Religions and Myths of the World: Videotapes in the Media Resources Center, UC Berkeley

General & Miscellaneous; Africa; China/Korea/Japan; South/Southeast Asia/Oceania - South Asian Diaspora; Buddhism; Hinduism SEE South/Southeast Asia; Islam; Judaism; Christianity (including Christian syncretism); African American Religious Traditions; Mexico/Latin America/The Caribbean; Indigenous Peoples of North America; United States: Religious Sects, Cults, Movements & Fads
: Ethnography and Folk Culture; Religious Themes in the Movies & Television; U.S. Politics and Government(for works on religion and politics)

General & Miscellaneous

The Bible According to Hollywood

Film excerpts. Vol. 1. Intolerance -- The wanderer -- King of Kings (1927) -- Noah's ark -- Sign of the cross -- The crusades -- Susan and God -- Song of Bernadette -- Samson and Delilah -- Fabiola -- Quo Vadis -- David and Bathsheba -- Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima. -- Vol. 2. The robe -- The Egyptian -- The prodigal -- Ten Commandments -- Ben Hur -- Solomon and Sheba -- Story of Ruth -- Esther and the King -- Spartacus -- King of Kings (1961) -- Gospel according to St. Matthew -- The Bible.

In the beginning, there was Cecil B. DeMille -- the pioneer of epic film directors, and the man who started Hollywood's long history of Biblical-themed extravaganzas. This documentary presents a complete look at the history of this motion picture genre through the use of extensive film trailers and the words of directors, producers and stars who comment on how the films were made, why they were so popular, and how they launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. c1994. 90 min. Video/C 9318

Canticle to the Cosmos with Brian Swimme.

A series of lectures based on Thomas Berry's twelve principles of a functional cosmology. "A functional cosmology is an account of where we are, where we come from, what we are doing, and where we are going."

Contents: pt. 1. The story of our time. -- pt. 2. The primeval fireball. -- pt. 3. Feast of consciousness. -- pt. 4. The fundamental order of the universe. -- pt. 5. Destruction and loss. -- pt. 6. A magical planet. -- pt. 7. Sex, death and dreams. -- pt. 8. The nature of the human. -- pt. 9. Fire in the mind. -- pt. 10. The timing of creativity. -- pt. 11. The human story. -- pt. 12. A new prosperity. 12 videocassettes Video/C 2904 Pt. 1-12

Art of Meditation.

Presents Alan Watts who helped to introduce Zen to the West, giving advice on means of meditation. Accompanied by nature photography and natural sounds. Also includes Elda Hartley's film: "Meditation, the inward journey." Originally issued in 1971. 50 min. Video/C MM1002

Faith & Doubt at Ground Zero.

Frontline illuminates the myriad spiritual questions that have come out of the terror, pain, and destruction of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, and explores how the spiritual lives of both believers and non-believers have been challenged in the aftermath of September 11 by questions of good and evil, God's culpability, and the potential for darkness within religion itself. 2004. 120 min. DVD 4663

Goddess Remembered.

Describes and discusses early goddess-worshiping cultures and the current women's spirituality movement. c1990. 54 min. Video/C 2863

In God We Trust (Way We Live: Introduction to Sociology; 17)

Most religions define themselves by their respective rituals and traditions. What is remarkably consistent, however, is the role that virtually all religions play in the lives of their followers. Religion in the United States, its effect on the tapestry of American society, and its delicate relationship with politics are the focus of this lesson -- which also features a look at Catholicism and Voodoo in New Orleans. 2005. 27 min. DVD 4812

The Lost Tribe.

Ex-Mormon-lesbian comedian Sue Ann Post attends the annual conference of Affirmation, an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Mormons in Salt Lake City Utah. An observational documentary following Sue Ann's funny, bizarre and confronting journey to Mormon Zion as she performs for an audience of predominately devout, excommunicated gay Mormons. A film by Rachel Landers. 2005. 56 min. DVD 5306

Description from Women Make Movies catalog

Mazes & Labyrinths: The Search for the Center

This wide-ranging documentary explores the historical and cultural aspects of mazes and labyrinths worldwide. This symbolic and highly metaphorical artform has spanned the ages and continents from the mythological Minotaur on the Island of Crete through the tombs of the pharoahs, from stone and turf labyrinths through hedge and church mazes to contemporary constructions. c1996. 28 min. Video/C 8976

Modern Myths

All communities embrace organizing principles that are indispensable to their cohesion, imposing order on chaos and allowing individuals to function in groups. Many of these principles are related through myths. In this program, the transformation of the earlier "savior" myth into the modern myth of the "hero" is examined. Also discussed are how social myths such as "progress" facilitate modern industrial societies, and the myth of the "star" as a social construct that provides the audience with an object on which to project its ideals. 1999. 53 min. Video/C 9674

Power of Myth (Joseph Campbell/Bill Moyers)

60 min. each installment

Campbell, Joseph. The hero's journey : the world of Joseph Campbell : Joseph Campbell on his life and work. San Francisco : Harper & Row, c1990. (MAIN: BL303.6.C35 A3 1990; MOFF: BL303.6.C35 A3 1990)

Campbell, Joseph. The power of myth / <1988> New York : Doubleday, c1988. (MORR: BL304 .C36 1988)

Ellwood, Robert S. The politics of myth : a study of C.G. Jung, Mircea Eliade, and Joseph Campbell Albany : State University of New York Press, c1999. (MAIN: BL303.5 .E44 1999)

Larsen, Stephen. A fire in the mind : the life of Joseph Campbell New York : Doubleday, 1991. (MAIN: BL43.C365 L37 1991)

Manganaro, Marc. Myth, rhetoric, and the voice of authority : a critique of Frazer, Eliot, Frye, and Campbell. New Haven : Yale University Press, c1992. (ANTH: PN51 .M267 1992; MAIN: PN51 .M267 1992)

Segal, Robert Alan. Joseph Campbell : an introduction New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Penquin Books, 1990. (MAIN: BL304 .S44 1990; MOFF: BL304 .S44 1990)

Uses of comparative mythology : essays on the work of Joseph Campbell / edited by Kenneth L. Golden. New York : Garland Pub., 1992 (Main Stack BL303.6.C35.J67 1992)

The Heroes Adventure. Campbell discusses the archetype of the hero and the heroic quest in mythology and literature and the transformations of consciousness which they represent. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:1 pt. 1

The Message of the Myth. Campbell compares the creation story in Genesis with creation stories from around the world. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:2 pt. 2

The First Storytellers. Campbell discusses the importance of accepting death as rebirth as in the myth of the buffalo and the life of Christ; rites of passage and the role of Shamans in primitive societies, and the decline of ritual in modern societies. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:3 pt. 3

Sacrifice and Bliss. Campbell discusses the role and significance of sacrifice in myth, especially a mother's sacrifice for her child, and the sacrifice to the relationship in marriage; and stresses the need of the individual to find his sacred place in the modern, technological world. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:6 pt. 4

Love and the Goddess.Campbell discusses romantic love, beginning with the 12th century troubadours, and addresses questions about the image of woman -- as goddess, virgin, Mother Earth. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:6 pt. 5

Masks of Eternity. Campbell discusses the concepts of God, religion and eternity as revealed in Christian teachings and the beliefs of Buddhists, Navaho Indians, Schopenhauer, Jung, and others. DVD 916; Video/C 1231:6 pt. 6

Religion and Magic

While all cultures exhibit some religious practices andbeliefs, the forms taken are diverse. The animism practiced by American Indians, the mixture of ancient religion and Roman Catholicism among the Highland Maya, the ritual of Eka Dasa Rudra among the Balinese and successful and unsuccessful modern movements serve to illustrate the thesis. c1983. 30 min. Video/c 578

The Sacred

All communities hold something sacred, whether it is a supreme being, nature, or life itself. This program explores the role of the sacred in societies, from the most primitive forms of animism to the contemporary secular institutions that have sacred attributes. The importance of ritual, signs, and specific individuals in disparate cultures is addressed by noted anthropologists. The program also addresses the role of myth, stressing the universal presence of the mother goddess in all early religions. 1997. 48 min. Video/C 9677

Shamanism: A Universal Science

This program cuts across cultures and national boundaries to delve into the world of Shamanic medicine. Shamans from four countries, ritualistic dancers, an anthropologist, a psychologist, a doctor, and others investigate this form of traditional healing, contrasting it with Western medical science. The interviews took place at the Shamanism and Healing Congress, held in Pavia, Italy. c1999. 38 min. Video/C 6821

Transformations of Myth Through Time (Joseph Campbell/Bill Moyers)

60 min. each installment

Campbell, Joseph. The power of myth / <1988> New York : Doubleday, c1988. (MORR: BL304 .C36 1988)

Ellwood, Robert S. The politics of myth : a study of C.G. Jung, Mircea Eliade, and Joseph Campbell Albany : State University of New York Press, c1999. (MAIN: BL303.5 .E44 1999)

Larsen, Stephen. A fire in the mind : the life of Joseph Campbell New York : Doubleday, 1991. (MAIN: BL43.C365 L37 1991)

Segal, Robert Alan. Joseph Campbell : an introduction New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Penquin Books, 1990. (MAIN: BL304 .S44 1990; MOFF: BL304 .S44 1990)

Uses of comparative mythology : essays on the work of Joseph Campbell / edited by Kenneth L. Golden. New York : Garland Pub., 1992 (Main Stack BL303.6.C35.J67 1992)

In the Beginning: Origins of Man and Myth Video/C 1628

Where People Lived Legends. In this segment Mr. Campbell discusses the mythologies of the American Indians. Video/C 1628

And We Washed Our Weapons in the Sea: Gods and Goddesses of the Neolithic Period. Video/C 1629

Pharoah's Rule: Egypt, The Exodus and the Myth of Osiris. In this segment Mr. Campbell discusses the mythologies of ancient Egypt. Video/C 1629

From Darkness to Light: The Mystery Religions of Ancient Greece Video/C 1630

The Way to Enlightenment: Buddhism. Video/C 1631

From Id to the Ego in the Orient: the Kundalini Yoga, part 1.Video/C 1632

From Psychology to Spirituality: the Kundalini Yoga, part 2.Video/C 1632

The Descent to Heaven: The Tibetan Book of the Dead Mr. Campbell continues to discuss the myths, rituals and practices of hinduism and buddhism. He explains the practicioners ability to overcome the entrapment of physical world and acheive spiritual emancipation in Nirvana. Video/C 1633

A Noble Heart: The Courtly Love of Tristan and Isolde. In this segment Mr. Campbell discusses the theme of courtly love in legend. Video/C 1634

Where There Was No Path: Arthurian Legends and the Western Way.In this segment Mr. Campbell discusses the rediscovery of the individual as demonstrated in the Arthurian romances. Video/C 1634

In Search of the Holy Grail: The Parzival Legend. In this segment Mr. Campbell discusses western man's quest for the restoration of spiritual life. Video/C 1635

Yo Soy Hechicero (I Am a Sorcerer)

It's all in a day's work for Juan Eduardo Nunuz, a Cuban refugee who leads a religious congregation in a backyard garden shed in a subdivision near Atlantic City, New Jersey. This neopagan religious cult deals in spirit possession, animal sacrifice, mythic storytelling and physical healing. Juan Eduardo's wife, a Pentacostal, claims that her husband is an instrument of Satan. 1996. 48 min. Video/C 4669

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Africa African Studies videography

Ache Moyuba Orisha: Sabre la Santeria Cubana.

