A Resource Guide for Baha'i Studies--videos

VIDEOS

Most of these videos on the Bahá'í Faith are designed to highlight an aspect of the Bahá'í Faith, but are usually prepared in a documentary or news magazine format, and thus are often suitable for use in the classroom. For information on how to obtain these tapes, contact the Bahá'í Distribution Service: phone (800) 999-9019; email bds@usbnc.org.

Bahá'í Education in India. This documentary explores the impact the Bahá'í teachings on education and economic development are having in rural India and describes the role of grassroots Bahá'í governing bodies (local spiritual assemblies) in fostering development.

Bahá'í National Convention Telecast. 120 minutes. This video, transmitted live from the 88th Bahá'í National Convention in Chicago in 1997, gives an insight into the proceedings of a national convention. Includes the statement "Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Men and Women."

Bahá'í Newsreel. Approx. 30-60 minutes. A series of news videos on current events in the Bahá'í Faith, produced three or more times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. The "Bahá'í Newsreel" is designed to inform the Bahá'ís of the major developments in their religion, to emphasize the current concerns of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Universal House of Justice, and, to a lesser extent, to demonstrate what the Bahá'í Faith is doing to solve world problems. Some newsreels may be suitable for classroom use, depending on the need of the class and the nature of the audience.

From Haitian Roots. 20 minutes. A documentary about education and development projects carried out by the Haitian Bahá'í community, especially at the Anís Zunúzí School, a Bahá'í elementary school near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The Green Light Expedition. Several hours in length. A documentary about the trip of Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbání, widow of Shoghi Effendi and one of the most prominent Bahá'ís in the world, up the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers and into the Andes Mountains of Peru to meet indigenous peoples of South America and encourage them to strengthen their knowledge of the Bahá'í Faith. Parts may be suitable for anthropology audiences, as it highlights the relationship between the Bahá'í Faith and native peoples.

Jewel in the Lotus. 27 minutes. A video about the Bahá'í House of Worship at Bahapur, outside New Delhi, India, from its conception in the early years of this century through the enormously complex construction phase to its dedication in 1986.

Lasting Remembrances. Appr. ten hours. This series of five videos consititute the oficial video recordings of the second Bahá'í World Congress in New York, 1992. Contents include speeches, dramatic presentations, and performances by the World Congress choir.

Mona With the Children and The Making of the Mona Video. Approx. 45 minutes. In 1983 Islamic officials ordered ten Bahá'í women in Shíráz to be hanged for refusing to deny their religion and to convert to Islam. Among the ten was eighteen-year-old Mona Mahmudnezhad. She was executed for her "crime" of teaching Bahá'í children's classes. Her heroism inspired the writing of a song by Canadian pop star Doug Cameron titled "Mona with the Children" which was made into a brief "rock" video. Following the video is a description of why the video was made and what its various scenes signify. In the process, the video describes the persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran in a powerful, poignant, and dignified way. A video particularly suitable for high school and junior college classes.

Morning Stars: A Profile of Kevin Locke. 28 minutes. An introduction to the Bahá'í Faith as it relates to Native American culture, religion, and prophecy, featuring Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux musician and dancer who is a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States.

Nova Bahá'í Video Series. A series of seven tapes, available in many languages and formats, on the basic subjects of the Faith, including Bahá'í history, teachings for leading a Bahá'í lifestyle, and how to teach the masses and spread the Faith.

Peace: The Promise. A documentary on the Bahá'í International Peace Conference, held in San Francisco in 1986, which explores the Bahá'í commitment to world peace.

The Pilgrimage. 120 minutes. A visit to the Holy Places at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa and 'Akká, Israel. Rúhíyyih Rabbání, perhaps the most respected Bahá'í in the world, conducts the tour. Excellent for classes interested in the nature of Bahá'í pilgrimage, the purpose of the Bahá'í World Centre, Bahá'í devotion to the lives of its founders, and its modern administrative functioning.

The Prisoner of Akka. 30 min. A popular exposition of the life of Bahá'u'lláh and his new message for humanity.

The Seat of God's Throne. 33 minutes. A documentary about the Bahá'í World Centre of the Bahá'í Faith in Haifa, Israel, its history, and the massive construction project it has initiates to complete three more monumental marble buildings on the "Arc" on the side of Mount Carmel. Though primarily designed for a Bahá'í audience, this video is suitable for non-Bahá'ís as well.


Back to:
Bibliography of Scholarship Table of Contents
Main Table of Contents for A Resource Guide for Bahá'í Studies

  • Return to Digital Library Page

  • Return to H-Bahai Home Page