Browse Titles - 15 results
Anonymously Yours
directed by Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000; produced by Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000, Aerial Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2003), 58 mins
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...
Sample
directed by Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000; produced by Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000, Aerial Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2003), 58 mins
Description
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 B...
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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Field of Study
Women's Studies
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000, Aerial Productions
Author / Creator
Gayle Ferraro, fl. 2000
Date Published / Released
2002, 2003
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Border Events and Areas Context, Poverty, Slavery, Prostitution, Human trafficking, Women, Sociology, Asians, 20th Century in World History (1914--2000)
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2003 Berkeley Media
×
Backbone of the World
directed by George Burdeau, fl. 1980-1998; produced by Pamela Roberts, Rattlesnake Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 1998), 57 mins
Set amid the majestic splendor of the northern Rockies, this innovative and inspiring documentary interweaves two compelling parallel stories: film director George Burdeau's journey home to live and work on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his tribe's determined struggle to protect its sacred lands and forge a new i...
Sample
directed by George Burdeau, fl. 1980-1998; produced by Pamela Roberts, Rattlesnake Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 1998), 57 mins
Description
Set amid the majestic splendor of the northern Rockies, this innovative and inspiring documentary interweaves two compelling parallel stories: film director George Burdeau's journey home to live and work on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his tribe's determined struggle to protect its sacred lands and forge a new identity. Literally backed up against a wall, the Blackfeet Reservation lies in the great shadow of the northern Rocky Mountains -- know...
Set amid the majestic splendor of the northern Rockies, this innovative and inspiring documentary interweaves two compelling parallel stories: film director George Burdeau's journey home to live and work on the Blackfeet Reservation, and his tribe's determined struggle to protect its sacred lands and forge a new identity. Literally backed up against a wall, the Blackfeet Reservation lies in the great shadow of the northern Rocky Mountains -- known to the tribe as "the backbone of the world." An area called Badger Two Medicine, a 130,000-acre tract of treaty land, was recently opened for oil drilling by the U.S. Forest Service. An important spiritual retreat for the Blackfeet people, the Badger Two Medicine lands are now threatened by water contamination and the inevitable destruction of plants used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Producer Pamela Roberts and director George Burdeau developed a four-year working relationship with the Blackfeet community, collaborating with tribal elders, government officials, and local Blackfeet videographers. Continuing the tradition of elders before him, veteran filmmaker Burdeau took on the role of mentor by teaching his craft to three young Blackfeet filmmakers, enabling them to pass on tribal stories with a fresh perspective. Under Burdeau’s guidance, the young filmmakers give new voice to the Blackfeet saga by intertwining the ancient tribal account of "Scarface" -- whose healing journey gave the Blackfeet their religious traditions -- with the contemporary crisis facing the community over the Badger Two Medicine despoliation. "Backbone of the World" illustrates that today the Blackfeet live in two worlds, modern America and the Blackfeet Nation. At risk is the language, religion, art, and remaining land belonging to a Native tribe that survived a smallpox epidemic in the late 19th century, and is now besieged by the encroachment of the dominant American culture. The inevitable disenfranchisement of Blackfeet youth is apparent. As one elder recounts, "Youngsters don't know the wilderness, just downtown." "Backbone of the World" is a unique and engaging film that explores the Blackfeet perspective on their culture, environment, and quest for tribal survival in the 21st century. The film will engender reflection and discussion in a wide range of courses in Native American studies, American history and studies, cultural anthropology, comparative religion, and the environment. It was produced by Pamela Roberts and directed by George Burdeau, and is a Rattlesnake Productions Film.
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Date Written / Recorded
1998
Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Pamela Roberts, Rattlesnake Productions
Author / Creator
George Burdeau, fl. 1980-1998
Date Published / Released
1998
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Petroleum industry, Indian reservations, Myths and legends, Religious beliefs, Places of worship, Blackfoot
Copyright Message
Copyright © 1998 Berkeley Media
×
Cashing in on Culture: Indigenous Communities and Tourism
directed by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015; produced by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2002), 28 mins
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, and one of the most important forms of contemporary contact between different cultures. Eco-tourism and "ethnic" tourism, designed specifically to bring affluent and adventurous tourists into remote indigenous communities, are among the fastest-growing types o...
