Jane Sloan Media Librarian jsloan@rci.rutgers.edu December 2003

Research Resources: Subject Research Guides: Media Collections:
Middle East

This guide is a browsing aid to selected titles in the video/DVD collections at Rutgers Libraries. The most up-to-date, accurate, and complete information regarding the libraries' holdings is available only through IRIS, our online catalog.

16 royal families 1998

Saudi Arabia -- Belgium -- Norway -- Denmark -- United Kingdom -- Sweden -- Kuwait -- The Netherlands -- Spain -- Thailand -- Japan -- Liechtenstein -- Morocco -- Jordan -- Monaco -- Luxembourg"Learn the fascinating history of the world's great royal families"--Container.

DANA 1115

About the United Nations Palestine 1990

Examines the Intifada, the Palestinian uprising in the Israeli-occupied territories of the West Bank & Gaza Strip, by investigating the historical background and by speaking to the people on both sides of the conflict.

MEDIA 2-1907

Abraham and Isaac personal notes 1977

A montage of interviews, stills, and live footage which examines the social factors that shaped the filmmaker's world and contributed to his decision to join the Israel army and participate in the October Middle-East War of 1973.

MEDIA D-93

Afflicted 1982

A young, closeted Israeli man visits a drag bar one night in search of sexual expression.

MEDIA 2-5596

America held hostage the Iran crisis 1989

The story of 444 days that changed the course of history. In November of 1979, fanatical supporters of the Ayatollah Khomeini stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking everyone they found captive, and holding 52 of them hostage for a year.

DANA. MEDIA 1182 2-1553

The Armenian genocide annihilation of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire, 1915-1923 1991

The film explains historical events leading up to the Armenian Genocide 1915-1923. Concluding questions generate student discussion and relate historical events to the present.

MEDIA 2-3724

The Arming of Iraq 1990

Western countries have been instrumental in supplying Iraq with weapons and military technology which are now used against these countries.

MEDIA 2-1408

Assurnasirpal, the Assyrian king 1980

Documents the history and culture of the Assyrian empire, focusing on the prosperous reign of King Assurnasirpal II.

MEDIA 2-2533

`Atalyah Atalia 1992

Depicts the relationship between a 40 year old war widow and an 18-year-old man who has been rejected from the Israeli army for health reasons. Set on an Israeli kibbutz in 1973, when Israel is on the brink of war.

MEDIA 2-2664

Babylon the gate of the gods 198?

The ruins of Babylon, seen in their present-day condition and collections of artworks from the National Museum of Iraq are shown and discussed to demonstrate the sophistication and splendor of Babylonian culture.

MEDIA 2-2539

Baysikilran The cyclist 1996

Nazim, formerly a cyclist, but now a lowly Afghan guest worker in Iran, in order to obtain money to pay for medical care for his desperately ill wife, must overcome many obstacles in his attempt to ride a bicycle continuously for seven days and nights.

MEDIA 2-3349

Behind the hatred mortal enemies 2002

"This documentary offers an evenhanded assessment of the conflict in the Middle East by profiling the lives of two men at its center, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Palestinian Authority's chairman, Yasir Arafat"--Container.

DANA 1765

Beirut the last home movie 1991

Chronicles three months in 1981 in the life of a Lebanese family living in Beirut's heavily bombed and all-but-deserted neighborhood:Christian Ashrafia. The Bustros family cannot face the present, extricate itself from the past, or imagine the future.

MEDIA 2-5415

Beyond the veil 1997

In this program, reporter Anna Maria Tremonti dons the hijab--"modest dress"-- and goes undercover to find out how Iranian women feel about the government-enforced dress code and about their diminished role in Iranian society.

MEDIA 2-5489

Byzantium from splendor to ruin 1989

This program describes the history, art, and religious significance of Byzantium, its attempts to restore the Roman Empire, its influence in the West, and its heritage.

DANA 195

The Challenge of the past 1993

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

MEDIA 2-2252

Chronicle of a disappearance 1999

Provides a personal meditation on what it means to be Palestinian. Examines the effect of the political impasse in the Middle East on the identity of the Palestinian people.

