Flights Of Fancy

This short production briefly outlines the history of kites, which have not only been used as a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but also throughout the ages as a means for fishing, for taking aerial photographs, and for measuring long distances, among other uses. Originating in the East, kites of long ago were often elaborate, richly decorated creations. In the second half of the film, the filmmakers examine the work of Tyrus Wong, a Chinese kitemaker, who is recreating the tradition of the historic kite making of his ancestors. Viewers watch Wong put together his amazing "Centipede" kite, a huge endeavor made up of some 50 panels--using paper, bamboo, and silk as his basic materials. While elementary schools might find some use for this title, there's really not enough of a program here to justify purchase by public libraries. (Available from: The Media Guild, 11722 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite E, San Diego, CA 92121.)