Grassroots in Dry Lands 2015
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Helene Klodawsky
Directed by Helene Klodawsky
DVD, color and b&w, 52 min.
High School - General Adult
Domestic Violence, Economics, Family Relations, Human Rights, Israel, Jordan, Law, Middle East, Palestine, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, Sociology
Date Entered: 11/13/2017
Reviewed by Michael Fein, Coordinator of Library Services, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VAThis relatively short production looks at social workers and volunteers in Palestine, Israel, and Jordan. All are zealous to improve the lives of individuals in their communities and they all do seem to positive impacts on the lives of individuals whom they are assisting, be it helping with public transportation services, domestic abuse, or meetings between residents and government officials. The film is technically very good with no perceived issues. Spoken language is either Arabic, Hebrew, or Russian with subtitles, which are quite clear. There is no spoken narration, but a minimum of narrative script to give context. While this is not the most exciting production, it may be of use in social work programs, but is overall an optional purchase at best.