An indepth examination of the Syncretism religion, an amalgum of Catholic symbolism and Yoruban African piety, as it is practiced in Cuba. 199?. 42 min. Video/C 4286

The Africans: New Gods

Examines the factors that influence religion in Africa, paying particular attention to how traditional religions, Islam, and Christianity co-exist and influence each other. 1986. 58 min. Video/C 945:3

Bahia, Africa in the Americas.

Elements of African culture are powerfully expressed in the food, art, dance, and most importantly, the Candomble (Umbanda) religion of the Afro-Brazilian majority of the state of Bahia. 1988. 58 min. Video/C 4360

Behind the mask. (Tribal Eye series)

Examines some of the carved ceremonial masks of the Dogon tribe of Nigeria. Shows how these artifacts are created and explains how they are used in the Dogons' sacred rituals. 1976. 52 min. 3/4" UMATIC Video/C 176

The Cultural Music of the People and Church of Eastern Africa

A look at songs, hymns and dances by performers from various countries in East Africa, particularly Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. 2004. 34 min. Video/C MM985

Dance, Voodoo, Dance.

Film examines two ethnic groups in Benin who practice voodoo and explores the mythical origins of their cult. It also shows the music and dance of these two groups within voodoo rituals. c1992. 15 min. Video/C 3028

The Dancing Church of Kenya: Jubilee 2000

Expresses in vivid colours, movement, and gestures, the creativity of the African people as a means of glorifying God and professing their faith. It brings out the rich vibrance and beauty of the different dances found among the Kenyan people. PAL format. 34 min. Video/C MM183

Devil takes the Youngest

Kenyan teenagers Catherine, Cyril, and Michael were introduced to devil worship in their childhood and teenage years. Cyril was targeted as a human sacrifice and Michael comes from a traditional devil worshiping family. This video takes a look at this scary phenomenon found in some villages and schools in Kenya. Based on the book The Devil take the youngest by Winkie Pratney. PAL format. c2000. 24 min. Video/C MM184

Iawo: Initiation in a Gege-Nago Temple.

Examines the Yoruba cult of Orisha, brought to the New World by black slaves, which survives to this day in areas such as Cuba and Brazil. By showing the initiation of a group of women into a temple (Iawo is the name for new priestesses), the film offers a deeper examination of the religion, its ideology and social meaning. 1978. 42 min. Video/C 5220

The King Does Not Lie: the Initiation of a Priest of Shango

Documentary showing the ritual and ceremony associated with the initiation of a priest of Shango, the Thundergod of the traditional Yoruba religion. Takes place in a contemporary Puerto Rican community among New World practitioners of the ancient religion, Santeria. c1992. 44 min. Video/C8425

Life Story of an African Inyanga.

This docu-drama portrays the selection and life-long education of an Inyanga, an African healer who dispenses traditional herbal remedies. The film examines the preparation and the use of traditional medicines, the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and the metaphysics and cosmology of African beliefs regarding the powers of the Inyanga. 1986. 27 min. Video/C 5223

Les Maitres Fous.

This film documents the Haouka cult, a religious movement which was widespread in Niger and Ghana from the 1920's to the 1950's. Shows them living and working in Accra and participating in a primitive tribal ceremony. 1986?. 29 min. Video/C 3460

A Month for the Entertainment of Spirits: African-Guyanese Spiritualist Ceremonies

Documents the rituals practiced by Blacks who follow the "cumfa" religion, which is based on dancing, drumming, and spirit possession and is influenced by African and Christian traditions. During August (the month in which Guyanese slaves were emancipated), descendants of Yoruba ex-slaves engage in libation ceremonies to communicate with their ancestors. Three other ceremonies are also documented. 1991. 29 min. DVD 8212 [preservation copy]; vhs Video/C MM793

Nganga Kiyangala: Congo Religion in Cuba

An examination of the history and practices of Nganga, the Bantu based belief system of the slaves brought to Cuba from the Congo region of Africa. Nganga is one of the sects in Cuba which are more than Christian in belief, rituals, music and dance. Some of the differences between the Lucumi (Yoruba/Santeria) and Abakua beliefs are also discussed. In Spanish with English subtitles. 1991. 34 min. Video/C 6403

Power of Darkness: Is there Devil Worship in Kenya?

Five ex devil-worshipers testify in this documentary expose of the various ways demonology has permeated Kenyan society including sacred and educational institutions, political movements, social and intellectual gatherings & NGOs. PAL format Power of darkness [videorecording] : is there devil worship in Kenya? Five ex devil-worshipers testify in this documentary expose of the various ways demonology has permeated Kenyan society including sacred and educational institutions, political movements, social and intellectual gatherings & NGOs. 2000. 60 min. PAL format Video/C MM185

Sons of the Moon: Ngas of Central Nigeria.

Tells how the moon is a key symbol in the cosmology of the Ngas, an agricultural people who live in isolated hamlets in Nigeria's Jos Plateau. This documentary, told from the point of view of a traditional Ngas bard, traces the moon's influence on Ngas work and thought during a single growing season. c1984. 25 min. Video/C MM562

Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella.

A film-portrait of the Afro-Cuban master drummer, Francisco Aguabella. Born in Cuba, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1957 where he made outstanding contributions to Latin popular music while maintaining his roots in traditional Afro-Cuban religious drumming. Film explores Aguabella's role both as a sacred drummer and a figure of historical influence in Latin Jazz, Pop and Fusion. Included are many interviews with musicians who have worked with him an have been influence by his music. 1995. 35 min. Video/C 4067.

Tribal Religions (Les Religions Tribales; Religiones Tribales)

Hans Kung travels to Australia to investigate the beliefs of today's Aborigines through body painting, music and dance. He then journeys to Africa to gain insights into tribal culture through modern rites that include torchlight processions, dance, and animal sacrifice. The influence of Christian missionaries is also examined. 56 min. Video/C 9676

Voices of the Orishas

This is an ethnographic documentary which demonstrates the survival and strength of the Yoruba cultural and religious heritage in the contemporary life of Caribbean African-Hispanics. The program was filmed in Havana among practicioners of Santeria, and documents a ritual ceremony that features dancing, singing, praying and drum beating, invoking the twenty-two Orishas, or deities of the Yoruba religion. 1993. 37 min. Video/C 5518

Zulu Zion.

Explores the Zulu independent churches of South Africa and the black African response to Christianity. Traces the history of religious beliefs in Africa from the arrival of the first Christian missionaries to the current rediscovery of the African religious identity. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 199

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China/Korea/Japan China, Japan, Korea videography

Arukihenro: Walking Pilgrims

For a great number of people the main motive for undertaking a pilgrimage consists in the journey itself. This constant quest seems to be a central need of each human being. This documentary focuses on this need in relation to the lives of today's Japanese wandering pilgrims. It shows their motives, aims and desires as they travel along the 88 Temples' Pilgrimage that circles the Japanese island of Shikoku. 2006. 73 min. DVD 8197

Between Two Worlds: A Japanese Pilgrimage.

In the 17th century the followers of Kobo Daishi began to trace the footsteps of their beloved saint. Along the way, they dedicated temples to him, eighty eight of them in all. This documentary is about this holy journey which became known as the pilgrimage of the eighty eight sacred places of Shidodu. 1992. 30 min. Video/C MM576

Buddha in the Land of the Kami (Japan Past and Present; 1)

Begins with the creation myth of Japan and explains the origin and scope of the Kami concept; explains the arrival of Buddhism and how Buddhism and the Kami were assimilated; discusses the role of Chinese culture, style, and writing in Japanese culture; and demonstrates how the Japanese garden epitomizes the Japanese view of the relationship between man and nature, space, time, and reality. c1989. 54 min. Video/C 2998

China: The Mandate of Heaven (Legacy).

For over 2,000 years China has been sustained by ideas virtually unchanged since the Bronze Age - Confucianism, reverence for ancestors and harmony. Despite decades Communist rule, these ideas are still alive and shaping China's present. 1991. 57 min. Video/C 3019

Chinese Religions (Les Religions Chinoises).

Since the dawn of history, China has offered a fertile spiritual climate for a wide range of religions and belief systems, producing Confucianism and Taoism while nurturing ancestor worship. In this program, Hans Kung seeks to understand the religions of China - officially a religion-free zone during China's period of strict Communist rule - as well as the holistically oriented practices of traditional Chinese medicine and tai chi. c2001. 57 min. Video/C 9775

The Confucian Tradition

1997. 46 min. each installment

The Confucian Tradition. The first segment of a series presenting the key elements of Confucian thought in China, tracing its impact on China's most important literary form, lyric poetry. Also included are readings from the Confucian Analects and the Book of Songs as well as presentations of the lives and works of many renowned poets. Video/C MM1021

The Confucian Tradition in Literature (I).The second segment of a series presenting the key elements of Confucian thought in China, tracing its impact on China's most important literary form, lyric poetry. Also included are readings from the Confucian Analects and the Book of Songs as well as presentations of the lives and works of many renowned poets. Video/C MM1022

The Confucian Tradition in Literature (II). The third segment of a series presenting the key elements of Confucian thought in China, tracing its impact on China's most important literary form, lyric poetry. Also included are readings from the Confucian Analects and the Book of Songs as well as presentations of the lives and works of many renowned poets. Video/C MM1023

The Grand Shrines of Ise.

The ceremonies and customs surrounding the Shinto shrines located at Ise, Japan are the focus of this documentary. The historical, architectural, and religious aspects of the shrines are also discussed. 198?. Video/C 1877

The Heart of the Dragon. Episode 4, Believing.

Explores the ancient teachings of Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism as well as those of Marx and Mao and the influences of both traditional and modern doctrines on the daily lives of ordinary people in Shandong Province, China. 1988. 57 min. Video/C 1886:4

Land of Disappearing Buddha.

The Buddhism of Japan is contrasted with that of Sri Lanka. The rituals and customs of some of Japan's contemporary faiths are examined: Zen, Shinto, and that of the Soka Gakkai and Pure Land (Amida ) Buddha groups. 1978. 50 min. Video/C 198

Matsuri: A Tribute to Eight Million Japanese Gods

Examines the Japanese matsuri or 'summer festival,' perhaps the best elucidation of that country's ancient polytheism. Ceremony footage from Tokyo and surrounding areas illustrates various festival activities and explores the Japanese cultural emphasis on community, cooperation, and folk worship. 2005. 21 min. DVD 5409

The Principles and Practice of Zen

The program seeks to explain the process leading to satori (enlightenment), demonstrating the rigors and esthetic delicacy, the personal abnegation and devotion to principles required to achieve the goal. Follows the path of a student priest of the Rinzai Zen sect, showing the physical and mental disciplines demanded as he trains at the Shogenji monastery and travels through Japan engaging in debates with priests of different sects. 1988. 116 min. Video/C 6137

A Question of Balance--China. (The Long Search; 11)

Examines Chinese religious beliefs and rituals as practiced by Taoists, Confucianists, and Buddhists in Taiwan. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 200

The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche

Choenzey is a 47-year-old Tibetan monk who lives in exile in a Buddhist monastery in southern India. His spiritual master, Khensur Rinpoche, has been dead four years. But according to Tibetan belief, the Rinpoche will be reincarnated and it is Choenzey's responsibility to find the reincarnation and look after him. This utterly fascinating and compelling film follows Choenzey's search and eventual discovery of an impish but gentle four-year-old who is recognized by the Dalai Lama to be the looked-for reincarnation. 1991. 50 min. DVD 6813

Description from Berkeley Media LLC catalog

The Sacred Source: The Perennial Philosophy of the East. (Transformations of Myth Through Time; 6.)

