| This documentary takes us to Argentina to investigate the middle class revolt against the politicians who Argentinians claim are responsible for the economic ruin of their nation. Here we see that chaos has hit the streets of Buenos Aires. Streets are filled with noisy protests, while once-fashionable stores are empty. Outside the center of the city, illegal bartering flourishes and is ignored by the government because it is fulfilling the daily needs of millions of Argentinians; however, that certainly is not a long-term solution to the country's economic problems. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR JSCA 24 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. Focusing on the dire state of
Argentina's economy and current turbulent politics, this program contrasts
the situation of its poor against the opulent lifestyle of former Peronist
president Carlos Menem, who is hoping for a political comeback, and includes
an interview with the opposition leader, Elisa Carrio. It offers insight
into the country's relationship with the world economy and free market
politics." -School Library Journal This documentary tells the riches-to-rags tale of Argentina, once touted as having extraordinary promise it is now drowning in a sea of debt and despair. Its middle-class is calling for popular revolt and the downfall of the government, if not the entire system. We travel to La Rioja province and meet the former president, Carlos Menem. Producing wine from his private vineyard, the nation's gross debt doesn't seem to be a problem, and he confidently expects a return to office. Opposing the flamboyant leader is plain speaking, Elisa Carrio, a champion for the poor. With no International help in sight and desperation among the people increasing, the question is who will the Argentineans turn to? Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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Associated Article: 28 Places to See Before You
Die -Smithsonian Magazine Our comprehensive tour begins in Belize where we explore ancient Mayan Indian ruins and Altun Ha, Nimle Punit and Xunantunich; then we view an archeological expedition, visit a cocoa plantation, and enter the vault of antiquities in Belmopan. Next we visit the 400-year-old colonial capital, Antiqua; then to Tikal, the great archeological wonder; next we visit with the Maya of today in the native markets of Chichicastenango and Santiago. Next, in eastern Guatemala, we witness the largest religious festival in Central America, Esquilpulas. Our journey concludes in Honduras as we explore the ancient Mayan city of Copan. Produced by Trailwood Productions, Inc. 08DR JSCA 90 min. Associated Program: Cocoa (Cacao): A Study of Chocolate |
| The world's most extraordinary music conservatory is located in a tiny Bolivian village, somewhere between the Andes and Amazonia. Among the Guarayo people there are hundreds of young musicians aged 6 to 18 years who have safeguarded the ancient tradition of Baroque music, which was taught to their forefathers by the Spanish Jesuits. To this day the sounds of Bach, Händel and Vivaldi resound during celebrations and religious ceremonies. After centuries of oppression and isolation, in a country where diffidence towards the natives is difficult to eradicate, music is a form of deliverance for these young artists. The "violins in the forest" are a unique phenomenon in South America, and the music played by the young Guarayos awakens their people's consciousness. Co-produced by RTSI/Televisione Svizzera and Adriano Zecca. 08DR JSCA 48 min. |
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Brazil: The True People (Ethnology & Encroachment) |
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Best Documentary -FICA Film
Festival Editor's Choice Award -Science, Books & Films "Highly Recommended. With stunningly beautiful scenes of the rain forest in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, this program is as much an art as an ethnographic film. It provides the basis on a panhuman concern endemic to our time: the extinction of local, small-scale cultures." -Science, Books & Films ''Highly Recommended! This award-winning documentary, the story of the Auwe Uptabi Indians (True People), who live in the Rio Dias Mortes Reserve, is a gem." -EMRO Review The Xavante Indians in Eteniritipa in Brazil face pressure from the government to open up the river that sustains them, to commercial traffic. This hypnotic documentary is the Xavante people's challenge to the world. The message comes to us not through conventional narration, but through the voices of the village elders themselves. The tribe is clinging to tradition as hard as they can, hoping there will be enough forest left for them. Edited to the beat of Xavante dance, this deeply moving film is a plea from the heart of an ancient race that asks: will we allow such distinct and self-sufficient cultures to survive in this age of global capitalism? Produced by Xavante Organization. 07DR/CL Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - SCA 35 min. |
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History and culture abound in this documentary that begins
with visits to all the most-visited sights in St. Thomas, St. John's, Virgin
Gorda, St. Croix, St. Martin/San Martine, St. Barts, Saba, St. Kitts,
Martinique and Barbados. Also, in Grenada, we meet native fisherman, learn
of holiday celebrations, see native boat building, attend market, survive a
tropical storm, and then experience "Carnival" in Trinidad. In whole, we
discover why these Caribbean gems are called the "Islands of Eden." Produced
by Trailwood Productions, Inc. 08DR JSCA 90 min. Associated Programs: Caribbean 1-7 |
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"Recommended. This documentary focuses on the rift in
Chile between Pinochet's advocates and opponents; it is a fine program that
forces the viewer to reflect on the abuse of political power. It is
recommended for those with a keen interest in ethical issues in South
American history and political science." -EMRO Review The arrest of General Pinochet exposed the frightening hatreds between the political left and right in Chile. While the left remind the world of Pinochet's horrific crimes, the right demands that the horrors be put in their proper context. These were not atrocities, the argument runs, but excesses. The kind of things people do to restore order and attain economic success in a harsh environment. This powerful and comprehensive report reveals the divides that still affect Chilean society. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
| This documentary shows life among the Guajiros, an Indian people who have survived the harsh elements of their desert environment on the Guajiran Peninsula in Colombia. Produced by Calogero Salvo. (Sub-titled) 08DR/CL JSCA 60 min. |
| This digitally re-mastered program offers a comprehensive tour of Central America's Costa Rica with over 25% of its total land mass set aside as protected ecosystems nurtures some of the last remaining true natural treasures of the world. An index of destinations visited include: the cosmopolitan capital city of San Jose; a sculptured garden of creatures in Zarcero; Sarchi's hand-painted oxcarts; naturalists encounter giant bullet ants in Braulio Carrillo National Park; a bird's eye view of the forest canopy on board the Aerial Tram; Guayabo National Monument offers remnants of a lost civilization; hungry lizards in Iguana Park; Arenal Volcano is the country's most active; Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to the Quetzel hummingbird and blue morpho butterfly; the Guanacaste region with its wild savanna grasses and cattle ranches; its capital city of Liberia; Santa Rosa National Park; the resort town of Tamarindo; volcano Rincon de la Vieja, aka the "Yellowstone of Costa Rica"; a self sufficient, eco-friendly ranch in Dos Rios; in the Orosi Valley the Fiesta of the Virgin of Los Angeles, Costa Rica's patron saint; in Puntarenas see how Cevichi is made and take a catamaran boat cruise to Tortuga Island; in Las Pumas see margays, ocelots, pumas, a newborn howler monkey and a two-toed sloth; surfing at Jaco; Quepos, the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, and see an agouti, an iguana and capuchin monkeys; San Isidro de le General, the commercial center for this agricultural area; the native Indian village of Baruca; duty free shops in Golfito; Puerto Limon with its public market, Central Park and Chinese cemetery; Isla Uvita, the island where Columbus landed on his fourth and last trans-Atlantic voyage; Caribbean culture in Cahuita; the biological station of Cana Palmas; 11,000 feet high Cerro de la Muerte - the Mountain of Death. Produced by Trailwood Films. 07DR IJSCA 82 min. |
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"Recommended. This program includes interviews with Cuban
residents, whose dissatisfaction is expressed in hushed tones from the
streets, while teachers, Zone leaders, and other government officials praise
Castro and his Revolution. The propaganda, from both sides, we discover is
the same after more than 40 years." -EMRO Review Cuba has long prided itself on a unique revolution. Here, all races were to be equal, resources shared and happiness measured by other standards than material wealth. To many Latin Americans Castro is indeed a legendary figure, the only one of their leaders to stand up to the United States. But, under its colorful and defiant surface, Cuba is in crisis. Havana is crumbling, most cars are left over from the 1950s and shop shelves are gaping bare. The average wage has fallen to $9 a month and the socialist safety net is in threads. Without dollars many Cubans go hungry and heavy jail terms are handed out to those who publicly criticize the state. As a last resort, the Cuban government is investing in tourism. After decades of anti-American propaganda, five star hotels are being built all over the island. This program captures the charming but desperate nature of Cuba today. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 07DR JSCA 30 min. |
| This classic documents the plight of the people of war-ravaged El Salvador; useful for discussion on US foreign policy, Latin America, and the effects of war in general. Produced by Ray Gatchalian. 08DR/CL JSCA 15 min. |
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"Recommended. This documentary not only presents a
