Alzheimer’s Society

William Utermohlen – Self Portrait
1967

William Utermohlen – Self Portrait
2000

Alzheimer’s society is a membership organisation made up of over 20,000 members. They are working to improve the quality of life of people that are affected by dementia in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of their members have personal experience of dementia, either as carers, people with dementia themselves and health professionals. This allows for a wide spectrum of insight and expertise that is channelled into making progress in all aspects of improving the lives of people that are affected by this degenerative disease, as well as supporting the families along through the various stages.

The word dementia refers to a set of symptoms that include memory loss and difficulties thinking, problem solving or language. Dementia is caused by certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or occasionally a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s society staff provide local services including day care and home care for people suffering from dementia in the community. The support that the family members and partners receive is invaluable in order for them to cope with the increasing demands of becoming a carer.

The Climate Change Denial Machine

  “The Koch Brothers & Their Amazing Climate Change Denial Machine” is short, three-and-a-half minute-long film made by the Australian filmmaker Taki Oldham. The footage used is part of his longer, 55 minute long documentary “The Billionaires’ Tea Party” (2011).
A good example of visually effective use of animation techniques, this short film details the effort of Charles and David Koch, oil barons that spent millions to influence American public opinion, undermining the belief in global warming and trying to prevent any legislation targeting climate change that could result in a threat to their profits.
By financing bogus scientific studies and funding complacent Think Tanks and Front Groups (including but not limited to Women groups and Senior Groups), the public is lead to believe that global warming and the threats it entails are only a theory and not a fact. The truth is that those that argue against climate change are a small minority, but their coordination and funding are such that they have been able to influence opinion and legislation, thus safeguarding the interests of influential but largely anonymous energy oligarchs.
Produced by Larrikin films, the director’s own Production Company, whose name refers to irreverence toward authority and disregard for the norms of propriety”, the film was mainly distributed through the web.
In my opinion, this documentary does a very effective job of portraying the dangerous sides of corporate takeover of democracy, as well as warning the public against the content of mainstream, often interest-group-funded, media.
Some useful links to watch the film and learn more:

• http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/the_koch_brothers_and_their_amazing_climate_change_denial_machine/

• http://www.larrikinfilms.com/about1/

• http://www.billionairesteaparty.com/TBTP-storage/The_Billionaires_Tea_Party_Media_Kit.pdf

The High Price of Materialism ( Veronica Crociani )

The High Price of Materialism is a short five minute stop-motion animation film that highlights the social disadvantages of a modern materialistic world. In this short animation, psychologist Tim Kasser talks about how American culture of cusumerism, (and this can appeal to many cultures living in a developed country), weakens the social well being of an individual.  The animation argues both the pros and the cons of living in a materialistic society. 

Here’s How We’re Going To End Factory Farming (Anna Cheffy)

In just two minutes and ten seconds a story, a message, and a solution can be powerfully received. “Here’s How We’re Going to End Factory Farming” is an animated short film devoted to ending animal cruelty involved in factory farming. Animals Australia’s initiative, Make It Possible, strives to create a kinder world. In order to do so, they must educate. Knowledge is the greatest threat to factory farming. By exposing the harsh realities and truth, people will hopefully decrease their demand for meat. This solution is dependent upon us. By refusing to eat factory farmed meats, eating fewer animal products, or becoming entirely meat free, ending factory farming can be achieved.

“Affluenza”: The True “Common Cold” Among the World’s Most Affluent (Samantha Lucci)

In the 1997 PBS documentary film Affluenza, producer John de Graaf comments on the current state of the United States’ consumer culture, focusing on shopping malls as the center of society’s materialism. From the film’s perspective, our communities’ excessive rates of consumption signify a growing epidemic–a contagious and inflammatory disease called “affluenza.” The film approaches the discussion of the epidemic using both comedy and drama to emphasize the absurd nature of our current consumer habits. It points out that Americans alone account for nearly half of the world’s hazardous waste while using up almost a third of its resources, alone. Americans make up only about five percent of the world population. 

The Hungry Tide (Haley Hughes)

This documentary is about the Central Pacific nation of Karibati, which is expected to be one of the first countries to disappear due to climate change. The issue is the sea levels are dangerously rising and will eventually, sweep out the entire country. A technique the documentary uses is focusing on one individual by the name of Maria Tiimon. She is an advocate for the rights of pacific islanders and plays a predominate role in helping her people. There are about 105,000 residents in the area who’s homes and lives are at risk because of the climate. The documentary stresses the idea that these people can not afford to go anywhere else, and are not sure of their fate.

Although the documentary does not explain how it is funded, I feel that it does a successful job getting the point across because it frequently shows children, without clothing, in the water. They also show how the majority of the island is under water, which makes it impossible for one to survive for long.

Broken On All Sides (Betty Mattei)

Broken On All Sides is a sixty-eight minute long documentary directed and produced by Michele Pillischer, released in 2012. This documentary began as a profile on the overcrowded Philadelphia County jail, but grew to encompass a much larger audience and impact when Pillischer realized it was not a problem specific to Philadelphia, but all urban areas.

Broken On All Sides recounts  the current mass incarceration of African-Americans in the USA; with only 5% of the world’s population, the USA makes up 25% of all the worlds prisoners.

Dreamworlds 3: Desire, Sex and Power in Music Video (Maddy Birnbaum)

I watched the film “Dreamworlds 3: Desire, Sex and Power in Music Video.” It is a media literacy film that addresses the issues of our culture today as a result of what is advertised and shown on television, specifically music videos. It describes the controversy around the nature of the sexual imagery and reliance on female sexuality for sales. This is a controversy because music videos tell society what is considered normal and teaches us how to be men and women. Women are tied to being sexual figures using their bodies to draw attention, and masculinity is tied to power, intimidation and force.

Our Daughters For Sale (Tiffany Wong)

“Our Daughters For Sale” is a 13-minute short film that centers on tackling underage sex trafficking in northern Thailand. According to the Children’s Organization of Southeast Asia (COSA), the Thai government continues to deny that this issue exists, although it is seen as a common practice amongst hill tribes. For many families, selling off a daughter’s virginity poses as necessary income, especially when each virgin is valued at 40,000 baht (equivalent to $1,200). Amongst these tribes, many believe that if one has more daughters, then the family is more rich.

Waiting for Superman (Charlotte MacKinnon)

 

Waiting for Superman (2010) is a documentary by Davis Guggenheim (the same director of An Inconvenient Truth) that discusses and explains America’s failing school system and its development and change over time.  It compares and explains the differences between public, charter, and private schools and how these differences have led to many problems.  Waiting for Superman follows the lives of different children as they are going through a lottery process as a last attempt to go to a charter school, which are notably better than the public schools they would be forced to attend otherwise.