Transformations of myth through time consists of lectures made by Joseph Campbell from 1982 through 1984. In this segment, Mr. Campbell discusses the religious experiences of the East. 1989. 60 min. Video/C 1631

To Taste a Hundred Herbs: Gods, Ancestors, and Medicine in a Chinese Village.

Focuses on a Catholic doctor in a small village in China and shows how he combines traditional Chinese and Western medical procedures in his practice . Tells how the complex decollectivization policies in China are changing life there. 1986. 58 min. Video/C 2156

The Trials of Telo Rinpoche

Documentary portrait of Telo Rinpoche, a.k.a. Eddie Ombadykow, a young Philadelphia native and son of Kalmykian emigrants. He is also a Buddhist monk who was brought up in a Tibetan monastery in India from the age of seven and who was recognized by the Dalai Lama as an important reincarnate lama, or spiritual master. The film follows Rimpoche in his current position as co-chair of Kalmykia's religious affairs department, a daunting assignment. He's shown working with government officials and visiting the Dalai Lama in India, his family in Philadelphia, and locations where he plans to build new Buddhist learning institutions in Kalmykia. Produced and directed by Ritu Sarin, Tenzing Sonam. 1999. DVD 6812

Description from Berkeley Media LLC catalog

Tsubaki Grand Shrine: A Shrine for all Seasons.

This documentary focuses on a year in the life of one of Japan's oldest and greatest Shinto shrines, the Tsubaki Grand Shrine (the first shrine in the ancient province of Ise). Various rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations are held at the shrine throughout the year. c1990. 40 min. Video/C 1878

Zen and I: A Self-Portrait: Great Turtle Priest, Tachibana Taiki, Chief Abbot of Daitoku Temple, Kyoto.

A day in the life of the most powerful Zen priest in Japan, called "the great turtle priest." Tachibana Taiki, Chief Abbot of Daitoku Temple, Kyoto, discusses the meaning of Zen, his opinion of "bogus Zen" and explores the profound Zen question "after satori (enlightenment) what?" 1975. 27 min. Video/C 7757

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South/Southeast Asia/Oceania -- South Asian Diaspora South/Southeast Asia videography

Absorption in Brahman.

A short history of India is followed by the story of the development of Hinduism in that country. Includes a discussion of the Hindu religion and beliefs. c1991. 25 min. Video/C 2466

Altar of Fire

Documents the last performance of the Agnicayana or Atriatra, a Vedic sacrificial ritual, enacted by the Nambudiri Brahmins in Panjal, a village in Kerala, southwestern India in April 1975. Explains the origin of the Vedic sacred literature, discusses how the oral tradition is perpetuated, shows construction of sacrificial altars and sheds, and introduces the principle participants in the ritual. Produced by Robert Gardner and Frits Staal. 1976. 45 min. DVD 5496; vhs Video/C 8152

Ancient India.

This program examines the religious tension between Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and the historical events that shaped the great Indian civilizations from the Morian Empire through the Mogul Empire, providing insight into a culture that remains vibrant and diverse today. 1999. 47 min. Video/C 7032

Antarnaad = Inner Voice.

Performers: Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda. The film is about the true life experiences of two villages and the trasformation that occured through Swadhyaya activity. c1992. 160 min. Video/C 3703

Ashes in the River: Four Religions of India

2000. 50-58 min. each installment

Spiritual India: A Guide to Jainism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. This program provides an overview of four of India's prominent religions: Jainism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Stunning footage from around the subcontinent displays India's religious heritage along with its monumental shrines, temples, festivals and sacred rituals all set against the backdrop of the nation's history, geography and rich variety of cultures and languages. 1995. Video/C 7357

Jainism: Ascetics and Warriors. Abutting the border of Pakistan, the state of Rajasthan is the home of the Jains, a relatively small but influential indigenous religious group founded by Vardhamana Mahavira. This program profiles Jainism, which espouses salvation by conquering material existence through stict ascetic discipline. The imperative detachment from worldly existence necessary for liberation is explained, as is ahimsa, the doctrine of non-injury to any living thing. 1995. Video/C 7358

Islam: The Five Pillars of Faith. Residing to the north of India, the population of Kashmir is primarily Muslim. This program studies the beliefs and practices of Islam in Kashmir. Topics such as the Koran, the Pillars of Islam, the influence of Sharia, and traditional Muslim festivals and holy sites are addressed. Background on the arrival of Islam in Kashmir and its spread throughout India creates a historical context for the religion's predominance in many regions. 1995. Video/C 7359

Buddhism: The Great Wheel of Being. This program presents the tenets and history of the belief system founded on the teachings of Buddha as practiced in Sikkim, tucked between Nepal and Bhutan and Darjeeling, located in an adjoining district of West Bengal. A discussion of the Four Noble Truths, including the Eightfold Path, sheds light on the practice of Buddhism in these regions while ancient monuments testify to the enduring nature of the religion. 1995. Video/C 7360

Hinduism: Faith, Festivals and Rituals. In Kerala, situated in the southern tip of India, Hinduism is the principal belief. This program examines the multifaceted majority religion of India in this region. Devotional ceremonies and observances of Hinduism and sacred Hindu literature, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, are explored, as are some of the region's ornate temples. The Hindu emphasis on right living, or dharma, is also discussed. 1995. Video/C 7361

Ayodhya City in Flames..

On the police action in Ayodhya, Faizabad, during the foundation stone laying ceremony (shilanyas) for the proposed Ram Temple, on 30th Oct. and 2nd Nov. 1990. (PAL) Video/C 3703

Bearing the Heat: Mother Goddess Worship in South India.

Documents the Hindu celebrations which center around the mother goddess worship of South India. 1994? 60 min. Video/C 5582

Being Muslim in India.

Presents Islam and the Quran as seen through the lives and perspective of families and individuals in India. 1990?. 49 min. Video/C 3775

Between Two Worlds.

Describes the art of Shamanism and the role of the Shaman in Hmong society. Examines conflict between the ancient religion and traditions of the Hmong and Christian practice and belief. Interviews Hmong living in Chicago. 1985. 28 min. Video/C 2850

Buddhism: Making of a Monk

A Documentary examining the lives of novice Buddhist monks in Thailand through interviews and profiles of their daily religious practices and customs, including dressing, begging, worshipping and meditating. 1996. 15 min. Video/C 5653

Compassion in Exile: The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama.

A portrait of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. 1992. 60 min. Video/C 3329

Consecration of a Temple.

The Sri Venkateswara Hindu temple in Pittsburgh, is consecrated in a traditional 5 day ceremony in 1977.This film documents the final stages of the consecration of the Hindu temple built by members of that city's Indian-American community. Examines the temple's shrines and statues and their significance within Hinduism and discusses the community's efforts to preserve their language and culture in the face of pressures to be assimilated. 199?. 25 min. DVD 8810 [preservation copy]; vhs Video/C 3777

The Cosmic Dance of Shiva.

Celebrates various images of Shiva, the Hindu Lord of dance, as expressed in ritual dance. approx. 199?.60 min. Video/C 2616

Dalai Lama's & Tulku's.

A presentation of the history of Tibet and Buddhism as it developed in that country. Contents: Contents: 1. Early history of Tibet and shamanistic religions. -- 2. Conversion of early kings. -- 3. Second spread of Dharma & Buddhist monastic orders. -- 4. Tibetan translation of Buddhist scriptures. -- 5. Mongol influence and Buddhocracy by Dalai & Panchen Lamas. -- 6. Jesuit missionaries, first westerners in the forbidden kingdom. c1991. 48 min. Video/C 2469

Dalai Lama: A Portrait in the First Person

An interview with the current Dalai Lama, Bstan-dzin-rgya-mtsho, winner of the 1989 Noble Peace Prize, who discusses his religious and social beliefs, including such topics as nonviolence and Tibet. 1994. 24 min. Video/C 4589

The Dalai Lama and the Rituals of Reincarnation.

An investigation of the intricate procedure of identifying a reincarnated Dalai Lama against the backdrop of Tibetan power politics and Chinese expansion. Presents the history of the Dala Lama forward from the birth of Sonam Gyatso, Tibet's 3rd Dalai Lama in the 16th century, through his successors to the life in exile of Tibet's current 14th spiritual leader. c2000. 46 min. Video/C 7833

The Descent to Heaven: The Tibetan Book of the Dead(Transformations of Myth Through Time; 10)

Transformations of myth through time consists of lectures made by Joseph Campbell from 1982 through 1984. In this segment Mr. Campbell continues to discuss the myths, rituals and practices of hinduism and buddhism. He explains the practicioners ability to overcome the entrapment of physical world and acheive spiritual emancipation in Nirvana. 1989. 60 min. Video/C 1633

Dhaminis of Jumla: Spirit Possession in Western Nepal.

Explores the ritual practice and social importance of spirit possession in the villages of Jumla, in western Nepal. The film focuses on two women, known as "dhaminis", and examinies the ways in which spirit possession makes them the centerpieces of religious life in their communities. 2000. 38 min. Video/C MM729

Diamond Path.

A history and geography of Nepal is followed by a discussion of Buddhism and Hinduism in the context of the history of Nepal and surrounding countries. c1991. 36 min. Video/C 2468

Dreamings: The Art of Aboriginal Australia.

This is a journey to the scarred heartlands and lush mangroves of Australia to see traditional Aboriginal artists at work. Explores the meaning and legends behind works of immense beauty, ranging from acrylic dot paintings of the Central Desert to cross hatched bark paintings and burial poles from Northern Australia. c1988. 30 min. Video/C 4491

Fehmul Quran.

Readings from the Koran and teachings on the proper understanding of the Koran by Maulana Kausar Niazi. 1988. In Urdu. 85 min. Video/C 4729

Festival of Nine Emperors of God

Documentary on the Nine Emperors Festival which is celebrated yearly by the Malaysian Taoism community. The festival celebrates the memory of the death of nine Ming emperors and has become one of the unique cultural events among the Malaysian Chinese. The Nine Emperors Gods Festival is celebrated in the ninth Chinese lunar month starting from day one to day nine. 2006? 28 min. DVD 8524

Fifty Ways to Get Enlightened

Surveys the history of missionary presence in the Pacific countries and looks at the religious customs that have become part of both religious and social life through the incursion of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. 1985. 50 min. Video/C MM541

Footprint of the Buddha -- India. (The Long Search; 3)

Ronald Eyre visits Sri Lanka and India to discover the type of Buddhism practiced throughout Southeast Asia. Includes talks with monks, school children, novices, and housewives who describe their own religious experiences and discuss the high moral standards demanded by Buddhism. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 192

Forgotten Jewel: Buddhist Temples in Java

Documentary of Buddhist temples in Central and East Java, 8th to 14th century. 2005? 45 min. DVD 8528

Four Holy Men: Renunciation in Hindu Society.

