Video Lending Library Inventory

The Americas Before the Europeans, 300 - 1500 CE (VHS)

Central and South America (Ancient Civilizations/ Andean Region)
Landmark Films, Inc.
1984
Running time: 26 minutes
The Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations that existed in Central and South America built remarkable cities, places of worship, and paved roads. Their intellectual achievements were equally impressive. Unfortunately, none of these great empires survived the Spanish conquistadores. (Jr. High-High School)

The Blonds (Los Rubios) (VHS)

Argentina
By Albertina Carri, Produced by Barry Elisworth
2003
Running time: 89 minutes
Albertina Carri's second feature is a look at Argentina's recent history from the perspective of a generation forced to mourn those of whom they have no recollection. Carri, who lost her parents to Argentina's brutal military junta when she was three years old, travels through Buenos Aires with her crew to unravel the factual and emotional mysteries of her parents' life, disappearance and death. Traces of Carri's family emerge, colored by sharply conflicting perspectives. Who were the Carris? How did they disappear? Were they blonde, brunette, parents, heroes or merely a fiction of those who remember them?
Crossing the line between documentary and fiction filmmaking, Carri enlists an actor, her parents' former comrades, fading photographs and happy Playmobil dolls to investigate her parents' untimely end. In the end, merging fact, rumor and imagination, Carri succeeds in reconstructing both her parent's history and her own construction of them. Emotionally fraught and intellectually provocative, The Blonds has resonance far beyond the tragic history of Argentina's dirty war.

Central American Children Speak Out: Our Lives, Our Dreams (VHS)

Central America (Mexico & Central America)
Resource Center of the Americas
1993
Running time: 40 minutes
It begins in a Minneapolis classroom where fourth graders have been studying Central America. Their questions about the Central American peers guide the video: "Do Central American kids go to school?" "What sports do they play?" "Do they have big houses and big families?" "What style of clothes do they wear?" "What kind of music do they listen to?" "Is there violence in their countries, and are little kids involved?" The video then answers these questions by traveling to Central America. A study guide is included. This video is divided into five segments that can be shown individually. (English; Grades 4-8)

Central America: Costa Rica and Nicaragua (VHS)

Costa Rica and Nicaragua (Mexico & Central America)
Lonely Planet
1999
Running time: 50 minutes
Neil Gibson travels in two contrasting Central American countries. He sets out from San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and explores the country's stunning national parks and coastal resorts. Across the border is Nicaragua, a country ravaged by volatile political campaigns, where Neil spends time on Solentiname Archipelago and visits Granada and Managua before trekking the final leg of his journey to Volcán Masaya. Go with him as he cruises the Monteverde Cloud Forest, goes bird watching in some of the most amazing rainforests in the world, visits a cigar factory, visits the Heroes and Martyr Museum, and celebrates the Diriamba religious festival. (All Ages)

Che Guevara: Restless Revolutionary (VHS)

Cuba, Central & South America (Cuba & the Caribbean/ Southern Cone)
A&E Home Video
1996
Running time: 50 minutes
One of the most prominent revolutionaries of the 20th Century, Che Guevara was a pivotal figure in the creation of Castro's Cuba. His death at the hands of Bolivian security forces in 1967 made him a martyr. Che Guevara came from a middle class Argentine family. As a young man, he traveled across South America, where he was exposed to poverty, injustice, and the oppression that determined the course of his life. This video uses rare home movie footage, news coverage of the events in which he was involved, and the testimony of experts to go beyond the myth and expose the man who, since his death, has become an icon. See how his time in Guatemala cemented his political views and trace his role in Castro's revolution and government. Explore his writings, including the hugely influential manual for guerilla warfare, and follow his secret missions into Africa and Bolivia, where he was ultimately executed at the age of 39. From die-hard revolutionary to international martyr, this is the story of Che Guevara. (English; Grades 6-12)

Cidade das Mulheres (DVD)