MEDIA 2-5556

Counterfeit coverage 1992

This report explores, over a 6-month period, how the Kuwaiti government used one of the biggest public relations firms in America, Hill and Knowlton, to wage an unprecedented media campaign to argue the case for war.

MEDIA 2-5354

Coverup behind the Iran Contra Affair 1988

A shocking tangled tale of politics, corruption, drugs, hostages, weapons, assassinations, covert operations, and the ultimate plan to suspend the Constitution of the United States. This documentary starts where the Congressional Hearings left off!

MEDIA 2-666

The devil on the roof 1998

Documentary film, with Nasrollah Kasraian providing commentary, that captures the many traditions of the Turkmen in Iran. Includes information on how the women are treated, the role of the shaman in the villages, and coming of age rituals. The filmmakers return four years later to see the changes that have occurred with introduction of electricity. See the architecture and costumes, hear the stories and customs.

MEDIA 2-5748

Divorce Iranian style 1998

Look inside an Iranian divorce court shows how women are treated under Islamic law.

MEDIA 2-3800

Embrasser tous les savoirs. 1, Les secrets du corps humain [videorecording] = Embracing all knowledge. 1, The secrets of the human body 2000

This program investigates the practice of medicine during the Abbasid Caliphate, offering profiles of Al-Ma'amun's House of Wisdom, Dioscorides, Rhazes, whose Kitab al-hawi outlines an exemplary clinical approach, Avicenna, universally known for his Canon of Medicine, and Abul Qasim al-Zahrawi, the father of modern surgery. The Islamic concern with the relationship between the body and the soul is also discussed, as is the founding of hospitals, one of the great achievements of Islamic society.

DANA MEDIA 10 2-5514

Embrasser tous les savoirs. 2, Le ciel à livres ouverts [videorecording] = Embracing all knowledge. 2, Everything under the sun 2000

Picking up mathematics and astronomy from where the ancient Greeks left off, Arab scholars paved the way for the Copernican revolution and the rebirth of science in Europe. This program reveals the development in the Islamic Empire of the Indo-Arabic decimal system, algebra, algorithms and the refinement of the science of optics and the Ptolemaic model of the solar system. The application of astronomy to sacred ends, such as accurately fixing the time for prayers, the direction of Mecca, and the start of Ramadan, is also considered.

DANA MEDIA 11 2-5515

An empire rises from the sands. 1, The Arabs make their entrance [videorecording] = Empire surgi des sables. 1, Les Arabes entrent en scene 2001

As the shadow of the Dark Ages fell across Europe, the scene for the advancement of Western civilization shifted to the Near East. This program charts the rise of the Arab empire from its roots in the long-standing rivalry between the Byzantines and the Sassanids. Examines the dual role of Mecca as a place of worship and as a center for trade, the life of Muhammad and the birth of Islam, the rapid expansion of Arabia at the expense of Byzantium and the Sassanid kingdom, and the internecine struggle between Arab factions that led to the founding of the Umayyad dynasty.

MEDIA 2-5508

An empire rises from the sands. 2, Once upon a time, Baghdad [videorecording] = Empire surgi des sables. 2, Il était une fois Bagdad 2001

The victory of the Abbasids over the Umayyads signified much more than the replacement of one dynasty with another. With it, Islam saw the birth of a multiethnic concept of power, in which both Arab and non-Arab Muslims could share authority. This program presents the Abbasid Caliphate at its peak, enthroned in its prestigious capital city: Baghdad. The defining project of Caliph al-Ma'amun, the translation by an army of clerks of all the ancient writings his emissaries could procure is spotlighted--an achievement that set the stage for an eventual showdown between religious and secular scholars.

MEDIA 2-5509

The Enterprise 1989

The decision to curtail the use of secret agents by the CIA was a decision Carter's White House would come to regret as it suffered the consequences of a failed hostage rescue attempt in Iran.

MEDIA 2-1782

Fictitious marriage 1992

An Israeli man in the midst of a mid-life crisis leaves his family in Jerusalem, travels secretly to Tel Aviv, enters a fictitious marriage, and is mistaken for an Arab laborer.

