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Call to Life

Facing the Mass Extinction
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Gr 9 Up—This film encourages viewers to take action to preserve the Earth's biodiversity and populations that are endangered due to pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, over-exploitation, and global warming. The scientists, ecologists, and other experts conclude that our modern, consumer-driven culture is creating a mass extinction to rival the one that killed off the dinosaurs 60 million years ago. Their points are supported with live-action footage and computer graphics. Unfortunately, the film presents no other points of view other than its own bias. Viewers are given no steps or advice on how to take action. While this could be a great springboard for classroom discussion, length could limit its appeal.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , Jan 01, 2011

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