A SMALL ACT

A Film by Jennifer Arnold

When Hilde Back sponsored a young, rural Kenyan student, she thought nothing of it. She certainly never expected to hear from him, but years later, she does. Now a Harvard graduate and a Human Rights Lawyer for the United Nations, Chris Mburu decides to find the stranger that changed his life. Inspired by her generosity he starts a scholarship program of his own, which gives a new generation of Kenyan students the hope of affording an education. With clarity and grace, A Small Act, bears witness to the ripple effect one singular action can have.

If you are interested in hosting a public screening of A Small Act in your community, please contact Kristin Cooney at kristin@rocofilms.com or (415) 332-6471 x204.


DVD FEATURES:
DVD includes both a 88 and 54 minute version. The 54 minute version tells the same story with less emphasis on the relationship between education and conflict, the inner workings of the Hilde Back Education Fund, and on the lives of the Kenyan students competing for a life-changing scholarship.

Includes a digital Discussion Guide created by Docs for Schools (download PDF).
preorder DVD button

QUOTES:

Secretary-General [Ban Ki-Moon] PRAISED [THE] FILM, for "highlighting the importance of giving all children an education in the fight against ignorance and bigotry."
—Michelle Kung, The Wall Street Journal

"A Small Act is such A POWERFUL FILM to use in classrooms across the globe. It demonstrates how individuals can make a profound difference in the world."
—Marc Skvirsky, Facing History and Ourselves

"A PRECIOUS AND INSPIRING TALE"
—The Hollywood Reporter

"REMARKABLE"
—The Huffington Post

"POWERFUL"
—Christian Science Monitor


The Miss Representation: Youth Education Curriculum equips students with the critical thinking skills to question the messages bombarding them daily in mainstream media. It also empowers teachers and parents with the tools to converse with children and young adults about their media consumption and its’ impact on their well-being.

Using footage and storytelling from the award-winning 2011 documentary Miss Representation, the education curriculum gives media literacy a much-needed gender focus. Girls and boys alike are asked to think about the effects of the images they see—particularly the ways media affect women and girls’ ability to see themselves as powerful beings and ultimately as leaders in our society.

The Miss Representation: Youth Education Curriculum includes modular clips and lesson plans that teachers can incorporate into existing instruction or build upon for a dedicated media literacy class. Your purchase includes access to material appropriate for K-4 elementary, middle school, and high school academic settings as well as discussion questions, activities aligned to national educational standards, and inspiring ways to engage students in using media as a positive change agent in our culture. A university study guide and the feature length film are also available for higher education classrooms and teacher in-services.

Looking for a way to engage and inspire young people? Consider giving the gift of Louder Than a Bomb to a school near you.

At screenings from San Diego, California to Lusaka, Zambia, we’ve seen the powerful impact Louder Than a Bomb can have on young people. It doesn’t matter if it’s a public school, a private school, or a religious school, the message is universal, and the effect is the same: they laugh, they cry, and they leave the screening thinking, talking, and excited about writing. Often the first question we get is “why don’t we have that here?”

Now, you can bring the excitement and energy of Louder Than a Bomb to kids in your community by purchasing the educational DVD for a middle or high school near you. The DVD includes the film itself, full versions of all the main poems (plus a bonus poem), and detailed lesson plans designed by the co-founder of Louder Than a Bomb, poet/educator Kevin Coval. The goal of this package is not just to inspire kids, but to get them writing—as individuals and with others—and maybe even get them to start an LTAB-style program at their school.

Purchase the Louder Than a Bomb educational DVD for a school, organization, or favorite teacher. Visit www.rocoeducational.com or www.louderthanabombfilm.com to find out more about the film.


“I had a feeling that the film was going to be well-received, but I was not prepared for the overwhelming response from students, teachers, and administrators. The outpouring of emotion from the students was genuine, spontaneous, nonstop -- and very, very loud.”
—Ken Jacobson, Programming/Education Outreach Coordinator, Palm Springs International Film Festival

Louder Than a Bomb is not only an entertaining and exciting film, it’s also an excellent teaching tool for the classroom. I’ve shown the film three times, to over 750 high school students, and each screening was met with standing ovations and spontaneous mid-film applause.”
—Rebecca Fons, Education Program Manager, The Chicago International Film Festival

“Students who previously had said that they hated poetry loved the film and now view poetry in a completely different light.”
—Kathy McHugh, English Department head, North Shore Country Day School

“The word I heard over and over from the students… ‘AWESOME!’”
—Kristy Ulrich Papczun, English Teacher, Byrne Elementary (Chicago)

“Best friggin’ movie EVER.”
—One of Kristy’s students, on Facebook

“Whenever, wherever, and however you find this film, just find it—and grab a teenager you love or who needs inspiration.”
—Geraud Blanks, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Louder Than a Bomb captures the inexplicable magic that occurs when the seemingly least likely candidates reach for something like poetry as a lifeline, seize it and climb to heights unimaginable.”
—Ryan Syrek, Omaha Reader

Louder Than a Bomb’’ is about the doors that language opens. Think of it as ‘Glee’ without music. Without a net, too….”
—Ty Burr, Boston Globe

“Awesome…Equally parts heartbreaking and inspirational, this film is a reminder that even Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs had to start somewhere….so why shouldn’t it be at a local high school?”
—Nylonmag.com

“Brimming with life and hope….It’s about how an amazing program has helped bring the best out of these kids, and how these kids have shown the ability to amaze right back.”
—Noel Murray, Onion A/V Club