MEDIA 2-2751

Field diary 1982

"In spite of difficulties posed by soldiers, officials, and other authorities who tried to stop him from filming, director Amos Gitai stubbornly forged ahead with this documentary on the Israeli occupied areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Life in these regions is shown in all its variety, from the Israeli soldiers who mainly support the occupation (one does suggest the land should be returned to the Palestinians), to the markets and towns bustling with activity, to the farmers at work. There is also an interview with a mayor who was permanently disabled in a bomb blast, and overall, an attempt was made to present a complete picture of both Palestinian and Israeli life in these disputed territories"--All Movie Guide.

MEDIA 2-5405

Five millennia Mesopotamiaan architectural heritage 1980

Explores the Mesopotamian origins, basic motifs, and lasting influences of Islamic architecture using classic examples still in existence throughout the territory that is now modern Iraq.

MEDIA 2-2535

Ganja and Hess 1994

A black anthropologist is studying the ancient culture of Myrthia which disappeared when it was destroyed by a transmittable amoebic parasite that was addicted to blood. In the course of his research, he is stabbed with a Myrthian dagger by his assistant who then kills himself.

MEDIA 2-3524

Gaza under siege 2001

This program also examines why the United Nations fails to criticize Israel's aggression and denies Palestinian statehood.

MEDIA 2-5913

Genocide from Biblical times through the ages 2002

In this program, a variety of experts analyze Biblical accounts and some of the earliest documented examples of genocide, as in the Athenian siege of Melos in 416 BC, to explore the psychology that motivates such violence. This grim survey looks at the extermination of Tasmanians, Native Americans, Namibia's Herero tribe, and the Armenians.

MEDIA 2-5847

God fights back, 1979 1999

By mid-century, modern technology and Western thought had swept religion to the margins of public life. Since, millions have turned back to God -- and taken political action based on their religious beliefs. This video describes the growing power of religious fundamentalism in various parts of the world, including the fall of the Shah of Iran and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran and other Islamic countries, as well as the Christian right in the United States.

MEDIA. 2-4203a 2-5637

Grass a nation's battle for life 1992

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

MEDIA 7-88

The Great War Episode three, Total war and the shaping of the 20th century 1996

Examines the evolution of World War I from a conflict fought across the landscape of Europe to a global war. Covers extent of the war in Great Britain and Turkey; the use of terror in modern war and the evolution of "total war", especially regarding aerial and chemical weapons, the first 20th century genocide--the Armenian genocide.

MEDIA. 2-2980 2-4185

ha-Kayits shel Aviyah The summer of Aviya 1996

Presents Gila Almagor's autobiographical film, based on her book, about a Holocaust survivor who immigrates with her daughter to the newly founded Israeli state. Aviya is a spunky 10 old year girl who, like her mother, is a survivor in the face of persecution.

MEDIA 2-5464

Hajj the pilgrimage 2000

Every year, millions of Muslims journey to Mecca to take part in the Hajj, the fifth pillar of faith. This program captures the day-by-day events of one such pilgrimage, including the ritual of tawaf, the performance of wuquf on Mt. Rahmah, the overnight stay at Muzdalifah, the symbolic stoning of the Devil, and the festival of sacrifice. A detailed historical background on Islam and its prophet, Muhammad is included.

MEDIA 2-5539

Hamoun The desert 1993

The story of Hamid Hamoun, an executive in a large import-export business, who also works as a part-time English instructor. He feels alienated from Iranian society, bound by its conventions yet unwilling to abide by its rigid laws. His wife wants to divorce him but is unable to do so under Islamic law. In this film, husband and wife struggle to find their own solid ground.

MEDIA 2-1222

Hamsin Hot wind 1988

The problem of Arab-Jewish relations is portrayed in this study of a Jewish landowner and his Arab worker. Set in the Galilee, northern Israel, in 1982.

MEDIA 2-5695

Hanan Ashrawi a woman of her time 1995

Profiles Hanan Ashrawi, former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization during the Middle East peace talks with Israel, but who later turned down a position in the new government in favor of continuing her efforts on behalf of peace and human rights.

