a new culture, the rigors of anthropological fieldwork, and the conflicts of living and working with each other as a team. |
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Rancho California (Por Favor) In a remarkable feat of artistic and political fusion, the film explores the charged debate over the meaning and consequences of immigrant culture near America's southern border, and along the way examines the complex realities of race and class in this country. |
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Salsa in
Japan: A Japanese and Latino Mix This remarkable documentary on multiculturalism explores the growing subculture of salsa dancing in Japan, where salsa dancing and salsa clubs serve as a source of interaction and cultural mingling between Japanese and Latino immigrants to Japan. |
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Sand Painting:
Sacred Art of Tibet The ancient art of Tibetan sand painting has been preserved in the monasteries of India and Tibet for some 2,500 years. Traditionally practiced in seclusion, this unique art form has only been practiced publicly in the last decades. In this beautifully photographed and fascinating documentary, Tibetan monks from the Dalai Lama's personal monastery, Namgyal, create the mandala of Kalachakra, the most sacred of all Buddhist sand paintings. |
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Sounds Sacred
This remarkable filmic essay explores the unique and powerful ways that human beings around the world manifest their spirituality through sound and music. |
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True Whispers: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers Of all the untold stories from World War II that have recently come to light, none is more important nor more ironic than that of the Code Talkers who were recruited by the U.S. government to devise an unbreakable code in the language they had been previously forbidden to speak. This poignant documentary explores the complex story of the Code Talkers from the Navajo point of view and reveals the pivotal role they played. |
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Tumaini Shot on location in the slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, "Tumaini" (Swahili for "hope") documents the work of the Kenya Voluntary Women's Rehabilitation Centre, a grassroots agency that reaches out to provide support and economic alternatives to Nairobi's sex workers. |
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Under Surveillance This documentary explores the work of the Surveillance Camera Players, a performance-based activist group in New York City. Through the group's activism, the film explores the complex and ambivalent roles of visuality and visual culture in contemporary urban America. |
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Wedding
Advice: Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace With an engaging blend of humor, personal testimony, and expert analysis, this thought-provoking documentary explores the history and contemporary relevance of the institution of marriage in America. |
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Welcome to Warren This sobering and perceptive documentary explores the lives of inmates and guards at the Warren Correctional Institution, in southern Ohio. Unstaged and unrehearsed, the film helps break harmful stereotypes regarding prison inhabitants created in TV shows like "Oz" and movies like "The Shawshank Redemption." |
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A World of Love: Cultural Differences in Courtship, Love, and Marriage
Is there a universal language of love? This emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating new video delightfully demonstrates that the answer is a resounding "No." This film presents a wide range of articulate and fascinating people from cultures worldwide and shows that there is no single road to love or marriage. |
| Alcatraz Is Not an Island |  |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC For Native Americans all across the United States, the infamous Alcatraz is not an island... It is an inspiration. After generations of oppression, assimilation, and near-genocide, a small group of Native American students and "Urban Indians" began the 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island in November 1969. They were eventually joined by thousands of Native Americans, retaking "Indian land" for the first time since the 1880s. This remarkable documentary interweaves archival footage and contemporary commentary to examine how this historic event altered U.S. Government Indian policy and programs, and how it forever changed the way Native Americans viewed themselves, their culture, and their sovereign rights. The story of the occupation of Alcatraz is as complex and rich as the history of Native Americans. In the 1950s, after decades of failed policies and programs, the Eisenhower administration implemented the "Relocation and Termination" programs as official Federal Indian policies. These programs were designed to lure Indian people off the reservations and into major cities, such as San Francisco, in order to complete their assimilation and acculturation into "mainstream" America. By the mid-1960s, the San Francisco Bay Area's urban Indian community was one of the largest and best organized in the country. Rather than dissolving into the urban "melting pot," Bay Area Indians clung tenaciously to their cultures, formed social and political organizations, and began to mobilize. Echoing the Free Speech, Civil Rights, and anti-war movements and other Sixties' struggles for social justice, Bay Area Indians began their own protests of Indian treaty and civil rights abuses, protests that eventually led to the occupation of Alcatraz. "Alcatraz Is Not an Island" examines the personal sacrifices and individual tragedies experienced by those involved in the occupation, focusing on the dramatic story of occupation leader Richard Oakes. It also explores the impact of the occupation on Native Americans nationwide. Out of Alcatraz came the "Red Power" movement of the 1970s, which has been called the lost chapter of the Civil Rights era, and more than 70 other Indian occupations of Federal facilities. But the occupation was more than a political event: it is now widely regarded as the turning point in a renaissance for Indian culture, traditions, identity, and spirituality. More than 30 years after the takeover of Alcatraz, "Alcatraz Is
Not an Island" provides the first in-depth look at the history, politics,
personalities, and cultural reawakening behind this historic event. This
gripping film is essential viewing in any course in Native American studies,
and it will inspire reflection and discussion in a wide variety of courses
in American history and studies, cultural anthropology, sociology, political
science, and ethnic studies. It was produced by Jon Plutte and directed
by James Fortier (Metis-Ojibway) in association with the Independent Television
Service and KQED Television. Noted actor Benjamin Bratt (Quechua) delivers
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"The seminal documentary of an event that has had lasting importance for Native Nations across the United States. The occupation of Alcatraz Island represents the beginning of the Red Power movement, which restored self- determination to Native American people and ushered in a new era in the relationship between Indian Nations and the U.S. Government. This is an excellent teaching tool that should be available in all history classrooms." -- Dr. Duane Champagne, Director, American Indian Studies Center, UCLA
