Area Studies: Middle East & Central Asia Filmography
Titles Available as of May 15, 2009

Filmographies are created by doing multiple keyword searches in the ALADIN catalog to capture as many titles on a topic as possible; for example, this filmography was created primarily by selecting from the results of the following keyword search:

"middle east" and "eaun"

To find titles acquired after this filmography was last updated, use keyword searching in ALADIN.

Al Jazeera voice of Arabia. (52 min.). Founded in 1996, Al Jazeera was the first 24-hour news channel in the Arab world. This documentary, shot on location in Qatar goes behind the scenes of this Arab independent satellite TV channel. Combining news footage, excerpts from various Al Jazeera programs, and interviews with executives, anchors and journalists, the film explores the paradoxes that emerge between the apparent orthodoxy of Arab societies and the journalistic freedom flaunted by Al Jazeera in a dictatorial culture which does not know the meaning of dialogue. VHS 7276

Alexander revisited the final cut. (214 min.). The story of Alexander the Great, who in 4th century BC conquered ninety percent of the known world of the time by defeating Greece, Persia, Afghanistan, and India in just eight years. DVD 2512

The Arabs make their entrance = les arabes entrent en scene. (26 min.). "As the shadow of the Dark Ages fell across Europe, the scene for the advancement of Western civilization shifted to the Near East. This program charts the rise of the Arab empire from its roots in the long-standing rivalry between the Byzantines and the Sassanids. Nodes along that timeline include the dual role of Mecca as a place of worship and as a center for trade, the life of Muhammad and the birth of Islam, the rapid expansion of Arabia at the expense of Byzantium and the Sassanid kingdom, and the internecine struggle between Arab factions that led to the founding of the Umayyad dynasty"--Publisher's website. VHS 6886

Beyond borders-- Arab feminists talk about their lives-- East and West. (50 min.). In the Arab world, women are fighting a two-front war against repressive internal constraints and intrusive Western interference. In this program, a feminist delegation composed of author Nawal Saadawi and other renowned activists from the Middle East and North Africa gathers at the UN, on college campuses, and in church basements to speak out about deterioration of women's rights in the Arab states in an effort to heighten awareness of the Arab feminist struggle for equality--and the effects of U.S. foreign policy on their efforts. VHS 7155

Beyond the veil. (52 min. ea.). The born again Muslims: Variations in veil policies in Sudan, Turkey and Iran reflect variations in Islam in these three countries. Shows that the Muslim world is not monolithic in its views. The holy warriors: Film examines the reasons for more radical interpretations of the Quran in Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Analysis of the jihad helps Westerners perceive why some Muslims believe that they can escape Westernization only through violence, how one man's terrorism may be another man's patriotism. How then can differing cultures find a common basis for mutual respect? The new cold war: Is the gap between the West and moderate Muslims widening? Is the West determined to impose its values on Islamic nations without regard to national preferences, thus radicalizing local patriots? Are all Western motives self-serving? When both cultures accept that their definitions of democracy and human rights differ, there will be a firm basis for dialogue now, and peaceful co-existence in the future. VHS 5550

Blood and oil. (112 min.). Examines the devastating conflict and Western political intrigue that laid the foundation for wars, coups, revolts, and military interventions in the Middle East. DVD 2508

The book and the sword. (60 min.). "In 458 B.C., a scribe named Ezra arrives in Jerusalem from Babylon. He gathers the mostly illiterate Judeans together in a square and reads the Bible to them. In the years that follow, the study of the Bible not only becomes an essential part of Jewish life, it prepares the Jews to face a mortal threat to their survival. In 330 B.C., Alexander the Great sweeps into the Middle East. In his wake comes Greek culture, the allure of which convinces many to abandon their ancestral ways. But when the Greek king Antichus the Madman forbids the practice of Judaism, Judah the Maccabee leads the Jews in an epic fight to defend their religious freedom. In 160 B.C., the Maccabees succeed in driving out the Greeks and establish what would prove to be the last independent Jewish kingdom." --from container. VHS 7652

The bridge how the medicine of the ancient Greeks came back to Europe through the world of Islam. (50 min.). After the fall of the Roman Empire, throughout the Dark Ages, much knowledge was preserved by Islamic cultures who later passed it back to the West. Program uses footage shot in the Aegean, Middle East, Iran, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany to explore the process by which medical knowledge was passed on. VHS 6103

Campaign against terror. (120 min.). "On the one-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Frontline tells the behind-the-scenes story of the U.S. and world response. The first hour of "Campaign Against Terror" chronicles, through interviews with key players, how complex diplomatic maneuvering led to the formation of an international coalition against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. It also details how the White House, Pentagon, and the CIA moved quickly to develop a plan for fighting a new kind of war. The second hour of this documentary focuses on how this first war of the 21st century was fought."--http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/campaign. VHS 7149

The challenge of the past. (50 min.). The many differences in Muslim thinking today are the result of influence of three major Islamic empires. The Ottomans were confronted by Europe and Christianity, accounting for the "western" approach of many Turkish Muslims ; the Mughals achieved a synthesis with Hinduism that produced such beauty as the Taj Mahal; while the Saffavid dynasty was characterized by the Shi'a/Sunni split which is still acted out in southern Iran in the Taziya pageants. VHS 4282

Crusades. (200 min.). The Crusades began as a holy mission to liberate Jerusalem and became the largest mass migration in European history. When they ended 200 years later, the Crusades had created a mythology of knights and chivalry, and left a legacy of distrust between East and West that continues to shape our world today. Filmed on location throughout Europe and the Middle East. HOME USE COLLECTION VHS 6830

The cult of the suicide bomber. (96 min.). Former CIA agent and terrorism expert Robert Baer tracks the history of suicide bombers from their origin in the Iran-Iraq war to their growing predominance in the post-9/11 world. DVD 2241

Edward Said on orientalism. (40 min.). Edward Said's book Orientalism has been influential in a diverse range of disciplines since its publication in 1978. In this interview he talks about the context in which the book was conceived, its main themes, and how its original thesis relates to the contemporary understanding of "the Orient.". VHS 5373

The fundamental question. (65 min.). A three-part program exploring the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism. Part 1 concentrates on Egypt, part 2 on the secular states of the Middle East, and part 3 on Jordan, including the plight of the Palestinian Arabs there. Participants reflect a variety of views on the connection between fundamentalism and terrorism. VHS 3920

Grass a nation's battle for life. (70 min.). A documentary in which Merian C. Cooper, Ernest Schoedsack, and Marguerite Harrison travel through Asia Minor and Iraq to reach a tribe of nomads in Iran known as the Bakhtyari. They follow the tribe on its forty-eight day trek across deserts, streams, and mountains to reach pasture for their flocks. These three people were the first Westerners to cross the Zardeh Kuh Pass and the first to make this migration with the tribes. VHS 1817