Brazil
Casa de Cinema da Bahia
2005
Running time: 72 minutes
The documentary Cidade das Mulheres (The City of Women) is an absolute joy to watch. This documentary, directed by Lazaro Faria, presents an intimate view of Mae Stella de Oxossi who is perhaps the most influential figure in African religious traditions in Bahia. She is the head priestess from Axeacute; Opó Afonjá founded in 1910, and which is one of the most important "terreiros" or African-Brazilian spiritual communities in Salvador, Bahia. In a gentle, yet self-assured manner Mae Stella, who has always been ahead of her time, explains from a feminine perspective the history of Candomblé in Bahia and the matriarchal system of power created and controlled by the women who practice these traditions. Mae Stella also reveals details from her own life story and how she was called to her position. A tribute the many notable women who appear in the film, Cidade das Mulheres also pays tribute to Ruth Landes, the North-American anthropologist, who in the during the late nineteen-thirties, came to Bahia to perform research and was surprised by the spiritual, cultural and economic power held by women in Candomblé. She published her findings-The City of Women in 1947. Her intimate thoughts and impressions are illustrated in this sensitive documentary by images of popular festivities celebrating African spiritual traditions and the stunning natural beauty of the city of Salvador.

Colombia Viva (VHS)

Colombia (Andean Region)
Educational Video Network
1993
Running time: 25 minutes
Beautifully filmed promotional video with segments on natural regions, economic activities, popular celebrations, cities, people and culture, and famous Colombians. (Spanish; Advanced Spanish classes)

Cuba and Haiti (VHS)

Cuba and Haiti (Cuba & the Caribbean)
Lonely Planet Publications
1999
Running time: 48 minutes
Cuba is the largest and least commercialized Caribbean country. Political factors have kept tourists away since Castro's revolution in the fifties. Beginning his journey in the famous Cuban capital of Havana, Ian Wright travels across Cuba, ending his journey in Haiti, the oldest black republic in the world. (Grades 6-12)

Cuba Today: A Country in Transition (VHS)

Cuba (Cuba & the Caribbean)
International Film and Video
1999
Running time: 13 minutes
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and its capital Havana, is the most beautiful and beguiling Caribbean city. This video is an exciting overview of the country and its people. For 40 years, Cuba has been off-limits to most Americans. The economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the US, in the early 60s, virtually closed the door to Americans' understanding of Cubans, their country, and the way people live. This video looks at what life is like in Havana, the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad, and conditions in the countryside.

Destination: Paraguay (VHS)

Paraguay (Southern Cone)
Peace Corps World Wise Schools
1995
Running time: 20 minutes
This video describes the Peace Corps' volunteer activities since the sixties. In 1967, the first Peace Corps Volunteers in Paraguay worked with their host country counterparts as agricultural extension agents. From its early focus on agriculture, the program has expanded to include projects in small business development, rural health, education, and natural resources. Peace Corps' newest initiative in Paraguay is an urban youth development project. This project is helping youths in regional towns and cities develop appropriate social skills, meaningful recreational activities, and positive group involvement.

Dying to Live: A Mirgrant’s Journey (DVD)

Groody River Films
2006
Running time: 33 minutes
"Who are these people, and why are they risking their lives to enter the United States?" the narrator of this documentary asks. In seeking to answer that question, the film provides both a look at the human face of the Mexican immigrant, including scenes of the harrowing journey migrants undertake to cross the U.S. border, and a discussion of the social, economic, political and religious issues involved.

Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth (VHS)

Argentina (Southern Cone)
A&E Television Networks
1996
Running time: 50 minutes
Eva Duarte de Peron-Evita-is one of the most controversial figures in history. A minor actress when she married Argentine president to-be Juan Peron, her political power and prestige eventually equaled, or perhaps eclipsed, his. Was she a power-hungry opportunist, as detractors claim? Or was she really the savior of the working people? In this remarkable program, rare photographs and films tell Evita's real story, from her humble birth to her tragic death from cancer at 33. Close aides and bitter enemies offer firsthand accounts, and popular artists consider why she continues to fascinate us today.