Sample
directed by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015; produced by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2002), 28 mins
Description
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, and one of the most important forms of contemporary contact between different cultures. Eco-tourism and "ethnic" tourism, designed specifically to bring affluent and adventurous tourists into remote indigenous communities, are among the fastest-growing types of tourism worldwide.This insightful documentary, filmed in the small tropical forest community of Capirona, in Ecuador, serves as an in...
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, and one of the most important forms of contemporary contact between different cultures. Eco-tourism and "ethnic" tourism, designed specifically to bring affluent and adventurous tourists into remote indigenous communities, are among the fastest-growing types of tourism worldwide.This insightful documentary, filmed in the small tropical forest community of Capirona, in Ecuador, serves as an incisive case study of the many issues and potential problems surrounding eco- and ethnic tourism. Those issues are shown to be simultaneously cultural, economic, and environmental, and are complexly intertwined for both indigenous communities and tourists.The film interweaves illuminating sequences featuring the Quechua-speaking Capirona Indians, Ecuadorian tour operators, anthropologists and other academics, and college-age American tourists to examine the benefits and negative costs of such tourism to everyone involved. The film focuses in particular on how tourism has changed the lives of members of the indigenous community, which took eight years to decide to admit tourists into their villages.The cash flow from tourism that is managed directly by the Indians bypasses the fees normally exacted by travel agencies and tour operators and may be able to sustain the community if revenues are distributed equitably. But how do indigenous communities, in the context of global tourism and business interests, set up and run successful tourist operations without compromising their own cultural traditions and despoiling their environment?"Cashing in on Culture" explores some of the most perplexing issues facing indigenous communities and raises a multitude of thorny questions. The film will generate discussion in a variety of courses in cultural anthropology, development and Third-World issues, and Latin American studies. It was produced by Prof. Regina Harrison, University of Maryland, who also produced the award-winning "Mined to Death."
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015
Author / Creator
Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015
Date Published / Released
2002
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Economic development, American Indians, Indigenous peoples, Ecology, Tourism industry, Chimborazo Highland Quichua
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2002 Berkeley Media
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Daughters of Ixchel: Maya Thread of Change
directed by John McKay, 1965- and Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa, fl. 1993-1997; produced by Dakota Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 1993), 30 mins
Guatemalan Maya women are highly skilled weavers. Their textiles, created using the backstrap loom, are known worldwide for their excellent workmanship and design. Their weaving skills have been passed down from mother to daughter since ancient times. Not only are the designs and colors of the Maya textiles attrac...
Sample
directed by John McKay, 1965- and Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa, fl. 1993-1997; produced by Dakota Productions (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 1993), 30 mins
Description
Guatemalan Maya women are highly skilled weavers. Their textiles, created using the backstrap loom, are known worldwide for their excellent workmanship and design. Their weaving skills have been passed down from mother to daughter since ancient times. Not only are the designs and colors of the Maya textiles attractive and unique, they also carry the history and traditions of their communities. This illuminating documentary explores the lives of M...
Guatemalan Maya women are highly skilled weavers. Their textiles, created using the backstrap loom, are known worldwide for their excellent workmanship and design. Their weaving skills have been passed down from mother to daughter since ancient times. Not only are the designs and colors of the Maya textiles attractive and unique, they also carry the history and traditions of their communities. This illuminating documentary explores the lives of Maya women today, portrays their ancient weaving processes, and examines the economic, political, and cultural forces that are profoundly affecting the women and their weaving. "Daughters of Ixchel" will generate discussion in a wide variety of courses in cultural anthropology, Latin American studies, women's studies, and the arts and humanities. It was produced by Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa and John McKay.