Hollywood harems. (25 min.). Examines Hollywood stereotypes of the East, with particular attention paid to the Middle East and the depiction of women of the East. Juxtaposing film clips from the 20s through the 80s, the filmmaker argues these fantasies have worked both to shape and reinforce often derogative assumptions about the peoples of the East while at the same time reinscribing the moral, spiritual, and cultural supremacy of the Anglo-European West. VHS 6173

In search of Al Qaeda. (60 min.). "Follow the trail of Al Qaeda from the Afghan border areas into Pakistan's cities as U.S. and Pakistani authorities track down some of the network's leaders. The journey continues to other Middle Eastern countries, where local villagers, officials and others are interviewed about what has happened to Al Qaeda and its efforts to regroup"--Container. VHS 7338

In the line of fire. (60 min.). "In the Line of Fire exposes the harsh reality of covering news from the Middle East. ...the journalists taking the pictures are being attacked and even shot by Isreali soldiers while they are covering the West Bank. ... This documentary follows two Reuters cameramen, Mazen Dana and Nael Shyoukhi, who live and work in the West Bank city of Herbron."--container. VHS 7716

Islamic fundamentalism & democracy. (58 min.). Uses archival footage and interviews to examine the problems and issues involved in Middle Eastern countries as they deal with both pressure to embrace more democratic policies and efforts by Islamic fundamentalists to resist social and political influences from western societies. VHS 5376

The Islamic mind with Seyyed Hossein Nasr. (28 min.). Noted Islamic scholar Seyyed Hossein Nasr discusses how we can have peace in the Middle East. He talks about the root of Islam's attitudes toward the West, how Islam and the West can coexist, and the current Western presence in the Middle East. VHS 2767

Jihad the men and ideas behind al Qaeda. (120 min.). Provides an in-depth look at the modern, radical Islamic groups, and the ideas and beliefs that inspire them, along with the challenges they pose for governments in the Middle East and the West. From the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1940s to Islamic organizations today, get an insightful perspectives of Islam from Western and Middle Eastern journalists, U.S. intelligence experts on the frontlines of the fight against al Qaeda, and friends and contemporaries of Sama bin Lden and his lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahiri. DVD 3021

Last oasis. (60 min.). Cadillac Desert relates the story of the epic quest for water and the role it has played in the transformation of the American West. This fourth episode opens with the story of how America's large dams became examples for water projects abroad, particularly in developing countries. The film goes to India and China, where big dam building continues in full force, and to Mexico, the Middle East, and back to the American West to explore how, in the face of rising water needs, conservation may be humanity's last oasis. VHS 4444

Longitudes and Attitudes. (75 min.). Thomas L. Friedman discusses his book "Longitudes and attitudes : exploring the world after September 11." The book is a collection of Mr. Friedmans [New York Times] columns and diary entries written since September 11th. In it he talks about the influences on the nineteen September 11th hijackers and the United States response to the attack. He also weighs in on the Bush administration, what to do about Saddam Hussein, and Americas reliance on Middle East oil. A question and answer session follows the talk. DVD 5650

Looking for answers. (60 min.). This FRONTLINE documentary, produced in partnership with The New York Times, investigates the roots of the Islamic terrorist network, and the anti-American hatred that feeds it, and traces how the trajectories of bin Laden and al-Zawahiri met in the mountains of Afghanistan. They discovered the roots of the hatred are not found in Afghanistan but in the lands of two crucial U.S. allies in the Islamic world: Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This program discusses the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the roots of hatred found in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, radical Islam, and the failure of U.S. intelligence on September 11, 2001. VHS 6980

Man and nature. (30 min.). Series of 6 programs examines the influence of Islamic doctrine and traditional practices on a wide variety of human endeavors throughout the Islamic world. Also shows important contributions of Islamic civilization to the world. This segment explores the basic tenet of Islam that man should work in harmony with nature. Examples of architecture, cooling techniques, and transporting water are used to show how the natives work with nature to sustain life in essentially arid zones. VHS 660

The media and democracy in the Arab world. (45 min.). Reports on the Arabic television news station, Al Jezeera, "the CNN of Arabia". Dedicated to freedom of speech, AL Jezeera has earned the admiration of the West and the ire of the Arab nations. The program includes clips of Al Jezeera's news programs and reports as well as interviews with the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and some of Al Jezeera's reporters, editors, and directors. VHS 6852

Mesopotamia return to Eden. (ca. 50 min.). The roots of the world's major religions lie in the river valleys of Mesopotamia's Fertile Crescent. Here in this ancient "Eden" archaeologists are digging for physical clues that may help tell the truth behind many Biblical stories and also unearthing clues to the dawn of civilization itself among the first cities of ancient Sumer. VHS 5173

Nomad and city. (28 min.). Series of 6 programs examines the influence of Islamic doctrine and traditional practices on a wide variety of human endeavors throughout the Islamic world. Also shows important contributions of Islamic civilization to the world. This segment examines the relationship between nomads and traditional-city dwellers that has long been one of mutual dependence and an important part of the internal dynamics of the Islamic world. Contrasts the stability of the city dwellers with the energy and drive of the nomads and the tensions caused by their different styles of life. VHS 659

Paradise lies at the feet of the mother. (ca. 50 min.). One of the most common accusations leveled against Islam is that it treats women badly. This program explores women, the Muslim family, the pressure to change, and the forces which hold change back as it looks at the role of women in Islam and in Muslim societies in the Middle East, Asia and Nigeria. VHS 4284

Power and terror Noam Chomsky in our times. (72 min.). "Chomsky places the terroist attacks of 9/11 in the context of American foreign intervention throughout the postwar decades--in Vietnam, Central America, the Middle East and elsewhere."--Container. DVD 965

The power of nightmares the rise of the politics of fear. (180 min.). Explores the origins of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East, and neoconservatism in America, the parallels between these movements, and their effect on the world today. It also looks at the use of these movements by the other to manipulate public opinion. DVD 2347

The secret files Washington, Israel and the Gulf. (60 min.). A historical documentary reconstructing the original United States commitments to Saudi Arabia and Israel, more than 40 years ago and discusses how these secret agreements and documents, since declassified, helped to shape U.S. foreign policy which led to our involvement in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. VHS 1802

Shi'ism waiting for the hidden Imam. Adherents of Shi'ism comprise less that ten percent of the more than one billion Muslims in the world today, but ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, with its indelible images of blindfolded hostages seized at the American Embassy in Tehran, Shi'ism has been perceived by most Westerners as a religious sect characterized by violence and fanaticism. The ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the continuing U.S. occupation of Iraq have led to a resurgence of Shia political activity after decades of oppression by Saddam's Sunni-dominated regime, providing Shi ism with newfound political influence as well as an opportunity to improve its image. This film discusses the history of Shi'ism, its origins, mythology of martyrdom, the centuries of perscution and discrimination of Shi'ism as a minority faith, and its basic tenets including the belief in the twelfth, or 'hidden' Imam, who will appear on the Last Day as the Mahdi. Filmed in Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, this film interweaves contemporary and historical footage, and introduces Muslim scholars, philosophers, writers, politicians and religious leaders discussing a wide range of issues. DVD 781

