[hr-education-na] Re: International Human Rights Collection now available from Women Make Movies

I am not sure if the post regarding Women Make Movies as a resources was
meant to be comprehensive list. My take on Women Make Movies is that it is
an organization that particularly supports women film makers in places
other than the United States. So while I think your concern to not
overlook abuses in the USA is a valuable one (and was probably already
held by most on this email list), I think Women Making Movies is just one
source among others. It is up to the individual educator to create a
balance curriculum. On that note however, I can say this as well. Having
recently tried to find films related to human rights issues and gender in
the United States for a course I am teaching, I can tell you I came up
empty. So, if someone (perhaps you Dan), knows of films that address human
rights and gender in a US context, and could develop a similar list, that
would be a terrific contribution to this list.

Todd 

 

At 2/23/2006, Daniel Jordan wrote:

With all due respect for what seem some fine films, I have a criticism of
the overall listings. Having not seen the movies, of course, I can only
respond to the abstracts written of them.

While honorable, I suggest that the movies at this site have their own
perverse form of discrimination. Not one deals with discrimination in the
United States. Thus, the viewer can be left with the impression that
everything is fine here in the US, that human rights violations are
problems of those "other" people, not of us. This runs the risk of
contributing the he myth of the US carrying the torch for human rights,
that if everyone else just did things the way we do, then the world would
be good. Of course nothing is further from the truth. Where is a movie on
sex trafficking in the US? Where is the movie on US sweatshops? On the
so-called welfare reform initiative that has thrown millions into deeper
poverty.

This runs the risk of coming across as just one more way in which American
culture is held up as the gold standard for everything and it is those
awful other (typically of color) people who need to be educated in our way
of doing things.

I apologize if that sounds harsh, it is not intended to be, but rather to
suggest that care needs to be taken and that it is so easy to stumble. But
when we do, to catch ourselves and keep going.

 

On Monday, February 20, 2006, at 05:25 AM, Olivia Newman (Women Make
Movies) wrote:

> International Human Rights Collection now available from Women Make 
> Movies!
>
> Featuring Academy Award nominated GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA, the 
> International Human Rights Collection tackles crucial human rights 
> issues from sex-trafficking in Bosnia to prisoner abuse in Israel. 
> Screened in over 25 countries around the world, these vital works have 
> garnered awards at the most prestigious film festivals worldwide.
>
> Save up to 65% with our Special Collection pricing! Buy any 5 films, 
> and get 2005 Releases for just $99 each.
>
> To see the complete collection and ordering information, visit: 
> http://www.wmm.com/news/announcements_pressreleases/announcement_humanrights.htm
>
>
> HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COLLECTION INCLUDE:

<snip>

 
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