Families of Mexico: The Families of the World Series (VHS)

Mexico (Mexico & Central America)
Master communications, Inc.
1997
Running time: 30 minutes
"Families of Mexico" documents a family from the port city of Veracruz. Hermaina's father and mother own an advertising agency, which her father manages. We see her mother teach a dance class at the city's cultural center, go food shopping, visit Hermaina's school, and follow her to her swimming lesson. Eight-year-old Brizia lives with her parents on her grandparents' farm. We visit her school and follow her and her friend as they visit the surrounding farms owned by her aunts and uncles, who are making tamales, harvesting cactus for salad, and sorting sesame seeds. A teacher's guide to the video is included. (English; Grades K-5)

Guantanamera

Cuba
New Yorker Video
2000
Running time: 104 Minutes
From the Cuban directors of Strawberry and Chocolate (Tomás Gutiérrez and Juan Carlos Tabio) comes a poignant romantic comedy with satiric bite. Yoyita is a famous singer who returns to the town of Guantanamo for a celebration in her honor. Reunited with her girlhood lover Candido after 50 years, she dies in his arms from overstimulation. The farce of returning her body to Havana for proper burial provides the vehicle for an easygoing yet incisive overview of contemporary Cuba and a lighthearted admonishment to live for the moment. Yoyita's niece Gina, who is a former professor of economics, and her tyrannical husband, who is the official undertaker for the remote province, make up the procession, along with the forlorn Candido. As the cortege makes its way toward the capital, Gina is given a second chance at love with a hunky truck driver while we become privy to the clandestine restaurants, abject road stops, and endless slogans that populate the hitherto underexposed Cuban countryside. --Fionn Meade

Held Hostage in Colombia (VHS)

Colombia
By Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce, along with Jorge Enrique Botero
Arrow Home Entertainment, Jorge Enrique Botero, and Urcunina Films, LLC
2003
Running time: 48 minutes
On February 12, 2003 a Pentagon-owned Cessna went down in the jungle of southern Colombia. Found near the crash site were the bullet-ridden bodies of a Colombian crewmember and the American pilot. Three other Americans who were aboard the plane were nowhere to be found.

Seen for the first time since their abduction, the three American hostages, flanked by guerrilla soldiers with semi-automatic weapons and looking physically strong after nearly six months in captivity, are seen in a new documentary titled, Held Hostage in Colombia.

In interviews with Botero, the three captives, dressed in the identical camouflage uniforms of their captors, explain that they were working in Colombia under a U.S. government contract awarded to California Microwave Systems, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, when the engine of the Cessna 208 they were flying failed. After surviving the crash, systems analysts Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves, Colombian guide Luis Alcides Cruz, and pilots Thomas Janis and Thomas Howes were immediately surrounded by forces from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia's largest insurgent group. Cruz and Janis were shot and killed, and the three others taken hostage.

Hello! From Around the World: Mexico and Central America (VHS)

Mexico and Central America (Mexico & Central America)
Ernst Media Inc.
1995
Running time: 25 minutes
This video series about children around the world gives real views of homes and ways of life with a large focus on children. It includes all five themes of geography and attempts to represent all aspects of culture. This video displays the intricacies of everyday life, commonality of experiences, and the distinctive lifestyles of the subjects. (Grades K-7)

I Wonder What You Will Remember of September (VHS)

Chile/ United States
By Cecilia Cornejo
2004
Running time: 27 minutes
Cecilia Cornejo presents a haunting personal response to the events of September 11, 2001, informed and complicated by her status as a Chilean citizen living in the U.S. With evocative imagery from both past and present, Cornejo weaves together her own fading childhood memories, her parents vivid recollections of the September 11, 1973 coup in Chile that brought the notorious dictator Augusto Pinochet to power; and post-9/11 conversations with her own young daughter. The resulting montage thoughtfully explores how personal and collective histories intersect, as well as how trauma is lived, supposedly erased, and passed on from one generation to the next.

