Journeys of the Heart

Narrated by Meryl Streep, filmmaker Chana Gazit's moving documentary--chronicling the stories of teachers, community workers who work with at-risk youth, and a former judge who left the bench to practice “restorative justice” with inmates in a prison reform program--looks at how a handful of caring professionals draw on their “inner journeys” (call it workshops of the heart) to help others. Tapping into their inner selves--through activities such as retreats, meditation, and journal writing, for instance--these men and women were able to reconnect with their own passions and thus better serve their constituents. Combining solid visuals, strong narration, and touching and illuminating (not to mention occasionally heart-wrenching) interviews with professionals, children, teens, prisoners, and victims of violent offenders, this is a good selection for both public libraries and academic courses related to education, counseling, and criminal justice. Aud: C, P. (S. DeMasi)