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anthem: Ode to Joy

Crossroads:

Inside the European Union

(Six 27 min. programs, 2007, DVD tba)

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motto: In varietate concordia

"United in diversity"

Crossroads: Inside the European Union

from

Films for the Humanities and Sciences

"Europe is undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis. What will the 'new' Europe look like? This six-part series presents an incisive portrait of a continent that has become a vibrant tapestry of racial and ethnic identities as well as a political, economic, and cultural pressure cooker. Combining detailed research, on-location filming across the European Union, interviews with policy makers and immigration experts, and reports from inside isolated minority communities, the series reveals many of the challenges facing the EU in the age of globalization. 6-part series, 27 minutes each."

Inside the European Union: Parliament under Pressure

"Defining 'European' is one of the main challenges facing the EU Parliament. This program outlines the history of the governing body and assesses the actions it has taken to shape and organize the EU. Shedding light on electoral and procedural methods adopted by the Parliament, the film documents political fanfare and maneuvering accompanying the eastward expansion of the union with the entry of Bulgaria and Romania. The program also shows how these developments influence the path to comprehensive immigration laws—and how foreign workers, illegal immigrants, and asylum seekers are affected. Several members of the EU Parliament are interviewed." (27 minutes)

Identities: Culture and Nationality in Europe Today

"What prevents minority communities from joining the European mainstream? Is there an appropriate balance between assimilation and preserving one’s cultural heritage? This program wrestles with questions of identity and integration resulting from the racial and ethnic divisions of European society. Depicting daily life in immigrant communities on the Continent and in Great Britain, the film features observations from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern transplants, each offering his or her personal take on living in two worlds—and the bridges, if any, that can be built between them. In addition, European MP Wolf Klinz puts forward his belief that immigrants should be required to learn the language of their adopted country." (27 minutes)

No Colors: Racism and Prejudice in Modern Europe

"Racial tension has become a politically explosive and socially divisive threat to stability in the European Union. This program looks at the racism and xenophobia brought to the surface by a massive influx of foreign workers and job-seekers into Western Europe; it also describes the search for equitable solutions by moderate EU leaders and citizens. Islamophobia, religious fundamentalism, the radicalization of young Muslim men, and racism in football (or soccer) are all examined. With insight into modern Europe’s cultural and political dynamics, the film presents commentary from Mahmud Al-Rashid of the Muslim Council of Britain, British National Party spokesperson Colin Smith, European Parliament president Josep Borrell, and everyday people on the street." (27 minutes)

Help Wanted: Dynamics of the EU Labor Market

"With a low birth rate and an aging workforce, the European Union needs immigrants—but how temporary or permanent their status should be is a matter of debate. This film examines existing and proposed guest worker programs, in addition to other EU measures, designed to address the results of globalization and shifting demographics. Focusing not only on the EU’s tremendous economic advances but also on regions afflicted by poverty, the film looks at immigrant education, ambition, and self-employment, while sifting through issues such as worker job security and the growth of sex industries. Nick Clark of the Trade Unions Congress, Leo Monz of the German Federation of Unions, and several guest workers share their views." (27 minutes)

Human Trafficking: A Crisis for the EU and the World

"Europe’s wealth represents a golden opportunity for those who smuggle cheap, easily exploited workers across international borders. But how does the loathsome mechanism of human trafficking actually occur, and what are EU authorities doing to fight it? This program investigates by recording the experiences of human trafficking victims and evaluating the work of the EU government in the battle against 21st-century slavery. Corruption, prostitution, victim protection and repatriation, and the creation of FRONTEX—the agency responsible for European border patrol—are all highlighted, while members of the European Parliament and other officials discuss what must be done to improve anti-smuggling efforts." (27 minutes)

Stop the Flow: Analyzing the Causes of EU Immigration

"Can Western aid to the developing world help to stem the tide of foreign workers into the EU? This program reports on European initiatives intended to improve conditions in Africa and the Middle East and thus reduce the number of job-seekers entering the European Union. With a spotlight on human rights, fair trade, the global war on poverty, the role of the private sector, and the frustrations of young unemployed foreigners, the program uses Morocco as a specific case study and also outlines the significance of the Middle East peace process. Additional insight comes from activists and businesspeople in developing countries and from Louis Michel, EU Commissioner of Development and Humanitarian Aid." (27 minutes)