Simulated international peace conference on the Middle East. (27 min.). Scholars and diplomats (representing the diplomatic positions of Israel, Jordan, the Palestine Liberation Organization, Egypt, the European Community Council of Ministers, Syria, the United States, and the Soviet Union) play the role of delegates to a mock peace conference. In the process of delegate discussions and public statements by the leader of each delegation, the following issues are raised: recognition of Israel, the occupied territories, a homeland for the Palestinian Arabs, and peace and security throughout the region. A possible compromise solution is proposed. VHS 896

Walking the Bible. (ca. 168 min.). One man's journey by foot, jeep, rowboat and camel through the greatest stories ever told: The five books of Moses. From crossing the Red Sea to climbing Mount Sinai, this will change the view of history's most legendary events. DVD 2119

War in the Middle East Desert Storm II? (28:30 min.). In the aftermath of Desert Storm, the U.S. remains committed to protecting oil-rich nations. Many assume that another war is inevitable due to the massive U.S. military presence in the Middle East, bilateral agreements that allow munitions transfers and joint operations, and U.S. support for reactionary regimes. Other dangerous factors are Islamic fundamentalism and possible Iranian resurgence. : VHS 2096

The Arabian Peninsula & the Persian Gulf
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Counterfeit coverage. (27 min.). Explores how Kuwaiti government over a 6-month period uses one of the biggest public relations firms in America, Hill and Knowlton, to wage an unprecedented media campaign entitled "Citizens of a free-Kuwait" to argue the case for war. VHS 2506

Debate on Persian Gulf crisis. (138 min.). Robert Goldman moderates a debate between John Norton Moore and Mohamed Sadeg Al-Mashat on the legality of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, of possible U.S. action, and of other Middle East issues, including Israeli's policy on the occupied territories. What constitutes aggression? Defense? What UN resolutions apply to the situation? VHS 1771

Fahrenheit 9/11. (122 min.). Through actual footage, interviews, and declassified documents, Michael Moore illustrates the connections President Bush has to the royal house of Saud of Saudia Arabia and the bin Laden's, how the president got elected on fraudulent circumstances and then proceeded to blunder through his duties while ignoring warnings of the looming betrayal by his foreign partners. When the treachery hits with the 9/11 attacks, Moore explains how Bush failed to take immediate action to defend the nation. HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 775

Fires of Kuwait. (36 min.). 607 oil wells burning out of control, ignited by retreating Iraqi troops are put out by the united efforts of firefighting teams from ten countries. Kuwait's cry for help was eventually supported by more than 10,000 people from 40 nations who battled the firestorm and won. VHS 2494

The Gulf crisis the road to war. (ca. 136 min.). Records Bush administration decision making from the invasion of Kuwait through Desert Storm. Features officials who formulated U.S. policy during the Gulf War. Includes highlights from an AEI-sponsored day of discussions among the members of the Deputies Committee, the President's management team, and others. VHS 1655

The Gulf War. (116 min.). "On the fifth anniversary of the war with Iraq, FRONTLINE presents an authoritative four-hour history of the Persian Gulf crisis. The series features in-depth interviews with the key political and military leaders on all sides of the war, as well as dozens of pilots and soldiers from the U.S., coalition, and Iraki forces. "The Gulf War" investigates what really happened behind the scenes during the months of diplomatic maneuvering, the air war, the ground assault, and the war's ragged ending."--Cassette Container. VHS 3828

House of Saud. (120 min.). "... explores how the Al Saud family maintains its hold on power in the face of growing tensions between Islam and modernity. Through interviews with members of the royal family, government officials, and other experts from Saudi Arabia and the U.S., the two-hour documentary also traces America's relations with the Saudi royal family from their first alliance in the 1930s through September 11 and beyond to the present day"--Container. DVD 2665

Human rights in the Gulf crisis. (86 min.). Maryam Elahi discusses the torture by Iraquis of Kuwaiti citizens and others as well as Iraq's human rights violations against the Kurds and questions the evenhandedness of U.S. policy with regard to human rights violations. Joseph Ryan discusses the pre-war and likely post-war situation in the Middle East and points out that increased labor rights and freedom of immigration could prevent the spread of Islamic fundamentalism. Shafeeq Ghabra describes his own experience under Iraqui occupation as well as the development of Kuwaiti resistance. Richard Schifter sums up the problem of balancing national security and human rights and the limits of United States influence in ending the practices of torture and political repression. A question and answer period follows. VHS 2286

Human rights violations in Kuwait. (145 min.). Following opening statements, Kuwait Ambassador Shaikh Saud Nasir Al-Sabah testifies about Iraq's atrocities in Kuwait. Additional testimony is provided by Maryam Elahi and by Hassan al-Ebraheem who shows a videocassette that includes the personal recollections of Kuwaiti refugees and by Americans and Kuwaitis who recently escaped from Kuwait. VHS 2285

Inside Mecca. (60 min.). The most intimate and three-dimensional documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. "Inside Mecca" follows three Muslims from very different backgrounds as they embark on an epic five-day reaffirmation of faith and quest for salvation. Witness the personal stories of the pilgrims and the mental preparation, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their pilgrimage of faith. DVD 929

Interview with William Webster, CIA. (22 min.). Following a background report by Jackie Judd, William Webster discusses the mission of the CIA and its role in the Iraq-Kuwait crisis. VHS 1541

Lessons of darkness. (130 min.). Lessons of darkness: A stirring documentary of 1992 post-Gulf War Kuwait, focusing on the oil well fires ignited by retreating Iraqi soldiers. What resulted is less a simple documentary about an environmental catastrophe than an apocalyptic vision of hell, a strangely beautiful portrait of a world on fire. Fata Morgana: Herzog brings his cameras to the Sahara desert in order to film mirages. He combines the apocalyptic, often hallucinatory images of the desert with passages from the Mayan creation myth, the Popol Vuh, set to songs of Leonard Cohen. HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 3543

A line in the sand an ABC News special on the Persian Gulf crisis. (ca. 50 min.). A look at events leading up to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. VHS 960

A line in the sand what did America win? (ca. 50 min.). Documentary about the aftermath of the Persian Gulf war and conditions in the Middle East. VHS 2152

Lobbying congress ; Influences and interests. (58 min.). Lobbying Congress: discusses the different types of lobbying groups, and their strategies, tactics, and resources. Influences and interests: profiles specific interest groups, differences in strategies and success, and recent legislation to regulate interest groups. Emphasis is placed on handgun control, the Saudi AWACs sale and drunken driving. VHS 2702