A documentary on four sadhus: a mission hospital administrator, a traditional guru who heads a monastery, a recluse with no organizational ties, and a scholar who is also founder of a national political party. Interviews with the sadhus and with lay people reveal a wide range of opinions on the roles of sadhus in Hindu society today. In Hindi and Bengali, with English subtitles. 1990?.37 min. Video/C 4140

The Four Noble Truths.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks on the Four Noble Truths: Suffering, the Causes of suffering, the Cessation of suffering, and the Path to cessation of suffering. These sacred teachings are the basis for all Buddhist thought and meditation. Recorded July 1996, Barbican Hall, London. c1997.4 videocassettes (355 min.) Video/C 7095

The Fourth Stage

Documentary about a retired Indian journalist, E.R. Seturam, who is considering whether to embark on an ancient Hindu quest for self-realization through the fourth stage of life (sannyasa). Accompanies Seturam as he discusses his possible decision with colleagues, family members, other sannyasins, and holy men throughout India. 1984. 42 min. Video/C 6598

Frontiers of Faith: World Sikhism Today.

Describes Sikh principles and lifestyle and documents the recent history and current state of Sikhism in India, Europe, and North America. Interviews with Sikh leaders and families, scholars, and human rights activists reveal a people subjected to varied levels of racial discrimination and, in India, harsh suppression and even massacres. Since the 1984 killing of Sikh fundamentalist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Sikh political leaders have continued to press for an autonomous homeland, which they call Kalistan. 1999.49 min. Video/C 6293

Frontiers of Peace

A Jain town father, a nun, and a monk describe the major observances of the Jains, their founder, Mahavir, their 2,500 year history, and their concern for the preservation of all living beings. 1986. 40 min. Video/C 6599

Given to Dance

An exploration of the lives of the last Hindu temple dancers in India...women who were regarded as brides of the god and consecrated to dance. Includes interviews with former temple dancers, a study of their dance techniques and of Odissi dance as it is now performed on stage in India. 1986. 57 min. Video/C 4255

The Ganges(Great Rivers of the World)

Tells the historical, geographical, and human story of the "mother of rivers," of the Aryan civilization that shaped much of Western civilization, the birthplace of Hinduism, the holy of holies of nearly a billion people. The Ganges flows from the heights of Tibet to water a fourth of the Indian subcontinent. c1991. 45 min. Video/C 4580

Ganges: River to Heaven

This documentary explores one of the most cherished of Hindu religious aspirations: to die in the city of Varanasi, on the banks of the sacred Ganges, in the faith that dying here assures liberation from the cycle of earthly life. Directed and produced by Gayle Ferraro. c2003. 52 min. DVD 4596

Description from Berkeley Media LLC catalog

The Great Awakening: Rise of Buddhism in India

A short history of the life of Siddhartha Gautama is followed by a discussion of Buddhism and its development in India. Contents: Great awakening, Buddhism in India. Contents: 1. Buddha. -- 2. Dharma. -- 3. Sangha. c1991. 45 min. Video/C 2467

The Great Ceremony to Straighten the World

The film features rituals and ceremonies of the Balinese people on religious, daily, and family occasions, including music and dance. 1994. 56 min. Video/C 6809

Hindu Ascetics

A documentary illustrating the rituals and practices of India's holy men--sadhus, fakirs and yogi--including ecstatic dancing, meditation, and mind-over-body feats designed to develop the power of concentration. Film also examines the connection of the rituals of these ascetic eremites to ancient Hindu and Buddhist rituals. 1994. 44 min Video/C 4588

Hinduism.

Eighty percent of India's vast population follow the way of Hinduism, an ancient yet vibrant religion. This overview traces the history of Hinduism's development and reformation; spiritual concepts such as karma, dharma, and God as both one and many; the numerous Hindu scriptures and Hindu worship practices are explored. 1999. 29 min. Video/C 7043

Hinduism: The Elephant God.

A discussion of the major tenets, rituals and gods of Hinduism. 1996. 19 min. Video/C 6110

Hinduism and Buddhism (Wisdom of Faith; 1).

This program explores the two great religions to come from India. Huston Smith uncovers the mysteries of multiphonic chanting among Tibetan lamas and meditates 8 hours a day with a Zen master. 1996. 58 min. Video/C 4581

Hinduism and Islam

A lecture by a noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Deedat addressing the Muslim view of A lecture by a noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Deedat addressing the Muslim view of Jesus Christ and Christianity in general and A lecture by a noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Deedat addressing the Muslim view of Jesus Christ and Christianity in general. in general. DVD 7193

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama: Human Rights and Moral Practice.

Documents a talk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the University of California at Berkeley on the subject of human rights and moral practice. This talk marks one of the rare occasions on which the Dalai Lama has spoken so forthcomingly on concrete political themes such as birth control, the arms trade, global economy and the recent Gulf crisis. He stresses that a peaceful, loving society will grow out of spiritual searching and human compassion. 1996. 35 min. Video/C 5018

Holi.

Documents the Hindu harvest festival of Holi when Krishna's life is celebrated. This film brings the color and vitality of the festival to life as it is celebrated in the villages of the Vraj region of northern India between Delhi and Agra. The role of the Hindu deities is also discussed along with the significance of certain rituals as they pertain to Krishna's life. 1999. 57 min. Video/C 7044

Holi Hey!: A Festival of Love, Color, and Life.

An indepth examination of the annual North India Spring festival of Holi as celebrated in the city of Banaras (Varanasi, Kashi). The film dramatizes how once each year the festival unites neighborhoods, breaches the barriers of age, caste, social rank and religious affiliation and calls all to share in unity and merriment. A respected Banaras brahman provides commentary recounting several explanations for the Holi festival. 1996. 54 min. Video/C 5583

I Am a Sufi, I Am a Muslim.

The program travels to India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Macedonia to explore exactly what is Sufism and observe how it is practiced in various parts of the world today. Among the many aspects of Sufism featured in the program are the whirling dervishes of Turkey, who find God through ecstasy; ecstatic fakirs in Macedonia, where there is a big revival in popular Sufism; and the vital role of music in Sufism in India and Pakistan. The program also features Nusrat Ali Khan, the most famous performer of Qawali music. 1994. 52 min. Video/C 5174

In the Name of God.

Discusses the conflict in Ayodhya (Faizabad, India) between Hinduism and Islam and the drive to build a Hindu temple to Ram where a mosque currently exists. 1992. 97 min. Video/C 2612

Incarnate Buddha Kings of the Dragon Country: Buddhism in Bhutan.

The focus of this presentation is on the development of Buddhism in Bhutan, which shown to be an integral part of the history of that country. c1991. 37 min. Video/C 2470

An Indian Pilgrimage--Kashi

Presents a documentary on a pilgrimage to the sacred city of Kashi on the Ganges River. Follows two Telegu-speaking brahmans and their wives who come from south India to perform classical ancestor rites. Shows some of the tenets of Hinduism as the pilgrims are instructed in the correct performance of the rites by a brahman Telegu-speaking priest. 198?. 30 min. Video/C 4263

An Indian Pilgrimage--Ramdevra.

Presents a documentary on a folk pilgrimage to Ramdevra, India. Follows a group of Hindus from Bombay to the grave of Ramdev, a medieval hero and saint of Rajasthan. Shows ways in which the Hindu pilgrims are free to worship, their collective offering at Ramdev's grave, and their interactions with other pilgrims, shoppers, preachers, hawkers, and devotional singers who throng the festival. Devotional songs telling the stories of Ramdev feature prominently in film. 1990?. 26 min Video/C 3773

Invitation to a Wedding

Australian journalist Curtis Levy visits Indonesia, the largest Islamic country in the world, to make a film studying the impact of the religious ideals of Islam on Indonesian society. 1995. PAL format. 53 min. Video/C 8996

The Jew in the Lotus .

In 1990 eight Jewish delegates traveled to Dharamsala, India, to meet with the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet and share the secret of "spiritual survival in exile." Here one of the delegates, writer Rodger Kamenetz, describes his own spiritual journey of personal loss and redemption while documenting an historic meeting between two spiritual traditions. 1998. 59 min Video/C 7469

Lady of Gingee: South Indian Draupadi Festivals.

Describes celebrations of a Draupadi festival in two villages in northern Tamilnadu (South Indoa) in May and June, 1986. Shows the most prominent events of the festival in Melacceri, including episodes of Terukuttu ("village" or "street") dramas, and village participation in fire-walking. Highlights from the festival are supplemented by interviews with key participants in the celebrations. c1988. 113 min. Video/C 4262

Kalachakra: The Wheel of Time

Documents the construction of a 2,600 year old Indo-Tibetan Peace Mandala at Trinity College, Dublin. The mandala is part of the Kalachakra rite of initiation, a secret teaching of wisdom and compassion first taught by Buddha in 600 B.C. Visitors to the gallery are able to view the four Tibetan Buddhists monks as they work constructing the sand mandala from millions of grains of Himalayan sand. 1994. 30 min. Video/C MM241

Lord of the Dance: Destroyer of Illusion.

Filmed in a remote region of Nepal within the shadow of Mt. Everest, Lord of the Dance documents activities at two Buddhist monasteries where Sherpas and Tibetans preserve a unique way of life and vision of the world. The film focuses on the ancient Mani-Rimdu festival of "awakening" and on Trulshig Rinpoche, the Tibetan Lama who directs its performance. c1985. 114 min. Video/C 4530

Loving Krishna.

Explores the worship of Krishna in India within families and in large celebrations including the Celebration of Krishna's Birth and the Chariot Journey of Krishna. A film by Allen Moore and Akos Ostor. 1985. 40 min. Video/C 5836

Mahabharat: India's Greatest Epic.

This Hindu classic tells the story of the descendants of King Bharata, two families who lived in northern India, perhaps about 1200 B.C. The Pandava brothers lose their kingdom to their Kaurava cousins and engage in a mighty struggle to win it back. Many lives are lost in the conflict. The story illustrates the futility of war. Some of the heroes are taken from history, and some represent human ideals and gods. Some cassettes in Hindi only; some in Hindi with English subtitles. PAL format. 47 videocassettes ca. 1993. 3760 min. Video/C 3731

The Mahabharata.

Directed by Peter Brook. The world of the Mahabharata is of profound storytelling power and spiritual import; within it a civilization rises, falls, and is reborn. This set contains "The Game of Dice", "Exile in the Forest", and "The War." c1989. 328 min. DVD 8478; DVD 1697; also on vhs Video/C 2194 [Note: DVD 8478 is 13 minutes longer than DVD 1697 and includes a "making of" documentary]

Malaysia, Thaipusam

Documentary on Thaipusam, one of the important religious festivals of the Hindus. It is celebrated at Batu Caves, Selayang, fulfilling a devotion to the Hindu god, Murugan. This spiritual celebration is a part of the Malaysian multi-racial culture. 2006? 30 min. DVD 8523

Man Blong Custom. (Tribal Eye series)

Visits the jungle villages of the New Hebrides Islands to show the sacred ceremonies being performed in the village cult houses. Also depicts the rituals of the Solomon Islands' Melanesian people and examines their custom of worshiping the ancients. 1976. 52 min. 3/4" UMATIC Video/C 177

Manifestations of Shiva.