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| Anonymously Yours | |
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| This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC Every few years a new documentary comes along whose impact is so powerful, so illuminating, and so memorable that it is deemed an instant classic and an essential classroom teaching tool. "Anonymously Yours" is such a film. This extraordinary documentary on sex-trafficking in Southeast Asia interweaves four young women's stories to reveal an institution that enslaves as many as 40 million women worldwide. Shot clandestinely in Myanmar (formerly Burma), "Anonymously Yours" is often shocking, frequently harrowing, and always compelling. Through the brutal honesty of the four women's stories the film exposes the commonplace bartering and selling of women and the cycles of poverty that enslave them. From the back rooms of teashops and restaurants to the lounges of five-star hotels, the Far East sex trade thrives on the routine merchandising of girls and women for the sexual escape and pleasure of men from all cultures. Through their unforgettable and poignant testimonies, these four sex workers introduce Western audiences to the widespread corruption and staggering poverty that are the status quo in much of the world -- and the primary causes behind one of the fastest-growing and most vicious industries on earth: the sale of human beings. "Anonymously Yours" will engage and challenge students and
provoke animated discussion in a wide range of courses in women's studies,
cultural anthropology, Asian studies, human rights, economics, and development
issues. It was produced by Gayle Ferraro, who also produced the widely
acclaimed documentary, "Sixteen Decisions." |
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"A unique documentary that captures both the horror and the complexity of sex trafficking in Southeast Asia today. Through interviews with survivors, viewers learn about the factors that make the children vulnerable, the trafficking methods, the psychological and physical harm to the victims, and the pervasive corruption that allows sex trafficking to thrive. This is a sophisticated educational film that will complement any curriculum on violence against women and trafficking into the sex industry." -- Prof. Mei-Mei A. Ellerman, Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis Univ. "A compelling and tragic portrait of women who have been victimized and their lives wasted in a web of sexual exploitation. The squalor in which these young women live contrasts powerfully against the gold-leafed opulence of the temples and tourist haunts that form the backdrop of the film. This eye-opening film should generate rich and absorbing discussion in classes that deal with human rights, women's issues, international tourism, and global economics and development, to name just a few." -- Myrna Balk, Simmons College School of Social Work "A thought-provoking documentary that lends itself as an educational and mobilizational tool. The film raises awareness about the entrenched problem of the sex trade in Southeast Asia, and the complex set of political, economic and social factors that lie behind this harsh reality. While delving into the daily reality and minds of the women who are sold, the film shows us the human face, the personal stories as well as the challenges involved with rehabilitation. The film creates an engaging springboard for classroom discussion and political action that urgently needs to be translated into sustainable solutions, not just by local governments in Southeast Asia, but in partnership with the international community as a whole." -- Shyama Venkateswar, Assoc. Director, Asian Social Issues Program, Asia Society, New York
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| The Ash Barge Odyssey | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: MTP Video This eye-opening documentary chronicles the 16-year saga of a small mountain's worth of incinerated toxic waste from Philadelphia as it traveled on a barge around the world in search of a dumping place. The film relates this revealing and ultimately shocking tale of global environmental injustice through candid and poignant personal accounts, archival supportive material, and footage shot on location in Philadelphia, Florida, and Haiti. The well-traveled toxic ash that left Philadelphia in 1986 on the cargo vessel Khian Sea was caught in a tangled web that involved government agencies at every level and a host of private companies. Players in the drama included the U.S. State Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, and a New York City commission charged with rooting organized crime from the commercial trash-hauling industry. When the ship illegally dumped 4,000 tons of the ash, described as fertilizer, on a beach in the small impoverished port town of Gonaives, Haiti, Greenpeace and other environmental groups demanded it be brought back to the United States. But ten long years elapsed before the ash was finally removed from Haiti. As a result, the people of Gonaives are still suffering from the devastating effects of the toxic ash. "The Ash Barge Odyssey" serves as an instructive and cautionary case
study of global dumping and of a society that generates more waste than
it can safely dispose of. It will stimulate thought and discussion in
a wide range of courses in environmental studies, Third-World and development
studies, and planning and public policy. It was produced by Joanna Michael
and Eric Thomas for Michael Thomas Productions. |
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| Borrowed Fire: The Shadow Puppets of Kerala | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Kathanjali Productions This deft and engaging ethnographic documentary examines the life and art of Krishnankutty Pulavar, the last surviving master of "Tolpava Koothu," a thousand-year-old form of shadow puppetry found only in Kerala, on the southwestern coast of India. The film includes exclusive footage of Kerala shadow puppet performances of the ancient Hindu "Ramayana" epic, the training of the puppeteers, the puppeteers at work backstage, the making of puppets, and interviews with the key members of the puppet ensemble. This unique film provides outsiders a rare opportunity to view and learn about a traditional and sacred performance art that takes place only in Kerala's Hindu temples, and that is in danger of disappearing after the current generation. The film illustrates the passing on of this oral tradition, its aging patrons and performers, and the palm manuscripts on which its repertoire is written. Flat buffalo-hide puppets and a special puppet house in temple compounds create a show that few watch, but since it is a ritual offering for the goddess Bhadrakali, who is always in attendance at the temple, the show goes on all night long, sometimes requiring as many as 21 nights to complete. The "Ramayana," one of Hindu's major epics, is the basis for episodes performed year after year during temple festivals. The film focuses on the precarious future of this art amid the rapid process of social and cultural change in India. Pulavar's three sons, while learning from him and performing in the troupe with him, look to other mundane professions to survive and may not continue the tradition. Nevertheless, the old Pulavar has discovered a personal sense of peace and retained his belief in his art as a spiritual quest. A year after the making of the film, Krishnankutty Pulavar died, making
"Borrowed Fire" the only detailed record of this art available
