Choices Releases New DVD -- "A School of their Own: Reading, Writing, and Revolution in Nepal"

In remote Nepal, one school's mission to educate those left behind intersects with the country's fight for democracy and freedom. At the Riverside School, children flourish in an environment free of the caste system, gender prejudice, and violence found in government schools - and in their society at large. Follow the school's struggle to stay afloat during the bloody ten-year civil war in which children are caught in the middle. The police accuse them of being Maoist rebels while the rebels themselves forcibly draft children over twelve years old into their army. Through in-depth interviews and stunning footage, "A School of Their Own" shows how children, even in the most extreme circumstances, can lead a nation to a better future.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 16, 2006 -- Choices, Inc. proudly announces the release of Debra Kaufman's "A School of their Own," a new documentary exploring how one school's mission to educate those left behind intersects with a country's fight for democracy and freedom. Through in-depth interviews and stunning footage, "A School of Their Own" shows how children, even in the most extreme circumstances, can lead a nation to a better future. In remote Nepal, the Riverside School is a unique educational environment that educates low-caste and tribal children, half of whom are girls. There, children flourish in an environment free of the caste system, gender prejudice, and violence found in government schools - and in their society at large. Follow the school's struggle to stay afloat during the bloody ten-year civil war in which children are caught in the middle.

The Riverside School is an oasis of education in war-torn Nepal. Civil war rages in Nepal, one of the world's poorest countries, between the high caste elite who have long held sway over the country's wealth and resources and the Maoists, self-proclaimed rebels from the country's poorest, most remote areas. The children suffer, as principals are summarily executed, schools are shut down and the economy plummets. In the middle of this storm is another revolution, bloodless and powerful: The Riverside School. Co-founded by a Dutch citizen, Ingo Schnabel and run by Nepalese, The Riverside School educates 120 impoverished rural children in a caste-free, democratic environment. "If one Salman Rushdie can upset the whole Arabic world, what can these 120 children do with their society?" questions Schnabel. In this 50-minute documentary, we see how this quiet revolution operates - and how its survival is threatened.

Described as "an emotional journey that stimulates the intellect, touches the heart and connects with everyone," by the Other Venice Film Festival, the documentary uncovers life in this "model" school. The principal describes the school philosophy which forbids teachers to beat or verbally abuse students, behavior endemic in the private and public school systems. Children express their ideas and opinions to the camera, telling us their favorite English books and their dreams for the future. These children - the least fortunate of this unfortunate country - are forming a new class of educated Nepali: free from the oppressive caste system, experienced in participatory democracy and accepting of a girl's right to education.

Kathmandu, however, is the center of the storm. The filmmaker is there when seven student groups announce their plan to shut down all private schools, the latest threat in the civil war. The principal expresses his fears of being kidnapped or tortured, and his frustrations at trying to educate children in a war-torn environment.

Will these children be able to achieve their dreams? The realization of their personal dreams will help to create the dream of a new Nepal. Their fates hang in the balance and, now familiar with these children, we long for them to succeed.

"Kaufman delivers a powerful message about equality and freedom and we are very excited about releasing this important documentary" commented Gina Draklich, Sr. VP at Choices. "We continually strive to release films that expand our knowledge and improve our understanding of other cultures". Choices, Inc. will release "A School of their Own" on DVD November 28, 2006. The DVD's special features include a director's statement, photo gallery, and a guidebook for educators. SRP is $99.95, and orders may be placed by visiting www.choicesvideo.net.

About Choices:

Choices, Inc. is a specialty distributor of quality documentaries, educational programming, and feature films. The company believes that documentaries are highly effective teaching tools, and provides both lesson plans and guidebooks as a resource for educators. More information is available online at www.choicesvideo.net.

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