Community Corner
Understanding Cultural Differences Through Film
Middle school students produce shorts exploring basic human rights.
The Turkish Cultural Center in Medford recently held a celebration of 'Understanding, Accepting and Respecting Our Cultural Differences Week'.
The evening consisted of showcasing short films from the YOUTH PLUS film festival sponsored by United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and International Organization for Migration. Also shown was an inside look at the 'Life through Our Eyes' project; films that allow a glimpse into the lives of young adults from Turkey, Ecuador, Malaysia, and Patchogue.
Regina Casale, a Spanish teacher from Longwood School District and organizer of Diálogo Comunitario and the Lucero de America Foundation in Patchogue, helped the students create the videos after visiting Ecuador.
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"In Gualaceo [Ecuador], there are various committees and the local government gives them money for their programs and services. The Committee of Youth is responsible for providing a summer program, 'La Colonia Vacacional', with primary and secondary age kids. There are hundreds of kids participating in this program," Casale said.
Casale brought the concept back to Long Island and helped implement several similar youth programs in Patchogue.
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One of these programs is held at Saxton Middle School and only open to current students. Students interested in joining the film program at Saxton Middle School should contact Principal Manuel Sanzone for more information.
Another program is available at the Patchogue-Medford Library and is open to the entire community. Those interested in the community program should contact the staff at the Patchogue-Medford Library.
During this year's program, the kids explored their lives, their environment and basic human rights culminating in creating the short films that were showcased. The Film and Educational Research Academy at Teachers College (TC) sponsored the program and provided the students with camera workshops, movie screenings and TC university visits.
Stonybrook resident Dr. Yassin El-Ayouty, Esq. was invited by friends to see the international, cultural films that the students produced and was amazed at the final projects.
"I have always believed that the United States is a great place for inter-cultural communication and to grow America constantly by new blood and new ideas," said Dr. El-Ayouty.
