Browse Titles - 5 results
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Disappearing World, The Dervishes of Kurdistan
directed by Brian Moser, fl. 1960; produced by Brian Moser, fl. 1960, in Disappearing World (New York, NY: Filmakers Library, 1987), 1 hour 1 mins
The Dervishes of Kurdistan captures the mountainous frontier of Iran and Iraq. The Dervishes' religious faith allows them to thrust skewers in their cheeks, plunge daggers in their sides, eat glass, and lick white-hot spoons. This program shows how religion and politics are intertwined in Islamic culture.
Sample
directed by Brian Moser, fl. 1960; produced by Brian Moser, fl. 1960, in Disappearing World (New York, NY: Filmakers Library, 1987), 1 hour 1 mins
Description
The Dervishes of Kurdistan captures the mountainous frontier of Iran and Iraq. The Dervishes' religious faith allows them to thrust skewers in their cheeks, plunge daggers in their sides, eat glass, and lick white-hot spoons. This program shows how religion and politics are intertwined in Islamic culture.
Field of Study
Politics & Current Affairs
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Brian Moser, fl. 1960, John Sheppard, 1515-1558, John Sheppard
Author / Creator
Brian Moser, fl. 1960
Date Published / Released
1987
Publisher
Filmakers Library
Series
Disappearing World
Speaker / Narrator
John Sheppard, 1515-1558, John Sheppard
Topic / Theme
Kurdish, Religious beliefs, Islam, Dervishes, Ethnography
Copyright Message
Copyright © 1987. Used by permission of Filmakers Library. All rights reserved.
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Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus
written by Randy Olson, 1955-; directed by Randy Olson, 1955-; produced by Julie Janata, Ty Carlisle and Steven Miller (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 2006), 1 hour 24 mins
Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus explores the Darwin vs. intelligent design controversy. Filmmaker/evolutionary ecologist/surfer Dr. Randy Olson travels to his home state of Kansas, the top battle ground for evolution, where he challenges top advocates for intelligent design, and with a sens...
Sample
written by Randy Olson, 1955-; directed by Randy Olson, 1955-; produced by Julie Janata, Ty Carlisle and Steven Miller (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 2006), 1 hour 24 mins
Description
Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus explores the Darwin vs. intelligent design controversy. Filmmaker/evolutionary ecologist/surfer Dr. Randy Olson travels to his home state of Kansas, the top battle ground for evolution, where he challenges top advocates for intelligent design, and with a sense of scientific inquiry tries to understand a movement that so misfired that in Dover PA., a Republican-Bush appointee judge labeled lo...
Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus explores the Darwin vs. intelligent design controversy. Filmmaker/evolutionary ecologist/surfer Dr. Randy Olson travels to his home state of Kansas, the top battle ground for evolution, where he challenges top advocates for intelligent design, and with a sense of scientific inquiry tries to understand a movement that so misfired that in Dover PA., a Republican-Bush appointee judge labeled local efforts to teach intelligent design as 'breathtaking inanity.' School districts are now grappling with the efforts to introduce intelligent design, the movement evolutionists prefer to call 'creationism in a cheap tuxedo.' However Olson also paints an unflattering portrait of his fellow scientists. Pulling together eight evolutionists for a night of poker, he reveals them to be arrogant, condescending, and self-certain until they eventually turn on themselves in a spat that sounds like...a flock of dodos. The film provides laughter and enough serious ideas to prompt hours of discussion. Always trying to maintain a fair attitude, the film is one that audiences from both sides can watch together. Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus explores the Darwin vs. intelligent design controversy. Filmmaker/ evolutionary ecologist/ surfer Dr. Randy Olson travels to his home state of Kansas, the top battle ground for evolution, where he challenges top advocates for intelligent design, and with a sense of scientific inquiry tries to understand a movement that so misfired that in Dover PA., a Republican-Bush appointee judge labeled local efforts to teach intelligent design as "breathtaking inanity." School districts are now grappling with the efforts to introduce intelligent design, the movement evolutionists prefer to call "creationism in a cheap tuxedo." However Olson also paints an unflattering portrait of his fellow scientists. Pulling together eight evolutionists for a night of poker, he reveals them to be arrogant, condescending, and self-certain until they eventually turn on themselves in a spat that sounds like...a flock of dodos. The film provides laughter and enough serious ideas to prompt hours of discussion. Always trying to maintain a fair attitude, the film is one that audiences from both sides to watch it together.
