Interesting Op Docs I've watched

If you've never heard of op docs they are opinion based editorials. They can be lengthy or short videos that tell a story through words or just through video clips. There are so many different topics, anyone can find one they're interested in. In my class, I've had the opportunity to watch two op docs that I thought were interesting. You can click the titles of the op docs to watch them.  

The Gorillas In The Crossfire

The Gorillas In The Crossfire op doc made by Orlando Von Einsiedel, a British film director, seems to be about a national park ranger protecting gorillas from a brutal civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but it is also about how Virunga National Park gives back to their country and the relationships the gorillas have with the people. This op doc is a very visual one. It shows pretty in depth how the gorillas and the people of Congo care for each other as well as the environment around them. I found it really interesting how the op doc showed the trees in the forest the gorillas were living in and what kind of food they ate. These gorillas are fostered because of the major violent conflict taking place at the time. Also because of all the poachers in that area. The people of Congo want to ensure safety for these gorillas. Andre Bauma, a national park ranger is the one who stepped forward to build a relationship with these gorillas and who provides them with food. Andre's dad, who died in the war, taught him to always respect animals. Andre talks about how that's what really got him to start working with and helping animals. The Democratic Republic of Congo isn't the safest place to live but Andre Bauma is working really hard to try to make it one for the wildlife trying to survive there. 

Miseducation

The op doc Miseducation made by Nadine Cloete, a film director, seems to be about a Childs life in a part of South Africa plagued by gang culture and violence, but it's also about an 11 year old girl named Kelina speaking for all African children in her area when she addresses the fact that to even feel safe in South Africa kids need to walk in groups everywhere they go. She says that if you walk in a group they'll see who took you. Kelina says that she's scared to walk in her neighborhood because a bullet doesn't have an address. In South Africa where Kelina lives, there are gangsters such as HLs, Americans, Naughty Boys, the Stupas etc. This op doc showed a small fight that broke out in the streets which just adds to the violence in the society. In a bigger scope of things, the video stated that more than 50,000 violent crimes against children are reported every year in South Africa. Nadine Cloete made Miseducation to remind people what life is like in the streets of Africa but also to show how attentive and aware children have to be of their surroundings and the people around them to ensure their own safety.