on video. It is a must-see in many courses in Indian studies and will
inspire thought and discussion in a variety of courses in Asian studies,
cultural anthropology, religion, and performing arts. It was produced
by Salil Singh and Anurag Wadehra. |
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"A clear and poetic documentation of the shadow theatre of Kerala, India. The film communicates the cultural context of the theatre and documents its changes in this generation. The camera work is visually pleasing and the coverage deft. The video gives pertinent information on the text, drawn from Kampan's twelfth-century Tamil version of the Ramayana. It is admirable how concisely the story line is conveyed in a few brief episodes from the complex epic. Overall the film is an admirable accomplishment." -- Kathy Foley, Prof. and Chair of Theater, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, in "The Asian Theatre Journal" "Exceptionally helpful in teaching about the almost endless variety of Indian theatre. The video is especially useful in pointing out the multiple forms that shadow puppetry has taken and above all is valuable in preserving a form that is on the verge of extinction. The video is given much added depth by including so fully the context in which this particular form of shadow puppetry exists, giving it a very human as well as artistic interest. Few of us would ever have the opportunity to observe this particular dramatic form and it seems a special blessing that it allows the viewer to enter into the experience on so many levels. It contributes greatly to an appreciation of the complexity of Indian theatre." -- Oscar G. Brockett, Distinguished Prof. of Theatre, Univ. of Texas at Austin
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| Calling Tokyo | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Gary Ono Despite their own, their family's, and their friends' internment during World War II, a small number of Japanese Americans played a crucial and secret role in the American war effort against Japan by serving as hosts of Japanese-language radio propaganda shows that were broadcast by the U.S. Office of War Information and the British Political Warfare Mission via short wave to Japan. This engaging historical documentary unveils for the first time these Japanese-Americans' vital but unheralded contributions to the Allied cause. Occasioned by the mystery of what the filmmaker's now-deceased father
had done during the war and his family's internment, the film combines
archival footage, commentary by remaining participants, and detailed historical
recreations to recount this remarkable but virtually unknown chapter of
the war. "Calling Tokyo" will spur discussion in a variety of courses
in Japanese-American and Asian-American studies, American history, and
ethnic studies. It was produced by Gary T. Ono. |
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"The film does a marvelous job in visually documenting an almost unknown chapter in America's war against Japan during World War II. It is a welcome addition to the growing number of documentaries on the role of Japanese Americans during the war and also those dealing with our broader military efforts that led to victory over Japan in 1945. I plan to use this video for my course on The Pacific War. It addresses several major themes that are important to the understanding of the Pacific War -- the internment of Japanese-Americans; contributions of ethnic minorities and women to the war effort, especially those in the homefront; psychological /propaganda warfare; and the importance of language and cultural studies (even more compelling, in light of our present activities in Iraq). Unlike some documentaries, the personal narration, interviews of former broadcasters/translators, and original broadcast recordings all help make this an interesting human story, leaving viewers wishing that this could have been a longer production." -- Pedro Loureiro, Curator, The Pacific Basin Institute, and Lecturer, History Dept., Pomona College
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| Confederacy Theory | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC Although the Civil War ended long ago, across the American South this century-old defeat holds a prominent place in the popular psyche, to the point that talk of the "war between the states" often peppers daily conversation. Now a contemporary cultural war has erupted over the meaning and use of the Confederate battle flag, which many see as a racist symbol celebrating the Southern defense of slavery during the Civil War and Southern resistance to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The flag's defenders, meanwhile, cling to the notion of a Southern "lost cause" and in many respects echo the resentments of their Confederate ancestors. Today this heated controversy has become one of the most contentious issues in the South since desegregation. With its engaging attention to detail and its deft, even-handed treatment of its thorny subject matter, "Confederacy Theory" will spark analysis and discussion in a wide variety of courses in sociology and popular culture, social psychology, American history and studies, and African-American studies. It was produced by Ryan Deussing. |
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 "A subtle, intelligent and provocative exploration of the rise of the contemporary neo-Confederate movement. Simply by letting its subjects speak for themselves, the film makes the racial animus that drives many flag supporters clear -- but without issuing any blanket condemnations of white Southerners interested in their past. This is the first film to seriously examine an important phenomenon that should concern all Americans. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in the state of our nation." -- Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center "I found this excellent film to be a uniquely valuable exploration of how a powerful symbol, in this case the Confederate Battle Flag, can 'mean' different things and evoke dramatically different emotions in people who have lived side by side for generations but belong to different racial or ethnic groups. A strength is that the viewer can identify, however uneasily, with both proponents and opponents of the flag because the film presents them as everyday humans caught up in the passion of the battle. In undergraduate classrooms, at least in a Minnesota liberal arts college, the film stimulates illuminating conversations about individual and group identities and the responsibility groups in a multicultural society have to understanding, respecting, and responding to the meanings and evaluations that other groups attribute to their words, symbols, and actions." -- Roxane Harvey Gudeman, Adjunct Prof. of Psychololgy, Macalester College "A surprisingly even-handed portrait, not only of a pivotal moment in the political history of South Carolina, but of a moment of crisis in the South's understanding of itself." -- Eddy Von Mueller, Film Critic, Atlanta
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| Dignity | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Lorian Elbert This brilliant and insightful documentary focuses on portraits of a number of residents. Some, like Bruce G., clearly wear their afflictions in their mannerisms and faces. He cannot stop singing songs, restlessly revamping the lyrics to fit his changing moods. Others, like Kimberly B., seem capable of blending into "normal" society. Only in her conversation -- she describes mental hospitals as places "to take a vacation and get help" -- does she compulsively display her disorder. The film provides a fascinating introduction to the world of schizophrenia,