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Field of Study
Politics & Current Affairs
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Randy Olson, 1955-, Dr. David Bottjer, fl. 2006, John Calvert, fl. 2006, Dr. James Hanken, fl. 1999, Muffy Moose, fl. 2006, Jack Cashill, 1947-, Dr. Michael Behe, 1952-, Julie Janata, Ty Carlisle, Steven Miller
Author / Creator
Randy Olson, 1955-
Date Published / Released
2006
Publisher
Documentary Educational Resources (DER)
Speaker / Narrator
Randy Olson, 1955-
Person Discussed
Charles Darwin, 1809-1882
Topic / Theme
American, Religion, Creationism, School curriculums, Science curriculums, Evolution, Ethnography, Americans
Copyright Message
© Documentary Educational Resources
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Friends in High Places
written by Lindsey Merrison, 1959-; directed by Lindsey Merrison, 1959-; produced by Lindsey Merrison, 1959- (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 2001), 1 hour 26 mins
“Buddhism and nat worship are like mangoes and bananas”Whether contending with a deceitful daughter-in-law, forecasting financial prospects for a tea shop, or freeing a husband from government detainment, Friends in High Places reveals the central role of nats and spirit mediums in alleviating the day to day b...
Sample
written by Lindsey Merrison, 1959-; directed by Lindsey Merrison, 1959-; produced by Lindsey Merrison, 1959- (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 2001), 1 hour 26 mins
Description
“Buddhism and nat worship are like mangoes and bananas”Whether contending with a deceitful daughter-in-law, forecasting financial prospects for a tea shop, or freeing a husband from government detainment, Friends in High Places reveals the central role of nats and spirit mediums in alleviating the day to day burdens of modern Burmese life.“Leprosy isn’t as contagious as people’s problems,” notes one medium, “my clients bring their w...
“Buddhism and nat worship are like mangoes and bananas”Whether contending with a deceitful daughter-in-law, forecasting financial prospects for a tea shop, or freeing a husband from government detainment, Friends in High Places reveals the central role of nats and spirit mediums in alleviating the day to day burdens of modern Burmese life.“Leprosy isn’t as contagious as people’s problems,” notes one medium, “my clients bring their worries into my home. I don’t need to go out on the street to learn how cruel life can be.” Yet despite their skills in channeling good luck for others, the life stories of the mediums prove to be as poignant as the stories of those who seek their assistance.Just as nats lie somewhere on the spectrum between mortals and the divine, the gay men who serve as primary conduits for the nat spirits are considered to be neither male nor female. Regarded by society with a curious mix of disdain and reverence, the male mediums profiled in this film – ranging from the gentle, melancholy “Lady Silver Wings” to the hard drinking, ego-driven “Mr. Famous” – illustrate the special niche granted to gay men in Burmese society.Exquisite footage accentuates Lindsey Merrison's keen eye for nuance as she takes the viewer on a journey examining the extremes that define Burmese spirit mediums and their way of life. Deceit and artistry, tragedy and comedy, faith and cynicism – in a country known both as a 2,500 year bastion of Buddhism and more recently for its legacy of political corruption and instability, the world of the nat becomes an analogy for the many unusual juxtapositions within Burma itself. “Buddhism and nat worship are like mangoes and bananas” Whether contending with a deceitful daughter-in-law, forecasting financial prospects for a tea shop, or freeing a husband from government detainment, Friends in High Places reveals the central role of nats and spirit mediums in alleviating the day to day burdens of modern Burmese life. “Leprosy isn’t as contagious as people’s problems,” notes one medium, “my clients bring their worries into my home. I don’t need to go out on the street to learn how cruel life can be.” Yet despite their skills in channeling good luck for others, the life stories of the mediums prove to be as poignant as the stories of those who seek their assistance. Just as nats lie somewhere on the spectrum between mortals and the divine, the gay men who serve as primary conduits for the nat spirits are considered to be neither male nor female. Regarded by society with a curious mix of disdain and reverence, the male mediums profiled in this film – ranging from the gentle, melancholy “Lady Silver Wings” to the hard drinking, ego-driven “Mr. Famous” – illustrate the special niche granted to gay men in Burmese society. Exquisite footage takes the viewer on a journey examining the extremes that define Burmese spirit mediums and their way of life. In a country known both as a 2,500 year bastion of Buddhism and for its legacy of political corruption and instability, the world of the nat becomes an analogy for the many juxtapositions within Burma itself.
