Video 1 “Kind Hearted Woman by David Sutherland”
Give a summary of the main topics/issues of the documentary. (Give at least 5 items from the video that you learned or felt were important to know and understand.)
The movie revolves around a woman by the name of Robin Charbonneau. Robin is a single mother of two children namely Darian and Anthony. She struggles to raise the family. Additionally, she tries to curb alcoholism in her life. Issues that come out clearly in the documentary are drug abuse, rape (abuse of minors), single motherhood, violence, legal issues, gender violence, and the place of women in society. It also talks about life in rural America as well as the culture of American Indians. The movie showcases several issues facing Robin. She has to raise her two children alone as well as combat alcoholism. The movie also opens up issues concerning child abuse in society. Robin’s daughter is sexually abused by her father, this piles more pressure on Robin who has struggled to come to terms with her past.
Is this documentary political, social, and/or informational? How can it impact individuals to think differently about the topic?
This documentary is both social and informational. The movie is social in that it tackles the issues that face society. For instance, drug abuse, which Robin struggles with, is highlighted in the movie. Additionally, gender violence, child abuse as well as marriage issues such as single parenthood are highlighted in the movie. These social issues face various societies in the world. The movie is also informational in that viewers learn the culture of American Indians. Viewers are also able to learn the challenges that women face in marriages as well as in life. Viewers also learn the consequences of child abuse, the trauma it puts on the child as seen in Robin’s case, among others.
Is this issue controversial? Write down sources you used that aided in supporting your answer
The issues mentioned in the movie are quite controversial, especially the one on child abuse. Robin is struggling to withstand her past, which involved sexual abuse. At the same time, she is told by her daughter Darian that she has been abused by her father. This issue is controversial in society today. Child abuse is a very controversial issue globally. Priests have been accused of abusing children sexually. This has also been witnessed in various cultures and societies around the world. The most affected are young girls and women as observed in Robin and Darian’s case. Sexual abuse also can bring about problems with drug abuse and parenthood.
How does this documentary impact or influence you? Is it positive or negative? Was it cognitively and/or emotionally impactful? Explain your answers.
This documentary is influential in exposing the difficulties women face around the world. Most women face poverty, sexual abuse, insubordination, shameful jobs like prostitution, unemployment, and the need to fend for their families single-handedly. This movie is both cognitively and emotionally impactful. The movie takes one through the psychological processes of suffering the aftermath of sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the feeling for a child after such vices on her. This act, affect one cognitively. Additionally, the emotional impact of sexual abuse by a biological father is great (Crawford, 2011).
How can/will you utilize this information in the future?
The information gained from this movie helps expose the psychological impacts of the issues on women. This would help assist victims of sexual abuse both emotionally and cognitively. Additionally, this information will help assist families with marriage issues. For instance, in the case of child abuse, it would be prudent to advise the victim to seek both legal and medical attention. This information would also help understand the psychological processes that children undergo after going through an abusive childhood.
Did you review the topic change after thinking/researching it further? Why? Why not?
Based on the information provided in the movie, I would indeed review the topic since it reflects Robin as a kindhearted woman despite all her sorrows. This is because most of the information provided focuses on family issues and their effect on Robin’s family. For instance, the movie shows two instances of sexual abuse on female minors by males. The whole story and the aftermath of abusive childhood affect Robin’s future life as well as parenthood. She loses custody of her children due to drug abuse among other issues. In essence, the movie focuses more on the effects of child abuse.
Video 2 “Name of Video: Bangkok Girl by Jordan Clark”
Give a summary of the main topics/issues of the documentary. (Give at least 5 items from the video that you learned or felt were important to know and understand.)
The movie talks about sex tourism in Thailand’s capital Bangkok. The movie revolves around a 19-year girl named girl. Pla works in a bar as a barmaid. She also faces the dilemma of exchanging sex for cash. Issues raised in the movie included teenage sex, poverty, the moral landscape of Thailand, sex tourism, and the dilemma to accept sex tourism socially. Foreigners in Thailand bring with them money which solves issues related to poverty albeit temporarily in a country where people hustle to make ends meet. The movie puts it clearly that the daily earnings in the town are meager. Pay ranges from $2 to $8, which can barely sustain their lives. Viewers could learn some of the issues faced by teenagers in Thailand. Additionally, one can learn the moral decadence that thrives in Bangkok due to the need for sex and money.
Is this documentary political, social, and/or informational? How can it impact individuals to think differently about the topic?
