Ross Anthony of the Hollywood Report Card reviews “A Towering Task” and interviews Alana deJospeh

May 26 2020

Anthony Ross reviews the Peace Corps Documentary, A Towering Task, and gives it an A-. Ross also interviews Producer/Director RPCV Alana deJoseph and the link to the interview is on the webpage. During the interview, deJosph describes the process of producing the wide ranging documentary of the Peace Corps. She also talks in depth about her Peace Corps expereience in Mali. Finally, Alana deJospeh analyzes the Peace Corps at the crossroads today and the possible direction which it may take or may be forced to take. Here is the review by Anthony Ross. from his webpage.

The Story of the Peace Corps

A TOWERING TASK

Review by Ross Anthony

Full disclosure: I volunteered in Africa under an American NGO. I was not Peace Corps, but we served in similar ways. Additionally, on some weekend trips to the nearest city, we’d hang out with Peace Corps volunteers and trade stories and insights.

A returned Peace Corps volunteer interviewed in this film echoes my sentiments (I paraphrase): “We returned a little embarrassed to realize that we’d been gifted with more than we were able to give.”

Towering Task is an engaging well-rounded history of the Peace Corps from inception, precarious launch, through shifting missions/motivations as US and World politics evolved. Filmmakers interview volunteers, administrators, invested politicians (Jimmy Carter among others), as well as researchers. You’ll enjoy historical and relevant speech excerpts from Kennedy and other key players. While filmmakers don’t shy away from program negatives and embarrassments, an overall positive light is left shining over the PEACE CORPS. Have a look. Maybe you’ll be inspired to volunteer somewhere in the world – even if it’s just in your neighborhood.

Again, I am biased toward world travel. I strongly feel that volunteer/work/study abroad positions are rich opportunities for everyone involved to grow. Yes, there are risks, but the rewards are vast. When individual citizens of the planet bring an open hand, open heart, or even just an open mind into foreign cultures, humankind inches ever closer toward World Peace.

Listen to my lively interview with the director of “A Towering Task.”

http://www.rossanthony.com/T/toweringtaskpeacecorps.shtml

To read more news about “A Towering Task” and the recent reviews of the documentary, go to: https://www.peacecorpsdocumentary.com/news

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