MEDIA 2-5598

Hatra 1980

Profiles the art, architecture, and history of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Hatra in present-day northern Iraq. Located along a major silk trade route, the city was a meeting ground for the cultures of Mesopotamia and Greece. The dual influence of these cultures is demonstrated using footage of the city's barely excavated ruins and works of art.

MEDIA 2-2534

The horror continues 2002

' This program presents a comprehensive survey of genocide by looking at the most recent examples in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey; Burundi and Rwanda; the former Yugoslavia; Indonesia and East Timor; and Chechnya. The role and efforts of the United Nations are discussed as well as what the future holds in trying to prevent genocide.

MEDIA 2-5897

Hurub saghirah Little wars 1997?

Soraya is caught between two men in 1980 warring Beirut. She has become pregnant from Talal and refuses to abort, while Talal has becom drawn into the war seeking to avenge the kidnapping of his father. The other man is Srour, a photojournalist, whose living is made from the war and its atrocities. All the characters live in a state of crisis compounded by the crisis of the whole city, and none has a solution to their problem. Everyone is caught in the drama of the city and the war surrounding them, all the while undergoing their own personal wars.

DANA XX(1789215.1)

In search of Al Qaeda 2002

Following the trail of Al Qaeda from the Afghan border areas into Pakistan's cities, and on to other Middle Eastern countries, Frontline examines the quest to bring the terrorist group to justice.

DANA 1803

In search of bin Laden 2001

Investigates Osama bin Laden, his followers, and the bombings of two United States embassies in Africa in 1998. This special edition has been updated to cover the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, of which bin Laden is also accused.

DANA. MEDIA 1796 2-5545

In whose interest? 2002

Film focuses on US intervention in Guatemala, Vietnam, East Timor, El Salvador and Palestine/Israel.

MEDIA 2-5886

Into the future 1984

Examines the birth of the State of Israel, the plight of Soviet Jewry, and those in other parts of the world and probes the meaning of Jewish identity today.

MEDIA 195

The Iraq campaign 1991 a television history in color 1992

The network storm -- Iraq campaign: the next genocide -- The mother of all commercialsThis video presents a compelling artistic document of the immediate national spirit as promoted and reflected by television during the six weeks of Desert Storm (plus its short-lived afterglow).

MEDIA 2-1373

Iraq the cradle of civilization 1992

Looks at the ancient culture that was first built 5000 years ago on the banks of the Euphrates in Southern Iraq and explores the influence of this culture on our lives today.

MEDIA 2-5898

Islam 1987

Discusses the history and culture of Islam, not only as a religion, but also as a way of life.

DANA 39

Islam, empire of faith 2000

Pt. 1. The Messenger -- Pt. 2. The awakening -- Pt. 3. The OttomansDocuments 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.

MEDIA. 2-4064a cassette 1 2-4065a cassette 2 2-4066a cassette 3

Israel vs. the PLO the invasion of Lebanon 1989

The story of Israel's 1982 attempt to obliterate a formidable enemy ; of the bloody attack on Beirut ; of the innocent civilians caught tragically in the crossfire ; and of the horrible price paid when Israel changed from David to Goliath.

MEDIA 2-1546

John Poindexter St. & the times of a sign a folk history of the Iran-Contra scandal 1994

The people of Odon, Indiana (birthplace of John Poindexter) comment on the events surrounding the Iran-Contra scandal. Also mentioned is the issue over whether to still rename the street in front of Odon's high school after John Poindexter since Poindexter was involved in the Iran-Contra affair. Discusses the theft of the sign by Bill Breeden and the procecution of the crime.

MEDIA 2-3900

Journey of hope Reise der Hoffnung = Umud'a yolculuk 1991

Fact based story of a poor Kurdish family who leave Turkey and struggle to reach their promised land, Switzerland, and are forced to cross the border illegally on foot through the Alps, with tragic consequences.

MEDIA 2-5557

The Key 1996

A four-year-old boy, locked in the family apartment while his mother goes out to do some shopping, tries to take care of his baby brother and cope with a series of minor crises, as anxious neighbors try to advise him from outside.