not by pandering to nor belittling its subjects, but by letting them be
themselves on camera and express their thoughts and feelings freely. Commentary
is also provided by staff members and psychiatric specialists. |
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"These two films present a moving, informative portrait of the challenges and courage of people who cope with chronic mental illness, and of the dedication and frustrations of the men and women who help take care of these individuals in half- way houses. I recommend these films for courses in Abnormal Psychology and also Introductory Psychology, as well as for any student considering a career in the mental health professions." -- Michael Passer, Senior Lecturer and Introductory Psychology Coordinator, Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle "Both of these films show the human side of mental illness, allowing the viewer a peek into the difficulties and joys experienced by both patients and caregivers alike. Both films are enlightening, eye-opening, and thought provoking, and will serve well as catalysts for class discussions. Many students view psychological disorders as categories, missing the true experience of those who deal with these problems on a day-to-day basis. These films serve to fill that gap and hopefully can further serve to expand attitudes toward mental illness." -- Dr. Debbie Chun, Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
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| Dignity II | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Lorian Elbert 57 min. Color 2003 Catalog #38584 Sale: video $225, Rental: video $90 |
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"These two films present a moving, informative portrait of the challenges and courage of people who cope with chronic mental illness, and of the dedication and frustrations of the men and women who help take care of these individuals in half- way houses. I recommend these films for courses in Abnormal Psychology and also Introductory Psychology, as well as for any student considering a career in the mental health professions." -- Michael Passer, Senior Lecturer and Introductory Psychology Coordinator, Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle "Both of these films show the human side of mental illness, allowing the viewer a peek into the difficulties and joys experienced by both patients and caregivers alike. Both films are enlightening, eye-opening, and thought provoking, and will serve well as catalysts for class discussions. Many students view psychological disorders as categories, missing the true experience of those who deal with these problems on a day-to-day basis. These films serve to fill that gap and hopefully can further serve to expand attitudes toward mental illness." -- Dr. Debbie Chun, Dept. of Psychology, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
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| Discovering Dominga | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC This unforgettably dramatic and powerful documentary relates the extraordinary story of a young Iowa housewife who discovers she is a survivor of one of the most horrific massacres in Guatemalan history, committed in 1982 against Maya Indian villagers who resisted a dam project funded by the World Bank. The film follows her remarkable journey of transformation and discovery as she returns to Guatemala in search of her heritage and ultimately joins efforts to bring the perpetrators of the massacre to justice and to promote peace and reconciliation in her native country. Dominga Sic Ruiz was nine years old when, during the bloody Guatemalan civil war, she escaped while paramilitary and army forces murdered her mother and 76 other women and 107 children in the Maya village of Rio Negro. She was eventually adopted and grew up in small-town America, where she became a "normal" teenager named Denese and later married. She buried her past so deeply it became transformed in adulthood into doubts and nightmares, until events brought her to face the truth. Beautifully photographed in Iowa and amid the stunning landscapes of the Guatemalan highlands, the film follows her emotional reconnection with lost relatives, with a rich indigenous culture, and with the violent history in which her beloved adopted country -- the United States -- played a sinister role. Dominga joins the Maya community in the dangerous effort to demand the exhumation of a clandestine mass grave, and later provides testimony in a landmark genocide case, thus becoming part of a global grassroots struggle for justice and human rights. "Discovering Dominga" is a compelling and inspiring story that will engage
student interest and provoke reflection and discussion in a wide variety
of courses in Latin American studies, cultural anthropology, Third World
studies, human rights, women's studies, American history and studies,
and sociology. It was produced and directed by Patricia Flynn and co-produced
by Mary Jo McConahay for the Independent Television Service in association
with KQED Television. |
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"A perfect film for anthropology classes! In a moving and beautifully filmed story, a young American woman finds that her search for her own identity is inextricably entwined with the indigenous culture of her Guatemalan family, the history of ethnic violence in that country, and the international political context that gives her personal journey a wider meaning. These are essential themes for anthropology today, as we continue to explore the meanings and multiplicities of cultural and ethnic identities. I plan to use this compelling film in my intro cultural anthropology classes, as well as in courses on multiculturalism and ethnic politics." -- Nancy Postero, Asst. Prof. of Anthropology, Univ. of California, San Diego "This amazing and powerful film is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It is a valuable tool for teaching students about the relationship between gender roles and culture and the gendered lens through which adult women seek to understand and recover from traumatic childhood events." -- Norma Stoltz Chinchilla, Prof. of Women's Studies, California State Univ., Long Beach "Dominga's journey of self-discovery is one of the great untold stories of the Third World. I consider it an indispensable teaching tool in my comparative politics and American government courses to compel students to understand and ask questions about the tragedy of those affected by U.S. foreign policy." -- Cobie Harris, Assoc. Prof. of Political Science, San Jose State Univ. "This is an excellent video for instructional purposes, and will be an essential addition to my teaching materials concerning human rights and international justice." -- Amy Ross, Asst. Prof. of Geography, Univ. of Georgia, Athens "A major event in documentary ethnographic filmmaking. Dominga's road through remembrance, regret, outrage, and ultimately to recovered dignity and political awareness, and the role of U.S. complicity in the senseless war, will leave viewers stunned. It will be a welcome addition to college classrooms in anthropology, history, women's studies, and Latin American studies." -- Jeffrey Ehrenreich, Prof. and Chair of Anthropology, Univ. of New Orleans
