New Human Rights Video and Educational Materials Based on Velvet Revolution

Agora Productions recently released the first-ever comprehensive film and educational materials package documenting the inspiring struggle of the Velvet Revolution - a bloodless achievement not unlike those of Nelson Mandela in South Africa or Mahatma Gandhi in India.

The documentary and educational materials are now being utilized by many universities including Stanford, Harvard, Duke, UCLA, and recently by students in a course entitled "Politics Under Authoritarian Rule" for upper-division undergraduates, mostly juniors and seniors at the University of Iowa.
According to Professor William Reisinger, who teaches the course, "... the response was highly favorable" by all students who watched the film. After viewing the film, Professor Reisinger asked students to fill out a survey detailing their opinions of the subject matter portrayed in "The Power of the Powerless." In one question he asked students to compare this documentary to others they have seen. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor and asked them what score would they give it? Out of 37 students the film received an average 4.1 score. The majority of students also marked on a separate question that they thought "The Power of the Powerless" was an excellent film and that the Professor should definitely show it again. "Rave reviews, I would say. I will continue to use the film," commented Reisinger. For more detailed information about the film and educational materials as well as a 20% discount see below:

Film Description
Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons, "The Power of the Powerless" explores Czechoslovakia's legacy of communist rule and the struggle against it: From the iron-fisted Stalinist government of the 1950s; through the vibrant and politically active Prague Spring of the 1960s; the hard-line backlash of the 1970s; and finally the bloodless revolution of 1989. At the heart of the film is the story of blacklisted playwright Václav Havel and his fellow dissidents who, for two decades, spoke out against totalitarianism. The film culminates with the student-led movement in Prague, which sparked 1989's Velvet Revolution and drew a half-million people into the streets, catapulting Václav Havel into the presidency. The documentary features rare and never-before-seen interviews with key figures of the Velvet Revolution including Václav Havel. The participation of young Czechs in the film, who reveal that much of their country's recent history has already been forgotten, makes the film all the more pertinent for young viewers. Directed by Primetime Emmy Award winner Cory Taylor and completed in 2009, "The Power of the Powerless" has already been broadcast in 40 countries on 10 television networks, featured in 20 international film festivals, won multiple awards, and is currently being used by human rights organizations to encourage dissidents struggling in non-democratic countries including Burma. click here to see the trailer.

Educational Materials Description
Packed with lessons, maps and resources for teachers, a companion CD-ROM and booklet were developed to help students and others gain a comprehensive understanding of this historic period. These materials delve deeper into the biographies of those featured in "The Power of the Powerless," and expand on the documentary's themes, exploring subjects such as the abuse of authority, and the importance of civic engagement. Through exposure to the Czechoslovak experience under communism, students will be challenged to examine today's pertinent human rights issues while gaining a deeper appreciation for the importance of promoting and defending human rights. Two educational versions of the DVD, booklet and CD-ROM Teacher Support Materials are now available for university and secondary schools. Educational Version 1.0 is licensed for k-12 schools, individuals, nonprofits, and civic organizations while Educational Version 2.0 is licensed to colleges and universities.

DVD Release Discount
20% DISCOUNT offered to the first 100 teachers, schools, universities, libraries and civic organizations to purchase any products from our website. To make a purchase, just go to http://www.thepowerofthepowerless.org/store> and use Coupon Code VELVET2010.
To see a detailed list of what's inside each package click here: http://www.thepowerofthepowerless.org/store>

Gabriel is a film and history buff from Los Angeles Ca helping others to discover great treasures of history