11 Days of Global Unity Video Resources

NEW- PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL (Seen promo on Bill Moyers)

The gripping account of a group of brave women who demanded peace for Liberia, a nation torn to shreds by a decades-long civil war.... Thousands of women — ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim — came together to pray for peace and then staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they demanded a resolution to the country’s civil war. Their actions were a critical element in bringing about a agreement during the stalled peace talks.
A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.

It follows its US theatrical run with a worldwide screenings tour this fall. Beginning in September, hundreds of community organizations around the globe will show the film in celebration of the UN's International Day of Peace. The film airs next spring as part of "Women, War & Peace" on PBS's WIDE ANGLE, and will be released on DVD this fall with copies currently available for educational and institutional screenings. For more information please visit

Inside Mecca

National Geographic explores the hajj through the experiences of three pilgrims from very different backgrounds.

An Inconvenient Truth

Global Warming Documentary Movie: Learn about Al Gore, Global Warming Truth, Causes, Effects & Facts, Climate Change, ...
Dalai Lama Renaissance

At the edge of the Millennium, The Dalai Lama of Tibet invited 40 of the Wests leading, most innovative thinkers in their respective fields to his residence tucked away in the Himalayan mountains of Northern India to discuss the worlds problems and how we can solve them. What transpired was unexpected and powerful, and was captured by an 18 person, 5 camera film crew. The Wakan Foundation for the Arts took its 18 person crew to India and shot more than 140 hours of video footage during the week-long meeting and exploration of the future of mankind-- enough gripping and beautiful footage to make a powerful and cinematic documentary. The resulting feature-length documentary, Dalai Lama Renaissance, has already received a very positive response, and will be widely released and distributed in the second half of 2008. Dalai Lama Renaissance is narrated by actor Harrison Ford.

“Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero”a Frontline film.

What did America see on 9/11? And how did it affect our notions of God, of evil, and the potential for darkness within religion itself?

“Traces of the Trade”

The story of the largest slave trading family in the U.S. as their descendants deal with questions that apply to all of us. What is the legacy of slavery? Who owes who what for the sins of the fathers of this country?

"Meeting David Wilson.”

A 28 yr old African-American journalist journeys exploring Americia’s racial divide meets another David Wilson, a descendant on the white side of his family then explores his African roots.

“The Renewal Project”

Across the nation people of faith are standing up for the environment. Learn what is being done and what you can do! Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim traditions are courageously becoming caretakers of the Earth. 90 minute documentary shows 8 stories.

“Doing Time, Doing Vipassana”

What difference does inner peace make in a person’s life? How can we find it? Is it possible for a meditation practice to shift the minds and hearts of even hard core prisoners?

Winner of the Golden Spire Award at the 1998 San Francisco International Film Festival, this extraordinary documentary takes viewers into India's largest prison - known as one of the toughest in the world - and shows the dramatic change brought about by the introduction of Vipassana meditation. In giving Doing Time, Doing Vipassana its top honour, the jury stated that: "it was moved by this insightful and poignant exposition on Vipassana. The teaching of this meditation as a transformation device has many implications for people everywhere, providing the cultural, social and political institutions can embrace and support its liberating possibility."

Pachamama Films

The Awakening Universe
In a mere fifteen minutes, Neal Rogin uses awe-inspiring images and a sweeping original musical score to show how science, spirit and ancient indigenous wisdom are now all converging to reveal that we stand in the very heart of that which created us. An entirely new context for human life is arising in our lifetime, with the ppotential to transform forever our sense of separation, isolation, and alienation into one of connection, commonality and communion.

Crude Impact

Inspired by a trip to the rainforest in the summer of 2004 with the
Pachamama Alliance, Jay Wood created the award-winning documentary, Crude Impact, which explores the interconnection between human domination of the planet, and the discovery and use of oil. Crude Impact has been an official selection at over twenty film festivals around the world and has won numerous awards. This Special Edition DVD includes the full length film, plus an additional two hours of interviews with Pachamama Alliance co-founders Bill and Lynne Twist. 50% of the profits from the sale of the Special Edition DVD are donated to The Pachamama Alliance.

Common Ground Productions is the media arm of Search for Common Ground. Using television, radio and Internet programming, CGP transforms the way individuals and societies deal with conflict: away from adversarial approaches, towards cooperative solutions. Whether countering "hate radio" in Africa or hate crime in the United States, Common Ground Productions is dedicated to harnessing the power of the media for peace.

The Shape of the Future
A documentary series that explores what an eventual Palestinian-Israeli peace settlement might look like. Includes the music video of the theme song "In My Heart." Produced in 2005. Aired on Israeli, Palestinian and Arab satellite TV.