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| Flag Wars | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC Simply put, this profoundly compelling and thought-provoking documentary is the best case study available of the social and human consequences of urban gentrification in contemporary America. Filmed over a four-year period in Columbus, Ohio, "Flag Wars" explores with eye-opening candor and unforgettable poignancy the effects on a long-established black neighborhood when gay white professionals move into and begin to transform the area. The film unfolds as a narrative drama with multiple storylines and memorable characters. There is Nina, a lesbian realtor who lives and works in the neighborhood and is at the center of the changes taking place. The changes include the designation of areas of the neighborhood as a Historic District (creating restrictive housing codes), an increase in code enforcement complaints, and efforts to reduce low-income housing in the community. Code enforcement is complaint-driven and seems to target long-time residents like Linda, who believes the new gay residents moving in on her block are responsible for the code and zoning citations that have landed her in Judge Pfeiffer's Environmental Court. Linda suffers from cirrhosis of the liver and lives on miniscule disability payments. She refuses to address the zoning violations and her limited resources prevent her from making repairs to her home. This puts her in jeopardy of arrest. Baba, a black Yoruba priest and plumber, is the founder of the neighborhood community gallery, which occupies the bottom two floors of his three-story house. The sign with his name and address that he hangs above his porch is now in violation of Historic (i.e., Victorian) Code because it is carved in an African-relief style. Baba is also prosecuted in court before Judge Pfeiffer and faces fines and possible arrest for refusing to remove his sign. Jim, a working-class gay man, works two jobs to buy a boarded-up and run-down Victorian house in the neighborhood. He risks his financial future when he purchases and begins renovations on the house using credit cards. Once cited as the "All-American City," Columbus is steeped in middle-American manners and traditions. While located principally in a neighborhood known as "Olde Towne," the film's characters intersect the world outside the community when they are targets for protests by the Christian Right and the Ku Klux Klan. As the film spirals to its seemingly inevitable yet nonetheless surprising conclusion, it provides a sobering and extraordinarily revealing look at the everyday reality of social processes occurring throughout the nation. "Flag Wars" will engage and inspire students and stimulate discussion in a wide array of courses in sociology, urban studies, American studies, African-American studies, social psychology, cultural anthropology, gender and gay studies, and public policy issues. It was produced by Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras of Zula Pearl
Films for the Independent Television Service, in association with P.O.V./American
Documentary, and the National Black Programming Consortium. |
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"This film is the new frontier in cinema verite. It shows the new forms of racism and bigotry through the intersections of race, class, and sexual preferences." -- Manthia Diawara, Director of Africana Studies, New York Univ. "Profoundly addressing issues of race, class, and gender, the film provides a vivid view of the universal struggle to maintain community in the face of economic transformation, providing a way for audiences to understand their own participation in this nearly universal American story." -- Tom Rankin, Director, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke Univ. "This extraordinarily moving documentary tells the story of an increasingly common but little-documented American phenomenon -- the economic and ideological clashes involved in urban gay gentrification... Featuring an immediate verite style, unforgettable subjects, and a hauntingly elegiac jazz score by Graham Haynes, the film is as deeply moving as it is politically astute." -- The Advocate "One of the most important works of nonfiction cinema for queer audiences in years." -- Stephen Gutwillig, Executive Director, OUTFEST: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
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| The Forgotten Expedition | |
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Most Americans have heard the story of Lewis and Clark's exploration of the Louisiana Purchase's northern territories from 1804 to 1806. What most people don't realize is that President Jefferson also commissioned a second expedition, led by William Dunbar and George Hunter, to explore the southern areas of that new frontier. This exemplary historical documentary recounts this important but long forgotten expedition in commemoration of the Louisiana Purchase's 2003 bicentennial. Like Lewis and Clark, Dunbar and Hunter were gentlemen-scholars with an adventurous streak. In 1804, after much correspondence, President Jefferson charged the pair with instructions to undertake a journey that would rival the Lewis and Clark expedition, already underway. "The Forgotten Expedition" recounts the many disappointments of the Dunbar and Hunter journey, from the Indian hostilities that cut their expedition short to the shadow cast by Lewis and Clark, who usurped the spotlight of history. But the film also records their triumphs. The two men and their crew mapped, described flora and fauna, discovered the hot springs that would later become one of the nation's first national parks, and sent Jefferson the first in-depth report on the huge territory that had just been purchased from France. "The Forgotten Expedition" will enhance and enrich a wide variety of
courses in American history. It was produced by Larry Foley for the Arkansas
Educational Television Network. |
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"An invaluable resource for American History instructors. Illuminating the largely forsgotten yet significant Hunter and Dunbar expedition, the video draws out important details of western expansion and the Louisiana Purchase. The presentation evokes a feeling of the frontier in the early 1800s. Student response ranges from amazement and surprise to shock and inspiration. Many have commented, 'How could it be forgotten?' The video challenges students to examine not only the 'who and 'how' of history, but also the ever-important 'why.' In this way, the film encourages students to think historically and interpret the past through the lens of the present." -- Prof. Tom Wing, Dept. of History, Univ. of Arkansas, Fort Smith "The inspired pairing of Larry Foley's beautifully-written and exceptionally accurate script and Dale Carpenter's craftsmanship with a camera has created a documentary that both instructs and entertains. The knowledge areas covered are not only biographical but also geological, geographical, anthropological, cultural, social, political, and historical. Hunter and Dunbar would be proud to see their work as it is explored and examined by these filmmakers." -- Denise Nemec, English Instructor, Northwest Arkansas Community College "Students love to hear the untold stories of American history. This is one of those important chapters in the westward movement of the country. The original use of the explorers' journals, the outstanding visuals, and an excellent storyline makes this a natural work to inspire students toward an appreciation of our history." -- Anne Linn, History Instructor, Arkadelphia High School