Media coverage of Persian Gulf events. (81 min.). The panelists discuss the coverage of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Since it is not a shooting war, it has become a propaganda war. However, the media does not present all views and usually fails to put the crisis into a historical or cultural context. VHS 1777

The media in the Iraq war. (29 min.). Following a background report on the assumed legacies of the Vietnamese Conflict and the invasion of Grenada, Sanford Gottlieb interviews Pete Williams, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and Newsweek correspondent Dave Hackworth, a retired colonel and veteran of both Korea and Vietnam. They express opposing views about the relations between the military and the press in the Persian Gulf War. Was the coverage accurate? What is the proper balance between security and censorship? Was the press denied access? Must the military "sell" war to the public? VHS 1535

Not without my veil women in Oman. (29 min.). The Western view of the Islamic woman is that she is oppressed and confined. This film introduces educated, independent women who dress in the traditional way, yet are moving into new areas for women. Dagmar Taylor- Al Busaidy, who spent her formative years in England, moved back to Oman in 1976 when the new Sultan was ushering in changes. She remembers that when she dressed in Western clothes she was an object of curiosity and had difficulty pursuing her goals. Once she donned the veil, she was free to pursue her vocational interests. Favziya Al-Kindy's father made certain that his daughter was given as good an education as his sons. As a result, she was able to attain a high professional status as an economist in the banking industry. She asserts that women of talent are now given ample opportunity in Oman. Other women who have made careers as heads of banks, pilots and doctors wear the veil as a symbol of their origins; it does not compromise their strength. VHS 6344

Perspectives on the Gulf crisis. (30 min.). Excerpts from a congressional teach-in held by the Institute for Policy Studies on October 1, 1990. Investigates political interactions in the Arab community. Emphasizes that any intervention should be a result of United Nations action and not a unilateral United States action.

The press at war coverage of the Gulf. (82 min.). The panelists discuss the coverage of the Persian Gulf War. Though the coverage is extensive, does it reflect objective and factual reporting or a heavy reliance on government sources? A question and answer session followed the presentations. VHS 1329

Saudi Arabia. (60 min.). Covers the history of Saudi Arabia from ancient to modern times. Addresses conceptions and misconceptions about the country; explores the changing nature of Saudi society and the problems and challenges the country faces due to the discovery of oil and subsequent rapid modernization. Also deals with issues such as oil development, religious-political conflict with Israel and other countries, and changing relations with the West. VHS 4977

Saudi time bomb? (60 min.). This report examines the U.S.-Saudi relationship, Saudi Arabia's stability, and whether militant Muslim fundamentalism threatens the stability of Saudi Arabia. This documentary looks closely at the delicate alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia, examining the vast difference in the culture of the two countries in light of the September 11th terrorist attack on the United States. VHS 6978

Schwarzkopf, how the war was won. (ca. 60 min.). The Riyadh Command military briefing dated Wednesday afternoon, February 27, 1991, presented by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander of the Allied Forces in the Gulf. He explains the military tactics that led to the conclusion of the Iraq-Kuwait Crisis of 1990-1991. VHS 1207

Worth the price? (ca. 15 min.). Film made by the Bruderhof community after a visit in March 1998 to Iraq. Looks at the conditions, especially those affecting children, in Iraq under the economic blockade imposed by the United Nations after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Argues for the lifting of the sanctions saying they have led to food and medicine shortages, epidemics, permanent health damage and death. VHS 5335

The Yemen option. (40 min.). "Yemen's strategic location at the crossroads of the Middle East has made it a haven for Islamic terrorists. Today has become a clandestine battlefield critical to Washington's success in its 'war on terror'. Yemen's government has found a middle path between Washington's demand to seek out and destroy Al Qaeda, and the views of many Yeminis who are sympathetic to its ideals. It is called the 'Yemen Option'." -- from container. This film examines the government of Yemen's strategy of combating terrorism by purchasing deadly weapons on the black market and thus removing them from circulation, and by rehabilitating captured Al Qaeda members and releasing them back into the public. According to the film, the strategy is working so far. VHS 7712

Caucasus
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

America at a crossroads. (60 min.). Today the United States is an economic and cultural giant, with a military to match. Each year, the United States military conducts operations in dozens of countries. In this film Robert D. Kaplan explores how in 2007 America is now effectively an empire. As a reporter for the Atlantic Monthly and author of eleven books he's seen this empire develop first hand. This segment examines the war on terror in the Philippines, Mali, Colombia, and the Republic of Georgia. DVD 3988

The Armenian genocide. (60 min.). Using archival film and photographs and interviews with historians and scholars, examines the destruction of over a million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks and the Turkish government's repeated repudiation of the word 'genocide'. DVD 2438

Depuis qu'Otar est parti = Since Otar left. (99 min.). A family portrait of three generations of Georgian women in the city of Tbilisi. Eka obsesses over her physician son Otar, while the other two attempt to deal as best they can with Eka's burning desire to see him. A poignant, bittersweet story. HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 2552

Power trip. (85 min.). A comic clash of cultures that combusts when AES, an American energy company, tries to transform the dysfunctional electric system in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. DVD 5415

Total war. (58 min.). This episode of the Great War, the third of eight, examines the evolution of World War I from a conflict fought across the landscape of Europe to a global war. Film looks at the battle on the Turkish cliffs of Gallipoli between Turks and Australians, women and the war effort, the use of poison gas, the use of propaganda to induce hatred, and the Armenian massacres, the first genocide of the 20th century. VHS 4793

Central Asia
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Across the Hindu Kush. (60 min.). Series looks at one of the pivotal events in human history, the creation of the Greek empire stretching from the Balkans to India. Michael Wood hosts a journey that stretches across 20,000 miles, 16 countries and four war zones, retracing Alexander's expedition that first joined East and West. This segment follows Alexander's journey in Afghanistan and across the Hindu Kush Mountains into Central Asia where Alexander fought his hardest war. Visits the silk route cities of Balkh and Samarkand. VHS 5543

Afghan massacre the convoy of death. (51 min.). Report by Jamie Doran on the circumstances surrounding the surrender in November 2001 of over 7000 Taliban in Northern Afghanistan. Only about 3000 survived transfer to Sheberghan Prison, and then hundreds more were taken to Dasht Leile, executed, and buried in mass graves. The film contends that Afghan soldiers and American Special Forces' complicity in war crimes and human rights violations is being covered up. VHS 7623

Afghanistan state of the Taliban. (50 min.). This documentary traces the history of the Taliban from its rise to power in 1996 to its dominance over the Afghan population. Through interviews with Afghan civilians and refugees this program examines the ideology and objectives of this militant Islamic organization and the tactics they use that often violate human rights and are contrary to the beliefs of many who follow the Islamic religion. VHS 6851