The filmmaker also alludes to what she believes is a deep contradiction within the American consciousness, one that makes it possible to view the 9/11/01 attacks as tragedy, while failing to interpret "outside" events such as the Chilean coup or the invasion of Iraq as such. Cornejo's mesmerizing experimental film provides a striking new context with which to view the World Trade Center attacks- from the point of view of an immigrant whose home country has endured its own tragedies.

In Search of History: The Maya (VHS)

Central and South America (Ancient Civilizations/ Mexico & Central America)
A&E Television Networks
1996
Running time: 50 minutes
Explore the ruins of the Mayan cities with archaeologists to learn the story of a religious and politically charged culture that disappeared without explanation.

The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt (VHS)

Colombia
By Victoria Bruce & Karin Hayes
2003
Running time: 52 minutes
In February 2002, in the midst of her controversial campaign for president, Senator Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and became one of the thousands of victims of Colombia's 40-year-old civil war. Her impassioned calls for an end to political corruption and Colombia's vicious civil war had made her a popular public figure, but a dangerous instigator to many within her country's political machine. Following the candidate up to the moments before her disappearance, this remarkable film continues to tell the riveting story of her family's desperate and continuing quest to free her and keep her campaign alive.

Using voiceovers from radio interviews taken before she was abducted, footage from the campaign trail and a chilling proof of life video released by her captors, Betancourt narrates her own story. Months after her kidnapping, she remains missing, victim to the corrupt system she tried so desperately to reform. Unsettling and unforgettable, this gripping film captures with intensity the remarkable dedication of ordinary Colombians to persevere and free their country from the grip of corruption and the horror and turmoil of civil war. "Portrays Latin America's oldest conflict far more vividly than do the writings of scholars, journalists and activists. [It is] inspiring and reflect well on all Colombians working to bring peace and justice in their country." -Adam Isacson, Director of Programs, Center for International Policy.

La Cueca Sola (VHS)

Chile
By Marilu Mallet
2003
Running time: 52 minutes
On September 11, 1973, a military coup in Chile brought Augusto Pinochet to power, and over the next 17 years, thousands of women and men were taken from their homes- never to return. Since that time, Chilean women have danced the country's traditional courtship dance alone, and "La Cueca Sola" has become a symbol of women's struggle against the dictatorship.

After 30 years in exile, critically acclaimed filmmaker Marilu Mallet returns to Santiago to meet with five Chilean women from three generations who suffered under the dictatorship and have emerged as heroes under democracy. Isabel Allende, Monique Hermosilla, Estela Ortiz, Carolina Toha and Moyenei Valdes all lost a father, a husband, or a friend, but have surmounted their grief to bravely speak out, each in their own way- from political action to vocal performance. Intimate interviews reveal the women's shocking experiences under the dictatorship, while inspiring footage of their current work highlights their passion to rebuild. Illustrating throughout with a wealth of archival images, Mallet paints a vivid portrait of the country's painful past and offers insight on Chile's situation today. Important historically, socially and politically, this moving film expresses both the courage of women and the vitality of a nation.

La Guelaguetza: Lunes Del Cerro (VHS)

Mexico (Ancient Civilizations/ Mexico & Central America)
Oaxaca
2004
Running time: 90 minutes
A Zapotec word signifying offertory, Guelaguetza was the term used to describe the ceremony and celebration held each year to propitiate the gods in return for sufficient rain and a bountiful harvest. More than three thousand years ago the indigenous peoples in what is now the state of Oaxaca began to cultivate plants to augment hunting, fishing, and gathering. The most important of these was corn that formed the basis of their diet. With the addition of tomatoes, beans, chilies and squash, their diet evolved into a richly varied and delicious regional gastronomy. Thus the gods and goddesses involved with water and corn were vital among the hierarchy and the tribute to them was a lively and colorful celebration of the music, dance, and products of the people.

