Brilliant and touching

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I have a couple of nits to pick with Paper Clips. As commendable as the actions of the students and teachers were, the movie was simply not very interesting. I would have preferred that the film at least try to challenge the viewers, considering the complexities of modern race matters.Instead, we receive a brief introduction to what the school set out to do, and then we are treated with 45 minutes of teary eyed commemorative speeches and dedication ceremonies. The movie feels like 10% journey and 90% destination celebration.Also, the movie is described as an experiment about the Holocaust, leading to a miracle. There wasn't really any experiment (more of a project), and what happened was hardly a miracle. What was achieved was the product of hard work, dedication, and perseverance of all involved. Calling it a miracle actually cheapens their work.

One of the best documentaries in years regarding students and staff of Whitwell, Tennessee who embark upon a school project regarding the holocaust. The area is located in a homogeneous Protestant town where not one Jewish person resides.Kudos to Principal Linda Hooper and her assistant principal and 8th grade language arts teacher for devising this project. Over 29 million paper clips were collected, the latter representing the holocaust victims. We learn that paper clips came originally from Norway and was meant to unite. How appropriate.Holocaust survivors visit the town and relate their harrowing experiences to students, staff and town residents.Principal Hooper is certainly a hands-on administrator. She was directly involved in the project and shows her emotional vulnerability as she learned about what took place in Europe over 60 years ago.Through this project, the school was able to obtain a train car where victims were shipped to concentration camps. The ceremony was memorable when the car made its way to this rural Tennessee town.This magnificent documentary shows that we have the ability to learn tolerance and eventual acceptance of all people.It should definitely be shown in all public schools and the likes of Mel Gibson should be made to see it.Congratulations for a memorable experience. Thank you.

This should be required viewing for all students from middle school through high school. An excellent documentary - educational, moving, and inspiring. A must-see, not only for students, but for all. The story of the paper clip project itself is fascinating but the effect it had on the people of this small town and the world is what really makes the movie interesting. The personal stories of the people who contributed to the project are extremely moving, particularly the Holocaust survivors who visited the town to tell their stories to the students in person. This is one of the most moving movies I have ever seen, and despite the haunting nature of the subject content, is very uplifting and hopeful. A wonderful documentary.

This amazing document merits a view because it shows how a school project got children involved in understanding the fate of millions of human beings that perished during WWII because of the evil doing of a mad man. In fact, "Paper Clips" should be required viewing in schools as it clearly shows how hate and prejudice is so wrong in this society, and in the world.Whitwell Middle School's principal, Linda Hopper, tells us about the town's history and racial make-up. Whitwell is basically a white lower middle class community. In fact, this impoverish town could be the perfect ground where prejudice could erupt, based on ignorance and how they perceive other people of different background and religion than theirs.It's a credit to the teachers and the young students that got involved in the project to come to the realization about the horrible fate the Jews suffered during a period of modern history that shouldn't have happened. By collecting paper clips, a Norwegian symbol about their opposition of the senseless killings, the children get an education about something most hadn't been exposed to.Elliot Berlin and Joe Fab deserve praise for bringing this uplifting documentary about tolerance and acceptance. Ultimately, the people of Whitwell, and especially the teachers that motivated their students to participate in the project are the clear winners for having gained knowledge about how to respect races and other cultures.