Afghanistan unveiled Regards D'Afghanes. (52 min.). In November and December of 2002, 14 young women, trained as video journalists and camera operators, traveled to rural regions of Afghanistan to interview their countrywomen. In the span of two months, they met and spoke with women eking out an existence in caves, women risking punishment by daring to appear on film and women whose lives and families had been destroyed by years of bombing and oppression. VHS 248

Balancing acts. (23 min.). In Pakistan, seventeen-year-old Hina is challenging tradition to complete her education. In Afghanistan, returning refugees like Maa Gul want the government to honor their right to shelter. In Kenya, Rose, who is HIV positive, is championing rights to independence for widows. And in Nigeria, market trader Tematayo is demanding the government acknowledge her worth as a successful businesswoman. DVD 1695

Beneath the veil. (56 min.). A report on current conditions in Afghanistan. The program focuses on the harsh version of Islamic law that has been imposed on Afghanistan by the Taliban, which controls most of the country. VHS 6828

Breaking the silence truth and lies in the war on terror. (51 min.). In 2001, as the bombs began to drop, George W. Bush promised Afghanistan "the generosity of America and its allies". Now, the familiar old warlords are regaining power, religious fundamentalism is renewing its grip and military skirmishes continue routinely. In "liberated" Afghanistan, America has its military base and pipeline access, while the people have the warlords who are, says one woman, "in many ways worse than the Taliban". DVD 803

Bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan. (51 min.). "This is the first film to document the ancient custom of bride kidnapping, an ancient marriage tradition in Kyrgzstan."--Container. DVD 1541

The enemy within. (60 min.). Soon after 9/11, an FBI informant made an alarming claim: Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, had visited the town of Lodi, Calif. in the late 1990s and attended a mosque there. Moreover, two Pakistani imams preaching at the mosque came from a conservative Islamic school, or madrassa, linked to the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan. According to McGregor Scott, the U.S. attorney who led the federal anti-terror investigation, this was "an attempt by a group of radical Islamic religious figures to come to this country and ... establish a madrassa to serve as a recruiting ground." However, a deeper look at the evidence creates uncertainty about what kind of threat actually did exist in Lodi and provides a case study of America's response to the threat of domestic terrorism. In "The Enemy Within, " FRONTLINE and New York Times reporter Lowell Bergman examines the Lodi case and interviews FBI and Homeland Security officials to assess U.S. anti-terror efforts. DVD 3152

From ground zero to ground zero. (52 min). The story of the journey of Masuda Sultan, a young Afghan-American woman who traveled to find family in Afghanistan after the September 11 terror attacks and subsequent military action by the U.S. Arriving in Pakistan, she brings aid from America to Afghan refugees and visits family members who survived to flee their country. To visit Kandahar in Afghanistan, she hires armed guards from a local warlord for protection and guidance. She visits a market, hospital and school in the city, and finds some relatives still living there. At her family's destroyed farm outside the city, she learns that the village was attacked by American soldiers and numerous family members killed. Finally she visits the American base at Kandahar where she tries to find out why innocent people of her family and village were attacked by U.S. soldiers. VHS 7115

Frontline journalists Death and danger in Afghanistan. (50 min.). This documentary showcases the chaos and extreme dangers that journalists face in the most war-torn areas of the world. DVD 4209

Future conditional. (55 min.). Investigates the link between environmental change and the future health of the planet, a future conditional on how we cope with the spread of toxic pollution. In the Arctic, animals and humans are suddenly plagued with rising levels of hazardous chemicals: DDT, PCBs, dioxins, and mercury. Along the U.S.-Mexico border, tariff-free factories have been poisoning the soil and air for more than a decade, and local communities in Tijuana struggle with contaminated water while their backyards have become toxic playgrounds for children. In Uzbekistan, the world's fourth largest inland body of water, the Aral Sea, has become the site of what the United Nations calls man's greatest ecological disaster. In the United States, a Latin neighborhood in San Diego celebrates an environmental victory, while only 150 miles away, the people of Palm Springs may be living in the path of a toxic storm of dust. VHS 7804

Gender montage paradigms in post Soviet space. (256 min.). This unique collection of documentaries addresses socio-economic, political and gender challenges in post-Soviet countries, from Estonia to Tajikistan to Mongolia. VHS 7524 - 7531

Hack workers Uzbekistan. (21 min.). "Thrown out of their homes by their husbands, separated from their children and forced (against all Uzbek customs) to earn their living, women find themselves in the hellish world of markets for women hack workers, unprotected by law and subject to violence, rape and murder." --from container. VHS 7525

In the company of warlords. (27 min.). After being ravaged by more than a quarter century of war, Afghanistan then became the epicenter of America's war on terrorism. Now, with the defeat of the Taliban, the United States and its allies are seeking to rebuild that shattered country. This program looks at the massive obstacles hindering outside efforts to help Afghanistan gain stability, such as widespread corruption, lack of centralized authority, and anarchy outside of the capital, Kabul. The rivalries between warlords epitomize the legacy of a country devastated by armed conflict and repeatedly plundered over generations by its own leaders as well as by invading armies. DVD 1777

The JVC video anthology of world music and dance Soviet Union IV : Kazakh/Uzbek/Kirgiz/Kalmyk/Mari/Bashkir/Siberia. (54 min.). Presents examples of music and dance from the Soviet Union documented by text. VHS 7785

Kandahar journey into the heart of Afghanistan. (85 min.). Nafas, an Afghan-born Canadian journalist, returns to her homeland in a desperate attempt to reach her sister, who, overcome with grief after being injured by a landmine and her despair over the Taliban's oppression of women, has vowed that she will commit suicide at the time of the next solar eclipse, only three days away. HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 563

Kansas to Kandahar. (60 min.). Explores the response of the U.S. military in the war on terror by chronicling the service of army reservists called for an extended tour of duty in Afghanistan. The stress of extended deployment is borne not only by the soldiers but also by their families. DVD 3032

Khuda gawah God is my witness. (ca. 193 min.). Pathan leader Badshah Khan must leave his kingdom in Afghanistan and journey to India. His quest is to behead the man who killed the father of Benazir, the leader of the rival clan and the stealer of Badshah's heart. For 25 years and a generation of two families, Badshah Khan attempts to fulfill his destiny and bring an end to the war between his clan and Benazir's, while remaining an honorable Pathan. VHS 3825

Live containers Tajikistan. (27 min.). "This report from a woman's prison tells about a calamity that has recently appeared yet has already become widespread. Economic hardship and political chaos have led many Tajik women to become out of sheer necessity 'live containers', smuggling heroin inside themselves. These women, who led orginary lives yesterday, could not possibly be called criminals. The government recognizes this and occasionally amnesties those women who were caught with a relatively 'small' (by Tajik standards) amount of drugs. Yet, despite their sincere repentance and their joy at being liberated, there is no guarentee that life will not make them go down this terrible path again." --from container. VHS 7527

