Food, family, and music--these are the common threads that connect four very different ways of celebrating the December holiday season. This video, originally produced and aired as a local PBS special, is an extremely well-done program that provides an entertaining, thoughtful, and informative look at the diversity of cultures that call the United States home. Each holiday--Kwanzaa (African-American), La Posada (Mexican), Hanukkah (Jewish), and Christmas (European/Western), is experienced through the eyes of a teenager who represents his or her culture with honesty and charm. All four segments are objective and articulate; none fall victim to the common error of dominant-culture bashing, even though oppression is discussed openly by 11-year-old Camlo (African-American) and 16-year-old Steven (Jewish). It is refreshing to hear 14-year-old Lorena (Mexican), and 16-year-old Nancy (European) reject the season's materialism despite society's pressure on them and their peers to pursue money and things, rather than focus on family and community. An excellent overview, with high production values, and a creative and honest approach to the subject matter. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)
Lighting the Way
(1995) 24 min. $24.95 ($34.95 w/ teaching materials). Desert Bay Productions. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 11, Issue 3
Lighting the Way
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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