A Laughing Matter

Winner of the Silver Apple Award at the National Educational Film and Video Festival

Synopsis

"A Laughing Matter" is a twenty-eight minute film, the first in a series of contemporary interpretations of traditional folktales from around the world entitled "Something Special". Although the story is a universal one, its origins lie in the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. "A Laughing Matter" is marked with lush scenery, wide open skies, and glorious sunlit images. In this contemporized tale children and adults learn something special about another culture, and more importantly, something special about themselves.

"A Laughing Matter" is a highly entertaining film which has extensive educational possibilities for the student and teacher. This contemporarized fairy tale is an excellent catalyst for subject areas in the curriculum such as language studies, art, cross-cultural studies, creative writing and drama, music, family studies, history and geography. Apart from its educational value, it is fun to watch and will have children of all ages laughing and singing its calypsos!

The film premiered in Boston at the International Children's Film and Video Festival to enthusiastic audiences and was selected to be screened at The Chicago International Festival of Children's Films, The Melbourne International Film Festival, The First Cairo International Film Festival for Children, and twice at KidsFilm in Dallas,Texas. It won the Silver Apple Award at the National Educational Film and Video Festival in Oakland, California and is currently being distributed to schools and libraries worldwide. Most recently it was broadcast on SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation).

Reviews:

... an offbeat and hilarious fairy tale about an unhappy middle class "princess" and how she is made to laugh. An exceptionally endearing performance from Nelson, her prince... add to the fresh simplicity of this unique and engaging allegory on the importance of maintaining one's own culture.

"Ann Turner, Melbourne International Film Festival"
There is a freshness about this film that is very appealing... the actor who plays Nelson does a wonderful job. Good characters...nice use of music...a top contender.

"Golden Gate Jury Evaluation, San Francisco International Film Festival"

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Users' Guide)

Watch a video clip for A Laughing Matter

And, as an added bonus, something special for parents...

The Diplomat

A Tragi-Comedy in which a man tries to tell his meek friend that his estranged wife has just died...
... without upsetting him (too much)
A Contemporary Adaptation by Michael Witta of a story by Anton Chekhov

11 minutes

Watch a video clip for The Diplomat

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