Motherland Afghanistan. (73 min.). Afghanistan today has the second highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world. Filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi reveals the extent of this tragedy by documenting the 2003 return to Afghanistan of her father, Dr. Qudrat Mojadidi (an OB/GYN who emigrated to the U.S. in 1972) as he attempts to rehabilitate Kabul's Rabia Balkhi Hospital with the promised support of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. The film focuses on Dr. Mojadidi's emergency treatment of three Afghan women: Kakujan, who had received inadequate care from a midwife during a home birth; Sitara, who had traveled far to receive treatment after prolonged obstructed labor in her remote village; and Sharifa, who Dr. Mojadidi discovered was pregnant with a second twin after the first baby had died. DVD 5641

Nightline November 12, 2007. (60 min.). In a special Veterans Day edition of ''Nightline,'' Vanity Fair and ABC News' Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross partner to take a harrowing look at the 'other' war in eastern Afghanistan. DVD 5080

No man's land women front line journalists. (50 min.). Profiles members of a truly rare breed -- women war correspondents. The film focuses on Janine di Giovanni, an American reporter who covers Sarajevo for London's Sunday Times, and Lyse Doucet who covers the "forgotten war" in Afghanistan for the BBC. As they and others such as Clare Hollingworth, Maggie O"Kane, Kate Adie, Ann Median and Martha Teichner speak of their experiences and personal sacrifices, many common traits are revealed. Paints a gripping portrait of women who have staked places in a traditionally male profession. VHS 4584

Osama. (83 min.). Chronicles the true story of a young girl in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan who must disguise herself as a boy to save her family from starvation. The first feature film made in Afghanistan in the post-Taliban era. DVD 911

Peace by peace women on the frontlines. (86 min.). "Profiles women in Afghanistan, Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi and the United States who are building the foundations for sustainable peace.". VHS 7639

Portrait of the Soviet Union. (392 min.). Series looks at over 100 nationalities and 15 republics that comprise the Soviet Union. VHS 421

The prayers of the warlord a film. (52 min.). A documentary profiling a feudal lord, Mamour Hasan, who currently governs 50,000 people in Dash-Te-Qalah, in the northeast corner of Afghanistan. VHS 7612

Red butterflies where two springs meet Kyrgyzstan. (15 min.). "A lyrical portrait of the 64-year-old Janyl Alibekova, who lives in the border mountain village of Achy-Kaindy, Janyl continues the age-old tradition of making felt carpets into which she creatively incorporates national motifs. She never relied on anyone, least of all on the government and modern industrial technologies. As history would have it, after the break-up of the Soviet Union and in a period of general economic decline, Janyl became famous in Europe, a star of the magazine Elle, and the director of her own workshop. Yet she didn't change her lifestyle or her independent anti-patriarchal views." --from container. Janyl Alibekova, an independent artist who creates traditional felt carpets, becomes a celebrity during the break-up of the Soviet Union. VHS 7529

Return of the Taliban. (60 min.). " ... the lawless Pakistani tribal areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border ... reveals how the area has fallen under the control of a resurgent Taliban militia ... a launching pad for attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan ... the Taliban has claimed ... North and South Waziristan as Taliban republics ... off limits to U.S. troops ... Frontline investigates a secret front in the war on terror."--Container. DVD 3151

Rise revolutionary women re-envisioning Afghanistan. (15 min.). Documents the lives of Afghans following the recent American-led military campaign. RAWA members interview refugees, victims of factional fighting and Taliban abuse as well as residents who witnessed the recent bombings of civilian homes. RAWA spokeswomen call for gender equality, democracy, freedom, and an end to foreign military intervention. Shot by members of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, using both a regular and a hidden camera. VHS 7564

Schizo. (86 min.). This beautiful and moving feature, set in modern-day Kazakhstan, depicts the hard choices a young man makes when he's caught between poverty, crime and love, guided only by his wits and his better nature. HOME USE COLLECTION DVD 1586

The silence. (75 min.). Follows the life of Khorshid, a blind 10-year-old boy who experiences the world through sound and lives with his mother in a small village in Tajikistan where he earns money tuning musical instruments. HOME USE COLLECTION VHS 7074

Thirsty planet. (27 min.). Looks at the use of water for agriculture from locations around the world, surveying both disasters of agricultural irrigation, such as cotton farming in Uzbekistan, and innovative successes in water-efficient techniques and crops, such as in California and India. Also looks at the destructive effects of deforestation and overgrazing, the difficulty of fighting erosion and reclaiming arable soil, and the urgency of the motto: more crop per drop. DVD 1835

10. (ca. 90 min.). A portrait of contemporary Iran, as seen through the eyes of one woman as she drives through the streets of Tehran over a period of several days. Her journey is comprised of ten conversations with various female passengers, and shed light on the lives of these women whose voices are seldom heard. DVD 1336

All the Shah's Men. (84 min.). Stephen Kinzer discusses his book, All the Shahs men: An American coup and the roots of Middle East terror. He describes the involvement of Winston Churchill, Kermit Roosevelt, President Eisenhower, and the CIA in the 1953 coup in Iran, which installed Mohammed Reza as Shah in order to maintain British control over the Anglo-Iranian oil industry. DVD 5653

Coverup behind the Iran Contra Affair. (72 min.). An account of the first arms sale to Iran and the Reagan/Bush campaign's secret deal to torpedo Jimmy Carter in 1980. Discusses the shadow government of former CIA operatives, drug smugglers, top U.S. military personnel and others, and how their actions have impacted the course of history. Includes evidence of the history of CIA involvement in drug running from the Vietnam heroin era to the Central American cocaine epidemic. First- hand accounts of the bombing of the press conference in La Penca, Nicaragua, discussing who the assassins were and why American journalists were the real targets. Oliver North's plan to suspend the U.S. constitution and how it became a Reagan/Bush tool to protect an unpopular foreign policy. VHS 594

Divorce Iranian style. (ca. 80 min.). "... this fly-on-the-wall look at several weeks in an Iranian divorce court provides a unique window into the intimate circumstances of Iranian women's lives. Following Jamileh, whose husband beats her; Ziba, a 16 year old trying to divorce her 38 year old husband; and Maryam, who is desperately fighting to gain custody of her daughters, this deadpan chronicle showcases the strength, ingenuity, and guile with which they confront biased laws, a Kafakaesque administrative system, and their husbands' and families' rage to gain divorces." (Summary from Women Make Movies website: http://wmm.com). VHS 5995

