Manufacturing Ignorance
Tobacco, climate change, pesticides,... Never has scientific knowledge seemed so vast, detailed and shared. And yet it appears to be increasingly challenged. It is no longer surprising to see private corporations put strategies in place to confuse the public debate and paralyze political decision-making. Overwhelmed by excess of information, how can we, as citizens, sort out fact from fiction? One by one, this film dismantles the workings of this clever manoeuvre that aims to turn science against itself. Thanks to declassified archives, graphic animations and testimonies from experts, lobbyists and politicians, this investigation plunges us into the science of doubt. Along with a team of experts (philosophers, economists, cognitive scientists, political men, or even agnotologists), we explore concrete examples of doubt making and try to understand the whole process and the issues behind it.
Collision Rescue
When two parties get in a head-on collision, it's up to emergency services to free them from the wreckage. What follows is a demonstration of what their job and duties entail.
Playground Safety: Simple as A, B, C
The film emphasizes the importance of playground safety through the ABCD framework. It teaches children to avoid unsafe behaviors, be safety-minded, practice courtesy, and do their part to maintain a safe playground environment. Key rules include using equipment properly, waiting for turns, and keeping the area clean to prevent accidents.
Anatomy of an Accident
A Jerry Fairbanks and Bell System production, “Anatomy of an Accident” is a 1961 driver's education film in technicolor focusing on defensive driving told through a scripted story centered around a family outing that came to a tragic end.
Chlorine and the Firefighter
This 1974 film is dedicated by the Chlorine Institute to the public interest. It is specifically intended to assist firefighters and other emergency services. The techniques demonstrated are appropriate for emergency use; different circumstances might require modified or additional procedure. The information is drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The Institute, its members any organizations cooperating in the development of this film, jointly or severally, cannot be responsible for how the information is used and must make this legal disclaimer. This is a 1960s era, color movie about Chlorine and emergency workers… specifically, firefighters. The film is intended to show firefighters what chlorine is, what a chlorine emergency might involve, how a company can plan ahead and how an emergency can be handled safely.
Dad... Can I Borrow the Car?
A live-action short, using many avant-garde film techniques, that looks at American car culture in the late 1960s. The main section deals with the many trials and obstacles a teenager must face on the path to being able to drive. Surviving the driver's education class is only the first step, as the teenager must then pass his driving test, and then finally get permission to borrow the family car.
Suddenly...And Without Warning
Coast Guard film about the importance of life jackets. Stresses safety in boating and shows how boating accidents can happen.
Public Shelter Organization and Staff
Created in 1963 at the height of the Cold War, this Civil Defense training film uses a dramatic premise to show how emergency staff should manage and organize a large public fallout shelter during a crisis. A Shelter Manager is shown immediately taking control of the situation in the shelter, speaking calmly to those who have made it into the facility, closing the door promptly once the shelter is full, and sticking to the "shelter plan" as the situation unfolds. Some of the areas discussed in this nuclear war drama are the safety plan, regular inspections, supervised public entry into shelters, ventilation, first aid, sanitation, fire prevention, decontamination of personnel, and more. "Shelter living is different," the Manager states, "But we have a trained staff that will make your stay in this shelter livable for us all."
High Rise Building Problems
This is a 1970’s era, color movie discussing problems fire departments have with high rise buildings. It opens with a massive high-rise tower with a ladder next to it and was produced with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association and Fire Prevention through Films. Producer is Julian Olansky and the New Haven Fire Department in New Haven, Connecticut.
Lifesaving and Water Safety: Snorkeling Skills and Rescue Techniques
The film provides a comprehensive guide on snorkeling skills and rescue techniques, emphasizing the importance of proper equipment such as masks, snorkels, and fins. It discusses how to choose the right mask for comfort and fit, the proper use of snorkels, and techniques for clearing water from both masks and snorkels. The film also covers essential skills for entering the water safely, practicing buddy systems during snorkeling, and techniques for locating and rescuing submerged victims. It highlights the need for training and emphasizes that while these skills are crucial for rescue, they do not replace the need for a full certified course in skin diving.
Your Chance to Live: Nuclear Disaster
Portrays the challenges of creating a film about nuclear disaster amid public apathy. It captures behind-the-scenes moments as the crew discusses the gravity of nuclear threats, the importance of preparation, and the emotional impact of a nuclear attack. The narrative emphasizes the need for individuals to take responsibility for their safety and community in the event of an attack, blending factual information with a call to action.
It Can Happen to You!
Scenes illustrating assaults or assault attempts are shown, and advice on preventing or escaping from such incidents is given by Jeanne Bray, a policewoman and expert on marksmanship and personal safety.
Lifesaving and Water Safety: Swimming Rescues
Emphasizes the importance of safe, non-swimming techniques for rescuing drowning victims, highlighting that most drownings can be prevented with proper knowledge. It details various approaches and adaptations for lifesaving, including entry methods, swimming strokes, and carries, while stressing that swimming rescues should only be a last resort. Lifesavers must be proficient in swimming skills before engaging in rescue training, and constant practice is essential for maintaining these skills.
Condemned
“Condemned” (c.1960s) is a color fire prevention film presented by Fire Prevention Through Films. It was produced by Julian Olansky in cooperation with fire departments across Connecticut (Andover, Eagleville, Hebron, Mansfield, Willimantic, University of Connecticut Fire Dept.). The film warns against the dangers of fire and not having a proper fire safety plan. The film starts out by focussing heavily on the risks associated with carelessly smoking cigarettes at home before showing other scenarios that can turn deadly.
Shelter on a Quiet Street
This Cold War civil defense film attempts to persuade viewers that building a home fallout shelter is a smart thing to do, and they are easy and economical to build. The film shows how to construct a durable, concrete shelter suitable for surviving a nuclear blast; it was made in 1963 and presented by the Department of Defense. The basic premise of the film is that it follows Civil Defense Director Hank Adams as he guides the Warren Family through construction of their own basement fallout shelter. The original catalog entry for this movie noted that: "This film is designed not only for those living in suburban or rural areas too far removed from the nearest community shelter-but also for those in urban sections who, for reasons of personal preference or convenience, would rather rely on a family shelter for fallout protection."
Your Chance to Live: Flood
Dramatizes the plight of a young adventure seeker whose canoe is capsized by a wall of water during a flood. Shows community flood preparations, pointing out that a flood's predictability usually allows ample warning time to save lives. Designed to stimulate discussion on civil preparedness for floods
About Fallout
Discusses the physics, effects and defense against nuclear fallout. Describes the phenomena of natural radiation and the dangers of fallout. Explains the value of time, distance and mass in weakening the effect of residual radiation. Examines the effects of radiation on the body, food and water. Underscores adequate shelter and prescribed decontamination measures.
Fallout Shelter: What Is It?
Educational film for civil defense personnel on requirements for a fallout shelter. Explains types of shelters and degrees of protection.
Multiple Lane Traffic
This black & white educational driver safety film is about how to drive on America's new, post-war highways / freeways and on multi lane roads.
The Gambler
This late 1940s/early 1950s rather graphic color film about carelessness and safety operating heavy machinery is presented by Caterpillar.