Documentaries for Students
The Tent Village
The Tent Village is an award-winning film that aired on PBS. It's a nuanced view into the lives of roadside tent dwellers in India, filmed by their teenaged children. The film is just under 30 minutes, and is ideal for classrooms. The Tent Village covers a range of social issues such as: gender roles, stereotypes, mental health and addiction, social mobility, and human potential. The Tent Village can be integrated into a variety of subjects, including: Anthropology, Global Studies, S. Asian Studies, Women/Gender Studies, Social Work, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, and more. More info, and a trailer can be found here.
The Tent Village Educational DVD/digital edition comes with a comprehensive discussion guide, which helps viewers more deeply grapple with the issues raised, and understand their relevance across circumstance and culture. Please Contact Us for institutional purchases.
Kali Yuga Chants
Kali Yuga Chants is a feature-length documentary that was made with support of a Fulbright fellowship and tells the complex backstory of the group-home where The Tent Village filmmakers were raised, full synopsis here. Nilima Abrams (director) taught social issue documentary courses for six years at the University of Vermont, and this film is ideal for students — dealing with issues of class, race, education, international development, religion, philosophy, and morality. The film is rich in narrative, with endearing children, complex characters, and surprising plot twists.
Unsolicited viewer responses:
"Very powerful. So Evocative of so many emotions. Painful. Funny. BIG ideas shown. Tragic, stirring in its honesty. Showed hope in a context of futility. "
"Still thinking about the film ....and the tremendous contribution it makes to a conversation about the realities of lives outside of our own. You showed such respect for the children, for their integrity, for their strength and beliefs and beauty."
Please Contact Us to purchase the film (individuals or institutions).