MEDIA 2-3345

Kings and pirates 1983

Documentary about the "Eldorado" countries of the Persian Gulf--wealthy nations almost totally unknown to the rest of the world--Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Examines the people, the problems, and the rulers of these nations, their history and what the future will hold for them.

MEDIA 2-1448

The Knowledge of healing 1996

"The knowledge of healing begins with a brief outline of the principles of Tibetan medicine and goes on to show physicians in Dharamsala and in Buryati (part of Siberian Russia) treating patients for a variety of ailments...the film moves westward to research centers in Israel and Switzerland where clinical studies are being conducted and several Tibetan medications industrially manufactured. The researchers have discovered that that the Tibetan remedies work...although the actual chemical processes by which they heal remains largely mysterious"--Container.

DANA 1506

Latcho drom Bonne route 1991

Aspects of contemporary Gypsy life are depicted in sequences retracing the Gypsies' historical wanderings from Rajasthan, India, through Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Spain. Music and dance, performed by Gypsies of each locale, are a prominent feature of the film.

MUSIC 320

The legend of sigh 1998

A woman suffering from writer's block is helped by the spirit, Ah.

MEDIA 2-6007

Leila 1997

A wife in Iran who cannot have children is pressured by her in-laws into persuading her husband to take another wife so that he may have sons. A portrayal of the clash between tradition and modern marriage in Iran.

MEDIA 2-3694

The living martyr Hizbollah unveiled 2001

This documentary presents footage of suicide mission preparations and interviews with Lebanon's Hizballah resistance fighters and their families.

DANA 1759

Looking for answers 2001

Discusses the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the roots of hatred found in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, radical Islam, and the failure of U.S. intelligence on September 11, 2001.

MEDIA 2-5543

Lost tribes of Israel 2000

South Africa's Lemba people claim to be descendants of Jews and one of the lost tribes of Israel. In this program, anthropologist Tudor Parfitt investigates the Lemba's claim through genetic testing and attempts to retrace their migration.

MEDIA 2-5802

The miller's tale bread is life 2001

Iron deficiency anemia is the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world, affecting more than two billion people. This program looks at the efforts to introduce fortified flour in Yemen and Egypt, two of the most affected countries.

MEDIA 2-5918

The Mind of Hussein 1991

Chronicles Saddam Hussein's rise to power, what drove him to a conflict with the United States, and what he had hoped to gain from the war.

MEDIA 2-1422

Mokarrameh memories and dreams 1999

Mokarrameh, a woman in rural Iran, began painting as a means for consolation for the death of a beloved cow. All her work tells a story. Reality mingles with imagination in Mokarrameh's paintings, giving real insight into the lives of women in Iran.

MEDIA 2-6327

Le mur The wall 1987

"A piercing allegory of Turkish life. Amid the brutality visited upon the boys held in the Ankara prison ... Güney arrives at a political message of revolution as an act of hope"--Case.

MEDIA 2-5546

Muslims 2003

Misconceptions and lack of understanding dominate America's perception of Islam, the world's second largest and fastest growing religion. Muslims takes an in-depth look at what it means to be a Muslim in the 21st century. Filmed in Egypt, Mayaysia, Iran, Turkey, Nigeria and the United States, Muslims explores the influence of culture and politics on religion, and provides a deeper understanding of the political forces at work among Muslims around the world. The film emphasizes Islam's kinship with Christianity and Judaism and looks at diverse interpretations of Islam among the Muslim people.

DANA 1891

My home, my prison 1992

Film based upon the Palestinian-Arab activist and journalist Raymonda Hawa Tawil's biography written during the time of the military occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, when everyday life for the Palestinians was a minefield of violent uncertainties.

MEDIA 2-2776

My Michael 1987

Two young adults marry in divided 1950's Jerusalem. Michael is content in his marriage, but Hanna finds herself unfulfilled by the bourgeois life she is leading.

MEDIA 2-5564

My mother's home, lagoon 1999

67-year old Kobra battles the elements on a lagoon in Iran to eke out a living for herself and her 100-year-old invalid mother. With simplicity and honesty, this documentary makes a universal statement of the harsh realities many women face, and the strength that sustains them.

