We’re happy to share the news that Harvard has access to an additional streaming platform for films, the aptly named Film Platform. Film Platform joins our existing film options which include our DVD collection, Kanopy, Met Opera on Demand, and other streaming services.
Film Platform contains a curated collection of educational films covering a variety of topics likely to be of interest to the HLS community: from legal studies generally to human rights, environmental studies, politics, and technology, among others.
What can you do with Film Platform?
- View films on your own
- Show them to a class
- Screen them for student organization events (these must be free of charge)
Film Platform also offers an option to host Skype Q+A sessions with film makers. This requires an additional fee, which varies, but we’d be happy to explore the option with you.
If you have questions about Film Platform or films available at the library generally, ask a librarian and we’ll be happy to help.
Here are some examples of titles on Film Platform that may be of interest:
Chasing Ice
In the spring of 2005, acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog headed to the Arctic on a tricky assignment for National Geographic: to capture images to help tell the story of the Earth’s changing climate. Even with a scientific upbringing, Balog had been a skeptic about climate change. But that first trip north opened his eyes to the biggest story in human history and sparked a challenge within him that would put his career and his very well-being at risk. Chasing Ice is the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.
3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets
On Black Friday 2012, four African-American teenagers stopped at a gas station to buy gum and cigarettes. One of them, Jordan Davis, argued with Michael Dunn, a white man parked beside them, over the volume of music playing in their car. The altercation turned to tragedy when Dunn fired 10 bullets at the unarmed boys, killing Davis almost instantly. The seamlessly constructed, riveting documentary film 3 1⁄2 Minutes, Ten Bullets explores the danger and subjectivity of Florida’s Stand Your Ground self-defense laws by weaving Dunn’s trial with a chorus of citizen and pundit opinions, alongside the wrenching experiences of Jordan Davis’ parents.
Newtown
Filmed over the course of nearly three years, the filmmakers use unique access and never before heard testimonies to tell a story of the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history. Newtown documents a traumatized community fractured by grief and driven toward a sense of purpose. Joining the ranks of a growing club to which no one wants to belong, a cast of characters interconnect to weave an intimate story of community resilience.
E-TEAM
Anna, Ole, Fred and Peter are four members of the Emergencies Team — or E-Team — the most intrepid division of a respected, international human rights group. Trained to deal with unfolding crises, the E-Team flies to hotspots all over the world as soon as allegations of human rights abuse surface.
Virunga
In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on earth and home to the planet’s last remaining mountain gorillas. In this wild but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers – including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a caretaker of orphan gorillas and a dedicated conservationist – protect this UNESCO World Heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo’s rich natural resources.
Fukushima – A Nuclear Story
What was it that saved Tokyo from a nuclear disaster? Narrated by Willem Dafoe, this is the story of the foreign journalists who were are allowed to enter the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant after waiting two years to uncover the truth about the 2011 accident hidden behind those walls. The ex-premier Naoto Kan reveals the events as they really happened. Using digital reconstruction to elucidate the scientific complexities of the accident, the film uncovers the layers of accountability at play.
The C Word
With a dose of good humor, heart, and a touch of rock—n—roll beat, THE C WORD reveals the forces at play keeping us sick and dares to ask: if up to 70% of cancer deaths are preventable…what are we waiting for? At the heart of The C Word are powerful, twin narratives: one from celebrated French neuroscientist and cancer revolutionary Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, the other fromThe C Word‘s own director, Meghan L. O’Hara. After braving the journey from diagnosis to wellness, Meghan and David join forces on a wild ride of discovery; including hidden science, the absurdity of the status quo, and a vibrant cast of characters changing the game.
A Brave Heart
From the producers of the most viewed TEDWomen event of 2013 comes “A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story,” a documentary following the inspiring journey of 26 year old, 58 pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist. The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill.