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African Stories: CARE in Africa |
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CARE International is known throughout the world for its
relief efforts of countries in need. This programs takes viewers to Africa
to view how members of CARE handle their humanitarian projects. Produced by
CARE Intl. 07DR IJSCA 30 min. Part 1: Drought in Africa Parts of Southern Africa are presently dealing with the longest drought in memory. The lives of millions are at risk. Part One looks at the ugly face of drought and documents the effects that two years without rain have had on the rural communities of Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 10 min. Part 2: Roads Considered the economic backbone of any economy, roads play a very important role in the distribution of food and aid throughout Mozambique. Part Two documents the community-wide efforts involved in creating a reliable system of roads in this country. 10 min. Part 3: Food Transportation CARE distributes more food to countries in need than any other organization in the world. And in Part 3, to see how this massive effort takes place, we follow the path food and supplies take from the port cities of eastern Kenya to the drought stricken villages of the north. 10 min. |
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"Recommended. This is a clear, effective and disturbing
program. Here we learn that as a result of the civil war in Angola, an
estimated 10,000,000 landmines have been planted by both sides of the
conflict. The result is a country with 70,000 amputees. A country
ill-equipped to deal with such large number of injuries." -EMRO
Review Landmines disable nearly 200 people a week in Angola. Equally disturbing is the fact that similar numbers of people are killed, but the deaths go unreported. Children are highly vulnerable victims, and two, Daniel and Antonia, reveal their feelings here through sensitive questioning. We learn a peacetime army of mine-clearers tries to clear the fields so people can get on with cultivating desperately needed food. But it's slow work, and for every landmine cleared somebody somewhere is laying yet another deadly mine. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR JSCA 40 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. This program is both compelling and
informative. It vividly portrays the plight of the Pygmies, who are caught
between their ancient way of life and the enticements of the modern world.
The efforts of missionaries and environmentalists are sometimes helpful, and
usually well intentioned, but still serve to further degrade the Pygmy's
culture. This program will be a valuable resource for those studying the
problems in contemporary Pygmy society, and in central Africa itself."
-EMRO Review Timber logging is sounding the death knell for the Pygmies in central Africa. Short in stature and now short of land, the Baku and Bayakap pygmies are facing an uncertain future. With loggers, conservationists and the lure of "progress" closing in can these small people, these "knowledge carriers of the forest," find a place in the modern world? Produced by Mayer-Hohdahl Productions. 08DR JSCA 45 min. |
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"Recommended. This program demonstrates the terrible
problems missionaries face in two African nations and how they deal with
them, and does so in a compelling way. It shows the determination and
dedication of the individuals involved, facing conditions that are at best
difficult, and at worst dangerous." -EMRO Review What motivates missionaries to travel to some of the most inhospitable parts of the globe, to treat terrible diseases like leprosy, to help those most in need? In this poignant documentary we meet three missionaries: Father Alfredo, who lives in Dondo, a village in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Father Claudino, who also lives in the DRC, in the eastern village of Bambilo; Sister Dorinda, who lives in Marial Lou, a village in Southern Sudan. We learn of their lives in these villages, and come to understand why they have chosen to dedicate their lives to their work. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR JSCA 45 min. |
| In one of the harshest corners of the Sahara desert live an ancient and picturesque people, the Saharawi. They fled here 25 years ago, as the former Spanish colony was annexed by Morocco. Now numbering 100,000, the refugees have been living on rations in tent cities for decades. They waged a 16-year guerrilla war in which thousands died. In 1991 the UN brokered a cease-fire on the promise of a referendum within six months. The Moroccan government has stalled ever since. The Saharawi feel cheated. If the referendum does not happen, they are adamant: "We are prepared to sacrifice everything, even ourselves." In this documentary, we travel with the Saharawi from the desert camps to London, and to the front line, teeming with landmines. Will yet a UN failure lead to war or will the Saharawi dreams of returning home finally come true this year? Produced by ABC Television. 08DR SCA 30 min. |
| After 105 years of foreign rule, Namibia, Africa's last colony, gained its independence. This program presents President Sam Nujoma, who provides viewers with a broader understanding of Namibia. 08DR/CL JSCA 15 min. |
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One of the poorest and hottest countries in the world, Niger
is also one of the most fascinating countries in West Africa. Divided into
three geographic regions, with the ever-spreading Sahara Desert as part of
its northern section, this African republic of over 12 million is mostly
known for its constant struggle to properly feed its people; however,
despite these difficulties, Niger understands the economic benefits of
tourism and welcomes the opportunity to partner with the world community. In
this insightful program, producer Daniel Balluff enlists the aid of local
guides, including Idi Oumarou and Hassan Taweye, and shows us that Niger is
a perfect "off the beaten path" destination for adventurous travelers,
complete with beautiful landscapes, a wide variety of cultures, and exotic
wildlife, including a rare, wild giraffe colony, and the vast W Game Park,
which is filled with protected African animals. Produced by Daniel Balluff.
08DR JSCA 30 min. Associated Program: Niger 2: Living on the Edge of Survival |
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Niger 2: Living on the Edge of Survival |
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"Recommended. This documentary presents a general
overview of current conditions in this former French colony in West Africa.
Shrinking Lake Chad in the southeast and the desert encroaching from the
north have weakened the already high stress patterns of annual planting,
harvest, and drought. One of the lowest literacy rates in the world leads to
one of the highest birth rates, as women have low status and almost no
options. Interviews with a range of articulate local guides, aid workers,
and development experts point out the lack of interest, even ignorance, of
this country's crisis by the rest of the world. Still, there is an upbeat
ending provided by a local official, who touts the country's large animal
reserve, with the last giraffe herd in West Africa, and suggests that
tourism is a viable economic trend for the future." -EMRO Review Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, which constantly struggles with the problems of overpopulation and food shortages. One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is often the focus of controversy as to how world organizations handle food crises. In this program, independent filmmaker Daniel Balluff enlists the aid of local guides, including Moussa Hima, Amadou Windi and Illiannou Loko, to present an eye-opening look at this fascinating African republic, while objectively examining the reasons for cyclical food shortage and exploring potential solutions proposed by development and relief experts, such as John Roche, Karl Erdmann and Issifou Montari, living in Niger. Produced by Daniel Balluff. 08DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA TV Version - 52 min.; Full Version - 63 min. Associated Program: Niger 1: Exploring Niger |
| Newly released after 15 years of military dictatorship, both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria are embracing their separate faiths with a renewed vigor. But amidst the prayers for paradise, violence has erupted and now religious programs threaten to engulf Africa's most populous nation. The Christian south blames the Muslim north for imposing Sharia law. Sharia is the strict Islamic code embracing medieval punishments like amputation, stoning and beheading for breaches of the Koranic code. The Governor of the northern state of Zamfara believes Sharia will solve many social problems. Drastic measures have proven hugely popular in a nation ridden with corruption. Indeed, many say Nigeria's civil conflict is as much about politics as faith. There’s the old rivalry between the three major tribal groups, a widening gap between rich and poor, and a struggle between those who support democracy and those who prefer the bad old days of military rule. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 20 min. |
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Sahara |
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"Recommended. A well made and engrossing production,
highly stylized and filmed in gorgeous Cinemascope." -Video
Librarian Shot on location in refugee camps and liberated territories, this compelling documentary covers the Polisary guerrilla rebellion, the effects of Spanish colonialism on Western Africa, the phosphate conflict between Morocco and Mauritania and reveals and uncertain future awaiting the people of the Sahara. Produced by Pedro Perez Rosado and TV Valencia. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 45 min. Level 2 - SCA 60 min. |
| A deeply moving documentary on Sierra Leone's children of war: child soldiers, who were drugged with cocaine to make them fight; also the child victims of mutilations. Through sensitive questioning we come to understand the kids who were forced to become soldiers. Produced by Jaques Paauw. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
| To gain control of the diamond mines in Sierra Leone has been the fuel for wars in this African nation for years. Its government forces, along with UN forces, have failed to defeat the RUF rebels. Looking back at UN failures, a UNAMSIL commander suggests mercenaries are an alternative to UN peacekeepers. But many fear the true interests behind these forces, and there is evidence that the diamond mining companies have hired the mercenaries. This highly provocative program contains exclusive footage of the mercenaries in battle; it too asks if they can bring peace or only further destruction to war-torn Sierra Leone? Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR SCA 35 min. |
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"Recommended. A very good study about the pirate fishing
of toothfish and its impact on the fishing industry and the environment; it
provides a very broad picture of the industry and related environmental
issues by combining interviews with world experts on the fish, South African
observers, a Greenpeace team, conservation experts and Maritime legal
experts." -EMRO Review This documentary illustrates the difficulties in controlling international fishing, as world fish stocks show signs of depletion. The Patagonia toothfish is becoming so valuable it is known as "White Gold" and has caused an explosion in fishing. The value of this oily, white fish lies in its desirability as a delicacy in restaurants throughout the East and the United States; it is four times the price of regular white fish. This explains why people take the risk of fishing for it illegally. South Africa is one of the countries trying to end unlawful fishing in their waters, but it is "like looking for a needle in a haystack." Environmental groups are concerned that over-fishing will place the toothfish at risk of extinction. Produced by Journeyman Pictures. 08DR JSCA 30 min. |
| The end of apartheid in South Africa was a great moment for human rights; however, new challenges now face this nation. To protect South African farmers from vengeful criminals, the army has now been called in to patrol the mountainous South African-Lesotho border. Most farmers must now carry arms wherever they go to protect themselves and increasingly are forced to take the law into their own hands. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 22 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. This timely program explores the
deplorable state of society in one of Africa's poorest countries. It
utilizes a great deal of on-the-spot video coverage of both political and
physical battles between the two forces as well as in-depth interviews with
the President and the opposition leaders." -School Library Journal "Recommended. Under the leadership of its long time President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has become a destitute and repressive dictatorship. This program examines the conditions in Zimbabwe today, the causes of its current troubles, and the people's attempts to end Mugabe's rule. The body of the program is made up of short interviews with those most affected by Zimbabwe's current political and economic situation, his supporters, his former supporters, who have now turned against him, and even the President himself. These are tied together with an informative voice-over narration, and are frequently punctuated by scenes of protest and political repression." -EMRO Review Associated Article: Letter From Zimbabwe: Big Man -The New Yorker Magazine Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe, imposed a land reform policy allowing war veterans to seize land from wealthy white farmers. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), claims that the corruption in the government is a direct result of the leader, and regularly calls for Mugabe's arrest. The movement has support from blacks and whites, as many voice their readiness for a change. Black MDC supporters don't want to lose their jobs if the white-owned farms are seized. But with one white farm owner still expecting to earn $1 million this year from his tobacco crop despite threats while paying his workers $50 a month, it is difficult to tell where corruption is worse. Graphic protests and violence in the streets, plus interviews with party leaders and supporters make this an insightful look at Zimbabwe's current troubles. Produced by ABC Australia. 08DR JSCA 20 min. |