The American Library Association (ALA) Video Round Table Notable Videos for
Adults Committee has compiled its 2014 list of Notable Videos for Adults, a
list of 15 outstanding programs released on video within the past two years and
suitable for all libraries serving adults. Its purpose is to call attention to
recent video releases that make a significant contribution to the world of
video. The list is compiled for use by librarians and the general adult
populace.
The Notable Videos for Adults committee selected 15 outstanding titles from
among 34 nominees for this year’s list of Notable Videos for Adults.
* Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry (2012) 91 minutes. MPI Media Group. Available from
various distributors.
Profiles Chinese dissident artist Ai WeiWei and his mission to draw
attention to political oppression in China.
* Brooklyn Castle (2012) 101 minutes. Rescued Media. Available from various
distributors.
Public school kids and educators overcome economic challenges to
compete in national chess championships.
* The Central Park Five (2012) 119 minutes. IFC Films.Available from
various distributors.
An indictment of the press and the criminal justice systems mishandling
of the Central park jogger case from the perspective of the five young men
falsely accused, and ultimately exonerated.
* The Gatekeepers (2013) 101 minutes. Sony Pictures Classics. Available
from various distributors.
A glimpse into machinations of Israel's counter terrorism operations
through unprecedented interviews with six former leaders of Shin Bet .
* The House I live in (2013) 108 minutes. Charlotte Street Films. Available
from various distributors.
Lays bare the social consequences of America's failed war on drugs.
* How to Survive a Plague (2013) 109 minutes. Public Square Films.
Available from various distributors.
Members of ACT UP fight to provide life saving drugs to their
community and raise awareness during the outbreak of HIV-AIDS.
* The Imposter (2013) 99 minutes. A&E Indie Films. Available from various
distributors.
Well executed high tension thriller about a trickster who manipulates
his way into a family grieving for their missing child.
* Invisible War (2012) 98 minutes. Docurama Films. Available from various
distributors.
An expose about sexual assault in the military and the system that
perpetuates it.
* Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012) 82 minutes. Magnolia Pictures. Available from
various distributors.
An aging sushi chef demonstrates that mastery comes from life long
dedication to improving ones craft.
* Kumare (2013) 84 minutes. Kino Lorber Available from various distributors.
By posing as a guru the filmmaker explores the common longing for
spiritual guidance.
* Leviathan (2013) 87 minutes. Cinema Guild. Available from various
distributors.
An Immersive experience using experimental techniques to explore the
lives of commercial fisherman.
* A Place at the Table (2013) 84 minutes. Magnolia Pictures. Available from
various distributors.
An exploration of Americas food insecurity and its negative impact on
the nations most vulnerable
* Project Nim (2012) 93 minutes. Red Box Films. Available from various
distributors
A chimpanzee is raised as a human, taught sign language, and later
abandoned by those he trusted.
* Soul Food Junkies (2013) 63 minutes. PBS. Available from various
distributors.
A film that celebrates the soul food tradition while advocating for
modifications to minimize its negative health effects on the community.
* Where Heaven Meets Hell ( 2013) ITVS.
Beautifully crafted film that reveals the difficult lives of sulfur
miners in east Java.
The Notable Videos for Adults Committee members are: Julia Churchill, Oak Lawn
Public Library (Chair); Brian Boling, Temple University; Linda Frederiksen,
Vancouver Library; Mary Hanlin, Reynolds Community College; Wendy Higby, James
A. Michener Library; Maura Lynch, Guilderland Public Library; Sandra Macke,
University of Denver; Michele McKenzie, Berkeley Public Library; Maureen
Tripp, Emerson College;
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
