Is vandalism just a prank, or a crime? In this program—a filmed video installation on display at a museum—vandalism is defined as the “malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.” Viewers see six areas in which vandalism occurs: the neighborhood, the city, at school, to a car, in a cemetery, and on the Internet. Each segment shows teen vandals causing the damage, but the focus here is on the consequences for those affected by the destruction: it takes a lot of time, money, and effort to remove graffiti, or replace a crushed mailbox, and sometimes security and safety are compromised, as in the case of destructive computer hacking or putting a nail in a car tire. Vandalism on Display features no overly dramatic reactions to vandalism or portrayals of lasting legal consequences for vandals; instead, vandalism is simply illustrated: both the openly criminal and violent variety (breaking and entering, hacking, etc.) and seemingly minor or just-in-fun acts (sticking wads of gum to objects, toilet papering a house). For the sake of audience empathy, it would have been nice to see teen victims of vandalism alongside of adults; still, this tightly edited, nicely shot program will be a good discussion starter. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)
Vandalism on Display
(2006) 23 min. VHS: $59.95, DVD: $64.95 (teacher’s guide included). Gordon-Kerckhoff Productions (dist. by Library Video Company). PPR. Volume 21, Issue 5
Vandalism on Display
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