Watch Acclaimed Documentary A Film Unfinished Tonight on PBS

“A Film Unfinished , engages us, challenges us, and most importantly teaches us – not only about history, but about what we take for granted, and what we assume to be the truth.”  -Cinematical

After WWII, 60 minutes of raw film, having sat undisturbed in an East German archive, was discovered. Shot by the Nazis in Warsaw in May 1942, and labeled simply “Ghetto,” this footage quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record of the Warsaw Ghetto. However, the later discovery of a long-missing reel, inclusive of multiple takes and cameramen staging scenes, complicated earlier readings of the footage.

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Tags: a film unfinished, germany, ghetto, history, Nazi, PBS, propaganda, warsaw, WWII

Explore our Interactive Timeline: History of the Congo

Independent Lens has created an interactive timeline of the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo to help bring viewers up to speed ahead of Tuesday night’s documentary Pushing the Elephant.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has a tragic history marked by invasion and brutality by imperialists and occupiers. Give yourself a primer on the African country and trace the Congo’s history with the videos, photographs, and resources on this interactive timeline, provided by Independent Lens.

Tags: Africa, congo, history, Pushing the elephant, rose mapendo, timeline

Digital Diaspora Family Reunion

Tags: African American, Diaspora, documentary, history

Egalité for All Tells the Story of Haiti’s Revolutionary Past

Toussaint Louverture of Haiti.

Since the massive earthquake devastated Haiti two weeks ago, volunteers and organizations from around the world have rallied together in support. Recently, the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, which aired on public television stations and other media outlets, raised more than $58 million in donations.

Despite the massive worldwide effort, the news coverage continues to grow dire –– with rising death toll numbers and reports of missing children and families.

But how much does the world really know about Haiti? While most media coverage mentions Haiti’s severe poverty, little has been told about its revolutionary past and leading role in the human rights movement.

In the clip below of the ITVS film Egalité for All: Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Revolution, learn more about how Toussaint Louverture led the only successful slave insurrection in history. His thoughts transformed the way people thought during the nineteenth century and inspired slaves and abolitionist worldwide.

Everyone at ITVS would like to express our deepest sympathy to all those impacted by this tragedy as well as thank everyone who has supported the rebuilding efforts. The National Center for Media Engagement has also been active in supporting the nationwide public station response in the Haitian relief effort.

Learn more about NCME and their impact >>

Looking to lend your support in the form of a donation? Here are some options:

• Make your donation online at www.hopeforhaitinow.org
• Phone: 877-99-HAITI
• Text: Text “GIVE” to 50555 to donate $10.
• Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tags: earthquake, Haiti, history, Human Rights, Toussaint Louverture