Barriers of Solitude 1995
Based on a best-selling book in Mexico written by Luis Gonzales, Barriers of Solitude looks at the effects of major historical events on the village of San Jose de Gracias. He interviews the residents, recording their collective reactions to new rulers, revolution, and civil war. The surprising results are presented in this program, indicating that occurrences that might seem to have far-reaching influences do not have a significant effect on rural populations. When Maximillian was installed as the new emperor of Mexico in 1857, the people of San Jose de Gracias recall that the highlight of the year was a breathtaking display of aurora borealis.

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"Last Year's Rain Fell on a Monday:" With the Herdsmen - Nomadic Himba 1993    star_border 6
A film discussing post-independence Namibia from the perspective of the Ovahimba.

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Natives 1991
Natives is a black and white documentary that captures the views of people in the anti-immigration movement in San Diego as a result of the influx in undocumented aliens.

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In a Jazz Way: A Portrait of Mura Dehn 1985
Provides a colorful portrait of dancer Mura Dehn. Born and trained in Russia, she went to Paris in 1925, met Josephine Baker and discovered jazz. Tells how she came to New York and choreographed jazz tunes. Includes a live interview with Mura Dehn along with archival footage. In the 1930’s, the heart of jazz dancing was Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom. Mura Dehn, a Russian dancer who was converted to jazz dance by Josephine Baker, spent her life documenting this cultural explosion from jazz to be-bop. As excerpts of her film, THE SPIRIT MOVES are shown, she discusses the eras. The film concludes with Dehn, at 82, filming a break-dance troupe. Blue Ribbon winner, American Film Festival.

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