Shows the worship of the Hindu god Shiva on a personal level, through dance, art, music and ritual. Without narration, it aims to convey a feeling for the events represented, through observation of those experiencing the events, rather than through didactic explanation. Presented by the Philadelphia Museum of Art to compliment the exhibition Manifestations of Shiva. 1985. 60 min. Video/C 4541

Mabugi: Trance of the Toraja

Documents a religious trance ritual practiced in the Toraja highlands of Indonesia performed to restore health and prosperity to an afflicted village community. Narrated by the officiant priest of the indigenous Toraja religion, the film communicates both the psychological abandon of the trance state and the often neglected movitation underlying activities such as the ascent of a ladder of knives and the supernatural curing of the chronically ill. 1974. 21 min. Video/C MM63

The ancient shamanistic Bon religion of pre-Buddhist Tibet is portrayed. This is the story of the only remaining Bonpo monastery of the great Menri lineage. Having fled Tibet after the Chinese invasion, Bonpo refugees established a small monastic community. Located on Indian soil in the Himalayan foothills, this monastery's purpose is to keep the eternal, religious truths of the Bonpo alive. 1993. 26 min. Video/C MM552

Nat Pwe: Burma's Carnival of Spirit Soul.

Filmed at Nat Pwe in Taungbyon, August 2002. Portrays the annual festival in Taungbyon, Burma, which combines conservative tradition with free-spirited music, dance and ecstatic spirit possession. It features the Pwe ceremony to appease ghost spirits called Nats, who are summoned by the flamboyant Kadaw, or master of the Pwe. Filmed by Richard Bishop; produced by Alan Bishop. c2003. 85 min. DVD 4087

On the Road with the Red God Machhendranath

Captures the complex human elements behind the wheeled chariot festival of the deity Rato Machhendranath of the Kathmadu Valley, one of Asia's greatest ancient religious festivals. Instead of exotic idealised depictions of tradition, the film portrays the gritty reality of the festival where confict or solidarity can prevail, maping the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity. Directed and written by Kesang Tseten. 2005. 72 min. DVD 6712; DVD 6947 (52 min.)

Pilgrimage to Pittsburgh.

In 1987 revisits the Lord Venkateshvara temple near Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Illustrates the many ways in which the temple brings together Indians living in America and imparts cultural awareness to their children. 1990?. 25 min. Video/C 3382

Ramadhan in Indonesia

Ramadhan , the month of fasting, is an important time of year for the followers of Islam, during which they seek to honour God by cleansing body and soul. This documentary reveals the rituals of this sacred obligation as seen through the eyes of ordinary Muslims. Traveling to the city of Jakarta, the filmmakers follow the lives of a typical family, as they observe the rituals and traditions of Ramadhan. 1997. 52 min. Video/C 9181

Religion and Magic.

While all cultures exhibit some religious practices and beliefs, the forms taken are diverse. The animism practiced by American Indians, the mixture of ancient religion and Roman Catholicism among the Highland Maya, the ritual of Eka Dasa Rudra among the Balinese and successful and unsuccessful modern movements serve to illustrate the thesis. c1983. 30 min. Video/C 578

The Role of Buddhism in Khmer Society (Cambodia in the 1990's)

A report on the conference organized by Khmer conscience at the University of California, Berkeley on June 2-3, 1990 about the role of Buddhism in Khmer Society. Monks from Cambodia, the refugee camps, Thailand and the United States participated in the discussion on the future of Buddhism in Cambodia after the war. 1990. 492 min. Video/C 9388

Sacred Memory.

Sacred memory forms the infrastructure of most faiths. This program examines these memories in several major religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. The path of memory is traced to special holy days such as Ramadan in the Muslim religion and Christmas and Easter for Christians. The celebration of the birth and teachings of Buddha and those of important gods in Hinduism are discussed as intrinsic to the religious memory of those faiths. 20 min. Video/C 7836

The Sacred Source: The Perennial Philosophy of the East.(Transformations of Myth Through Time; 6.)

Sacred Trances of Bali and Java

Focusing on the religious practices of people living in Java and Bali, this film gives the background of Indonesian religion (Animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam). It shows the use of trance in the various religions and the blending of the earlier practices with the new. [198-?] 30 min. Video/C 8434

Sadhus: India's Holy Men

Lotan Baba, The Rolling Saint. Follows Lotan Baba's 2,500 mile "rolling" pilgrimage across India to do penance. 50 min. Video/C 4574

The Living God. Focuses on Sadhu Jayendra Saraswali, arguably the most influential man in India. 50 min. Video/C 4575

Aghori, Living with the DeadConcentrates on Ram Nath, a member of the rare and extreme "aghori" sadhu sect, who ritually pollutes himself in order to worship. c1995. 50 min. Video/C 4576

The Serpent and the Cross.

Explores the work of Aboriginal artists and examines the controversies that surround their work. c1991. 55 min. Video/C 4511

Shakti: The Performance of Gender Roles at Kamakhya, Assam.

An in-depth presentation on the social and religious practices of women in Assam, India. Senior Honors thesis of Tracy Wares, Anthropology Department of the University of California, Berkeley. c2001. 68 min. Video/C 8023

Sikhism: The Golden Temple.

Traces the roots of Sikhism and its central place of worship, the Golden Temple in Punjab, from its founder Guru Nanak in 1469 through today. Its central precepts - belief in one God, the equality of all people, sharing, and the performance of good deeds - are discussed within the context of daily life by a young Sikh woman (Harsimran Kaur). The stringent religious dress code and the significance of the traditional Sikh head wrap is explained. Includes a tour of the Golden Temple and a marriage ceremony. 1996. 15 min. Video/C 6109

Sitala in Spring

A historical film of an annual festival held in West Bengal, India in honor of the goddess of health and illness, Hindu deity Sitala. 1980?. 40 min. Video/C 4256

Sky Burial

Follows the ritual of 'jha-tor,' the giving of alms to birds in a northern Tibetan monastery, where the bodies of the dead are offered to the vultures as a final act of kindness to living beings...The sky, or the universe, is where the sacred world lies. To merge with the sky after death is a holy event, one that replaces the sufferings of this world with peace. Produced and directed by Ellen Bruno. 12 min. DVD 6847

The Split Horn: The Life of a Hmong Shaman in America

Shows the life and culture of the Thao family, Hmong Americans in Appleton, Wisconsin. The film focuses on Paja Thao, a shaman whose spiritual leadership plays a vital role in Appleton's Hmong community. He ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of friends and family with elaborate rituals that bridge the natural and spirit worlds. However, as Paja's children have grown up, they are losing touch with their father's 5, 000 year old traditions. c2001. 58 min. Video/C 8613

Description from Filmakers Library catalog

A Sons of Shiva.

Shows how the Bengalis in the town of Vishnupur celebrate the annual ritual of Gajan in honor of Lord Shiva, during which the participants renounce the concerns of daily life in order to devote themselves entirely to the service of God. A film by Robert Gardner. Originally produced in 1985. 29 min. DVD 5515; vhs Video/C 7622

Temple of Twenty Pagodas

Shows the Buddhist monastery, Wat Chedi Sio, in Northern Thailand which is said to be two thousand years old. Focuses on the daily life of the monastery and the village which it serves. 1990. 21 min. Video/C 9140

330 Million Gods.

Visits the various sites in India and observes the performance of several types of religious ceremonies. Explores the Hindu approach to God and the complexity of the Hindu religious experience. 1997. 55 min. Video/C 191

The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Contents: Pt. 1. A Way of Life; Pt. 2. The Great Liberation. A text unique to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Book of the Dead is an essential teaching that is read aloud to dying persons as they pass from this life to the next. This ground-breaking new film documents the history of the Book of the Dead and explores its traditional application in Ladakh, northern India, as well as its use in hospices in Europe and North America. Filmed on location over a four-month period, the film uses remarkable footage of the rites andliturgies performed for a recently deceased Ladakhielder. It includes an interview with the Dalai Lama, who shares his views on the book's meaning and importance. c1994. 90 min. Video/C 7094

Tibetan Buddhism

An educational documentary on Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Himalayas, filmed in the Lukil Valley of Ladakh. The film provides an in-depth portrait of the annual cycle of interdependence among monks, laity, deity-protectors and nature. 120 min. 1983?. Video/C 4260

Tibetan Buddhism: Politics, Power, and the Birth of the Dalai Lama.

Indian Buddhism transformed Tibet from a feudal society to an egalitarian culture that valued learning and religion ... but not without a struggle. This film examines the history of Tibetan Buddhism: the Lhasa/Shigatse power struggle and intervention by Genghis Khan, subsequent Tibetan alliances with Kublai and Altan Khan to contain Chinese political aspirations, and the institution of the Dalai Lama. c2000. 46 min. Video/C 7834

Trance and Dance in Bali.

Presents a Balinese ceremonial dance drama in which the never-ending struggle between the witch and the dragon is played out to the accompaniment of comic interludes and violent trance seizures. Filmed at the village of Pagoetan, 1937-1939. 22 min. Video/C 2958

Tribal Religions (Les Religions Tribales; Religiones Tribales)

The Wages of Action: Religion in a Hindu Village

Set in Soyepur, a village near Benares, India, this film discusses Hinduism and how it touches every aspect of a villager's life from birth to death. 1991. 47 min. Video/C 4257

Walking with the Buddha.

This program, filmed in Thailand, looks at the life of Buddha and traces the development of Buddhism in various countries. It also describes the day-to-day lives of Buddhist priests in Thailand as they counsel, teach, beg for alms, and meditate. 1996. 29 min. Video/C 5652

Wedding of the Goddess.

A documentary on the Chitterai Festival in Madurai, India, that provides historical background on the annual festival, shows the reenactment of the marriage of the god Sundareshvara and the goddess Minakshi, and provides a picture of the proceedings of the 19-day festival. 1987. 76 min. Video/C 3767

To the top

Buddhism

Buddha in the Land of the Kami (Japan Past and Present; 1)

Buddhism: The Great Wheel of Being.(Ashes in the River)

This program presents the tenets and history of the belief system founded on the teachings of Buddha as practiced in Sikkim, tucked between Nepal and Bhutan and Darjeeling, located in an adjoining district of West Bengal. A discussion of the Four Noble Truths, including the Eightfold Path, sheds light on the practice of Buddhism in these regions while ancient monuments testify to the enduring nature of the religion. 1995. 52 min. Video/C 7360

Buddhism: Making of a Monk

Dalai Lama's & Tulku's.

The Descent to Heaven: The Tibetan Book of the Dead.(Transformations of Myth Through Time - Joseph Campbell/Bill Moyers)

Campbell discusses the myths, rituals and practices of hinduism and buddhism. He explains the practicioners ability to overcome the entrapment of physical world and acheive spiritual emancipation in Nirvana. Video/C 1633

Diamond Path.