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Dakota Productions
Author / Creator
John McKay, 1965-, Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa, fl. 1993-1997
Date Published / Released
1993
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Cloth, Cooperatives, Women, Weavers, Weaving, Mayan
Copyright Message
Copyright © 1993 Berkeley Media
×
Destination: Tourism
directed by Dafna Kory, fl. 2007; produced by Dafna Kory, fl. 2007 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2007), 20 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Bodh Gaya, the world's most popular destination of Buddhist pilgrimage, is located in one of India's poorest states. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site are typically shocked by the extreme poverty there, and the Buddhist tradition of alms-giving motivates them to donate money. As a result, Bodh Gaya has d...
Sample
directed by Dafna Kory, fl. 2007; produced by Dafna Kory, fl. 2007 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2007), 20 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Description
Bodh Gaya, the world's most popular destination of Buddhist pilgrimage, is located in one of India's poorest states. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site are typically shocked by the extreme poverty there, and the Buddhist tradition of alms-giving motivates them to donate money. As a result, Bodh Gaya has developed a sophisticated charity 'industry' which caters to and depends on tourists and tourism. This thought-provoking documentary exp...
Bodh Gaya, the world's most popular destination of Buddhist pilgrimage, is located in one of India's poorest states. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site are typically shocked by the extreme poverty there, and the Buddhist tradition of alms-giving motivates them to donate money. As a result, Bodh Gaya has developed a sophisticated charity 'industry' which caters to and depends on tourists and tourism. This thought-provoking documentary explores the complex, interconnected effects of tourism, globalization, culture, philanthropy, and religion in Bodh Gaya. Destination: Tourism provides a deeply perceptive and incisive ethnographic case study as well as a poignant illustration of the overwhelming challenges facing many of the world's poor as they struggle to eke out a living in a seasonal economy almost completely dependent on foreign tourists. As the film illuminates, the tourism economy's volatile nature provides only seasonal and temporary work for local residents: time in Bodh Gaya is measured by the coming and going of strangers. For four winter months there are tourists, and therefore work. The rest of the year is marked by desperate unemployment. In addition, dozens of foreign-owned and foreign-operated monasteries function like all-inclusive resorts, monopolizing tourism services. The monasteries also inflate real-estate values: when farmlands become monasteries, farmers must find a new livelihood. Survival has become a challenge for Bodh Gaya's residents. In the search for sustainable employment, entrepreneurial locals have established hundreds of charity schools for destitute children. These village schools are entirely funded by tourist donations and have become a not-to-be-missed point on the Bodh Gaya tourist itinerary. The mud-hut schools and their slate-and-chalk students have become a 'Kodak moment' for the visiting Buddhist pilgrims, and a means of livelihood for local residents. Destination: Tourism will generate thought and discussion in any course dealing with international development and globalization, as well as a variety of courses in cultural anthropology, Asian and Indian studies, tourist studies, and religious studies. It was produced by Dafna Kory. The DVD version of the film is fully authored by the filmmaker and includes menus and chapter headings.
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Field of Study
Asian Studies
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Dafna Kory, fl. 2007
Author / Creator
Dafna Kory, fl. 2007
Date Published / Released
2007
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Tourism industry, Poverty, Charity, Buddhism, Pilgrimage, Hindi
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2007 Berkeley Media
×
Mined to Death
directed by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015; produced by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2006), 39 mins
Working at an elevation of 16,000 feet, Quechua-speaking miners in Potosi, Bolivia, dig out zinc, tin, and silver much like their Incan ancestors did more than five centuries ago. This poignant documentary explores the lives and work of the miners as the veins of ore in the sacred mountain they are mining become i...
Sample
directed by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015; produced by Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2006), 39 mins
Description
Working at an elevation of 16,000 feet, Quechua-speaking miners in Potosi, Bolivia, dig out zinc, tin, and silver much like their Incan ancestors did more than five centuries ago. This poignant documentary explores the lives and work of the miners as the veins of ore in the sacred mountain they are mining become increasingly depleted and ever more difficult to discover and remove. Rising more than three miles above sea level, the crusty red mount...