MEDIA 2-5729

Nargess 1999

"Afagh is an aging thief who has lost her beauty and is in danger of losing her rakish young lover, Adel. When Adel meets Nargess, the angelic daughter of a poor family, he resolves to break with his old life and go straight, but finding an honest job proves too hard, and he goes back to the old gang for one last burglary...."--Container.

MEDIA 2-5046

The need 1996

Two poor boys compete for an apprenticeship in a printshop.

MEDIA 2-3343

The needle & the thread 1999

Shows a womans creativity in costume design using legends and traditionsas her guide, and the making of dolls displaying the costumes of different regions.

MEDIA 2-5607

NOW with Bill Moyers 2002

Attack Saddam? -- Seeds of Conflict / producer, Gail Ablow ; correspondent, Mark Shapiro ; editor, Kendrick Simmons -- Sherman Alexie, open all night / producer, Rick Field ; editor, Alison Amron -- Energy Crisis / from Bill Moyers JournalSegments of NOW with Bill Moyers include an interview with Ron Paul, a repubican who opposes invading Iraq; a report of how corn is being genetically altered; a night with insomniac writer/director Sherman Alexie as he shows where he gets his inspirations; and from Bill Moyers Journal, a discussion of the energy crisis.

MEDIA 2-5824

The Old Testament in art 1995

Programme 1. The creation -- programme 2. The patriarchs -- programme 3. Israel in Egypt -- programme 4. The promised land -- programme 5. The lord's anointed -- programme 6. Exile and returnDelves into the spectrum of ideas presented in the Old Testament: myth and history, poetry and allegory. Employs illustrations from a wide range of artists to clarify the biblical narrative and broaden its metaphoric range.

DANA 1714

One day in September 2001

This is the shocking and incredibly true story of the brutal massacre of 11 Israeli athletes by a team of extreme Palestinian terrorists during the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. Told with actual video shot during the crisis.

MEDIA 2-5522

Ouvrières du monde = Working women of the world 2000

Focusing on Levi Strauss & Co., this film follows the relocation of garment production from Western countries to nations such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Turkey where low wages are the rule and employee rights are nonexistent.

MEDIA 2-6212

The pedlar 1996

The happy child -- The birth of an old woman -- The pedlarThree loosely connected stories set among the poor of contemporary Tehran.

MEDIA 2-3348

President Jimmy Carter 1991

The first President elected from the Deep South since the Civil War, President Carter discusses the presidency from the perspective of a Washington outsider who sought to make human rights a centerpiece of his administration. Carter reflects upon the nature of presidential leadership, illustrated by the Camp David accords, the Iran hostage crisis, the Panama Canal Treaty, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the energy crisis.

MEDIA. 2-1760 2-5587

The Road to war in the Persian Gulf 1992

This video is designed to give an understanding of the historical causes of the Persian Gulf War. It begins with the period just after World War I, when Britain and France, the main European victors, divided most of the Middle East between them. It goes on to describe how the oil resources of Iraq and Kuwait have shaped their history--first by attracting colonial powers and then by providing wealth for their own development.

MEDIA 2-1887

Saddam's killing fields 1993

Pt. 1. Lament for the South -- Pt. 2. Massacre in the marshes -- Pt. 3. Crimes against humanity"Reveals that since the Shia and the Kurds in northern Iraq were encouraged by the West to rise up against Saddam's regime at the end of the Gulf War more than 300,000 Shia are believed to have been killed and their ancient culture in being systematically destroyed"--Container.

MEDIA 2-3409

Sallah 1989

A satirical comedy showing the problems experienced by an immigrant family from North Africa as they adjust to life in Israel.

MEDIA 2-3047

Sea of conflict 1983

The oil kingdoms include Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Their strategic importance is discussed in relation to the Straits of Hormuz and Iran. Also covered is the stability of governments in the region, their investments, and their views on the Palestinian problem.

MEDIA 2-1426

The sealed soil 1995

Tells the story of a young woman in pre-revolution Iran caught between the traditional values of her small village and her own yearnings for independence and individuality.

