Director: Colin Low
National Film Board of Canada. 1994. $39.95
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Elementary, junior high
Topics: TV violence, television marketing, advertising, influences of television
NFB film description:
The Reading TV video features a series of short films:
Watching TV: Through a meaningful hail of bullets, flying glass and bloodshed, this animated film poses many profound questions about watching and responding to TV violence. Its images and sounds are disturbing and provocative - forcing viewers to examine how (and why) they watch TV, and what the effects of television violence might be on themselves and others. (4 min. 57 sec.)
TV Sale: The opening pitch of the television salesman pretty well establishes the tone of this pithy animation film: a solid-state model guarantees high-quality entertainment. This film is an entertaining, incisive and horrifying satire on some of the material that's disgorged via the boob tube. (10 min. 23 sec.)
The Bronswik Affair: This very funny yet deadly serious film demonstrates the effectiveness of advertising in motivating people to buy products they don't need. It entertains through the comic appeal of its characters, and the baroque situations they fall into. It also lays bare some facts about excess of consumerism prompted by a steady flow of commercials. (23 min. 25 sec.)
Toys: It begins with the faces of children outside a toy-store window at Christmas - but then the war toys appear, and we realize that some games are played for keeps. This film has no commentary, but it's easy to see what it aims to show: war toys do not necessarily make warriors, but they do possibly give a false glamour to the deadly pursuit. With toys that keep up with the times, this film creates a battle that is all too real and frightening. (7 min. 46 sec.)
TV Tango: Four children who have picked up all sorts of annoying behaviour from watching television, decide to create their own games instead. This animated film for five-to-eight-year-olds is intended to awaken children's critical sense regarding the media messages aimed at them. (3 min. 44 sec.)
Reading TV can be ordered online from the National Film Board.
