Films with: Farber, Jeff

Beyond 88 keys the music of Michael Arnowitt /

"Since the early 1980's, Central Vermonters have experienced the musical intelligence and extraordinary talent of pianist Michael Arnowitt. ... A favorite of the 2004 Green Mountain Film Festival, 'Beyond 88 keys' explores the many facets of Arnowitt: his years as a prodigy in Boston, his political activism, his increasing interest in performing jazz, and his challeneges with reduced vision" -- container.

DVD 8911

Brother bread, sister puppet

Documentary on the Bread and Puppet Theater company, highlighting its production of "Our Domestic Resurrection Circus," an annual festival held at its home in northern Vermont. In addition to excerpts from the day's performances, the program includes glimpses behind the scenes: bread-baking; making puppets, flags, and costumes; rehearsals; and other preparations. The documentary also discusses the origins and early years of the company, which was founded by Peter Schumann in New York City in the early 1960s; its growing political activism and community involvement; and its character as a non-traditional theater company offering a blend of entertainment and political commentary.

DVD 8013

Living on the fault line where race and family meet /

"Living on the fault line explores the intersection of familial love and racial injustice in the experiences of transracial families created through adoption. An unflinching look at race in America, it is an intimate portrait that reveals the difficulties families face as children of color grow up in communities where racism and white privilege are unspoken and undeniable realities"--Container.

DVD 5095

Living the autism maze

The 40-minute documentary takes viewers into the lives of Barbano's and five other Vermont families with autistic children. The parents share their frustrations with doctors and school administrators and acknowledge their big fears: What will happen when my autistic child becomes an adult? The film touches on the raging debate about the causes of autism -- which have not been conclusively identified -- and the bitterness some parents feel after a diagnosis is made. "Maze" suggests that despite considerable expenditures by schools, many parents aren't happy with the result. Parents talk in the film about poorly coordinated programs, educators and therapists with no training in autism, and bad advice. The film also suggests that for children with more severe needs, success does not come easily.

DVD 3745