DVDs Available for Loan

ANR Affirmative Action Resource Library: DVDs – 8/05/13

Early History of Civil Rights Movement/ Segregation/ Bigotry

Title: Freedom Riders

Director: Stanley Nelson

Synopsis: A documentary detailing how groups of college students in 1961 decided, en masse, to risk everything to challenge racial segregation that was institutionalized in the South at the time. Riveting. 120 minutes; but can be shown in segments.

Asian Culture (including Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam)

Title: Cultural Awareness: Respecting Race, Religion, & Diversity

Director: Quality Information Publishers

Synopsis: 2 disk set. Six separate segments on each disk, most approximately 15 minutes long, some about 10 minutes long. Each segment gives a brief overview of a particular major religion or culture:

Disk 1 : Buddhism / Central & South American Culture / East Asian Culture / Eastern Orthodox Religion/Culture / Islam
Disk 2 : Judaism / Mexican Culture / Puerto Rican Culture / Sikhism / South Asian Culture / Transgender

A little on the dry side, but factual. Contains interviews with real people involved with the particular culture or religion. Transgender segment on Disk 2 contains brief but frank discussion of human anatomy and bodily parts which may not be suitable for children.

Bigotry/ Race

Title: White Face

Director: Brian McDonald

Synopsis: A “serious comedy” that will stimulate discussion about race and bigotry. Very well acted and produced. Approximately 14 minutes in length. (Two instances of strong language; may not be appropriate for children.)

Disability Awareness

Title: Whoopie: Back to Broadway

Director: HBO Video

Synopsis: 2-Disk set. The chapter dealing with disability awareness is entitled “Can You Understand Me?” on Disk 2 and is approximately 10 minutes long. Other segments on these DVDs can contain very strong language when Ms. Goldberg portrays a young Black man, but “Can You Understand Me?” on Disk 2 is beautifully done and fine for all ages: Ms. Goldberg portrays a young woman with cerebral palsy and does so with great humanity. Outstanding.

Diversity/Cultural Acceptance

Title: What’s Cooking?

Director: Gurinder Chadha

Synopsis: Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgwick, Mercedes Ruehl, among others star in a Thanksgiving Day in LA among four ethnically diverse families. Non-communication, and dubious moral choices, et al, complicate everyone’s lives . . . Mercedes Ruehl is radiant and Kyra Sedgwick and Julianna Margulies outstanding and in the end, love and understanding win the day. A good study in how cultural incompetence and unwillingness to take the time to ask the right question and to truly listen to the answer rather than depend on assumptions can ruin the best planned party! 109 minutes.

Gay Rights

Title: Out of the Silence

Director: Joe Wilson & Dean Hamer

Synopsis: The blurb says, “Love, hate and a quest for change in small town America.” Close, but the film is more, too. Well worth seeing. Approximately 55 minutes in length. This film received support from Penn State Public Broadcasting and Sun Dance Institute.

“English Only” Laws/Immigrant Experience

Title: One Nation, Many Tongues

Director: Dean Thomas & Wisconsin Public Television

Synopsis: Sixty minute documentary examining issues surrounding the “English Only” resolution passed by the Brown County Board in Wisconsin in 2002. Many thoughtful interviews with immigrants from several cultures. The bewildering mix of political/cultural reasons for the resolution’s passing are hinted at but the production offers no definitive answers. Past abuses of immigrants in the United States is also briefly covered. DVD leaves plenty of room for discussion and debate.

Hmong/Immigration

Title: Being Hmong Means Being Free

Director: NEWIST/CESA 7 & Wisconsin Public Television

Synopsis: Full length (60 min) documentary detailing the difficulties of acculturation for the Hmong people relocated from Laos to Wisconsin. Many illustrations of traditional Hmong practices being continued here, if adapted somewhat in response to American circumstances and laws. An unflinching look at such traditional practices as animal sacrifice and ancient shamanic ceremonies. Interviews with teenage Hmong children that explore their struggles trying to conform to two widely differing cultures. During filming a Hmong child was killed in a hate crime and DVD documents the community response – both the White community and the Hmong community. Very moving. The DVD includes a 70 page teachers guide.

Islam

Title: Cultural Awareness: Respecting Race, Religion, & Diversity

Director: Quality Information Publishers

Latino/Immigration

Title: Which Way Home

Director: Rebecca Cammisa

Synopsis: Full length (83 min) documentary from 2010 chronicling the journey of unaccompanied minors attempting to enter the United States. Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Engrossing, powerful look at the human side of immigration. Very moving.

Latino Culture

Title: Cultural Awareness: Respecting Race, Religion, & Diversity

Director: Quality Information Publishers

Native American Culture/History

Title: Trail of Tears

Director: Chip Richie

Synopsis: Two DVDs containing four documentaries: 1) Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy (105 min. divided into two parts). Enacts pivotal moments in the Cherokee history leading up to and including the Trail of Tears. Undercut somewhat with the use of amateur actors, but the voice overs of James Earl Jones and the history, itself, is unassailable. 2) Black Indians: An American Story (52 min.) sensitive, dramatic portrayal of a much ignored minority group: the Black Indian. Narrated by James Earl Jones. Award winning documentary. Eye opening and relevant. 3) Native American Healing in the 21^st Century (52 min.) Focuses on the healing plants and herbs of the North American indigenous peoples; also touches on the important and deep spiritual connection to the earth that the native healers discuss in the film. Narrated by Gregg Howard. 4) Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School (53 min.) emotionally devastating history but shows us the remarkable resiliency of the human spirit. Highly recommended.

Self-Help

Title: All is Made Beautiful

Director: Bettina Gordon, for AllegriA MediA Inc.

Synopsis: This DVD offers a “path of transformation” for the modern non-native person. It teaches several rituals and ceremonies drawn from various nations of the indigenous peoples. It purports to present “Native American” cultural practices; but this is widely disputed since true native belief systems are communal and tribe-specific. There is no “generic Indian” form of spirituality as this DVD seems to suggest. Nevertheless, many customer reviews on Amazon.com claim to have experienced their own transformations following this DVD’s suggested practices.

I found the voiceover to be a little creepy and over-done; also, viewers should not be duped into thinking this DVD represents authentic, tribe-specific practices. Nevertheless, as an individual practice and an anchoring ritual for daily life this DVD may appeal to you.

Transgender

Title: Cultural Awareness: Respecting Race, Religion, & Diversity

Director: Quality Information Publishers

Synopsis: 2 disk set. Six separate segments on each disk, most approximately 15 minutes long, some about 10 minutes long. Each segment gives a brief overview of a particular major religion or culture:

Disk 1 : Buddhism / Central & South American Culture / East Asian Culture / Eastern Orthodox Religion/Culture / Islam
Disk 2 : Judaism /Mexican Culture /Puerto Rican Culture /Sikhism /South Asian Culture /Transgender