World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements is a 2010 documentary film by American filmmaker Chris Farina.[1] The film is centered on an 8-week, political simulation, The World Peace Game. To win the game, its fourth grade players must peacefully solve the economic, political, and environmental crises of their respective “nation teams”. The film highlights the personalities of the students but focuses on their teacher and creator of the game, John Hunter.[2]
| World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Chris Farina |
| Produced by | Chris Farina |
| Starring | John Hunter (Educator) |
| Cinematography | Gene Rhodes |
| Edited by | Bill Reifenberger |
| Distributed by | Rosalia Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 56 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis edit
Hunter presents his students with the World Peace Game and the problems associated with attempting to achieve world peace[3] including national debt, pollution, war, water shortages, and the rights of indigenous peoples. The children, who are divided into “nation teams,” are given roles as world leaders in order to peacefully resolve the problems through negotiation and conversation. Throughout the game Hunter presents the students with daily quotes from Sun Tzu's, “Art of War”. Through the game, Hunter, encourages the children to think for themselves by stepping out of the way and forcing them to figure problems out themselves.[4] The film mixes the children's progress in the game with the life and background of Hunter whose career has been devoted to imparting the Gandhian principle of nonviolence and the importance of taking care of one another.[5]
Reception edit
The film premiered at the Paramount Theatre in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 21, 2010.[6] It has been recognized at several film festivals, including SXSW, the Boston Film Festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and Bergen International Film Festival. The film was a finalist for the 2010 Japan Prize.[7]
In September 2010, in recognition of this project, John Hunter was named Fellow of the Darden School of Business’ Center for Global Initiatives.[8]
Book edit
In 2013, a book written by the John Hunter, based on the same project that was documented in the film, and with the same title, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.[9][10]
References edit
- ^ Pavlick, Stacy. "World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements: by John Hunter". Spectrum Culture.
- ^ SXSW Review: ‘World Peace…and Other 4th-grade achievements’. FlickCast
- ^ Interview with John Hunter on CBC Radio One prior to a screening at the Vancouver Projecting Change Film Festival
- ^ "World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements". College Movie Review.
- ^ "SXSW Review: ‘World Peace…and Other 4th-grade achievements’". Frothy Girls.
- ^ Stuart, Courteney. "Gone global: Hunter and his World Peace game soar". The Hook/
- ^ "Japan Prize 2010: List of Final Entries". NHK Japan Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 2 November 2010.
- ^ "Founder of World Peace Game Named Fellow of Darden's Center for Global Initiatives". Darden.virginia.edu. 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
- ^ WORLD PEACE AND OTHER 4TH-GRADE ACHIEVEMENTS by John Hunter. Kirkus Reviews
- ^ Interview With John Hunter, Author of ‘World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements’ | TakePart
External links edit