MEDIA 2-6049

Sepharad 1993

Over 500 years have passed since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Despite having been scattered to the far corners of the globe, Sephardic Jews have preserved their rich musical heritage. This unusual film enables the viewer to hear and learn about the rich tradition and beautiful music of the Romanceros (Ladino love songs), as well as lullabies, wedding tunes, songs of mourning and melodies from the synagogue.

MUSIC 404

Shvil Hahalav The Milky Way 1999

A Richly compassionate chronicle of life in an Israeli occupied Arab village which is fiercely ruled by the Mukhtar, who fundamentally serves the interests of the Israeli military governor, instead of those of his own people. These are tough times for the villagers--some are bitter and spiteful--while others are weary of the power struggles. The narrative centers around such incidents as the military commander's discovery that one of the villagers is issuing work permits, and the killing of the Mukhtar's son.

MEDIA 2-5548

Siege 1988

An Israeli woman loses her husband during the Six Day War. Her husband's friends want her to remain an ever-mourning widow, but she wants to break away from her past and normalize her life.

MEDIA 2-5049

Space station Mir the best of the shuttle/Mir missions 1996

The future has arrived -- Spectacular scenes -- Tour space station Mir -- New frontiers in spaceA composite of the best missions to Mir--a tour of the station, joint American-Russian missions, a look at what astronauts do in space, how stations are launched, and more.

DANA 1227

The spreading war ; America enters the war 1994

The spreading war: The Battle of Jutland -- D-Day at Gallipoli -- America enters the war: America the neutral -- Wilson and warThese two episodes of the eleven-part documentary series World War I trace German-British naval warfare in the North Sea culminating in the Battle of Jutland, the disastrous British invasion of Gallipoli in Turkey, and U.S. entry into the war as a result of German attacks on U.S. ships.

MEDIA 2-2429

The Sumerian kingdom of Ur 198?

The ruins of Ur, seen in their present-day condition, and collections of artworks from the National Museum of Iraq present the variety and high level of Sumerian culture. Also touched upon are the history of archaeology and excavation at Ur, and the Marsh Arabs, descendants of the Sumerians, who still inhabit the land where the Tigris and Euphrates meet.

MEDIA 2-2540

The survival of Saddam 2000

When the Gulf War ended, the United States government believed the Iraqis should quickly overthrow Saddam Hussein. But nine years later, he still rules Iraq.

MEDIA 2-5544

Target America 2001

Following Sept. 11, the nation's top leaders gathered to decide the U.S. response. This documentary examines the debate within the context of the history of terrorist attacks against the United States by Islamic fundamentalists, beginning with the American Embassy workers taken hostage in Iran during Jimmy Carter's presidency. Looks at other incidents--the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, the killing of American soldiers in a Berlin nightclub, the downing of Pan Am 103, and the first attack on the World Trade Center. Discusses the American government's attempts to deal with these attacks, particularly focusing on the Reagan administration. Uncovers a long-standing division within the nation's security apparatus about how to deal with an enemy that has been targeting America and Americans for decades.

MEDIA 2-5542

The Temptation of power 1979

A documentary which probes the reasons for widespread discontent among Iran's population during the rule of the Shah. Focuses on elements such as poverty, the roles of the military and police, the demolition of ancient buildings and villages, the erosion of the traditional way of life, land reform, and rapid westernization.

MEDIA D-263

The Trigger effect 1978

In Upper Egypt, host James Burke explains how plowing, building, writing, taxation, and astronomy began and how they became interdependent. Man's present dependence on complex technological networks is illustrated with a reconstruction of the New York City power blackout of 1965. The program ends in Kuwait, the nation which has moved from the technology of ancient Egypt to that of the modern world in a single generation.

MEDIA 2-2490

Un Mur à Jérusalem A Wall in Jerusalem 1989

Documentary about the growth of Israel into today's Jewish homeland explores more than seventy years of struggle for religious freedom. Begins with the 1894 Dreyfus Affair, and then looks at Theodor Herzl, founder of modern Zionism; the earliest immigration and settlements; the formation of kibbutzim; the Balfour Declaration; the rise of European anti-Semitism; the British occupation of Palestine; Arab confrontations; the U.N. resolution; the Exodus incident; and the Six-Day War.