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| Funny Old Guys | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC Frank Tarloff was a man for whom there were "no more victories." At 83, he could no longer work in the television industry that he and his friends had helped to create -- but which now had no use for them. Every Tuesday, he and his group of close friends -- former writers, comedians, and producers -- would meet for lunch to reminisce, lament the state of TV and film today, compare their medical conditions, and just enjoy each other's humor and company. This poignant and deeply affecting documentary, filled with the sparkling humor of its subjects and a perceptive eye for compelling moments of revelation, follows Frank and his friends through the last months of his life. Frank had had his share of triumphs. He had fought and beaten the Blacklist, won an Academy Award for screenwriting, and been a successful television script writer for more than 20 years. His friends -- Bernie West, Freddie Frieberger, Mike Morris, David Shaw, Bernie Kahn -- had written and produced such series as "Star Trek," "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons," and "Maude," among many others. But all that was 20 years or more behind them. The film follows and Frank and the rest of the group over a year-long
period, during which he learns he has terminal cancer. The first member
of the group to face imminent mortality, Frank has an epiphany and decides
that by facing death squarely and by discussing it with his characteristic
humor, he can help his friends face death when their own times come. The
poignancy of this experience, and the love and concern these men share
for one another, is compelling and revelatory, and is captured with great
sensitivity and insight by award-winning filmmaker David Zeiger. "Funny
Old Guys" will inspire discussion in a variety of courses in psychology,
sociology, death and dying, and aging. |
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| Gender and Relationships: Male-Female Differences in Love and Marriage |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC One of the most important journeys in human life is the quest for a satisfying, enduring love relationship. This search is nearly universal, and a lasting love is the goal of most people in most societies. This search has an unparalleled power and immerses us in many of the strongest emotions we will experience in our entire lives. This often humorous, often poignant, and always profound video explores the differences in the ways that men and women experience the love relationship. It goes beyond mere analysis and examines ways to make a relationship work better for both men and women. Some potential problems reflect important gender differences and needs, while others involve gendered expectations about the love relationship itself. The video features men and women from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds who provide eloquent -- and sometimes rueful -- testimony on how gender differences affect love, courtship, "couplehood," marriage, emotions, understanding, and sensitivity. In powerful and revealing interviews, they discuss what women believe is the most important thing a man needs to know about women, and what men believe is the most important thing a woman needs to know about men. The video begins in infancy, with the ways society constructs boys and girls with gendered ideas about who we are, what is important about us, and what we need. It goes on to illustrate how the differential treatment of boys and girls ensures that they will bring to a love relationship different gifts, needs, and goals. Our search for love relationships is also influenced by deep-seated ideas about how women and men "should" behave in courtship, love, and marriage. The video examines this socialization process by looking at "etiquette" guidelines for women and men. One hilarious scene follows a young woman as she tries to use the advice she has read on how to attract a man -- but with dubious results. The video also explores how women and men detect "attraction signals." These are subtle, fleeting, critical nonverbal cues that can lead to a relationship -- but only if they are detected and accurately interpreted. Verbal communication is also examined, especially the presumed goals of conversation. The video demonstrates how gender differences can lead one partner to regard a conversation as enjoyable, while the other person sees the very same exchange as confusing, enigmatic, or even irritating. In powerful sequences, children give their views on love and relationships and adults describe lost loves and their devastating impact on their lives. The video also introduces non-traditional couples, considers evolving meanings of "marriage," "family," and "parent," and reveals the anguish and problems caused by the denial to non-traditional couples of the rights and privileges routinely given to traditional couples. There is a consistency, power, and persuasiveness in these revelations,
and all viewers of "Gender and Relationships" will emerge with an enhanced
understanding of what women and men bring to a love relationship, and
-- just as important -- what they need to get from it. This work is destined
to become a classic and a "must-see" for students in many disciplines,
including psychology, sociology, women's and gender studies, communication,
nonverbal behavior, anthropology, and many others. It was produced by
Prof. Dane Archer, of UC Santa Cruz, and is imbued with the same flair,
instructional effectiveness, and vitality that have made all of his best-selling
videos on nonverbal behavior, cultural differences, and communication
favorites of students and faculty alike. | |
"Undergraduate students will find this film accessible and engaging. It looks at gender and relationships from multiple viewpoints across age, sexual orientation, and race. I can use it in my 'Introduction to Women and Gender Studies' course to open up dialogue about constructions of masculinity and femininity, roles within relationships, and notions of privilege. The section that raises the question: 'If you (women) suddenly had a chance to tell one million men one thing that would help them understand women better, what would that one thing be?' was particularly interesting in terms of the consensus among the women and the lack of consensus/response among the men. Given that dating is a 'hot' topic among undergraduates, the sections pertaining to 'Who calls first or not?'; 'How did you know s/he was the one?'; 'How did you meet?'; (etc.) will certainly spark interest!" -- Charlene Tung, Prof. of Women's and Gender Studies, Sonoma State Univ. "Students will love this video because it hits them where they live. What does it mean to be male and female today and what does that have to do with forming and sustaining a close relationship? Teachers will love this video because it raises provocative issues in a way that will make students think. The video features an amazing variety of people who talk about themselves and their relationships. It is filled with humor, pathos, and challenging issues and it virtually guarantees lively and stimulating classroom discussions." -- Mark L. Knapp, Jones Centennial Prof. in Communication, Univ. of Texas, Austin, co-author of "Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction" "Students will appreciate this film's authentic look and feel: these are real people talking about life and love in ways that will generate useful discussions about underlying sociological principles. The film lays bare the essential features of gendered communication and mis-communication. How do men and women talk, act, and feel differently, and why do they seem to