Available in Hebrew, Arabic and English-subtitled versions. The Hebrew and Arabic versions comprise four 25-minute segments; the English version comprises two 50-minute segments.

The Shape of the Future is available only as a complete series. The cost is $20.00 for all versions and formats, excluding shipping costs.

Africa: Search for Common Ground
A documentary series told by local people that examines conflicts across the continent and how they are being resolved in nonviolent ways. Produced in 1998. Aired throughout Africa.

Available in English, French and Portuguese-narrated versions. The English version comprises eight 30-minute segments; the French and Portuguese versions comprise thirteen 30-minute segments. For detailed descriptions of each segment.

The cost of this series is $15.00 per segment on DVD and $10.00 per segment on VHS.

Nashe Maalo
The first Macedonian children's television program created to promote intercultural understanding and to impart conflict resolution skills pertinent to children's everyday lives. Produced in 1999-2004. Aired on Macedonian TV for five seasons. Available in Macedonian, Albanian and English-subtitled versions. Each episode is 30 minutes long. For detailed descriptions of each episode. The cost of this series is $15.00 per episode on DVD and $10.00 per episode on VHS.

Gimme6
A curriculum-based children's television program focusing on relationship building and problem solving among Cypriot youth. Produced in 2001. Aired in Cyprus. Available in English, Greek and Turkish-subtitled versions. Each episode is 30 minutes long. For detailed descriptions of each episode.

The cost of this series is $15.00 per episode on DVD and $10.00 per episode on VHS.

What's the Common Ground? SFCG Mediated Discussions
A series of discussions that examine important national and international issues within the framework of finding common ground. The aim is not to ignore conflict, but rather to look beyond disagreement.

Available in English. Each segment is 30 minutes long. For detailed descriptions of each segment.

The cost of this series is $15.00 per segment on DVD and $10.00 per program on VHS.

Peace Songs
Projects that use the power of music to transform conflict. They include theme songs for television shows, studio recordings by popular musicians and live concerts that bring together opposing groups. For a list of available Peace Songs..

The cost of each song $15.00 on DVD and $10.00 on VHS.

ZAHRA PICTURES is an independentmotion picturecompany based in Southern California. It launched in 2004with theaim of producing and distributing quality films and documentaries thatcelebrate cultural diversity, contribute to public dialogue and provide a platform of understanding among different cultures with a special interest in stories that showcase the Arab and Muslim experience.

On Common Grounds:

Three Jewish, Christian and Muslim groups attempt to overcome their differences by building a house together for a poor family in Mexico.However, this gesture of good will proves to be rather challenging for this diverse crowd. Not only will they have to face each other for the first time, but these inexperienced builders must complete the house in an outrageously short amount of time...
Amidst this fast paced and exhausting race against time to finish the house, many share with us their fears and hopes and their views of “the other side”. Among them are Dassie, a Jewish lady born and raised in Israel and Nadia, a Muslim lady born and raised in Lebanon, two ladies from opposite sides of the Middle Eastern conflict...
"We're going to show the World that we can build and not destroy..."

Can these groups achieve their mission of building a house together, “...a house where all of us can live, this country, this world...” as the Rabbi hopes? And can they do it in time? This powerful story provides a fresh and hopeful approach to peace in a world divided by conflict and takes us on an exciting adventure beyond the boundaries of our differences to a place of Common Grounds.

Dvd Details: Documentary - DVD - 57 Minutes -NTSC - Color - Stereo - English - Closed Captioned -Full Screen - Not Rated -Plays in all Regions.

Allegory of the Cave

Deep inside a cave a group of prisoners are chained to a wall since their childhood. Not only are their limbs immobilized by the chains but their heads are also chained so that their eyes are fixed on a wall and can only see the shadows that are projected in front of them. These shadows are what they believe is the truth. However, when one of the prisoners escapes the cave, a new truth is revealed.
Saudi Filmmaker Fahmi Farouk Farahat uses his unique style to create a visual interpretation of Plato's masterpiece and perhaps the best known of his work, Allegory of the Cave from the book, The Republic.
The DVD includes a documentary with Dr. Claiton Kardajan, Professor of Philosophy, that further explores the Allegory of the Cave and helps us understand the meaning and importance of this great work by Plato and how it relates to our modern day politics, religions and social structure.

Newport Beach Film Festival 2007; Los Angeles International Short Film Festival 2006

DVD Details: Documentary/Short Film - 22 Minutes/6 minutes -NTSC -English – Full Screen - Not Rated -Plays in all Regions.