The evolution of revolution live from Tehran. (73 min.). During the Carter administration, Iranian students seized the American embassy in Tehran--and 53 American hostages--to begin a standoff that lasted until Ronald Reagan's inauguration 444 days later. What factors prompted that act of terrorism? This program examines the history of America's relations with Iran and the consequences of an American foreign policy shaped more by a desire to protect an oil-dependent standard of living and opposition to communist expansion than to promote democracy. VHS 5931

God in government. (57 min.). Explores the complex relationship between religion and politics in the contemporary world with a major focus on the United States and segments about India, Israel, and Iran. Academics, politicians, and activists, including Jay Demerath, Madeleine Albright, Fareed Zakaria, and Henry Waxman, among many others, examine topics of religion and violence, separation of church and state, faith-based initiatives, and activities of the Christian Coalition. VHS 7863

The harvest of the seasons. (60 min.). The lifestyle of the Bakhtiari tribe of central Iran serves as an example of how nomads lived and waged war during the Neolithic age. Shows that the discovery of agriculture allowed man to domesticate plant and animal life, imposing his will on the wild horse and the wild wheat. With these Neolithic cultivators came the mounted nomads and the roots of warfare. VHS 1274

High crimes and misdemeanors. (90 min.). Summarizes the covert operations that became the Iran-Contra Affair. Examines the involvement of the Reagan administration in the arms-for-hostages exchange, and explains the role of Iran, Israel, and Nicaragua in the affair. VHS 1236

House is black = Khanah siyah ast. (22 min.). This film about the leprosy colony in Tabriz, Iran is a compassionate portrait of forgotten people. Straightforward yet sympathetic, the film affords dignity to its subjects, particularly through Farrokhzad's striking poem read by the poet herself. The House Is Black has heavily influenced the modern Iranian cinema of such great filmmakers as Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who called it "the best Iranian film." It provides, in the film's own words, "a vision of pain no caring human being should ignore.". DVD 1434

Iran, a revolution betrayed. (60 min.). A historical documentary on the emotional muddle of Iranian political and religious turmoil of recent years. Looks at the career of the Shah and the triumph of Khomeini. Shows how the revolution began to devour its own as liberals fought conservatives, national minorities were crushed, and the dissident were eliminated through secret trials and executions. DVD 5956

A jihad for love. (81 min.). First feature documentary to explore the complex global intersections between Islam and homosexuality. The film travels a wide geographic arc, presenting lives from India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa and France. Always filming in secret and as a Muslim, Parvez makes the film from within the faith, depicting Islam with the same respect that the film's characters show for it. DVD 5640

Jimmy Carter. (60 min.). President Carter discusses the presidency from the perspective of a Washington outsider who sought to make human rights a centerpiece of his administration. Carter reflects upon the nature of presidential leadership, illustrated by the Camp David accords, the Iran hostage crisis, the Panama Canal Treaty, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the energy crisis. VHS 2006

MacNeil/Lehrer news hour, April 12, 1990. (58 min.). First segment: Robert MacNeill interviews Lawrence Walsh, independent counsel for the Iran-Contra investigation, shortly after the conviction of Admiral John Poindexter. The trial included videotaped testimony by former President Ronald Reagan and established the principle that lying during a Congressional investigation is equivalent to perjury. Second segment: Judy Woodruff interviews FBI Director William Sessions and a panel composed of author Stephen Pizzo, economist Daniel Brumbaugh, and Congressman Jim Leach (R-Iowa) about the extent to which fraud contributed to the savings and loan crisis. Other causes mentioned include the failure of deposit insurance, deregulation, and the policy of keeping insolvent savings and loan institutions open. In the third segment Roger Rosenblatt discusses whether the respect for AIDS victim Ryan White is due to his character and courage or to the difference between his lifestyle and that of many AIDS patients. VHS 959

Makhmalbaf bidun-i hijab = Makhmalbaf : unveiling an Islamic filmmaker. (66 min.). Iranian filmmaker Makhmalbaf "... claims that the focus in his work is more on the artistic, cultural and humanistic, and not on the religious or political." His critics call his work a "whitewash" that "cleverly veiling the regime's psychotic persecution of women, children, religious minorities and political opponents." Film includes excerpts of interviews with thirteen Iranian artists, writers, critics, and journalists who now live in America. The interviewees comment on Makhmalbaf and his films. Includes clips from Makhmalbaf's films and a brief phone interview with him as they look at question of whether Makhmalbaf "is a fearless hero attacking the Islamic Republic with his films or is, in all actuality, its cultural ambassador." Quotes taken from opening screens of film. HOME USE COLLECTION VHS 5758

Mrs. President women and political leadership in Iran. (46 min.). "In the summer of 2001, 47 Iranian women neither affiliated with nor supported by any political party registered themselves as candidates for the presidential elections. Due to the Guardian Council's interpretation of a clause in the constitution, none of the women were allowed to run. This documentary presents the thoughts and opinions of six female candidates who agreed to be interviewed, along with the commentary of two female Iranian journalists who cover political developments for magazines in their country."--container. VHS 7323

Plastic flowers never die. (35 min.). "Filmmaker and Anthropologist Roxanne Varzi explores the cultural aftermath of the Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988 by interviewing Iranians and comparing their reactions to her own thoughts and feelings of someone who missed living in Iran during that war."--Container. DVD 5580

Revolutionary journey CNN perspectives. (44 min.). Christiane Amanpour, who left Iran with her family at the start of the Islamic revolutin, returns after 20 years to find a country at the beginning of a revolution of another kind. She interviews young Iranians about their quest for freedom. She chronicles how Iran's elections in February 2000 proved that millions are ready for reform after living under a hard-line conservative parliament for more than twenty years. VHS 7159

Rick Steves' Iran. (60 min.). Join Rick as he explores the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited: Iran. In this one hour special, you'll discover the splendid monuments of Iran's past, learn more about the 20th century story of this nation, and experience Iranian life today in its historic capital and in the countryside village. You'll also meet the people of Iran. DVD 5626

The secret government the Constitution in crisis : a special report. (90 min.). A personal essay that examines actions of the secret U.S. government which resulted in the Contra war in Nicaragua, the Iran-Contra scandal, and other wars and tragedies over the last forty years. VHS 325

Shirin Ebadi a simple lawyer. (57 min.). This documentary profiles Iranian attorney Shirin Ebadi, who was awarded the Nobel peace Prize in 2003. Shirin Ebad - a simple lawyer features an in-depth interview with Ebadi conducted in her Tehran office, speeches at numerous international conferences, and a visit to the children's center she founded. DVD 1956

Terror and Tehran. (60 min.). Looks at the always uneasy relations between the United States and Iran since 1979. Talks about the various reform and moderate elements in Iranian society and the problems they have with the elitist Islamic leadership in Iran. Discusses Iran's support for terrorist activists in the Middle East and how this fit in with the Islamic Republic. VHS 7140

