Cesar Chavez and The Harvest/La Cosecha Trailer

In social studies we're exploring the lives of influential Americans who fought for freedom, justice, and equality. The list includes workers' rights activist Cezar Chavez, who fought for better conditions for farmworkers.  

The Harvest/La Cosecha - Theatrical Trailer from Shine Global on Vimeo.

Director U. Roberto Romano's film, The Harvest/La Cosecha: The Story of the Children who Feed America, follows Zulema, Perla, and Victor, child migrant workers age 12, 14, and 16 respectively.  According to theharvestfilm.com, 

"Every year there are more than 400,000 American children who are torn away from their friends, schools and homes to pick the food we all eat.  Zulema, Perla and Victor labor as migrant farm workers, sacrificing their own childhoods to help their families survive.  THE HARVEST/LA COSECHA profiles these three as they journey from the scorching heat of Texas’ onion fields to the winter snows of the Michigan apple orchards and back south to the humidity of Florida's tomato fields to follow the harvest."

BLA BLA

My sister went to film school, so she shares films and links with kids in mind. BLA BLA was created to be watched and interacted with on a computer. 

According to the National Film Board of Canada, "Vincent Morisset’s BLA BLA is an interactive tale that explores the fundamental principles of human communication. The viewer makes the story possible: without him or her, the characters remain inert, waiting for the next interaction. The spectator clicks, plays and searches through the simple, uncluttered scenes, truly driving the experience. Each of the six chapters in the story depicts a different aspect of communication: learning a language, making small talk, expressing emotions, etc. Rich in opportunities for discovery, BLA BLA illustrates these concepts through endearing yet perplexing characters. The figures were designed by Caroline Robert using a variety of techniques, both traditional and hi-tech."

Click the image above, or right here to experience this unique film.

Choros

"In the tradition of Marey and McLaren, Michael Langan and Terah Maher combine music, dance, and image multiplication to create a film that enhances our perception of motion. "Choros" delivers a visually mesmerizing narrative in three movements, following a dancer's (Maher) experience of discovery, euphoria, and rebirth through this surreal phenomenon. Featuring music from Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians."

-Langan Films

Animated Short Films by Joanna Lurie

"The life of two characters who follow each other beyond the walls."

-Joanna Lurie

"Oscar-shortlisted for Best Animated Short. In the depths of a great forest clad in a great white mantle, curious little creatures discover how beautiful, fascinating and white snow is… as it whirls them giddily on their way to extraordinary encounters with the strange and wonderful. A nocturnal tale brimming with tenderness."

-Joanna Lurie

Landfill Harmonic

"Our main goal isn't to form good musicians, but to form good citizens."

-Maestro Szaran