talk past one another? The video provides an illuminating window on relationships that allow students to integrate their own experiences with an understanding of the social forces that produce gender inequality on the most intimate levels. Because the video presents such raw honesty from both men and women, the discussions it will stimulate are likely to further students' education more than any message received from a standard lecture." -- Scott Coltrane, Prof. of Sociology, Univ. of California, Riverside, author of "Gender and Families" and "Family Man: Fatherhood, Housework, and Gender Equity" "Students will find this video real, honest, down-to-earth, and above all, provocative. Rather than focusing on abstract discussions, it foregrounds average folks who speak candidly about what works and what doesn't in their relational lives. Students will see themselves in this film. Its strength lies in the voices of the subjects who speak for themselves "from the gut." I would use this film to initiate spirited class discussion about the differing ways men and women approach all phases of relationships, the realities of straight privilege, and the persistence of gender norms over time. Finally, the film could nicely serve as a springboard for discussions of gendered power dynamics in relationships by guiding students through what was both said and left unsaid by the interviewees." -- Chris Bobel, Prof. of Women's Studies, Univ. of Massachussets, Boston |
| The Great Gathering | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution This remarkable documentary provides a rare and fascinating study of the history, meaning, and diverse participants of the Maha Kumbha Mela, a spectacular Hindu sacred festival held every twelve years on the banks of the Ganges in India. The Kumbha Mela is the largest festive gathering of humanity on earth. It rotates between four different host cities. In 2001 it is estimated that 50 million people gathered for this unique event. By bathing in the Ganges during the Kumbha Mela it is believed that one will be absolved of all past-life Karma and freed from the vicious cycle of birth and death. The Kumbha Mela of 2001 was a very auspicious occasion and was held in Allahabad. Pilgrims came by plane, train, car, and foot from every corner of India as from around the world. Virtually every nationality and religion on earth was represented, and participants rightly felt that the spiritual energy of the world was focused on this momentous celebration. The film includes commentary by a diverse selection of participants and pilgrims, spectacular scenes of the bathing ceremonies, and many telling and intimate details of the spiritual activities that abounded. Among the highlights are scenes of the Naga Babas, a nakedly-clad sect of holy men, who left their caves in the Himalayas to bathe in the Ganges and perform their spiritual duties. "The Great Gathering" will stimulate thought and discussion in a wide
range of courses in Asian and Indian studies, cultural anthropology, and
comparative religion. It was produced by David Ehrlich and directed by
Mary Sue Connolly for Black Witch Films. |
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 "This intriguing documentary is skillfully directed and beautifully presented. Moreover, it treats its subject matter with impressive sensitivity. The film captures Hindu culture at a unique and profound socio-historical moment, providing insightful but unobtrusive commentary. I thoroughly recommend this film to students of social and cultural Anthropology and Psychology." -- Dr. Richard Roche, Dept. of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin |
| Hofmann's Potion | |
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Long before Timothy Leary urged a generation to "tune in, turn on, and drop out," lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was being used by researchers internationally to understand the workings of the human mind. This superb multidisciplinary documentary combines wide-ranging interviews and fascinating archival footage to investigate the early years of LSD. Discovered in 1943 by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, LSD was hailed as a powerful tool for the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, and it provided a window into the world of people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Vials of the drug were shipped to psychiatrists and psychologists around the world, and their research led to a new understanding of mental illness based on brain chemistry. While researchers were establishing the medical benefits of LSD, others -- such as author Aldous Huxley -- promoted the drug as a powerful tool for mental exploration and self-understanding. Such people set up carefully controlled, ritualized environments to support those who took the drug. Meanwhile, at Harvard, Leary, Ralph Metzner, and Ram Dass (then Richard Alpert) became popular heroes when the university canceled their research into psychedelics. Soon after, LSD was banned. Ironically, prohibition meant that the drug became readily available on street corners, while legitimate researchers were no longer permitted to study it. "Hofmann's Potion" will stimulate analysis and discussion in a wide array
of courses and disciplines. It was written and directed by Connie Littlefield
and produced by Kent Martin for the National Film Board of Canada. Closed-captioned.
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"A remarkable film and the first truth-telling treatment of LSD's therapy potential since the landmark CBS production in 1965: 'LSD: The Spring Grove Experiment.' In the spirit of education, I am proud to see that UC (my Alma Mater) is distributing this!" -- Richard Yensen, Ph.D., Director, Orenda Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
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| Inipi: Breath of Life | |
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This innovative and reflective documentary explores one of the most widespread of all Native American rituals -- the sweat lodge ceremony. In deference to the dignity and spirituality of the ritual, no scenes of the ceremony are actually shown. Rather, the film draws the viewer in to experience firsthand the subjective sensations of a sweat lodge. To do so, the film incorporates and mirrors the same formal structure as a sweat lodge ceremony. Four rounds of darkness and heat are each followed by a period of light and rest, during which sensual imagery of the four elements is complemented by richly evocative and informative commentary by ceremonial leaders of four different tribes: Chickasaw, Dineh (Navajo), Lakota Sioux, and Yaqui-Isleta. The film also provides the audience with a vivid and imaginative soundtrack filled with steam, traditional songs, and the shared wisdom of sweat lodge participants, combined with stunningly beautiful "visions" of the natural landscape of the Southwest. "Inipi: Breath of Life" will engage students deeply and stimulate
reflection and discussion in a wide array of courses in Native American
studies, cultural anthropology, and comparative religion. It was produced
by Brian Johns. |
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"A lyrical documentary that arrives at an understanding of the mystic
experience of the sweat lodge ceremony through interviews, Native American
art, views of the elements and landscapes, and a cinematic form that mirrors
the subjective structure of the ceremony. The film has many potential
uses in studies of anthropology, culture, and religion." -- Warren
Bass, Prof. of Film and Media Arts, Temple Univ.
