In 2004 Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. Maathai was from Kenya and just like the hummingbird in the video, she did her best.

In 1977 Wangai Maathai planted seven trees on Earth Day as a way to honour Kenyan women environmental leaders. Maathai believed that deforestation could be reversed if village women in Kenya became tree planters themselves. By doing this she launched the Green Belt Movement. She was laughed at for doing this, as many people thought that trained foresters were needed to successfully plant trees, but she would not give up and carried on with her work. Now, because of Wangari Maathai, village women Kenya planted 15 million trees. In a recent article in the Guardian, Prince Charles explains why he admired and loved Wangari Maathai.

Wangari Maathai had aspiration and she took action.

This is a video about the making of play version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel by Simon Stephens. The cast and crew talk about how they created the world of play for the stage.

SONNET 130

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;

Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;

If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;

If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.

I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,

But no such roses see I in her cheeks;

And in some perfumes is there more delight

Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know

That music hath a far more pleasing sound;

I grant I never saw a goddess go;

My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:

And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare

As any she belied with false compare.

Thomas Weller sows seeds of kindness on the freeways of San Diego, California. A mechanic by training, Weller stops to help stranded motorists with flat tires, overheated engines and other roadside crises. When people ask him why he does this, he hands them a card that reads: “Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favour by helping someone else in distress that you may encounter.”

The video is a short film called, ‘With a Piece of Chalk’ and it features a talented young break-dancer, Justen Beer. Inspirational stuff.

It has been 20 years since Steven Spielberg brought ‘Schindler’s List’ to the screen, and the ‘children’s director’ proved that, not only was he very grown up, but could be trusted with the legacy of one of the world’s greatest human tragedies, as well as some singular heroism.

To mark the anniversary, his seven Oscar-winning epic about the real-life efforts of one man to stem Nazi atrocity in Austria and personally save thousands of lives has been re-mastered for fresh DVD release in high definition, with Spielberg personally supervising the meticulous reconstruction from the original film reel.

Read more at The Huffington Post.

Year 10 are reviewing the themes of ‘The Hunger Games’ to help them create their visual texts and a helpful site is GradeSaver. They have produced a study guide to the novel and one of the themes that they discuss is identity. Here is what they have to say on the theme:

Evolving identity

One of the central narratives in the novel is Katniss’s shifting identity. At the beginning of the story, she considers herself thoroughly a “girl from the Seam.” She finds dignity in her poverty and her ability to survive it through her hunting and gathering skills. While friendly with several members of the merchant class, she identifies herself most strongly with Gale, also the child of a deceased poor miner. The stoic strength this identity has given her provides the philosophy she thinks will help her succeed in the Games.

However, through the adventure, Katniss is forced to question both her identity as a “girl from the Seam” and her stoic detachment. In terms of the former, her relationship with Peeta, a boy from the merchant class, and her attraction to the luxury of the Capitol make her question whether she might belong somewhere different. And as she grows more and more indignant as she observes the brutality of the Games, she is forced to make many ethical decisions. She ultimately shows that deep down, she is a caring and empathetic person who disdains causing suffering (even to the antagonistic Career tributes), as opposed to being only a stoic hunter. This theme is reflected in a running conflict of passion vs. reason.

Go here to find the full guide.

SCHINDLER’S LIST is one of the most powerful films of all time, capturing the true horror of the Holocaust.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the movie, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and won him the Best Director Oscar, as well as taking six other Academy Awards.

The true story of Oskar Schindler — a member of the Nazi party who risked his life to save 1,200 Jews — remains a cinematic triumph.

But for one British Holocaust survivor, the film — adapted from a book by Thomas Keneally — brought the horrendous truth of her time spent under Nazi occupation to life.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/4878264/holocaust-survivor-anna-bergman-praises-schindlers-list.html#ixzz2Px5Pi1Zy

Check out this interesting interview with Lasse Hallstrom -

Box Office Mojo: When we first encounter Arnie, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gilbert, portrayed by Johnny Depp, we hear but do not see them. Why?

Hallstrom: To start with as little information as possible to peak one’s curiosity. I didn’t want to give away too much information—so one can become active in putting the pieces together.

Box Office Mojo: Is the movie’s title intended to include a question mark?

Hallstrom: Without a question mark is correct. That was important to the writer Peter Hedges.

Read the rest here.