Educational Media Reviews Online

Strong at the Broken Places tells the stories of four individuals who have encountered great tragedy in their lives and how they have brought about change during the process of healing the hurt. The four individuals featured in the film are: Arn Chorn-Pond, Max Cleland, Marcia Gordon, and Michael MacDonald. Chorn-Pond is a Cambodian refuge who was later adopted by an American family. He went on to represent Amnesty International and is the founder of Cambodian Volunteers. Cleland, a former American Army Captain, lost his limbs during the war in Vietnam. He later became a United States Senator. The video takes its title from a book of the same title written by Cleland. Gordon is a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and a recovering alcoholic and drug user. She now works as a substance abuse specialist and a domestic violence educator. Lastly, two members of MacDonald's family were killed by persons using unregistered illegal guns. He is the founder of a successful gun buy back program in Boston, an author, and a community organizer.

The video uses an interview setting which focuses on head shots of the four featured individuals. There is no voice over or additional narration ; the interviewer is neither seen or heard. Clips from their lives, such as scenes from the Khmer Rouge regime or Cleland in political life are briefly shown. The stories of each person are told in segments, switching from person to person. The setting and focus on the individuals is very effective, and directs the viewer's attention to their stories.

The interviewees relay their stories, starting from the point in their lives when they first experienced great tragedy. It follows how each dealt with tragedy, loss, or pain and they describe how they overcame great obstacles to achieve personal success. Each person used his pain and tragedy to do something that would benefit and society at large. The interviewees describe the turning point within their lives and what they did to bring positive changes to their lives.

Strong at the Broken Places is also accompanied by a pamphlet containing reviews of the video, a brief synopsis, a biography/filmography of producer/directors Margaret Lazarus and Renner Wunderlich, contact and biographical information for Chorn-Pond, Gordon, MacDonald, and Cleland.

This video would benefit high school, college, and adult audiences. It is recommended for purchase. --