randy riddle makes a good point: "On the other hand, I'm disturbed that there's a concentration on the "big budget", more popular-oriented works in the lists I've seen posted here. Video -- a medium that is revolutionizing the documentary form by providing tools of expression to minority or localized groups at a small cost -- is being ignored by Academia for the most part. The "classic" documentary of this generation won't be shot on 16mm or 35mm, but probably on VHS, Hi-8, or DV (when it becomes available)." so here's some suggestions for documentaries from the margins--low-budget, independent but well-done... available from "women make movies" catalog BOTH by vic de la rosa, short documentary of two white frat boy looking guys living in a monogamous couple, both HIV+ DREAMGIRLS, an *excellent documentary on the training at the Takarazuka (sp?) music and dance school in japan. it's an all-girls school with trains girls to perform in slightly gender-bendy musicals. these girls are pop culture idols in japan. poor explanation on my part of a fabulous video. COMPLAINTS OF A DUTIFUL DAUGHTER, about a woman's mother's fight against alzheimer's and (peripherally) the daughter's lesbianism. i haven't seen it myself, but wasn't it nominated for an academy award. also try to track down "third world newsreel" in nyc: TWO-SPIRIT PEOPLE, a documentary about the berdache, the "third sexed" men of native american culture (contains an excellent clip of dustin hoffman in 'little big man') i wish i could remember the name of that thing about the transgendered belly dancer (man living and working as a female entertainer in Beirut). now *that* was some stunning footage of a man/woman completely otherwise illegible to western culture. great for making your students think about who has authority in the medium and about visibility/representation. i'm sure newsreel could tell you the name of it. Meryem Ersoz University of Oregon ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]