POV

Indie Films Series / 13 Seasons

Since 1988, POV has been the home for the world’s boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intriguing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action.

Watch Latest: S37 E706

40m 19s / TV-14

Motherland: Unemployed Husbands

2m 42s

As Lea talks with another mother about how her husband doesn't have the 35 cents for transportation, we learn that she is 25 years old, already has a two year old, can't afford diapers for her premature newborn twins, and must breast feed because she can't afford milk.

Motherland: Dads

3m 20s

Visiting fathers hold their babies against their bodies, a method for keeping the premature infants warm because the hospital doesn't have incubators. They talk about the expenses of having a sick baby and their lack of basics at home, like electricity and running water.

The Islands and The Whales: The Questions

2m 9s

Panelists make several strong statements and ask important questions: "One day in the future our children will ask us, why didn't you stop? Why did it have to come so far, that the world condemns us and our children get sick?... Not taking action would be unfair, to the thousands of children we've tested."

The Islands and The Whales: Mercury

2m 13s

As he is examining a young local man (who participates in the grind) Dr. Pál Weihe, Head of the Faroe Islands Department of Public Health, explains that the mercury in the food chain comes largely from electricity used by people and places far from the Islands. He also discusses why it's hard to persuade people that they must stop eating whale.

The Islands and The Whales: The Sea Shepherd

4m 23s

Anti-whaling activists, including Baywatch's Pamela Anderson, explain why they are trying to stop the grind. They insist that they aren't trying to undermine Faroese culture; they are only trying to protect a sentient mammal species. They are challenged by locals, who note that their climate doesn't allow for much agricultural production, so they can't easily follow the suggestion to eat less meat

The Islands and The Whales: Disbelief

2m 2s

An elder explains why he doesn't believe the claims that the whale meat is contaminated with mercury. Dr. Weihe understands why it is difficult to accept something that they can't readily see, but cautions about the damage if they wait too long to act (to officially outlaw whale meat).

Motherland: Trailer

1m 57s

Motherland is an absorbingly intimate, vérité look at the busiest maternity hospital in the world, in one of the poorest and most populous countries: the Philippines. Women share their stories with other mothers, their families, doctors and social workers. In a hospital that is literally bursting with life, we witness the miracle/wonder of the human condition.

The Islands and The Whales: Trailer

2m 30s

On the isolated North Atlantic archipelago of the Faroe Islands, the longtime hunting practices of the Faroese are threatened by dangerously high mercury levels in the whales, decimated seabird populations and anti-whaling activists. The Faroe islanders consider themselves a canary in the mine, their tale a warning to the rest of the world.

Swim Team: Sports and Social Emotional Well Being

7m 17s

This segment is the opening of the film where we meet the three main athletes in Swim Team, Mikey, Robbie, and Kelvin who each are on the autism spectrum. We learn about their dedication to the Jersey Hammerheads, the Special Olympics Swim Team established by Mikey’s parents, Michael and Maria McQuay, and the purpose and value of this swim team, and learn more background about Mikey’s story.

Swim Team: Sports and Perseverance

3m 17s

In Clip 2 we learn about some of the very personal challenges autism presents for Mikey and for Robbie as well as for their parents. We also learn a bit more of the background, and difficulties, Robbie and his mother are confronted with as he matures through his high school years.

Swim Team: The Impact of Sports

6m 16s

In Clip 3 we meet Kelvin, a teen with both autism and Tourette’s Syndrome. We also meet his parents and learn more about their journey in figuring out how best to support their son including the successful role of swimming in his life.

The Islands and The Whales: The Grind

2m 59s

This clip shows a grind, the traditional technique used by the Faroese to herd whales into the bay, where they beach and are slaughtered. Much of the footage is graphic. It may disturb some students, so prior to viewing you'll want to warn them of the nature of what they are about to see.

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