FILMS

Once you begin to see through the lens of trauma, there are many films that portray its occurrence and impact. A few recent films are listed below. These might be helpful in prompting community/group discussion.

  • Paper Tigers (2015). This film chronicles a year in the life of Lincoln High School in the community of Walla Walla, Washington. The kids who come to Lincoln have a history of truancy, behavioral problems and substance abuse. After Lincoln’s principal is exposed to research about the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), he decides to radically change the school’s approach to discipline. With the aid of diary camera footage, the film follows six students. From getting into fights, grappling with traumatic events in their lives, and on the cusp of dropping out, they find healing, support and academic promise at Lincoln High. Note that the KPJR website (https://kpjrfilms.co/films/) offers additional resources to support further research and group discussion. Individuals can this film on Amazon Prime.
  • Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope (2016). This documentary explains how toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune. The film chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Note that the KPJR website (https://kpjrfilms.co/films/) offers additional resources to support further research and group discussion.
  • Wrestling Ghosts, (2018). This documentary follows the epic inner journey of Kim, a young mother who, over two heart-breaking and inspiring years, battles the traumas from her past to create a new present and future for her and her family. With counseling, Kim opens up to new ways of thinking and uncovers what has blocked her from experiencing the joy and connection she most desires. She learns about the impact of childhood trauma on her brain, and how, tragically, this very damage causes the trauma to be passed on to her own children. Armed with knowledge and compassion, she pursues new strategies to heal herself, including counseling, Neurofeedback, and EFT (tapping). Note the resources for individual and group exploration available at the film’s website: https://www.wrestlingghosts.com/. Available for individuals to view on Kanopy for those with a Westchester Library System card.
VIDEO

ACES in the News:  The importance of this topic is communicated quickly in this 14 minute 60 Minutes broadcast (March 2018) hosted by Oprah Winfrey (you need CBS AllAcess to view.  Accessible to all is this  5 min interview with Oprah about the segment, which she called “life-changing”.   

Author of the Deepest Well, Ms. Harris’ did this 2015 Ted Talk, which provides a passionate summary of her experience.

Three core-concepts in early childhood development are explained in this three-part video series from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child.

MOVIES: Several documentary films are available that convey the challenges of trauma and the opportunities to foster resilience. A short list TK.