LITTLE PEOPLE
16mm color film, 58 minutes, 1984
SYNOPSIS
More than 500 dwarfs gather each year when Little People of America holds its national convention. A carefree mood characterizes the week filled with social activities and workshops, creating an environment where being small ceases to be a stigma. Their struggle towards equal opportunity and self-esteem provides the central theme of Little People. Dwarfs of varying social and professional backgrounds give accounts of their lives, describing circumstances which often bear a striking similarity to the experiences of other minority groups. The film depicts the gradual changes in outlook and attitude which are now taking place among little people. Contrasting scenes from their daily lives with the activities of the convention week, the film provides insight into the lives of dwarfs and offers an unusual and sometimes disturbing perspective on our average-sized world.
REVIEWS
...intelligent and tough-minded, and because it is, it becomes moving as well...
John Corry, New York Times
...the film overflows with tender feelings of love and understanding, it's also chock-full of humor and wry observations...
Arthur Unger, Christian Science Monitor
...an absolutely wonderful, no-bull tribute to the incredible courage, humor, intelligence, and humanity of dwarfs...
Dan Geringer, Philadelphia Daily NewsFULL-TEXT REVIEWS
The Christian Science Monitor (Arthur Unger)
New York Times (Vincent Canby)
New York Times (John Corry)
Philadelphia Daily News (Joe Baltake)AWARDS AND FILM FESTIVALS
Emmy Award Nomination, Outstanding Individual Documentary
Red Ribbon, American Film Festival
CINE Golden Eagle, Washington, D.C.
Honorable Mention, Baltimore International Film Festival
Festival Award, Superfest, Los Angeles
Barbara Jordan Communications Award
New York Film Festival
London International Film Festival
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Margaret Mead Film Festival
Nyon International Film Festival, Switzerland
Hawaii International Film Festival
Sydney Film Festival, Australia
Festival International du Nouveau Cinema, Montreal
Edison-Black Maria Film and Video FestivalBROADCASTS
National broadcast, PBS
National broadcast, Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel
Broadcast on Dutch Television and Egyptian Television
Excerpts on ABC Nightline and Discover MagazinePRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced, Directed, and Edited by Jan Krawitz and Thomas Ott
Cinematography by Thomas Ott
Sound Recording by Jan KrawitzDISTRIBUTOR
For DVD purchase, send check or money order for $22.00 (plus $2.00 postage/handling) payable to Jan Krawitz:
Jan Krawitz
Department of Art & Art History
435 Lasuen Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2018
650-723-0704
email: krawitz@stanford.eduHOME