The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

USDA In the film "Henry Browne, Farmer," why did the Negro family have to go to town in a wagon? — because Negroes, mules and wagons are all a part of a stereotyped picture. from a two-wheeled cart, appears in a film sequence. What can the teacher do about it? Ask George Petrasso, who sits in the third seat of the second row, what his father does. The children know who Sinatra is, and they probably have heard of a fellow named DiMaggio and a man named LaGuardia. All of this can be added up to an understanding that Italian-Americans do about the same things other Americans do with just about the same degree of success and failure. Discussion based upon what the children have seen all about them is usually sufficient to dispel fixed ideas about whole populations. When this doesn't appear to be enough, a series of mounted pictures can be set up in the room that show the people under study in a variety of real life situations, [f these aren't available, a few well directed questions usually will make it perfectly clear that ALL is a word that has no meaning when applied to a whole population. The Film Needs the Teacher Teachers can, if they wish, make stereotypes in films backfire and become the means of producing some straight thinking on the part of young people. It won't happen that way though if educational films are never more than motion picture shows. Indeed, no film is sufficient in itself as a classroom tool. As a matter of fact, the best prepared film, when used as a show, guarantees nothing. Assume that the film was to display the evils of anti-"something or other" and that an excellent portrayal was made. Will that guarantee the erasure of the anti attitudes from the minds of the viewers? It will not. For those who were free of such prejudice, it may strengthen convictions; but for those who are prejudiced, no guarantees can be made. The prejudiced person, quite likely, will fail to identify himself with the important characters in the portrayal or he may salve his conscience with "red herrings". Even in the most perfect situation, the teacher is needed as a guide to discussion if desired results are to be forthcoming. The Goal: Natural Situations There is a big job ahead if we are to promote better human relations. It is a job for both teachers and producers. The solution is to work together to get better teaching aids — aids that can picture people as dififerent without making them appear peculiar, queer or funny in the process, aids that respect varying cultures and enhance the dignity of man. It would be novel indeed to meet a research chemist in an educational film who was a Negro or Chinese working side by side with a Caucasian and no mention made of the situation as being unusual. It seems that I have heard of at least one Negro who was a research chemist. The situations in the films should be as natural as children are before we begin filling their minds with stereotypes. It can be done ! Summary Report on UN Film Activities Whatever else the United Nations may or may not have accomplished in 1947, it has an impressive record in film production and distribution. Following is a summary of activities of the UN Film and Television Section, Division of Films and Visual Information. Documentary Film Production Six United Nations films were completed in 1947: The Peoples' Charter, Searchlight on the Nations, Maps We Live By, Clearing the Way (produced for the Headquarters Planning Commission), First Steps (for the Department of Social Affairs) and a theatrical trailer for the United Nations Appeal for Children. Contracts were signed for 14 film productions in ten different countries (none of the following titles are final ; they are descriptive working titles only) : The Fight Against Illiteracy — Mexico ; The United Nations in Action (ICEF) — Poland; Young Ideas — Czechoslovakia; Common Ground (international technical training) — U.K. ; Juvenile Delinquency — Belgium ; In Every Port (medical care for seamen) — The Netherlands; hi the Long Run (FAO) — U.S.; The Eternal Fight (WHO) (on epidemics) — U.S.-France; Lighthouses — France; M^hat Is the United Nations? — France; Timber — Sweden. All of these films deal with world problems which are being met by international cooperation. Three films on family health and welfare are being produced in India for the Department of Social Affairs. Arrangements have been made with independent producers or sponsors for the production of the following films : Epilepsy — U.S. ; International Aviation, France ; Greece — As Seen By FAO, by France. The first picture produced by the United Nations, The Peoples' Charter, is now being widely distributed. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese language version editions, made {Continiied on page 144) 126 Educational Screen