The Learning (POV, 2011) tells a surprising tale of immigration, globalization and America’s shifting position in the 21st century. It’s the story of four Filipina women facing their first year in Baltimore’s schools, where learning is a two-way street marked with disappointment and inspiring breakthroughs.

Angel Alim and her sister, Me-an, in a jeepney. Manila, Philippines. (Photo credit: Paul Flinton)

Angel Alim, one of the teachers featured in The Learning, sits in the back of a jeepney with sister Me-an in Manila, Philippines. (Photo credit: Paul Flinton)

As an outreach tool, the film uses the touching lens of personal profiles to offer opportunities to examine educational issues facing urban schools, the ways that cultural differences affect classroom dynamics, and the challenges faced by foreign workers in the United States who leave families behind in order to improve their economic status.

Interested in joining the conversation? Keep reading to see if there’s an upcoming screening near you, or ask POV how you can host your own screening of The Learning.

San Diego, CA

The Learning
Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 6:00 PM
Come to a free, sneak-preview screening of The Learning, hosted by the San Diego Public Library, 820 E Street. To find out more, call 619-236-5817.

Stevenson, MD

The Learning
Friday, September 16, 2011, 7:00 PM
Stevenson University’s Department of Film/Video presents a free, sneak-preview screening of The Learning at the Inscape Theatre on Greenspring Campus. The screening will be preceded by a 6 PM reception and followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Ramona Diaz. Contact Katrina Abarcar or Chris Reed for more info: katrina_abarcar@comcast.net; chrisreed@stevenson.edu. This event is also sponsored by Katipunan Maryland and Katarungan DC.

Los Angeles, CA

The Learning
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 7:30 PM
Come to a sneak-preview screening of The Learning at the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The event is part of the Archive Documentary Spotlight and will take place at the Billy Wilder Theater. To find out more, call 310-206-8013.

Princeton, NJ

The Learning
Thursday, October 6, 2011, 7:00 PM
Come to a screening of The Learning at the Princeton Public Library. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Ramona Diaz via Skype. To find out more, call 609-924-9529.

College Park, MD

The Learning
Friday, October 14, 2011, 7:00 PM
Come to a screening of The Learning at the University of Maryland, hosted by the Filipino Cultural Association. The screening will take place at 6145 Denton Hall and will be followed by a Q & A with filmmaker Ramona Diaz. To find out more, email krystle922(at)yahoo.com.

Interested in hosting a screening in your community? It’s easy! Join our Community Network.

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Published by

Jamie Dobie
Jamie worked in the Community Engagement and Education Department at POV from 2010 to 2013. Prior to joining POV in 2010, Jamie worked at Northwestern University's satellite campus in Doha, Qatar, where she was part of the team tasked with setting up the school's film and journalism programs in the Middle East. She has worked in various capacities on many documentary film crews around the world, including productions in West Africa, and has worked closely with acclaimed filmmaker Margaret Brown. Jamie has also previously worked in the exhibition department at the Field Museum of Natural History and the education and cinema programming departments at the Block Museum of Art. She holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in Radio/TV/Film and African Studies.