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Field of Study
Politics & Current Affairs
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Lindsey Merrison, 1959-, U Wynn Hlaing, Daw Ohn Tin, Daw Wei Wei Kann Oo, U Ah Swan
Author / Creator
Lindsey Merrison, 1959-
Date Published / Released
2001
Publisher
Documentary Educational Resources (DER)
Topic / Theme
Burmese, Politics, Sociology, Buddhism, Gender, Sexuality, Spiritual possession, Religion, Ethnography
Copyright Message
© Documentary Educational Resources
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Incidents Of Travel In Chichen Itza
written by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda; directed by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda; produced by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 1997), 1 hour 30 mins
This original ethnographic video depicts how New Agers, the Mexican state, tourists, and 1920s archaeologists all contend to "clear" the site of the antique Maya city of Chichen Itza in order to produce their own idealized and unobstructed visions of "Maya" while the local Maya themselves struggle to occupy the si...
Sample
written by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda; directed by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda; produced by Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994 and Quetzil Castañeda (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 1997), 1 hour 30 mins
Description
This original ethnographic video depicts how New Agers, the Mexican state, tourists, and 1920s archaeologists all contend to "clear" the site of the antique Maya city of Chichen Itza in order to produce their own idealized and unobstructed visions of "Maya" while the local Maya themselves struggle to occupy the site as vendors and artisans. The setting is the spring Equinox when a shadow said to represent the Maya serpent-god Kukulkan appears on...
This original ethnographic video depicts how New Agers, the Mexican state, tourists, and 1920s archaeologists all contend to "clear" the site of the antique Maya city of Chichen Itza in order to produce their own idealized and unobstructed visions of "Maya" while the local Maya themselves struggle to occupy the site as vendors and artisans. The setting is the spring Equinox when a shadow said to represent the Maya serpent-god Kukulkan appears on one temple pyramid. This original ethnographic video depicts how New Agers, the Mexican state, tourists, and 1920s archaeologists all contend to "clear" the site of the antique Maya city of Chichen Itza in order to produce their own idealized and unobstructed visions of "Maya" while the local Maya themselves struggle to occupy the site as vendors and artisans. The setting is the spring Equinox when a shadow said to represent the Maya serpent-god Kukulkan appears on one temple pyramid. As more than 40,000 New Age spiritualists and secular tourists from the United States and Mexico converge to witness this solar phenomenon, the video depicts the surrounding social event as a complicated entanglement of expected dualisms concerning tourism. Going beyond previous films that reduce tourism to neo-colonial and exoticizing social relations, this video portrays a Maya cultural site where US New Agers -- rather than local Mayas -- appear as exotic ritualists who are on display for other secular tourists and for local Mayas. While the video does examine representations of Mayas by visiting New Agers as part of globalizing discourses on the exotic and evolution, it also shows how during the ongoing economic crisis resident Mayas struggle against the Mexican state -- rather than against tourists -- that regularly "sweeps" them from the tourist zone in order to anchor the nation in an image of pure antiquity.
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994, Quetzil Castañeda, Gilberto Yam, fl. 1997, Luis Parra, fl. 1997, Tito Burgos, fl. 1997, Don Avelino Canul, Miguel Güemez, fl. 1997, Don Chumin, fl. 1997, Hunbatz Men, fl. 1997, Gaspar Burgos, fl. 1997, Anita Collodoro, fl. 1997, Bill Auth, fl. 1997
Author / Creator
Jeffrey Himpele, fl. 1994, Quetzil Castañeda
Date Published / Released
1997
Publisher
Documentary Educational Resources (DER)
Topic / Theme
Maya, Cultural identity, Tribal and national groups, Religious calendar, Religious beliefs, Tourist attractions, Archaeological sites, Ethnography, Mayan
Copyright Message
© Documentary Educational Resources
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A Long Journey to Guadalupe
written by Ana Pino Sandoval; directed by Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954-; produced by César Ramírez Morales, fl. 1997, Eduardo Ahued Ortega, fl. 1997 and Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954- (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 1996), 1 hour 37 mins
The veneration for Tonantzin-Guadalupe has been an essential Mexican theme underlying Mexican cultural and political values since the 16th century. Guided by the testimonies of Indigenous people, Mexicans of mixed heritage and Chicanos about this complex subject matter, the film helps us to understand why.
