Movie Making as Critical Pedagogy

Can the stories people tell influence the way they see the world? This book seeks to address that question through a study of the viability of movie making as a critical pedagogy activity. Positioned at the intersection of education and communication for social change, it explores the relationship between the generation of subjective knowledge through storytelling and analysis, and systemic change. 

 Central to the book is a case study from Nepal. By using video as the action element and analytical material of coursework, youth participants generated a new critical awareness, engendered by themes arising from group discussion. Through the analysis of these themes participants initiated an emergence known as conscientization. Led by two critical educators, participants used the production, screening, and analysis of their own movies to propel the course, or praxis, forward.  

 This book seeks to inform the practice of critical pedagogy both practically and theoretically, and also offers a contribution to the fields of participatory action-research and communication for social change.

“Grady Walker's book is the next breakthrough in critical pedagogy. Wonderfully readable, reaching back to roots in Paulo Freire, this book presents film-making as a critical curriculum. Step-by-step, Walker delineates how film production can become a syllabus for critical consciousness. Walker's thoughtful chapters show a creative educator innovating new theory and practice all critical teachers will find illuminating.” (Ira Shor, College of Staten Island, USA)

“The history of social science research, utilizing critical theoretical frameworks, is a fairly short one in the Nepali context.  Dr. Walker’s book makes a significant contribution to a small but growing body of scholarship exploring solutions for community development and capacity building through alternative methods. By situating the praxis of participatory movie-making within both the macro historical context of development and neoliberal policies, and the micro socio-political and economic realities of poverty, class, caste and gender hierarchies, Dr. Walker is able to provide a very compelling case for how and why consciousness building linked to social action at the grassroots has significant implications for change. I have seen few studies with such a strong sense of coherence and thoughtfulness between the theoretical frameworks, literature review, methods and analysis. It is also important to note that, against the backdrop of political and economic fragmentation and disintegration in Nepal, there is an emerging sense of agency and hopefulness among Nepali youth.  Dr. Walker’s work fits well into this constructive larger movement and provides concrete strategies that have the potential to empower these youth with the tools needed to make change.” (Shabnam Koirala Azad, University of San Francisco, USA)

Grady Walker is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Walker Institute, University of Reading, UK. He previously worked professionally as a documentary filmmaker. He received his PhD at The University of Queensland for his research in the field of communication for social change.