Working at an elevation of 16,000 feet, Quechua-speaking miners in Potosi, Bolivia, dig out zinc, tin, and silver much like their Incan ancestors did more than five centuries ago. This poignant documentary explores the lives and work of the miners as the veins of ore in the sacred mountain they are mining become increasingly depleted and ever more difficult to discover and remove. Rising more than three miles above sea level, the crusty red mountain of Sumaq Orqo dominates the landscape of Potosi, just as it did in the time of the Inca. More than 550 years of mining has marred its cone-shaped mass, and stone openings lead down vertiginous dark shafts to galleries where ore is dug out by pick ax and, where possible, by mechanized drills. Over the centuries it is said that some eight million Indian miners have died working the mines.Today 28 indigenous mining cooperatives eke out a living on the mountain. They drill into the veins of ore, fill the mining carts, and drag the carts up to the surface. Commentary by the miners, their wives, and their children powerfully convey the hardships and tragedies of life in the Andes. A few miners who have escaped the hard labor of the mines now return to the shafts -- guiding tourists. For $10, tourists can experience first-hand the perils of the mines: noxious gases, unprotected paths, extreme heat and cold, and little to eat or drink for several hours while walking through the bowels of the earth. Interviews with European and American tourists reveal their conflicted emotions after witnessing these harsh conditions. Miners put their faith in the subterranean deity called Tio, who they hope will lead them to a rich vein of ore and protect them as they blast out the metal. Transnational mining companies, however, predict an end to the mining on Potosi mountain. Like the miners, the mountain is exhausted and dying a slow, difficult death. Mined to Death provides an illuminating case study of suffering and hardship that is common among indigenous peoples in the developing, post-colonial world. Its dramatic visuals and forthright testimony will engage students and inspire discussion in a variety of courses in cultural anthropology, Latin American and Andean studies, development studies, tourist studies, and human rights. It was produced and filmed by Prof. Regina Harrison, University of Maryland, who also produced the acclaimed "Cashing in on Culture: Indigenous Communities and Tourism."
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015
Author / Creator
Regina Harrison, fl. 2002-2015
Date Published / Released
2006
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Global Indigenous Perspectives, Tourism industry, Working conditions, Mining industry, Ecology, Quechan, 21st Century in World History (2001– )
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2006 Berkeley Media
×
Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods, Episode 2, A Summer Task
directed by Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014; produced by Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014, in Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods, Episode 2 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2014), 49 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
This is the second of the four films that make up the series, Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods. This tightly-focused film examines the rhythm and tempo of work in the forest. It follows Bill Coperthwaite and his cousin, Steve, as they fell and haul trees to build a bridge and begin charting a new trail...
Sample
directed by Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014; produced by Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014, in Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods, Episode 2 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2014), 49 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Description
This is the second of the four films that make up the series, Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods. This tightly-focused film examines the rhythm and tempo of work in the forest. It follows Bill Coperthwaite and his cousin, Steve, as they fell and haul trees to build a bridge and begin charting a new trail through the woods.The film situates the viewer in the heart of the forest. Through the crafting of distinctive moments of rest and acti...
This is the second of the four films that make up the series, Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods. This tightly-focused film examines the rhythm and tempo of work in the forest. It follows Bill Coperthwaite and his cousin, Steve, as they fell and haul trees to build a bridge and begin charting a new trail through the woods.The film situates the viewer in the heart of the forest. Through the crafting of distinctive moments of rest and activity, of skill and improvisation, the film explores a complex, collaborative process as it unfolds in time. No longer the energetic men of their youth, Bill and Steve struggle against age and natural obstacles with a wry humor and stubborn determination. Through its focus on a single task, the film deftly opens up questions about time, work, aging, and the ongoing process of life.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014, William S. Coperthwaite, 1930-2013
Author / Creator
Anna Grimshaw, fl. 1989-2014
Date Published / Released
2014
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Series
Mr. Coperthwaite: A Life in the Maine Woods
Topic / Theme
Logging, Elderly people, Living conditions, Forests, Nature, North Americans
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2014 Berkeley Media
×
The Pornography of Everyday Life
produced by Susan Rosenkranz, fl. 2007 and Jane Caputi, 1953-, Jane Caputi LLC (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2007), 35 mins
This trenchant and provocative documentary essay will generate thought, analysis, and discussion in a wide variety of courses in women's and gender studies, psychology, sociology, and popular culture. It incorporates more than 200 powerful images from advertising, ancient myth, contemporary art, and popular cultur...