Sample
written by Ana Pino Sandoval; directed by Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954-; produced by César Ramírez Morales, fl. 1997, Eduardo Ahued Ortega, fl. 1997 and Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954- (Watertown, MA: Documentary Educational Resources (DER), 1996), 1 hour 37 mins
Description
The veneration for Tonantzin-Guadalupe has been an essential Mexican theme underlying Mexican cultural and political values since the 16th century. Guided by the testimonies of Indigenous people, Mexicans of mixed heritage and Chicanos about this complex subject matter, the film helps us to understand why. The veneration for Tonantzin-Guadalupe has been an essential Mexican theme underlying Mexican cultural and political values since the 16th cen...
The veneration for Tonantzin-Guadalupe has been an essential Mexican theme underlying Mexican cultural and political values since the 16th century. Guided by the testimonies of Indigenous people, Mexicans of mixed heritage and Chicanos about this complex subject matter, the film helps us to understand why. The veneration for Tonantzin-Guadalupe has been an essential Mexican theme underlying Mexican cultural and political values since the 16th century. Guided by the testimonies of Indigenous people, Mexicans of mixed heritage and Chicanos about this complex subject matter, we can understand why. The film was shot in 16mm and produced between July 1987 and February 1996. Ten years after the 1521 Spanish conquest, young Indian Juan Diego was graced by the apparition of the Mother of God on Tepeyac Hill; a first Bishop of Mexico scoffed at this news, until a further miracle convinced the church to build a basilica in the deity's honor. While encouraging a Virgin Mary "cult" no doubt helped invaders impose Christianity on the populace, scholars point out that earth mother Tonantzin's role in indigenous creeds predate this development by 2,500 years. Thus the "new", compound divinity represented a covert "act of conquest by the Indians over the invading religion", one that developed potent political symbolism during Mexico's various independence struggles. The director, who is Mexican, states that "this is a testimony about the Mexican cult of the Virgin of Guadalupe, where the pilgrims signify the Mexican of all times and the pilgrimages, our history. For me this film literally means a nine year long journey to the unfathomable heart of Mexico and a better world with more peace and social justice."
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Field of Study
Politics & Current Affairs
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Ana Pino Sandoval, José Gallegos, Filiberto Dominguez, Leopoldo Zea, Luis Villoro, Antonio Velasco Piña, Guillermo Tovar di Teresa, Gutierre Tibón, Andrés Segura, Guillermo Schulenberg, Santiago Ramirez, Antonio Pompa y Pompa, Sergio Méndez-Arceo, Raúl Macías, 1934-2009, Alfredo López-Austin, Miguel Léon-Portilla, Loretta Hernandéz, José Cueli, Guillermo Bonfil Batalla, Fernando Beníte...
Ana Pino Sandoval, José Gallegos, Filiberto Dominguez, Leopoldo Zea, Luis Villoro, Antonio Velasco Piña, Guillermo Tovar di Teresa, Gutierre Tibón, Andrés Segura, Guillermo Schulenberg, Santiago Ramirez, Antonio Pompa y Pompa, Sergio Méndez-Arceo, Raúl Macías, 1934-2009, Alfredo López-Austin, Miguel Léon-Portilla, Loretta Hernandéz, José Cueli, Guillermo Bonfil Batalla, Fernando Benítez, César Ramírez Morales, fl. 1997, Eduardo Ahued Ortega, fl. 1997, Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954-
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Author / Creator
Ana Pino Sandoval, Juan Francisco Urrusti, 1954-
Date Published / Released
1996
Publisher
Documentary Educational Resources (DER)
Topic / Theme
Mexican, Chicano, Politics, Imperialism, Blessed Virgin Mary, Pilgrimage, Religion, Ethnography, Mexicans, Latinos, American Indians
Copyright Message
by Documentary Educational Resources
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