They call me Muslim a documentary. (27 min.). Two contrasting profiles of Muslim women who have made opposite decisions about wearing the traditional Muslim headgear, the Hijab. One in France has chosen to wear the Hijab in defiance of French Law. The other skirts the law in Iran, by wearing it as little as possible. DVD 5049

The tree that remembers. (50 min.). Tracing the history of the gross infringement of civil and human rights in Iran, this documentary examines the plight of former political prisoners under the regime of the Ayatollah Khomeini. VHS 7268

Levant
Cyprus, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria

Attila 1974. (103 min.). Filmmaker Cacoyannis who was born in Cyprus looks at the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974 as a timeless instance of the fate of the tiny country disregarded in the maneuvering of a major power preoccupied with different and richer stakes. VHS 808

Crimes of honour. (44 min.). Filmed in Jordan and on the West Bank, film looks at women in Islamic culture who are killed by their male relatives because they are thought to have dishonored their families by engaging in unacceptable relationships with men or running away. Also profiles three women, Rana Husseini, a reporter for the Jordan Times, Asma Khader, a Jordanian human rights lawyer, and Nadera Shalhoub-Kervorkian, founder of the Women's Work Center for Legal Aid Counseling in the West Bank, who have committed themselves to human rights and who attempt to provide protection and assistance to those in danger of losing their lives. VHS 5979

Family ties. (55 min.). Although the film features a mother in an extended family in Amman, Jordan, it also includes interviews with women who lead less traditional lives, including a young woman in Tunisia who wishes to have her own apartment and a Jordanian woman who is a commercial jet pilot. VHS 2161

King Hussein of Jordan. (48 min.). King Hussein discusses his continuing efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East and the Arab world. Gives a rare insight into the background, personality and family life of this highly respected monarch. VHS 1226

The search for Herod's harbor solving a 2,000 year old mystery. (28 min.). An adventure with archaeologists above and below the Mediterranean as they solve the mysteries of King Herod's magnificent harbor at Caesarea Maritima. VHS 1114

Suspended dreams. (49 min.). This documentary film examines how the destruction of Beirut during the Lebanese civil war affected the lives of four people: a stage actor whose theater has been destroyed, a mother of two whose husband is missing, and two former soldiers who had once fought each other but who have since become friends. VHS 3476

U.S. human rights policy. (96 min.). Mr. Schifter testifies before the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organization, Gus Yatron, Chairman. Despite the end of the Cold War and increased U.S. involvement, incidents of human rights violations continue. Mr. Schifter discusses the Subcommittee's annual report and answers questions about reported atrocities in many countries, including El Salvador, Iraq, India, Tibet (and China generally), Syria, Cuba, and religious repression in Saudi Arabia. VHS 2108

War generation Beirut. (50 min.). Documentary footage of the social conditions and struggle in Beirut, Lebanon. Portrays the devastating war and how the war is breeding a new generation of warriors. Children are accustomed to war and accept it as a part of life. VHS 818

Turkey

The challenge of the past. (50 min.). The many differences in Muslim thinking today are the result of influence of three major Islamic empires. The Ottomans were confronted by Europe and Christianity, accounting for the "western" approach of many Turkish Muslims ; the Mughals achieved a synthesis with Hinduism that produced such beauty as the Taj Mahal; while the Saffavid dynasty was characterized by the Shi'a/Sunni split which is still acted out in southern Iran in the Taziya pageants. VHS 4282

Coup. (158 min.). Combination of interviews and archival footage describing coups d'état in Turkey in 1960, 1971, 1980, and 1997. Film "explores the origins of the militarily-patrolled democratic system created by Ataturk in the 1920's; the place of the armed forces in the political and cultural life of the nation; the causes and consequences of each coup d'etat and how they differ from those in South America and the rest of the world, and the future of the "military democracy. ... [Film] "weaves together interviews with activists, politicians, and military leaders" and uses "archival and personal footage of the military actions, street demonstrations and extremist" actions. Looks at the "devastating impact of the collision between state and military authority and extreme civil activism ... ." Quoted review from Savas website: http://www.elifsavas.com]. HOME USE COLLECTION VHS 6401

Crossing the bridge the sound of Istanbul. (90 min.). Alexander Hacke, European musician and composer, sets out to capture the musical diversity of Istanbul as he roams the streets of Istanbul with his mobile recording studio and microphone to assemble a portrait of Turkish music. His voyage leads to the discovery of a broad spectrum ranging from modern electron, rock and hip-hop to classical "Arabesque". The film is also a visual documentary of Istanbul, with stark contrasts of old and new, western and eastern, poor and rich, modern and traditional. DVD 2993

Latcho drom = Bonne route. (103 min.). This film presents, in documentary format, a glimpse of contemporary Gypsy life as expressed in a variety of musical settings. Scenes and music from Gypsy cultures in India, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Spain. HOME USE COLLECTION VHS 6510

The Ottoman Empire. (47 min.). Looks at the Ottoman Empire that at its zenith was an infallible military power dedicated to the spread of Islam, but which also tolerated a diverse population and many creeds within its boundaries. Examines the structure of the empire from the family to religion and bureaucracy. The role of the powerful "doshan," young Christian peasant boys who were abducted and educated to serve the sultan, is also discussed, along with role of women. VHS 6104

Süleyman the Magnificent. (60 min.). Describes the Ottoman sultan known as the second Solomon, Süleyman the Magnificent. Tells how he ruled half the civilized world from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and how his empire flourished and witnessed a golden age under his enlightened guidance. Explores the Ottoman mosques and palaces left from his reign. VHS 1624

Time machine Harem. (100 min.). During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, hundreds of women were brought as slaves to the imperial harem at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Most would spend their lives as the personal property of the Sultan, but some would learn that sex equals power. A feature-length look at a vanished world that long captivated the West. These are the stories of the women who dared to use their skills of seduction to gain power and prestige and the unexpected inner workings of the Ottoman harem. DVD 3038

Total war. (58 min.). This episode of the Great War, the third of eight, examines the evolution of World War I from a conflict fought across the landscape of Europe to a global war. Film looks at the battle on the Turkish cliffs of Gallipoli between Turks and Australians, women and the war effort, the use of poison gas, the use of propaganda to induce hatred, and the Armenian massacres, the first genocide of the 20th century. VHS 4793

Wide angle integrating Islam and corporate culture. (57 min.). "For years, Turkey has been run by a stridently secular business and political elite, while its devout Muslim citizens have been pushed to the political and economic fringes. But now, even the most committed Muslims are embracing Western-style capitalism and commerce--and are ascending in Turkish society at the ballot box and in big business"--Container. DVD 5667

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Area Studies: Middle East & Central Asia Filmography Titles Available as of May 15, 2009

Area Studies: Middle East & Central Asia Filmography
Titles Available as of May 15, 2009