Latin America in Transition (VHS)

Latin America
The Southern Center for International Studies
1995/96
Running time: 70 minutes
This video is divided into six topics: An Overview of Latin America, Politics and Democracy, Economic Development and Regional integration, The Environment, Human Rights, Poverty and Social Change, and US Interests in Latin America. It includes excerpts from the Peabody Award Winning Series of programs produced for PBS and news/historical footage from CNN, Reuters Television Library, ABC News VideoSource, and National Archives & Records Administration. This 6-part video also features excerpts from the 1985, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 1995 meetings with the former US Secretaries of State and Defense, World Leaders, and US Ambassadors to the United Nations. It includes a 200-page instructional guide and the following webpage has further resources: http://www.southerncenter.org/material_updates.html

Latin American Lifestyles: Art and Recreation in Latin America (VHS)

Latin America
Video Knowledge, Inc.
1988
Running time: 25 minutes (English Portion)
This video centers on the games people play and the art and architecture they enjoy. The focus is on the Spanish and Indian influences found today.

Latin American Lifestyles: Festivals and Holidays in Latin America (VHS)

Latin America
Video Knowledge, Inc.
1988
Running time: 20 minutes (English Portion)
This narrated video of still photos describes five festivals held in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, and Mexico. Included in the narrative are discussions about the Protestant/Catholic conflict in Costa Rica, social consequences of drug and alcohol abuse in Guatemala, and problems of military/state/religion relations in the region.

Latin American Lifestyles: Life in Small Hispanic Towns (VHS)

Latin America
Video Knowledge, Inc.
1988
Running time: 23 minutes (English Portion)
Between the large metropolitan cities and the rural regions are countless small towns that reflect the history and culture of Latin America.

Latin American Lifestyles: Market Day in a Changing Economy (VHS)

Latin America
Video Knowledge, Inc.
1995
Running time: 21 minutes (English Portion)
Presents the traditional Latin American market, the role of women in traditional trade and barter, and the gap between the wants created by modern advertising and the limited means of many people.

Latin American Lifestyles: Population Explosion and Industrialization (VHS)

Latin America
Video Knowledge, Inc.
1995
Running time: 20 minutes (English Portion)
Population growth and industrial development have led to changes in the environment and society of 20th century Latin America. This video focuses on many of the problems associated with development in third world regions including pollution, unemployment, sanitation, health, and education deficits.

Mandinga em Manhattan (DVD)

Brazil
Casa de Cinema de Bahia
2005
Running time: 55 minutes
Lazaro Faria's most recent documentary Mandinga em Manhattan tells the story of the internationalization of the African Brazilian martial art-Capoeira Angola. The film's title refers to the "mandinga" or magical quality shown by masters when they perform this art form. Written by journalist/photographer Lucia Correai Lima de Souza, Mandinga em Manhattan highlights one of the grand masters of Capoeira Angola Joao Oliveira dos Santos, who after many years of absence from instructing students, began teaching again and relocated from Salvador to Manhattan in 1990. Once demonized and outlawed by the Brazilian government, capoeira today is being recognized by Brazil as one of its most important cultural treasures. Through interviews with scholars and capoeira practitioners the history of Capoeira is placed into its proper context.

News Matters: Cuba and the US: Feuding Neighbors (VHS)

Cuba (Cuba & the Caribbean)
Knowledge Unlimited
2000
Running time: 18 minutes
Using the Elian Gonzalez controversy to focus interest and provoke discussion, this program reviews the main developments in Cuban-American relations since Castro's overthrow of Batista. After the review, onscreen teenagers give their opinion on such matters as the Elian controversy, the trade embargo, how Cuba threatens the United States, and what policy to pursue toward a post-Castro Cuba. (Grades 6-12)

Orixas da Bahia (DVD)

Brazil
Casa de Cinema da Bahia
2005
Running time: 40 minutes
Orixas da Bahia is a documentary by Lazaro Faria that, through short dance and music vignettes and animation segments, captures the essential characteristics of the major spiritual forces that form the pantheon of Yoruba religious traditions in Bahia. Called Orixas, these nature-based entities spiritually guide the lives of the faithful. Each orixa with its individual color-coded beading and costuming represents an aspect or force of nature, and is reverenced on a specific week day, with special offering, and songs. Faria's film explores the continuation of the elaborate system of belief in West African goddesses and gods that was transferred to Brazil during the more than 300 years of enslavement. In vivid colors and entrancing rhythms Orixas da Bahia transports the viewer to the natural richness and spiritual energy of Bahia.