A history and geography of Nepal is followed by a discussion of Buddhism and Hinduism in the context of the history of Nepal and surrounding countries. c1991. 36 min. Video/C 2468

Footprint of the Buddha -- India.(The Long Search; 3)

The Four Noble Truths.

The Great Awakening: Rise of Buddhism in India.

Hinduism and Buddhism (Wisdom of Faith; 1).

Incarnate Buddha Kings of the Dragon Country: Buddhism in Bhutan.

The focus of this presentation is on the development of Buddhism in Bhutan, which shown to be an integral part of the history of that country. c1991. 37 min. Video/C 2470

Kalachakra: The Wheel of Time

Land of Disappearing Buddha.

The Life of the Buddha

This remarkably accessible program dramatizes the life of the one who, beneath a tree at Bodh Gaya, transcended life's misfortunes and sufferings and became known, forevermore, as Buddha. Scholars, researchers, and monastics provide illuminating insights into Siddhartha/Buddha's experiences, his teachings, and the rapid spread of Buddhism after his death. c2003. 51 min. DVD 3991

Lord of the Dance: Destroyer of Illusion.

A Question of Balance--China. (The Long Search; 11)

Examines Chinese religious beliefs and rituals as practiced by Taoists, Confucianists, and Buddhists in Taiwan. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 200A Question of Balance--China. (The Long Search; 11)

The Role of Buddhism in Khmer Society (Cambodia in the 1990's)

Spiritual India: A Guide to Jainism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.(Ashes in the River)

This program provides an overview of four of India's prominent religions: Jainism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Stunning footage from around the subcontinent displays India's religious heritage along with its monumental shrines, temples, festivals and sacred rituals all set against the backdrop of the nation's history, geography and rich variety of cultures and languages. 1995. 58 min. Video/C 7357

The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism: Politics, Power, and the Birth of the Dalai Lama.

Walking with the Buddha.

Wheel of Time.

Wheel of Time is acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog's gorgeously photographed look at the largest Buddhist ritual in Bodh Gaya, India. It is said that Buddha found enlightenment under a tree in Bodh Gaya and today, Buddhist monks are ordained in this holy place. Herzog magically captures the lengthy pilgrimage (which for some, is over 3,000 miles), the monk's creation of the beautiful and intricate sand mandala (the wheel of time) along with many secret rituals that have never been seen before on film. He delivers a personal and introspective look at what Buddhism really means to the most ardent followers, as well as giving outsiders an intimate look into a fascinating way of life. 2003. 80 min. DVD 4593

Hinduism

Islam Middle East videography

The Arabs, A Living History. Part 6: Ways of Faith

50 min. each. Video/C 1169:1-10

Beyond the Veil. 1998. 52 min. each installment

The Born-again Muslims. Variations in veil policies in Sudan, Turkey and Iran reflect variations in Islam showing that the Muslim world is not monolithic in its views. For liberal Islamists in Turkey, who want to co-exist with the West, the veil is a matter of individual choice. In the Sudan, only Muslim-born women must wear the veil by law. Hardliners of Iran require all women to be completely covered, a custom enforced by the police. 1998. Video/C 5785

Beyond the Veil: The Holy Warriors.This 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? Video/C 5786

Beyond the Veil: 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. Video/C 5787

Christianity and Islam

A Muslim scholar of the Christian Bible addresses the history, similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam with some references to Judaism. Speech followed by questions from the audience. A lecture by Ahmad Deedat. Presented at the University of Geneva on March 17, 1987. DVD 7191

Faces of Islam.

A twelve part series providing a comprehensive introduction to the central ideas and teachings of Islam. In conversation with Ziauddin Sardar, the leading thinkers and personalities of the Muslim world present their perspectives on the meaning of Islam including the future of Islamic law, an analysis of the Quran, forms of worship in Islam, a discussion on Jihad, and other insights into contemporary Muslim thought. Tape 1: Din / Naquib al Attas. -- Sharia / Ibrahim Sufaiman. -- Kitab / Kamal Hasan. -- Khilafah / Gulzar Haider. -- Tape 2: Tawhid / Jaafar Sheikh Idris. -- Ummah / Agbdullah Nasseef. -- Ibadah / Hussein Ateshin. -- Dawa / Ridzuan Abdullah Wu. -- Tape 3: Sirah / Fadlullah Wilmot. -- Adl / Khurshid Ahman. -- Jihad / Munawar Ahmad Anees. -- Ilmi / Anwar Ibrahim. 1989?.342 min. Video/C 4086

The Hajj: One American's Pilgrimage to Mecca

Michael Wolfe, an American Muslim, describes the experience of his hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, taking viewers step by step through the spiritual side of the pilgrimage, explaining the origins and meanings of the rituals. Originally broadcast on the television program Nightline, on April 18, 1997. 23 min. Video/C 5956

Hinduism and Islam

The Image of God. (The Arab World Series)

Bill Moyers interviews three scholars: Afaf Marsot professor of Near and Middle Eastern history at UCLA, Yvonne Haddad, a history professor at the University of Massachusetts, and Michael Suleiman, political science professor at Kansas State University. They discuss the role of religion and religions in Arab society and also Islamic fundamentalism and the media's portrayal of that religious group. c1991. 30 min. Video/C 2332

Invitation to a Wedding

Is Jesus God?

A lecture by a noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Deedat addressing the Muslim view of Jesus Christ and Christianity in general. DVD 7192

Islam: A Closer Look

Presents a survey of Islam explaining a wide range of important concepts such as the unity of God, the Quran, prayer, fasting, Zakat, the pilgrimage, Islamic sciences, the role of the masjid, Islamic family values and the impotance of acquiring knowledge. 1995. 29 min. Video/C 9453

Islam: A Pictorial Essay in Four Parts

Contents: Pt. 1. The Doctrine -- Pt. 2. Life of the prophet and the faith. -- Pt. 3. The history and culture. -- Pt. 4 The arts and the sciences.

A historical overview of the beliefs, culture, and history of Islam designed to foster a greater understanding of the Islamic world. 1980? 90 min.Video/C 6870

Islam, Empire of Faith

Documents the rise and growth of Islam throughout the world, from the birth of Prophet Muhammad in the 6th century through the peak of the Ottoman Empire 1000 years later. Historical re-enactments, a remarkable exposition of Islamic art, artifacts and architecture, and interviews with scholars recount the rise of islamic civilization and its profound impact on Western culture and world history. Contents: Pt. 1. The Messenger -- Pt. 2. The awakening -- Pt. 3. Ottomans. 2000. 180 min; DVD 1566; also on 2 videotapes. Video/C 8228

Islam: The Five Pillars of Faith.

Residing to the north of India, the population of Kashmir is primarily Muslim. This program studies the beliefs and practices of Islam in Kashmir. Topics such as the Koran, the Pillars of Islam, the influence of Sharia, and traditional Muslim festivals and holy sites are addressed. Background on the arrival of Islam in Kashmir and its spread throughout India creates a historical context for the religion's predominance in many regions. 1995. 52 min. Video/C 7359

Islamic Mysticism: the Sufi Way

Traces the history of Islam and shows ruins of its empire which stretched from India to Spain. Presents the rituals, dance, art, music, and philosophy of Sufism, the heart of Islam. Shot on location from India to Morocco, breathtaking images feature stunning Muslim art and architecture, rarely-seen religious rituals and the fascinating whirling dervishes of Turkey. 1997. 30 min. Video/C 5402

Jerusalem: Between Heaven and Earth.

A three part exploration of the history, religion and politics of Jerusalem as seen through the eyes of residents of Jerusalem, adherents of the three major faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 1996.

Part 1, City of History. Presents an in-depth look at Jerusalem's turbulent history as seen through the eyes of academics as well as native denizens. 52 min. Video/C 7969

Part 2, City of Religion. The importance of Jerusalem to the world's three major faiths is closely examined through interviews and visits to Jerusalem's holiest sites. 52 min. Video/C 7970

Part 3, City of Peace. The hopes and dreams of Jerusalem's inhabitants are examined in the post-"intifada" era. 52 min. Video/C 7971

Mahomet

Chronicles the life and legacy of the Prophet Mohammed from his birth in 571 to his death in 632. Comprised primarily of interviews with Imams, scholars, and individual believers, as well as footage of some of Islam's most significant historic places. 2001. 273 min. DVD 2075

Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.

Tells the story of the seventh century prophet who changed world history in 23 years, and continues to shape the lives of more than 1.2 billion people. The film takes viewers not only to ancient Middle Eastern sites where Muhammad's story unfolds, but into the homes, mosques and workplaces of some of America's estimated seven million Muslims to discover the many ways in which they follow Muhammad's example. 2002. 116 min. DVD 2712

Muslims in America.

Originally planned as an installment in a periodic series about different religions, this particular roadcast altered its focus in light of the Oklahoma ity bombing on April 19, 1995. ABC News, 1997. 23 min. Video/C 5766

My Journey, My Islam

Through interviews with Muslim women in Australia, India, Pakistan and Britain this film documents how they reconcile and interpret the requirements of their faith and the obligations of Western culture. Although the film focuses on the Hijab (veil) and the Burhka, it raises larger issues and questions surrounding identity, women's rights and their place in Muslim society. Includes an interview with former Pakitani premier, Benazir Bhutto who speaks of her experiences as a Muslim woman and how her beliefs in Islam were by no means a hindrance to her career. c1999. 56 min. Video/C 8133

Ramadhan in Indonesia

Saints and Spirits.

A documentary on how a group of Moroccan Muslims view their worship of saints and spirits as part of the wider Islamic tradition. Filmed events include an annual ritual celebration, a pilgrimage to a saint's shrine in the mountains and the veneration of a new saint's shrine in a small plains village. Originally produced in 1977. 25 min. Video/C 9925

There Is No God but God. (The Long Search; 5)

Describes the main tenets of Islam and shows scenes of Muslims praying in a mosque, signing a marriage contract and attending a class for the study of the Koran. Modern-day Egyptians are seen boarding a plane in Cairo airport to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. c1978. 55 min. Video/C 194

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Judaism Jewish Studies videography (for Jewish culture and history)

Acts of Faith: Jewish Civilization in Spain

Many Latinos in the American Southwest wear amulets and perform certain practices different from their fellowLatino Catholics--and are discovering only now, to their amazement, that they are descended fromJews who chose conversion rather than death at the time of the great expulsion from Spain in 1492. This film looks at remnants of what was once the greatJewish civilization in Spain: the artifacts, whichwere Christianized or destroyed; and the people, many of whom continued to practice elements of the religionand folklore of Judaism and for most of whom thememory of Jewishness has been extinguished. 1995. 50 min. Video/C 6562

The Disputation: A Theological DebateBetween Christians and Jews

Recreates a public theological debate between Christiansand Jews, which were common during the Middle Ages. This one, held in Barcelona in 1263, was unique, beinga genuine debate between Christianity and Judaismwhich brought to light the basic differences betweenthe two religions. 1993. 65 min. Video/C 6563

The Falashas.

