Two Bells/Two Worlds 2002
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Producer n/a
Directed by Bernard Stone
VHS, color, 56 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Asian Studies, Ethics, History, International Relations, Military Studies, Multicultural Studies
Date Entered: 12/20/2004
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis video is a documentary detailing the story of two bells that were taken by American troops in the Philippine/American War at the turn of the twentieth century, as well as the story of that war itself.
The two bells are currently encased in a war memorial in the town of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and are known as the Balangiga Bells. American soldiers and veteran groups claim that the bells were used to warn Filipinos of approaching Americans during a major battle in the war, and that the loss of life and the use of the bells for that purpose justify their current residence in the United States and in the war memorial. Filipinos, and Filipino-Americans, have been demanding that the U.S. government return the bells to the Philippines. The resulting dissension and discord is an ongoing irritant in current relations between the Philippines and the United States. In addition to this story, the film documents the history of the Philippine/American War, which caused the deaths of over 750,000 Philippinos, and the American movement against the war led by none other than American writer Mark Twain. The entire film is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon, and also includes analysis and commentary by American historian Howard Zinn.
Director Bernard Stone has created an exceptionally balanced and researched piece. A truly fascinating documentary of a story within a story, and the ongoing debate related to a war that took place over a century ago.