Shanty Harmayn. 1994. 20 min.
In this visually striking work, retired sacred dancers of the sultan's palace reflect on the rigid training and rules they once endured to be part of a historical and religious tradition which has been preserved for more than two centuries.
Ian Taylor. 1994. 50 min.
The Human Genome Diversity Project collects DNA material from isolated populations around the world to safeguard against genetic extinction. Some argue that this project is intended for human advancement; others claim that it is the last site of colonialism. Voices from many sides of the debate, including geneticists, ethicists and indigenous activists reveal the controversy surrounding this scientific pursuit.
Katja Forbert Petersen. 1992. 48 min.
In the market capital of Togo, a group of women control various trades and earn money and respect. This is a portrait of RMama Benz,S who manages the sale of African textiles and drives around in the car after which she is named.
Mira Hamermesh. 1994. 58 min.
Jerusalem Fever is the bizarre phenomenon whereby visitors to this sacred city are overcome by religious zeal and experience mental aberrations which lead to hospitalization or imprisonment. Representatives of Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups discuss this phenomenon, as do members of the tourist police, who have set up a special force to deal with the dozen cases reported each month.
Michael Van Wagenen. 1994. 27 min.
The image of Mary and Jesus have been sighted in a tortilla, a tree and a Chevrolet Camaro and have become shrines attracting thousands of pilgrims to the Rio Grand Valley of southern Texas. This film looks at the impact of these manifestations on a Mexican-American community.
Sandy Osawa. 1995. 27 min.
Kaw/Creek Indian Jim Pepper pioneers the musical fusion of contemporary jazz with Native American traditional music.
Nancy D. Kates. 1995. 23 min.
Juxtaposing the official Army depictions of Vietnam as an exciting and fun career opportunity for female officers, women veterans reflect on the real world behind those manufactured images.
Tenzing Sonam, Ritu Sarin. 1994. 49 min.
A young man born in Philadelphia to parents who fled their native Kalmykia after World War II was recognized by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnate lama and was sent to a monastery in south India to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. He now faces a crossroads and must decide whether to remain a monk and rebuild Buddhism in the newly independent republic of Kalmykia, or give it up to hand out in Philly with his twenty-something friends.
Carla Drago. 1993. 7 min.
First-generation Sicilian immigrants to suburban Australia have carried on the tradition of their rural forefathers--the playful but serious sport of cultivating the superior tomato.
Hu Tai-Li. 1994. 73 min.
On a remote island almost fifty miles from Taiwan, the native Yami have been forced to confront new developments including tourism and a nuclear waste site imposed on them by Taiwanese officials. While the islanders have adapted to some changes, they have also resisted the exploitative and genocidal encroachments.
Six short films created by anthropology students within the last several years,varying in length from 4 to 16 minutes.
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