MEDIA 2-2749

Waiting to go 2001

This program follows a Palestinian doctor working in the PLO-funded Haifa hospital in Burj el-Barajneh refugee camp, Beirut. She earns $200 per month and she is forbidden in any Lebanese hospital. Other refugees with degrees are allowed to pick oranges, but none are allowed to rebuild their houses. Those who can get out do, but all hope to one day return to their villages in Palestine.

MEDIA 2-5914

Wars in peace Iran-Iraq; Afghanistan 1995

Iran/Iraq: A comprehensive commentary of the Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988, which covers the highlights of this bitter conflict from the Iraqi blitzkrieg on sevven Iranian cities to "The Fountain of Blood" where nerve agents and mustard gas were used to murder thousands. Afghanistan: In 1978, war broke out between the Soviet backed Revolutionary Council and the oppressed Islamic majority. Soviet troops beseiged the city, with little opposition from the poorly trained, unorganized guerrilla groups. In 1985 when these guerilla groups were unified and retained, forced the Soviets to withdraw in 1989, without a decisive victory and more than 14,000 casualties.

DANA 1157

Wedding in Galilee 1989

The elder of a Palestinian village in Israel is given permission to hold a traditional wedding for his son on the condition that the Israeli military governor and his staff be guests of honor at the ceremony.

MEDIA 2-777

Where is my friend's house? 1996

An Iranian schoolboy faces challenges and obstacles when he defies his parents to set out to find his friend's home in a neighboring village.

MEDIA 2-3346

Which way next for Iran? 2000

In the years following the overthrow of the Iranian monarchy by an Islamic Jihad, Iran was ruled by the clergy, which merged politics with religion. Western Society was denounced, and Iran isolated itself from the rest of the world. Now Mohammad Khatami, a champion of reform has been elected. He advocates rejecting the conservative view and opening a dialogue between Iran and the U.S., Isreal, Egypt and other countries. In addition, the program profiles students attending a divinity school to reveal a powerful grassroots devotion to Islam that is not easily deterred by national barriers. The question for the future of Iran is, discourse or confrontation?

MEDIA 2-5538

The white balloon Badkonake sefid 1995

The adventures of a young girl in Teheran who keeps losing her money on her way to buy a goldfish for New Year's.

DANA 1185

Who were the Israelites? 1993

Today's archeologists are challenging the books of the Old Testament as historical documents. This program looks at the events depicted in the Book of Joshua, particularly the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites.

MEDIA 2-2676

Wooden gun 1987

Set in Tel Aviv during the 1950's, this film focuses on two rival youth groups whose behavior and motivation raises questions regarding first generation sabras (native-born Israelis).

MEDIA 2-5565

Yaacov Ben-Dov father of Hebrew cinema 1993

MEDIA 2-2750

You can't beat a woman! another film about violence against women 1998

Moving from Canada to Russia, South Africa, Israel, Japan, and Chile this documentary examines the phenomenon of violence againt women through the eyes of nine former victims. We are drawn into the societies they inhabit and examine the role these societies play in the perception of the problem.

MEDIA 2-3803

Zendegi va digar hich Life and nothing more 1996

A father and son travel to Quoker and meet earthquake survivors who desperately and valiantly work to reconstruct their lives. The film investigates the aftermath of a devastating 1990 earthquake which killed some 50,000 people in northern Iran.

MEDIA 2-3347

Zinat 1999

Zinat runs a health clinic in southern Iran. When she becomes engaged to Hamed his mother demands that she quit her job.

MEDIA 2-5039

Zinat one special day 2000

To work as a nurse, Zinat became the first woman from the Island of Qeshm in the south of Iran to remove the traditional veil. A health care worker for 13 years, she eventually got involved in social and political activities. Because it is forbidden to film in public the day of an election, filmmaker Ebrahim Mokhtari shot his film inside Zinat's house, where her family and neighbors debated the role of women in Iranian society. The following day, with the elections over, Mokhtari showed the village and the daily life of its inhabitants, while Zinat presented her intentions as a newly elected representative to improve the living conditions of her fellow villagers.

MEDIA 2-2377