Local perspectives on extremism, climate change, caretakers and gun violence aim to inform voters ahead of fall elections
Local, USA: In Their Element captures how Indigenous leaders are taking action to combat climate change in their areas, working to protect the earth, air, fire and water that comprises their native land on which they depend. The film airs on Monday, October 31, when it will also be released for streaming. Click here for the trailer.
Boston, MA (October 4, 2022) – WORLD Channel, public media’s home for diverse documentaries and human-centered programming, will air four short films that hone in on key voting topics ahead of the 2022 elections. Caretakers, Extremism in America, In Their Element and Heaven: Can You Hear Me? will air as part of WORLD Channel’s Local, USA series, which selects documentaries from public television stations and independent producers across the country, representing stories of diverse people and under-represented local stories to be shared with a national audience.
“WORLD Channel’s north star centers on sharing timely stories from diverse communities. With critical topics on ballots across the nation this year, we are especially proud to elevate stories of lived experience and perseverance in the face of gun violence, extremism, the healthcare worker shortage and climate change,” said Chris Hastings, Executive Producer of WORLD Channel at GBH in Boston. “With these four locally-produced films, we hope that viewers and voters will walk away feeling more informed and connected with issues facing Americans in communities near and far.”
Local, USA: Caretakers
Monday, October 10
Explore the history of Filipinos in care work and profiles of Filipino Americans on the front lines today. The film shows, as filmmaker Geena Rocero says, “Filipinos as we are,” while telling the stories of all people providing vital care. Meet caretakers like nurse Belinda Ellis, therapist Aleksa Manila, Chef Channing Centeno and phlebotomist Angel Bonilla. Based on Geena Rocero’s GLAAD- and Emmy-nominated web series. A public media initiative by The WNET Group.
Local, USA: Heaven: Can You Hear Me?
Monday, October 17
In Philadelphia, gun violence is the leading cause of death for young Black men. Explore the impact on families through the eyes of mothers like one woman, whose youngest of four sons was murdered. The film demonstrates the challenges gun violence prevention advocates confront while allowing viewers to understand the often-untold trauma and resilience of survivors.
Local, USA: Extremism in America
Monday, October 24
According to government officials, domestic terrorism by white supremacists is the nation’s most urgent threat. Extremism in America, from Retro Report and The WNET Group’s Exploring Hate initiative, shows how the spread of extremist beliefs and violence was downplayed for decades by policymakers and law enforcement even as this dangerous ideology, fueled by racism, grew into a potent force today.
Local, USA: In Their Element
Monday, October 31
In Their Element spotlights Indigenous leaders rising up to meet the challenge of the climate crisis. The film features four communities across the United States, each working to protect a different natural resource: earth, air, fire and water. For people whose existence is inseparable from their native land, climate change is not a tale of the future – it is the present.
In addition to these four programs, a variety of documentaries, interviews and podcasts are available to stream on the WORLD Channel website, YouTube channel, PBS Passport and the PBS App.
For more information visit www.WORLDchannel.org/ and follow @worldchannel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