Sadaqa

This documentary film follows a group of Muslims after 9/11 in their mission to fulfill a religious belief... Sadaqa. The film gives us an in-depth look at one of the lesser known, but important, foundations of Islam. It makes a comparison to Christianity and Judaism and confronts the challenges the Muslim community faced after 9/11 in their practice of Sadaqa.

Scholars feature include Father Will Crist, Imam Sadulla Khan, Imam Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini, Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and Imam Sadiq Safir.

To RSVP please contact: or call (714) 999-1015

Dvd Details: Documentary - DVD - 45 Minutes -NTSC - Color - Stereo - English - Full Screen - Not Rated -Plays in all Regions.

Transparency

"Dialogue Provoking and insightful..."
“Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have this strain in
their religion; a woman is seen as a temptress…you cover her up totally so she has no other attribute except her femaleness and sex...

This award winning documentary examines one of the more controversial issues in Islam today, the Hijab - the Islamic dress code for women. It answers a fundamental question: Is the Hijab a form of oppression or a woman’s expression of faith? Through sharing their views and personal experiences, several Muslim Women living in the United States help us understand the various attitudes towards the Hijab and the compelling arguments of the underlying issues from morality, modesty and faith to oppression and a woman’s right to choose.
One story involves Merve Kavakci, the first veiled woman to become a member of the Turkish Parliament and her political struggle to maintain her belief and identity in a secular political system.

Dvd Details:Documentary - DVD - 30 Minutes - NTSC - Color - Stereo - English Closed Captioned - Full Screen Format - Plays in all Regions.

Beyond the Fence

In a small American town during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, three twelve-year-old American kids face their fears of an old Middle Eastern farmer by venturing into his forbidden barn. They must unlock the truth about their missing classmate and determine whether or not this man is the monster the town has made him out to be.

This coming of age story explores the effects of negative stereotyping of ethnic groups on young children during extreme political events.

Directed by Fahmi Farouk Farahat
Produced by Josh Todd & Sarah Akkari
Starring: Jonathan Decker, Lyndze Duke, Justin Marco & Ismail Abou Kanater

The film is also available on DVD with extra features including interviews with the filmmakers.

OFFICIAL SELECTION: Los Angeles International Short Film Festival 2006, Newport Beach Film Festival, Official Selection 2007

Original Format: 35mm film - Exhibition Format: 35mm film / Beta SP / DVD - Drama - 15 Minutes – English

American East

A timely, poignant feature drama about Arab-Americans living in post-9/11 Los Angeles. The story examines long-held misunderstandings about Arabic and Islamic culture, and highlights the pressures under which many Arab-Americans now live by focusing on the points-of-view of three main characters.

Directed by: HESHAM ISSAWI; Producedby:AHMAD ZAHRA,ANANT SINGH and BRIAN COX, Screenplay by:HESHAM ISSAWI & SAYED BADREYAand BRIAN COX

Sayed Badreya;Tony Shalhoub (Monk); Kais Nashef (Paradise Now); and Sarah Shahi (L-Word)

Official Selection Hamptons International Film Festival, NY 2007; Dubai International Film Festival, UAE 2007; Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt 2007

Official Site:

My Space:

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

Director - Daniel Karslake; Run Time - 99 minutes; Language – English; Format - Video, color ; Year – 2007; Genre – Documentary

Encounter Point:

An 85-minute feature documentary film that follows a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother who risk their lives and public standing to promote a nonviolent end to the conflict. Their journeys lead them to the unlikeliest places to confront hatred within their communities. The film explores what drives them and thousands of other like-minded civilians to overcome anger and grief to work for grassroots solutions. It is a film about the everyday leaders in our midst.

For 2 years, the Just Vision crew followed the stories of ordinary people who feel driven to work for an end to bloodshed and occupation in favor of peace. We traveled from Tel Mond to Tulkarem, from Hebron to Haifa documenting the courageous, painful and moving stories of regular people who refuse to sit back as the conflict escalates. These civic leaders navigate suicide bombings and checkpoints to confront militancy on both sides, the wounded and apathetic masses.

Encounter Point's Israeli/Palestinian/North American/ Brazilian production team of young women includes: director & producer Ronit Avni (formerly of WITNESS), co-director Julia Bacha (co-writer/editor of the award-winning documentary, Control Room), producers Nahanni Rous and Joline Makhlouf, the first Palestinian female pilot. Encounter Point was edited in Jerusalem and Park Slope, Brooklyn, and features original music by Kareem Roustom, who combines classical Arabic melodies and instruments with traditional Jewish Klezmer to form a harmonious fusion that mirrors the subject matter.