His documentary is political, social, and informational. The movie is political in that it sensitizes the Thailand government on the vices that take place under their watch. Additionally, it sensitizes movement groups to fight for the rights of teenagers by exposing the happenings in the country. The documentary is also social in that it exposes social issues such as sex tourism, poverty, and societal acceptance of sex tourism. Others include desires and dreams brought by “farangs”, among others. The movie is informational in that it provides valuable data on the happenings in Bangkok and Thailand in general. For instance, viewers note that the Northern side faces more social challenges than the south.
Is this issue controversial? Write down sources you used that aided in supporting your answer
This issue is quite controversial since it is a global issue. Prostitution has ensnared every part of the world. This has brought about other issues such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, crime, among others. Sex tourism is an issue that is witnessed in almost every town in the world. Sex tourism has brought about numerous challenges, which different governments have tried to address albeit at various levels. Child sex and sex trafficking have been closely linked with sex tourism. These vices attract various penalties and jail terms around the world. In essence, sex tourism is a controversial issue in society and the world at large.
How does this documentary impact or influence you? Is it positive or negative? Was it cognitively and/or emotionally impactful? Explain your answers.
This documentary is emotionally impactful given the extent people are willing to go to achieve their wishes or dreams. The movie also highlights the state of the common people, especially women in Bangkok’s suburb. The plight of young girls and women is expressed in the best way possible since they are exploited sexually by their male counterparts. The dimension of morals in that society is also changing; this makes people accept sex tourism gradually as moral behavior. The movie influences me to understand the plight of women in society, especially in the third world as well as developing countries (Crawford, 2011).
How can/will you utilize this information in the future?
Information from this movie is essential in exposing the plight of women in society. I would utilize this information to represent minors against sexual abuse in countries like Thailand and other third world countries. I would also use this information to sensitize teenagers to care for their lives since some foreigners who buy sex have no regard for them at all. Additionally, I would use this information to fight for the rights of women to gain more representation, which would ultimately minimize sex tourism and prostitution.
Did your review of the topic change after thinking/researching it further? Why? Why not?
The topic in this movie regards sex tourism. However, other topics come about to support sex tourism. These topics include poverty, unemployment, foreign influence, and sex traffic, among others. However, after going through the movie, the topic remains unchanged since most of the issues raised in the movie promote sex tourism. For instance, the scale of poverty that women face in Bangkok’s street is in contrast to the amount of money brought by foreigners, this tempts them into sex tourism.
Video 3 “Name of Video: Constantin and Elena by Andrei Dascalescu”
Give a summary of the main topics/issues of the documentary. (Give at least 5 items from the video that you learned or felt were important to know and understand.)
The move presents a true love story in a couple. Constantin and Elena are Romanian couples who have lived in love for as long as they can still remember. The two lovebirds work together and enjoy most of their moments together. The couple has lived together for fifty-five years but they still love each other as before. This documentary shows a successful marriage despite the challenges faced. Elena and Constantine are not wealthy but their love blossoms each day. They help each other in daily chores, a virtue that is rarely seen in most marriages. The documentary showcases a unique marriage where women are represented as necessary in a marriage. Other issues that arise are the wars, political upheavals, death, challenges of old age, among others.
Is this documentary political, social, and/or informational? How can it impact individuals to think differently about the topic?
This documentary is political, social, and informational. Firstly, it is political since it gives information on the political upheavals that have faced Constantin’s country. Moreover, Constantin and his wife have witnessed wars and sectarian conflicts that have left them worried about their own lives. However, despite all these, they have remained faithful and loving to one another. The documentary is also social since it covers the social life of Constantin and his wife Elena. Additionally, the movie covers the social life of Romania. Lastly, this movie is informational since it teaches viewers the values of remaining faithful and loving to one another in marriage. It also informs viewers that despite all the challenges, true love and true marriage exist.
Is this issue controversial? Write down sources you used that aided in supporting your answer.
The issue of true love or successful marriage is controversial since some opposing views have been raised concerning its existence. While some people have considered true love to be in existence, others have argued that it does not exist. The media has utilized this opportunity to advocate for true love among celebrities. However, as is the culture, celebrities tend to have all they want. Additionally, they chose their suitors for various occasions, which is sometimes deceptive. However, this documentary shows a real scenario of two lovebirds that do not have all they want but still maintain their love for each other. It is highly possible that some people would dispute the reality of this documentary and this makes it controversial.
How does this documentary impact or influence you? Is it positive or negative? Was it cognitively and/or emotionally impactful? Explain your answers.