Pablo Neruda (VHS)

Chile (Southern Cone)
Schlessinger Video Productions
1995
Running time: 30 minutes
Chile's Pablo Neruda was a quiet man who became the representative voice of millions. More than a writer, Neruda was inspired to serve his country and promote social reform. Through his poetry and speeches he not only stirred the passion of fellow poets, but also roused the political consciousness of the world. Believing poetry should express the political struggles of the people Neruda's words on love, nature and politics reflected both the pleasant and harsh realities of everyday life. Neruda was not afraid to share his belief in Communism and his radical ideas on social reform, though these unpopular views caused him to be exiled for a time. Actively involved in politics, he held various political posts throughout his lifetime and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of Chile. Through it all, Neruda's moving poetry showed his passion for the written word and his commitment to political reform in Latin America. He was persecuted for his opinions but for his poetic achievement, he is esteemed. (English; Grades 7-12)

Panama Canal (VHS)

Panama (Mexico & Central America)
The History Channel
1997
Running time: 50 minutes
This video tells the history of the Panama Canal from the planning stage to completion. From the History Channel's modern marvel series, it highlights the many challenges faced in the construction of the canal. (English; Grades 6-12)

Pancho Villa (VHS)

Mexico (Mexico & Central America)
Schlessinger Video Productions
1995
Running time: 30 minutes
Pancho Villa is the most paradoxical figure in Mexican history. Touted as a murderous bandit as well as a heroic revolutionary, he was committed to improving life for the poor. During the Mexican Revolution he organized a successful rebel army that made him an international celebrity. However, he was criticized for his brutal and destructive tactics. This video explores the contradictory images of Villa and his mission to bring justice to the Mexican people. (English; Grades 7-12)

Peru: Land of Incas (VHS)

Peru (Ancient Civilizations)
World Almanac Video
1999
Running time: 30 minutes
Peru is a country where two cultures - that of the Inca civilization and the Spanish conquerors - combined in a thriving land of contrasts: imposing urban buildings and ruined ancient cities, modern industry and traditional ways. Here, high up in the Andes, lie sacred valleys, mysterious abandoned seats of the Incan empire, and museums of gold. (Jr. High-High School)

Pulled from the Rubble (VHS)

By Margaret Loescher
2004
Running time: 64 minutes
In August 2003, Gil Loescher went to Baghdad on a humanitarian research trip. He and his colleague were in a meeting with the head of the United Nations in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, when a truck full of explosives was driven into the side of the building. Gil was the only survivor from the most devastated section of the building. All the people with him in the meeting died. Through poignantly honest narration, and observational scenes of high emotion, his daughter records the family's recovery during the months after the bomb. Using the camera becomes her way of dealing with the suddenness of the family's changed reality, and a way of re-visiting the haunting images of the bomb-site - a place of both horror and hope.

Secrets of the Aztec Empire (VHS)

Central America (Ancient Civilizations/ Mexico & Central America)
A&E Television Networks
1996
Running time: 50 minutes
The Aztecs began as a nomadic people led by their religion. This video covers their journey and the development of their vast empire up to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. Contains very graphic information about sacrifice and religious rituals. Appropriate for a mature audience only. (Jr. High-High School)

Simon Bolivar (VHS)