A study of the history, customs and way of life of the Black Jews of Ethiopia and of efforts to help them emigrate to Israel.1987. 27 min. Video/C 1997 Judaism : the chosen people.

Hanukkah.

An examination of the traditional service and celebration of the centuries-old holiday that commemorates the victory of Jewish people, more than 2,000 years ago, over the Syrian ruler Antiochus. Edward Asner narrates the program, which explains how modern services recall miracles of times past. 3/4" UMATIC. 1973. 30 min. Video/C 33

The Hasidim.

Explores the history, traditions, ceremonies, andpractices of the Hasidic community of New York to show why the Hasidim have flourished and influenced other Jews. 1991. 29 min. Video/C 3727

Heritage: Civilization and the Jews.

3/4" UMATIC. parts, 60 min ea. Episode 1, A People is Born (3500 B.C. to 6th century B. C.). Video/C 701:1 pt. 1
Episode 2, Power of the Word (6th century B.C. to 2nd century B.C.). Video/C 701:2 Pt. 2
Episode 3, The shaping of Traditions (1st to 9th centuries). Video/C 701:3 Pt. 3
Episode 4, The Crucible of Europe (9th to 15th centuries). Video/C 701:4 Pt. 4
Episode 5, The Search for Deliverance (1492-1789). Video/C 701:5 Pt. 5
Episode 6, Roads from the Ghetto (1789-1914). Video/C 701:6 Pt. 6
Episode 7, The Golden Land (1654-1932). Video/C 701:7 Pt. 7
Episode 9, Into the Future (1945 to the present) . Video/C 701:9 Pt. 9

Jerusalem: Between Heaven and Earth.

Part 1, City of History. Presents an in-depth look at Jerusalem's turbulent history as seen through the eyes of academics as well as native denizens. 52 min. Video/C 7969

Part 2, City of Religion. The importance of Jerusalem to the world's three major faiths is closely examined through interviews and visits to Jerusalem's holiest sites. 52 min. Video/C 7970

Part 3, City of Peace. The hopes and dreams of Jerusalem's inhabitants are examined in the post-"intifada" era. 52 min. Video/C 7971

The Jew in the Lotus .

Jewish Moments: A Celebration of Life.

Pt.1. Introduction to the Jewish people: A sense of family. The ceremony of the Briss. First haircut.-- Pt.2. Family life of the Jewish people: Welcoming the Sabbath. Jewish families.--Pt.3. Inside the Jewishsynagogue: Coming of age ceremonies. Inside thesynagogue. The Torah. The Ten Commandments.--Pt.4. The Rue des Rosiers, Paris France: The JewishQuarter in Paris. Holiday of the Harvest-Sukkoth.--Pt.5. Education: Primary education. Yeshiva--oral andwritten Torah.--Pt.6. Wedding: Marriage andcelebration. What enabled the Jews to survive as a people for 4000 years? What binds the Jewish people together? What arethe basic teachings and where are they to be foundtoday? Jewish Moments answers all of these questionswith a simple and joyful approach which takes theviewer on an inward journey directly to the heart of the Jewish religion. 36 min. Video/C 4343

Judaism: The Chosen People (The Long Search; 7).

Consists of interviews with several Jews living throughout the world who attempt to define the significance of being one of the chosen people. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 196

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Disney. Voices: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart. A musical animated adaptation of the story of Moses. Two brothers, one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a secret past grow up the best of friends. But the truth will ultimately set them apart, as one becomes the ruler of a powerful empire, while the other is revealed as the chosen leader of the Jewish people,destined to free them from bondage. 99 min. DVD 1408

Credits and other information from the Internet Movie Database

A Seal Upon Thy Heart: A Portrait of Jewish Marriage

Documents a traditional Jewish wedding, placing special emphasis on Biblical and Talmudic sources of the wedding ceremony. Also explored are the couple's engagement, preparations for the wedding and the marriage, as well as the couple's personal reflections several months after their wedding. 1992. 30 min. Video/C 6572

Song of the Sephardi.

A feature-length documentary musical film about the songs and traditions of the Spanish Jews ... with the participation of the Sephardic communities of Seattle and Jerusalem. 198?. 75 min. Video/C 2325

Talmud

Originally passed down orally from master to student, the Talmud is the hidden face of the Torah, or Old Testament. It is a vast body of legal, mythic, and philosophical texts, and a mixture of religious commentary and debate, of history and science, and of anecdote and humor. No other text has had such an influence on Jewish life as it details the principles, ethical codes, and laws that serve as a guide for conduct. Bonus features: Yeshiva Ponievitch 1932 (7 min.); Jack V. Lunzer and the Talmud of Henri VIII (24 min.); David Kramer and the treasures of JTS (24 min.); Rabbi Levine, Lubavitcher Rebbe's librarian, Brooklyn, New York (26 min.); Rabbi Sherman and artscroll publishing (14 min.); The Talmud according to Rav Adin Steinsaltz (24 min.); Judy Tenzer, the Drisha Institute (7 min.); Rabbi Kalatsky, the Talmud in Manhattan (14 min.); Rabbi Jacobson, the mystical approach of the Talmud (17 min.); Daf Yomi (9 min.) Written and directed by Pierre-Henry Salfati. 2006. 55 min. DVD 8591

Women of the Wall.

Examines Jewish women's struggles with Orthodox Jewish tradition for the right to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Interviews with government officials, rabbis and Women at the Wall group members offer a glimpse into the battles raging in Israel over religious freedom, separation of religion and state, and women's rights. 31 min. Video/C 7851

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Christianity (including Christian syncretism) U.S. Politics and Government (for videos about the religious Right in the U.S.)

All Dressed in White

Documentary on weddings in three generations of a Catholic family originally from India and now living in California. Focuses on the brides attempt to reconcile traditional Indian, Catholic and American values in her choice of wedding dress. A film by Ligia Giese and Margaret Dubin. Produced in the Anthropological Film Program, University of California, Berkeley, 1993, through the facilities of the Office of Media Services. 1993. 19 min. Video/C MM578

Bells From the Deep: Faith and Superstition in Russia (Glocken aus der Tiefe)

Examines the mysticism and asceticism of religious practices in a region of Siberia near the upper course of the Yenisei River: pilgrims crawling across a barely frozen lake, hoping for a view of the legendary Kitezh, a village believed sunken intact by God to save it from Mongol raiders, "transmission of cosmic energy" into bottled water hawked by faith healer Alan Chumack; women under the spell of "sorcerer/exorcist" Yuri Tarassov; and followers of a robed, Christ-like man. A film by Werner Herzog. 1993. 60 min. DVD 6506

The Blinking Madonna & Other Miracles.

Producer/director/writer, Beth Harrington. After recording an Italian-American religious festival in Boston's North End with her camcorder, Beth Harrington's neighbors tell her they see a miracle on the videotape: a statue of the Virgin Mary blinking its eyes. To her amazement, and in spite of her lapsed religious beliefs, she must admit that her life has been transformed by the event. And when the press gets ahold of the story what ensues is an amusing look at what it means to believe and to belong. 1997. 57 min. Video/C 5041

Description of this video from New Day Films catalog

Martin, James. The Blinking Madonna and Other Miracles. (movie reviews) America v176, n21 (June 21, 1997):23.

Garofalo, Denise A. "The Blinking Madonna and Other Miracles." (video recording reviews) Library Journal v122, n9 (May 15, 1997):115 (2 pages).

James, Caryn. "The Blinking Madonna and Other Miracles." (video recording reviews) New York Times v146 (Mon, May 12, 1997):B2(N), C14(L), col 2, 7 col in.

Chase the Devil: Religious Music of the Appalachian Mountains.

Religious music in the Southern Appalachians covers a widepanorama. At one extreme, is the idea that any music is the"devil's work," at the other is hard driving, rhythmic music.Focuses on the Holiness church experience depicting the exhuberant preaching and singing. 1990. 50 min. Video/C 3263

Christianity and Islam

The Diaspora and India

Documentary about the migration of Syriac Aramean people throughout the world today, including scenesof contemporary Syrian churches in the U.S.A., Canada,Holland, and India, with emphasis on southern India's Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. c2001. 60 min. Video/C 9584

Friends of God: The Evangelical Movement in America; [a Roadtrip with Alexandra Pelosi]

Looks at the issues behind the formidable force in American culture and politics, the evangelical movement. Seeking to better understand the 60-80 million Christian evangelicals in the U.S., Alexandra Pelosi sets out on a road trip. On the way she finds the movement is an extremely diverse group: congregation members, creationist educators, religious activists, Liberty University students, a Christian comic, Bible theme park-goers, and professional wrestlers with a powerful gospel message. Includes interviews with evangelical media personalities and leaders. Originally broadcast on HBO Box Office television in Jan., 2007. Dist.: Films Media Group. 58 min. DVD 8907

From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians. 56 min. each installment. 1998.

Part 1: Traces the life of Jesus, exploring the message that helped his ministry grow and the events that led to his crucifixion. Born in the reign of Emperor Augustus in the Pax Romana-- the Roman Peace--Jesus was a subject of the Roman Empire. This first hour looks at how scholars and archaeologists have pieced together a new portrait of where Jesus was born, how he lived, and who he was. Video/C 5691

Part 2: This second segment turns from the life of Jesus to the period that followed his death, examining the rise of Christianity and concluding withthe First Revolt--the bloody and violent siege ofJerusalem and the beginning of a rift betweenChristianity and Judaism. The Film explores the viewsof Jesus' followers who interpreted Jesus and histeachings in different ways because of their diversity and the differences in their cultures and languages. Video/C 5692

Part 3: This third segment examines the period after the First Revolt, tracing the development and impact of the Gospels, looking at the increasinglyhostile relationship between the Christians and theJews. The hour concludes with another bloody Jewishwar against Rome, the Second Revolt. Video/C 5693

Part 4: This final segment documents the extraordinary events of the second and third centuries in which Christianity grew from a small Jewish sect to an official religion of the Roman Empire. Video/C 5694

God's Angry Man

A documentary portrait of Dr. Gene Scott, an American televangelist, which includes interviews with Scott and clips from his shows, showing how he manages to collect several hundred thousand dollars within 30 minutes. A film about monomaniac and a nationwide malaise, about a man on a mission while he battles his own inner demons. A film by Werner Herzog. 1980. DVD 6503

I Believe in Miracles: Kathryn Kuhlman.

"I believe in miracles... because I believe in God. That was the profound conviction of one who brought belief and hope to countless thousands. From personal experience, Kathryn Kuhlman witnesses to the availability of an omnipotent God who hears and answers prayer, meeting needs both spiritual and physical."--Container. 1995. 83 min. Video/C 5507

Is Jesus God?

A lecture by a noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Deedat addressing the Muslim view of Jesus Christ and Christianity in general. DVD 7192

Island of Saints and Souls.

A documentary showing how the Catholic traditions of numerous immigrant groups have influenced and contributed to the rich cultural texture of New Orleans. Takes the viewer through a year in the life of the city, exploring its colorful history, traditions, customs and feast days. 1990. 29 min. Video/C MM551

Jerusalem: Between Heaven and Earth.