This documentary positively impacts my life. I am encouraged to learn that there are people out there who can withstand the tests of time to remain true to one another. Throughout the globe, it is rare to find such kind of people. Therefore, when a true story of such a coupe is documented, then it influences positively. The world has been tainted in such a way that both gender, especially women, fear marriage due to observations in the media and neighborhoods. The impact is both emotional since it is moving and cognitive since they have overcome numerous upheavals (Crawford, 2011).
How can/will you utilize this information in the future?
Information from this documentary is vital since it will aid me in encouraging couples to persevere in their marriages despite the imperfections that may arise. Additionally, the documentary would help me to encourage students and young people to believe in true love, which comes with respect and faithfulness. This information would also help in encouraging couples with problems in their families to help each other in daily chores, which helps in bonding.
Did you review the topic change after thinking/researching it further? Why? Why not?
The topic is on a successful marriage or true love. The use of the names of both lovers in the title epitomizes their sacrifices to support and sustain their marriage. However, the topic is clear and concise. Occurrences in the movie support the need for successful marriages in the world. The very fact that this documentary won awards signifies its importance to a society whose morals are decaying each day.
Video 4 “Name of Video: Solar Mamas by Mona Eldaief and Jehane Noujaim”
Give a summary of the main topics/issues of the documentary. (Give at least 5 items from the video that you learned or felt were important to know and understand.)
This documentary is quite inspiring since it revolves around an illiterate woman who wishes to become an engineer. Rafea is illiterate but this does not stop her from dreaming like the literates. The fact that she is allowed into a college is even more interesting. Moreover, the fact that she is going to that college to study engineering is even more tantalizing than before. The movie talks about empowering women to see light at the end of the tunnel, in this case powering communities. Several issues arise in this documentary. These include poverty level, gender imbalance (especially in third world countries), single motherhood, place of women in society, women empowerment, and literacy levels in the Middle East, among other issues.
Is this documentary political, social, and/or informational? How can it impact individuals to think differently about the topic?
This documentary is political, social as well as informational. The documentary is political in that it appeals to the government to recognize and address the plight of women in society. It does this by exposing the literacy levels of women in Jordan. Additionally, it gives statistics of literacy levels as well as poverty levels in the world. The movie is also social in that it centers on the social issues of life. These include the need for sustainable energy through solar power and the need for education, which Rafea tries to gain. The documentary is also informational since it educates views on the low levels of literacy and poverty among women around the globe. Moreover, it provides information on various ways of empowering women, for instance, through solar.
Is this issue controversial? Write down sources you used that aided in supporting your answer.
Women empowerment is a controversial issue in the world, especially in third world countries. Women are given less representation in most countries throughout the world. Even in employment sectors, women are usually discriminated against. The documentary provides numerous pieces of evidence, including data on women’s place in society. The movie estimates that women constitute about 3.5 billion of the world’s population (almost half) yet 70% percent of the worlds poor are women. Additionally, two-thirds of the world’s poor people are women. Additionally, women only own about 1%of the world’s property. Interestingly, women also earn less than men do. In essence, this issue is controversial as it promotes discrimination.
How does this documentary impact or influence you? Is it positive or negative? Was it cognitively and/or emotionally impactful? Explain your answers.
This documentary is influential in a big way since it shows efforts to transform women’s lives despite many obstacles like illiteracy and poverty. The movie positively influences me since it empowers women to think beyond their borders. In most cultures, women are not allowed to learn mechanical or engineering courses. These courses are usually reserved for men. However, the move transforms people’s minds and beliefs on this. It goes beyond borders in empowering illiterate women. Most organizations are known to empower fortunately but few women manage to complete their first degrees through scholarships. However, this documentary shows a college that deals only with poor and illiterate women (Crawford, 2011).
How can/will you utilize this information in the future?
This documentary is quite inspirational. It goes beyond the borders of literacy as well as that of poverty to uplift women. This documentary would be helpful to me in lifting the spirits of young as well as mature women who want to advance their careers in life. Additionally, it would aid me in identifying more ways of empowering women. Moreover, it will come as a relief to illiterate women who have lost hope in life.
Did your review of the topic change after thinking/researching it further? Why? Why not?
The topic is inspirational and influential in promoting the empowerment of women in society. The documentary depicts Rafea as a woman who is ready to learn despite her shortfalls. Additionally, the documentary gives evidence of women’s empowerment through an institution (Barefoot College) that has collected women from poor backgrounds to enlighten. Rafea risks several repercussions including losing her children to concentrate on her newfound career course. Based on these facts, I would not wish to change the topic since it is essential and controversial in modern society.
Reference
Crawford, M. (2011). Transformations: Women, Gender and Psychology (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Press.
URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kind-hearted-woman/
URL: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/bangkok-girl/