Venezuela (Andean Region)
Fabian-Baber Communication, Inc.
1995
Running time: 30 minutes
The time had come for Simon Bolivar's monumental idea of a united, liberated South America to become a distinct reality. With a clearly defined sense of purpose, the young Venezuelan planned his country's revolution against the Spanish Empire and European colonialism. An eloquent, persuasive speaker and writer, his political statements were able to stir sympathies, but little political support for South American countries that were badly in need of social, political and economic reform. A series of successes were followed by failures, yet the patriot was undaunted in his desire to unite the continent against all odds. Bolivar eventually liberated five countries, adopting a Declaration of Independence for Venezuela and making it the first free Spanish-American colony. Although it seemed that his efforts were conducted in vain as several republics failed and countries seceded, Simon Bolivar's dream of unity has lived on. The people of South American still regard him as "The Liberator." (English; Grades 7-12)

South America: The Andean Region (VHS)

Andean Region (Andean Region)
Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation
1992
Running time: 21 minutes
Forming the "backbone of South America," this region contains the nations of Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile. This episode takes viewers through some of the most variegated geography of the continent. Follow vicunas and llamas as they bound across the high plains; visit the mountain shores of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable body of water; tour the remains of the once-mighty Inca Empire; witness how irrigation makes the Atacama Desert bloom; and see the results of the dynamic growth of such modern cities as Cuzco and Valparaiso. (English; Grades 6-12)

South America: The Southern Plains (VHS)

South America
Encyclopedia Britannica
1992
Running time: 19 minutes
Combining colorful photography, artwork, and 3-D computer graphics with insightful narrative, this cultural geography program focuses on the physical, human, and economic features of the three major regions of the South American continent. It explores physical and human geography, history, economic activities, and prospects for the future of individual areas. Special emphasis is placed on the ecological implications of the interaction of human inhabitants with the environment in order to impart a healthy respect for how society's future is closely intertwined with that of nature.

Spirit of Samba: Black Music of Brazil (VHS)

Brazil (Brazil)
Shanacie Entertainment Corporation
1990
Running time: 60 minutes
This video explores the African contributions to Carnival. Months of planning, effort, and rehearsal go into creating costumes and choreographing dances for the various Samba "schools." The video explores African influences in Brazilian music, dance, and religion.

Thunder in Guyana (VHS)

Guyana
By Suzanna Wasserman
2003
Running time: 50 minutes
Thunder in Guyana is the remarkable tale of Janet Rosenberg, a young woman from Chicago who married Guyanese activist Cheddi Jagan, and set off for the British colony to start a socialist revolution. For more than fifty years, the couple fought tirelessly to liberate the country from colonial rule and exploitation-despite battering by the international press, imprisonment and the intervention of world figures including Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. Free and fair elections were instituted in the early 90's, and Janet Rosenberg-Jagan was elected president of Guyana in 1997, the first foreign-born and first woman to serve in the role.

Historian Suzanne Wasserman (Rosenberg's cousin) creates a rich historical portrait combining interviews with friends and family, excerpts from Janet's letters, archival photographs and footage, and video captured during Janet's dramatic presidential campaign. The film illuminates the life of an extraordinary woman and the complex history of the little understood country of Guyana.

War Takes (Tomas de Guerra) (VHS)

Colombia
Faction Films
2002
Running time: 78 minutes
With conflicts raging on nearly every continent, war now regularly transcends the battlefield into everyday life-whether its increased security at airports or infringements on personal privacy. In War Takes, Colombian filmmakers Adelaida Trujillo and Patricia Castaño turn the cameras on themselves to portray the tough realities of civil life in the violent, war-ravaged country of Colombia. Partners in an independent media company, they struggle to balance their family, business and political lives: reporting from dangerous parts of the country; managing their company as the economic situation worsens; parenting young children amid threats of violence and kidnapping; and rethinking their political views as war moves closer to the city. The filmmakers skillfully incorporate coverage from local television, archival footage, and narration to provide insightful analysis and historical background-including U.S. involvements in the region. Powerfully intimate and often humorous, their chronicle reveals how life goes on in Colombia-however surreal-against the terrifying backdrop of war.