Sample
produced by Susan Rosenkranz, fl. 2007 and Jane Caputi, 1953-, Jane Caputi LLC (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2007), 35 mins
Description
This trenchant and provocative documentary essay will generate thought, analysis, and discussion in a wide variety of courses in women's and gender studies, psychology, sociology, and popular culture. It incorporates more than 200 powerful images from advertising, ancient myth, contemporary art, and popular culture to demonstrate how pornography (defined as the sexualized domination, degradation, and objectification of women and girls and social...
This trenchant and provocative documentary essay will generate thought, analysis, and discussion in a wide variety of courses in women's and gender studies, psychology, sociology, and popular culture. It incorporates more than 200 powerful images from advertising, ancient myth, contemporary art, and popular culture to demonstrate how pornography (defined as the sexualized domination, degradation, and objectification of women and girls and social groups who are put in the demeaned feminine role) is in reality a prevalent mainstream worldview.The film illustrates how the pornographic worldview is a generally accepted discourse, a habitual mode of thinking and acting that underpins not only sexism, but also racism, militarism, physical abuse and torture, and the pillaging of the environment. As such, pornography appears not only in overt, "hard-core" forms, but also in virtually every aspect of everyday life.As the film illuminates, even though pornography is generally thought to be the opposite of religion, it actually is an irrational belief system analogous to a religion. Like much patriarchal religious tradition, pornography is shown to be misogynistic and homophobic, and defines sex as "dirty" or debased and the opposite of the mind or spirit.Pornography is also shown to support the worst tendencies of patriarchal religions by appropriating previously sacred and potent images of women, sex, goddesses, and the feminine principle, colloquially known as Mother Earth or Mother Nature, and then ritually profaning and defaming them. This works not only to demean women but to justify and legitimize male divinity and worldly authority.The film concludes by suggesting alternatives and by illustrating how visionary thinkers and artists resist the pornographic worldview by re-imagining and restoring respect to eroticism, female sexuality, and the female divine, and by calling for new understandings of sexuality, nature, and society.The Pornography of Everyday Life is a superb and invigorating cultural exploration that will stir thought and engender classroom debate. It was written by and features Jane Caputi, Prof. of Women's Studies at Florida Atlantic University, and produced by award-winning filmmaker Susan Rosenkranz.
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Field of Study
Women's Studies
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Susan Rosenkranz, fl. 2007, Jane Caputi, 1953-, Jane Caputi LLC
Date Published / Released
2007
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Women, Popular culture, Profanity, Sexism, Pornography
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2007 Berkeley Media
×
Record Store
directed by Matthew Durington, fl. 2008; produced by Matthew Durington, fl. 2008, Visualanthropology.com and OSBX Films (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2008), 36 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
As the American music industry struggles to find its place in the digital world, many music enthusiasts, audiophiles, and DJ's continue to buy and collect vinyl records, sometimes to their financial and emotional detriment. This remarkable documentary, shot over a three-year period, explores the various urban subc...
Sample
directed by Matthew Durington, fl. 2008; produced by Matthew Durington, fl. 2008, Visualanthropology.com and OSBX Films (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2008), 36 mins,
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Source: www.berkeleymedia.com
Description
As the American music industry struggles to find its place in the digital world, many music enthusiasts, audiophiles, and DJ's continue to buy and collect vinyl records, sometimes to their financial and emotional detriment. This remarkable documentary, shot over a three-year period, explores the various urban subcultures at an independent record store in Philadelphia, focusing on the store's owners, employees, and customers. Although divergent in...