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| Journal of Grief: Death of a Baby | |
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This poignant and illuminating documentary is the newest and final addition to the widely acclaimed Australian series, "Understanding Maternal Grief." It recounts the long-term grief of a mother who lost twin girls at 18 weeks gestation. The woman had no support from her husband or anyone else. Her husband was unable to grieve openly for the twins, the couple drifted apart, and ultimately divorced. However, the woman started keeping an intimate journal of her experiences. Eventually, the process of writing about her journey through grief -- along with seeking professional help -- led her to some resolution of her feelings. This remarkable video is essential viewing in a wide variety of courses
in clinical psychology, psychiatry, death and dying, and women's studies.
It was produced by noted clinical psychologist Margaret Nicol. |
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"An excellent portrayal of unresolved grief. We use the video with great
success in all our training programs for professionals and staff who interact
with grieving parents." -- Dr. Jeffrey R. Tompkins, Director of Neonatal
Pediatrics, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Western Australia. |
| Karam in Jaipur | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC This absorbing documentary is the third film in renowned ethnographic filmmaker David MacDougall's long-term study of childhood and adolescence at the Doon School in northern India. The school is India's foremost boarding school for boys, and the series provides unique insights into the values and training of the Indian middle class in particular and postcolonial elites more generally. With great sensitivity to social, material, and aesthetic details and a keen eye for significant moments of interaction and emotion, "Karam in Jaipur" reveals the day-to-day ups and downs of a schoolboy's life. It follows Karam, the main character of the earlier "With Morning Hearts," into the next phase of his life in Jaipur House, one of the five "Main" houses of the school. There he must keep up with his classmates, contend with the authority of older boys, and try to make his mark by developing some of his talents. During the period covered by the film, he discovers an aptitude for gymnastics and works to achieve success in the yearly competition. He plays hockey, sings, and struggles to settle into the House. Without being judgmental, the film gives a penetrating insight into Karam's experiences and into the aspirations of the Indian middle class in one of its most characteristic postcolonial institutions. This highly nuanced and remarkable documentary will inspire discussion
in classes in cultural anthropology, Asian and Indian studies, visual
anthropology, education and childhood studies, and post-colonial studies.
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 "The Doon School films are landmark visual essays into the cultures of middle class modernity in India. They will prove important tools towards an understanding of the institutional sites and cultures of the self that constitute postcolonized life." -- Assoc. Prof. Sanjay Srivastava, Assoc. Head of School, School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin Univ., Melbourne, Australia, author of "Constructing Post-Colonial India: National Character and the Doon School" (Routledge, 1998) |
| Kawitan: Creating Childhood in Bali |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Berkeley Media LLC This informative and compelling documentary systematically examines the key Balinese early-life ceremonies at every social level in South Bali. Through ceremonies, Balinese culture and performance are linked, with specific musical expression as a common characteristic. The focus of the film is both ethnographic and ethnomusicological as it explores the relationship between Balinese music, movement, ritual, and identity. To illustrate the centrality of performance to Balinese belief and ritual, the film opens with a compact prologue in "wayang" (shadow-play) and sacred song, recounting the creation of the universe, the five elements, and the first humans. In the first early-life ceremony, a pregnant woman bathes where sacred springs meet. This provides for a safe delivery, and associated ceremonies transform sexual energies into parental devotion. The film shows daily offerings to spirits surrounding a newborn, and depicts in detail the protective calendrical ceremonies: past-life debts are released in a holy-water purification at six weeks; a first step on the earth is celebrated at three Balinese months; a first haircut and naming ceremony take place at one Balinese year; and an elaborate ceremony to strengthen the spirit guardians is held on a child's third Balinese birthday. The symbolism and significance of the ceremonies are explained by the distinguished priests who actually officiate. In addition, the film affords a rare view of a family consulting a traditional
psychic channeler to learn which ancestor has reincarnated in a newborn
child, and follows a six-year-old as he commits to serious music study.
Renowned musician I Wayan Suweca comments on the intergenerational transmission
of artistic power ("taksu") in Balinese life. "Kawitan" is the first film
in a projected cycle of documentaries portraying the seven life ceremonies
and seven after-life ceremonies in Balinese Hindu-Buddhist religion and
culture. The film is a collaboration between ethnomusicologist Linda Burman-Hall
and director Eli Hollander, both of UC Santa Cruz. It will stimulate thought
and discussion in a variety of courses in Asian and Balinese studies,
cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, and religion. |
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"I was very much taken by this documentary. It contains beautifully filmed and thorough footage -- the most complete I have ever seen -- of critical Balinese life-cycle ceremonies, and, best of all, sensitive and reliable translations of nearly everything that was said. The whole thing was most impressive and I would certainly want my university to have a copy that I could use in teaching." -- Michael Tenzer, Prof. of Music, Univ. of British Columbia, author, "Balinese Music" "A classic documentary. Through evocative images and a resonant soundtrack, rituals of pregnancy, birth, and childhood are made extraordinarily present to us. The camera tactfully participates, up-close, in a range of family occasions, recording many luminous gestures and listening to Balinese describe what they are up to. The rituals are explained without effacing their intimate, everyday mystery." -- Prof. James Clifford, History of Consciousness Dept., Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, author, "The Predicament of Culture"
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| Madres Unidas: Parents Researching for Change | |
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This unique and inspiring documentary follows five immigrant mothers who became involved in an effort to start a new small school for their children, and later became researchers and videographers to document their journey. Their stories are set in the context of a city-wide school reform and community organizing movement in Oakland, California. The small-schools movement began as an effort to improve education in Oakland's flatlands, where the majority of immigrants live, by creating new small autonomous schools and involving parents and community members as leaders in reform. The video exp |