history of French Guiana, but also opens our eyes to the many space-age
launchings of satellites that have occurred from this country for over 30
years." National Media Review Ask most people and they wouldn't know that deep in the Amazon rainforest of French Guiana more than half the world's commercial satellites have been launched from there over the last 30 plus years. Sadly, in true colonial style, a swath of rainforest was cleared to house this European space adventure, which now has dragged a corner of the country from the third world to the cutting edge of the first. Despite this influx of modernism, there has been little development trickle-down. There are virtually no other industries in French Guiana, and big business is frustrating many of the locals. In fact, French Guiana's space station often lives in fear of saboteurs out for a slice of the wealth; so the French Foreign Legion has been charged with protecting the base. This program documents this previously untold story, looking back at the history of the country, including the former French prison colony called Devil's Island, while also offering eye-opening details regarding technical procedure of rocket launches, and how satellites open after they are in orbit. Produced by ICARO Productions. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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Guatemala: 7 Wind |
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"Something wonderful in the way the producer created this
non-political look at the real Guatemala." -Video Librarian A series of thoroughly haunting images have been arranged to cover many arenas of human existence in Guatemala. Stunning camerawork and the non-narrative technique create an objective view of Guatemala. Produced by Televista West Productions. 07DR Level 1 - IJSCA 45 min. Level 2 - CA 60 min. |
| Anthropologist Susan Smith personally examines the tradition vs. technology issue as she and her team travel deep into Mexico's Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre Mountains to bring the Tarahumara Indians a sewing machine. 08DR IJSCA 30 min. |
| Anthropologist Susan Smith meets a Tarahumara Indian who makes her a pair of sandals, called huaraches, using only tire rubber, leather strips, a knife, a small rod, and his hands. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| Takes viewers to both a dealership and a factory in Mexico, where one out of every three cars built is a VW, describes all of the features of new VW bugs, and offers a tour of the VW's construction. Produced by Jorge Cordova and Sandra Barsalini. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. |
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"Recommended. Poignant - real - a moving study of the
country." -Video Librarian Looks at the everyday lives of residents in a rural Nicaraguan village as they struggle to maintain their families and livelihoods; also the social ramifications a newly married couple faces in the Third World. Sub-titled. Produced by Mekano Film & TV. 08DR/CL JSCA 60 min. |
| Reyno, whose life encompasses both the preoccupations of childhood and the tribulations of adulthood, is seen against the backdrop of his small Nicaraguan village, which is beset both by ongoing poverty and the reality of guerrilla warfare. Sub-titled. Produced by Mekano Film & TV. 08DR/CL JSCA 60 min. |
| Two friends - from two very different worlds - work together to overcome severe hardships to launch a development plan in Peru to provide small businesses a shot at economic self-sufficiency. Produced by CARE Intl. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. Explores why Hugo Chavez is popular
with the poor, yet despised by the middle and upper classes in his country.
The manner in which Chavez handles the constant threats to his life and the
upheavals in Venezuela is extraordinary to watch. The profile of Chavez and
the exploration of the social and political problems facing South American
countries today make this a relevant title." -School Library Journal Associated Article: The New Venezuela -National Geographic, April, 2006 This is an eye-opening profile of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has committed his government to "take from the rich and give to the poor" by redistributing land and raising royalties paid by foreign oil companies in an attempt to reduce high unemployment, widespread poverty and crime. His populist rhetoric has put he and his supporters on a collision course with the country's upper and middle classes. Chavez describes his revolutionary ideas as Bolivarian, after General Simon Bolivar, the godfather of Latin American revolution, and in the face of mounting unrest is surprisingly calm. He knows his policies are dividing Venezuelans, but he's convinced the division is both necessary and inevitable. Produced by Journeyman Pictures, Inc. 08DR JSCA 40 min. |
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Best Documentary -Chicago Intl.
Film Festival This sensitive portrait explores the life and works of 82-year-old folk artist, Juan Felix Sanchez, who has lived and worked for 40 years in a remote valley 12,000 feet up in the Venezuelan Andes. Produced by Calogero Salvo. 08DR/CL JSCA 30 min. |