As the American music industry struggles to find its place in the digital world, many music enthusiasts, audiophiles, and DJ's continue to buy and collect vinyl records, sometimes to their financial and emotional detriment. This remarkable documentary, shot over a three-year period, explores the various urban subcultures at an independent record store in Philadelphia, focusing on the store's owners, employees, and customers. Although divergent in musical taste and style, they are all united as self-identified vinyl addicts. With a keen ethnographic eye, filmmaker Matthew Durington captures telling commentary and provides a compelling case study of the addictive drive to collect that cuts across all cultures. The film also examines such topics as the relative value of material culture and how the world of popular urban music relates to larger social issues such as race and gender. One of the film's prominent themes is the racial and class issues that arise from the fact that the record store caters to a largely African American customer base that buys urban music (i.e., Rap and Hip Hop), yet the store itself does not reflect this customer base in its ownership and employees. Consequently, the employees are forced to deal with their own racial identities in addition to the racial and class dynamics of their urban clientele. Record Store is a rich and vital cultural portrait that will draw and hold the attention of today's digital-age students. It will inspire reflection and generate discussion in a wide variety of classes in American studies, sociology, cultural anthropology, social psychology, communication, and popular culture. It was produced by Matthew Durington.
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Field of Study
Anthropology
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Matthew Durington, fl. 2008, Visualanthropology.com, OSBX Films
Author / Creator
Matthew Durington, fl. 2008
Date Published / Released
2008
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Audio recordings, Popular culture, Music industry, Collecting and collectables, Race and culture, Americans
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2008 Berkeley Media
×
Salsa in Japan: A Japanese & Latino Mix
produced by Elizabeth Chamberlin, fl. 2002 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2003), 26 mins
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 native Japanese and Latino immigrants to Japan. Each group has a different way of dancing and different reaso...
Sample
produced by Elizabeth Chamberlin, fl. 2002 (Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Media, 2003), 26 mins
Description
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 native Japanese and Latino immigrants to Japan. Each group has a different way of dancing and different reasons for going to the dance clubs. In scenes at the clubs these differences are apparent. However, salsa clubs are also important and pop...
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 native Japanese and Latino immigrants to Japan. Each group has a different way of dancing and different reasons for going to the dance clubs. In scenes at the clubs these differences are apparent. However, salsa clubs are also important and popular places for interaction between Japanese and Latinos, places where learning between the two groups and a greater cultural appreciation of one another can occur.The video examines two types of salsa clubs in Japan. One draws more Japanese and the other draws more Latinos. The key difference between the two is the purpose for going. In the clubs that draw more Japanese, there is a greater focus on dancing well -- on looking good. Most of the clientele are students of salsa and some enter competitions.The clubs that draw a largely Latino crowd have more of a "party" atmosphere. Some of the clientele are great dancers, others not. Some even learn how to dance salsa in Japan, because it's not in fact a universally "Latin" dance. The main attraction of these "parties" is the chance to get together with other Latinos, blow off steam, and have a good time."Salsa in Japan" briefly recounts the history of salsa for those unfamiliar with the dance and examines the many connections between Latin America and Japan through interviews with people involved in the salsa world.This energetic, vibrant, and accessible video will reward viewing and stimulate discussion in any class dealing with issues of multiculturalism and immigration, and in a wide variety of courses in Japanese and Asian studies, Latin American studies, and cultural anthropology. It was produced by Elizabeth Chamberlin.
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Field of Study
Dance
Content Type
Documentary
Contributor
Elizabeth Chamberlin, fl. 2002
Date Published / Released
2003
Publisher
Berkeley Media
Topic / Theme
Bars and saloons, Intercultural communication, Leisure time, Race relations, Ballroom dancing, Salsa
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2003 Berkeley Media
×