Part 1, City of History. Presents an in-depth look at Jerusalem's turbulent history as seen through the eyes of academics as well as native denizens. 52 min. Video/C 7969

Part 2, City of Religion. The importance of Jerusalem to the world's three major faiths is closely examined through interviews and visits to Jerusalem's holiest sites. 52 min. Video/C 7970

Part 3, City of Peace. The hopes and dreams of Jerusalem's inhabitants are examined in the post-"intifada" era. 52 min. Video/C 7971

Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Da Vinci.

Host, Elizabeth Vargas explores the controversial questions raised by the bestselling novel, 'The Da Vinci Code'. She travels to significant locations around the world to seek out what evidence may exist to support them and visits with religion and art history scholars and others who offer their perspectives. 2004. 45 min. DVD 3791

Jimmy Swaggart: Friday, February 19, 1988 & Monday, February 22, 1988 / ABC News.

On Feb. 19, 1988, new allegations surfaced that TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart was involved in sexual philandering and may have to step down. On Feb. 22, he tearfully confessed to sexual misconduct on religious television. Nightline examines, through interviews with Evangelical pastors and others: How will TV evangelism cope with yet another scandal? 45 min. Video/C 5762

Kuwaresma

Profiles the current Catholic religious practices and festival celebrations of the filipino people as they move through the celebrations of the Christian liturgical calendar year. In Tagalog without titles. 1998. 43 min. Video/C 5664

Kwaresma

Presents a folk Catholic celebration of Holy Week in the Philippines, though visits to many churches, showing the variety of religious celebrations. VHS format (PAL). In Tagalog. 1988. 97 min. Video/C 9163

Legendary Sermons: Reverend C.L. Franklin.[sound recording]

Contents: Two fish and five loaves of bread, part 1 (10:05) -- Two fish and five loaves of bread, part 2 (8:54) -- Pressing on, part 1 (10:14) -- Pressing on, part 2 (9:02). Sound/D 173

Marjoe

A documentary on Marjoe Gortner, who was trained by his holy roller parents to hustle for Jesus and began preaching on the evangelical circuit when he was three years old. Follows Marjoe during his last months of rock-style preaching before his retirement at 28, and includes his comments on life as a con-man and the ethics of his colleagues in the religion business. Originally issued as a motion picture in 1972. 88 min. DVD 2439; also included on DVD 5298

Monastery of Mount Sinai: Where God Walked on Earth

A visit to the Greek Orthodox monastery on Mt. Sinai, the oldest surviving monastery in the world.1985. 53 min. Video/C 6046

On Wings of Faith (En Alas de la Fe).

A visit to two festivals held in the North Sierra of Puebla, Mexico; one to honor Saint Michael the Archangel in the town of San Miguel Tzinacapan; the other for Saint Francis of Assisi in Cuetzalan. Mexican and mesoamerican dancers celebrate their oral traditions, magical medicine, petition for favors and give thanks to their patron saints through the medium of dance. 1991. 28 min. Video/C 4420

One Nation Under God.

Two former leaders of an x-gay ministry expose and ridicule therapies and techniques used by some Christian organizations to attempt to change the sexual orientation of homosexuals. 1993. 83 min. Video/C 3311

Orthodox Christianity: the Rumanian Solution.

Examines the unique relationship existing between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Communist state in Romania. Vistis a number of Romanian churches and observes how the Orthodox liturgy is conducted. 1978. 52 min. Video/C 195

Protestant Spirit U.S.A. (The Long Search;1)

Visits various Protestant churches in Indianapolis and observes how services are conducted. Examines the reasons for the vigor of religious expression among both Black and white American Protestants. 1977. 52 min. Video/C 190

Rise Up and Walk: The Life and Witness of the African Indigenous Churches

Explores the origins, beliefs and practices of a variety of independent African Christian churches, showing how they interpret and live the Christian faith in the context of their own pre-Christian religious and cultural traditions. 1981. 55 min. Video/C MM569

Rome, Leeds and the Desert. (The Long Search; 4)

Examines different aspects of Catholicism through three portrayals: by the ceremony of the official church at the Vatican, as practiced by devout lay Catholics in Leeds, and as observed by the Little Brothers of Jesus in southeastern Spain. 1978. 53 min. Video/C 193

The Roots of Disbelief

Examines the many causes for today's indifference to Christianity, asserting that the major reasons are the advance of science and historical criticisms of the Bible. 1976. 37 min. DVD 9149 [preservation copy]; vhs Video/C 752

Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady Aparecida)

In the Portuguese village of Senhora Aparecida, the annual festival is being prepared. The biers that reach fifteen meters high and which are carried by 70 men are being erected and decorated. The penitents order the coffins that will carry them, in a procession to the chapel as is the secular tradition. But a new priest has his own ideas about how religion should be practiced in the town and wants to put an end to the coffins procession. 1994. 55 min. Video/C 9726

Description from Documentary Educational Resources catalog

[Stein] Edith Stein

Probes the heart and soul of the Carmelite nun, Edith Stein (1891-1942), the Jewish convert and noted philosopher, beatified on German soil by Pope John Paul II. Exemplifies her holiness and heroic virtue while facing down a culture of death. 1996. 90 min. Video/C 8037

TV Evangelists: Monday, March 23, 1987, Tuesday, March 24, 1987 / ABC News.

This segment of Nightline raises questions about television evangelism. Tele-evangelists raise millions of dollars, but exactly where does the money go? Who monitors these organizations? Also television evangelist Jim Bakker is accused of adultery and resigns. Is it a holy house cleaning or are religious businessmen simply engaged in a mudslinging contest? Includes interviews with Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart and others. c1990. 61 min. Video/C 5761

Two Thousand Years: The History of Christianity

Series charting the history of Christianity. c1999. 47 min. each installment

The Birth of a New Religion: Christianity in the 1st and 2nd Centuries. Presents the life of Jesus against the backdrop of 1st century Judea, inhabited by the Jews and occupied by the forces of the Roman Empire. After the Resurrection, Saul of Tarsus, later Paul, became a champion of a budding new religion based on Jesus' teachings: Christianity. Part 2 traces the spread of the faith and its inevitable clash with Rome. Despite persecution, Christianity thrived, setting down roots and creating the New Testament. Video/C 8656

Trials and Triumphs in Rome: Christianity in the 3rd and 4th Centuries. Part 1 of this program places Christianity -- an outlawed faith-within the context of the religiously diverse Roman Empire, whose citizens worshipped the old Greco-Roman gods, mystery cult figures such as Mithra, and the Emperor himself. But by appealing to all people and promising eternal salvation, Christianity began to surpass the popularity of the Roman religions. Part 2 begins with Diocletian's Great Persecution; proceeds to Constantine's conversion, the Edict of Milan, and the Council of Nicaea; and closes with the excommunication of Theodosius. Video/C 8657

African Ascetics and Celtic Monks: Christianity in the 5th and 6th Centuries. Part 1 of this program introduces Augustine of Hippo and his The City of God, which examines the Church's uneasy relationship with human frailty and wordliness, as piety became indentified with self-denial and celibacy was viewed as central to the pursuit of perfection. Part 2 tracks the spread of Christianity to Ireland and its establishment in Britain and Northern Europe by celtic monks, who had formulated the concept of penance and the culture of pilgrimage. Video/C 8658

Byzantium and the Holy Roman Empire: Christianity in the 7th and 8th Centuries. Part 1 of this program contrasts the ill health of Rome and its Church with the spiritual and material vitality of Byzantium. But all was not well even in the East, as war with Persia and the rise and swift spread of Islam made the Holy Land off limits, while arguments about the nature of Christ continued to split the Christian world. Part 2 focuses on the conversion of the Saxon tribes first by Bishop Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, and then by King Charlemagne, who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III. Video/C 8659

The Dark Ages and the Millennium: Christianity in the 9th and 10th Centuries. Part 1 probes the nature of Christian prayer, questioning Eastern reliance on icons rather than the Word, as in the West. Part 2 chronicles the chaos in Europe that broke out with the death of Charlemagne and the approach of the millennium. The ensuing political instability, combined with fears of the Apocalypse, stood in stark contrast to the efforts of the Peace of God movement and the Abbey of Cluny to maintain order. Video/C 8660

Crusaders and Schism in the East: Christianity in the 11th and 12th Centuries. Part 1 of this program documents both the papal reforms that severed the ties between the Church and the wealthy Roman families and the rift between Rome and Constantinople. Efforts to reconcile differences in doctrine, clerical practice, and political influence ended in the excommunication of Constantinople's Patriarch. Part 2 outlines the first four Crusades, in which Jerusalem was won and lost and Byzantium fell to the swords of its own Christian allies. The transfiguring influence of Islamic scholarship on Europe is also spotlighted. Video/C 8661

Heresy, war, and the Black Death: Christianity in the 13th and 14th Centuries. Part 1 of this program follows the dual enterprises of constructing cathedrals and stamping out heresy. Buildings of unprecedented grandeur exemplified the power and influence of the Church in Europe, as did the systematic destruction of the heretic Cathars. Part 2 covers King Philip IV of France's defiance of Church authority; the Hundred Years' War, and the Black Death. Although the Pope declared the Plague a judgment by God, rumors of a Jewish plot were rife, leading to anti-Semitic massacres in Germany and elsewhere. Video/C 8662

Sectarianism and Schism in Europe: Christianity in the 15th and 16 Centuries. Part 1 of this program highlights the Great Schism. The Papacy's move to achieve political independence and the flowering of the Renaissance are presented as well, along with the violent opposition to the new papal politics and the humanism that was remaking God in man's image. Part 2 plots out the religious revolt sparked by the sale of indulgences, from Martin Luther's 95 Theses, to the Inquisition, to the Protestantism of John Calvin. The spread of the Catholic faith to Latin America by the Jesuits is also discussed. Video/C 8663

Fighting Intolerance and slavery: Christianity in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Part 1 traces the spread of Christianity via the Puritans to North America. Victims of intolerance in the Old World, the emigres swiftly proved intolerant of others in the New World, leaving to the Quakers to promote the religious freedom later associated with the United States. Part 2 outlines the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions, the Methodism of John Wesley, and the concept of human rights. How had the un-Christian institution of slavery endured so long in Europe and most notably, in egalitarian America? Video/C 8664

Coping with Scientific and Social Change: Christianity in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Part 1 of this program asks whether religion and science can coexist in a post-Darwinian world. Are creation and evolution mutually exclusive? Part 2 focuses on the questions raised by the global movement toward social equality. Must Christianity adapt to survive, and if so, do issues like female priests and homosexuality threaten to rob it of its scriptural authority? Should the Church restructure along democratic lines? And what role will New Age religions and the Pentecostal movement play as Christianity enters its third millennium? Video/C 8665

Voodoo and the Church in Haiti.

Presents the religion and rituals of Voodoo in Haiti, the inclusion of Christian images in Voodoo worship, and the long standing conflict between Christians, Catholics and Voodooists. 1998. 40 min. Video/C 6430

With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America

Six parts, 56 minutes each. 1996.

With God on Our Side, Part 1: The Early Crusades, 1950-1968. Postwar fundamentalism is marked by optimism, mass revival meetings and disdain for worldly politics. But current events prod