''First Steps'' is a 1947

short Short may refer to: Places * Short (crater), a lunar impact crater on the near side of the Moon * Short, Mississippi, an unincorporated community * Short, Oklahoma, a census-designated place People * Short (surname) * List of people known as ...

documentary film A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in te ...

about the treatment of children with disabilities. Produced for the

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for the follow-up to major United Nations Summits and Conferences, as well as services to the United Nations Eco ...

of the

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by Frederic House Inc., the film was distributed by the

National Film Board of Canada The National Film Board of Canada (NFB; french: Office national du film du Canada (ONF)) is Canada's public film and digital media producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary f ...

."Details: 'First Steps' (1947)."
''The New York Times''. Retrieved: January 25, 2016. ''First Steps'', directed by

Leo Seltzer Leo A. Seltzer (April 5, 1903 – January 30, 1978) is generally credited as the creator of the sport of roller derby, and was the founder and head of the original Roller Derby league from 1935 until his son Jerry Seltzer took over the business in ...

, won the Documentary Short Subject

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at the

20th Academy Awards The 20th Academy Awards were held on March 20, 1948, to honor the films of 1947. It is notable for being the last Oscars until 2005 in which no film won more than three awards. Rosalind Russell was highly favored to win Best Actress for her pe ...

in 1948 for the United Nations Division of Films and Visual Education.Wiley et al. 1986, p. 707."The 20th Academy Awards (1948): Nominees and Winners."
''oscars.org''. Retrieved: January 26, 2016.

Synopsis

In 1947, disease, accidents, crime, war, and other anti-social forces ravage young children crippled by paralysis. Occupational therapy for children takes the form of both play and work. Specialists set up a training program designed to give the children practice in the handling of toys, hobby materials, tools and utensils. The program proves to be transforming as it helps them cope with their disabilities. With care and attention from adults, the children ultimately demonstrate how they can become normal citizens, useful to themselves and to society. One of the children from the program is able to show his parents that he has learned to walk. First, he is can simply move his legs, then after a regimen of walking exercises, he stands and finally takes his first unaided steps, able to eventually walk alone down a crowded city street.

Production

''First Steps'' was filmed in a summer camp in New York State by Frederic House Inc. under the supervision of the United Nations Department of Public Information. The children were under the medical supervision of Dr. H. Purushottam. The occupational therapists introduced different techniques of physiotherapy, taking into account their minds and emotions in addition to their bodies. Adult workers offered not only massage and therapy, but also love and understanding, sometimes using music as a catalyst. The techniques highlight the need to take a holistic approach on children with disabilities."The UN looks back at its Oscar win!"
''United Nations'', February 24, 2014. Retrieved: January 26, 2016.

Reception

''First Steps'' was distributed by the National Film Board of Canada, and although the information is considered "dated", the film is still shown on social media with United Nations messages preceding the film.

Awards

The United Nations Division of Films and Visual Education won the Documentary Short Subject

for ''First Steps'' at the

in 1948. The

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...

for ''First Steps'' still resides at UN Headquarters in New York.

Preservation

The

Academy Film Archive The Academy Film Archive is part of the Academy Foundation, established in 1944 with the purpose of organizing and overseeing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ educational and cultural activities, including the preservation of m ...

preserved ''First Steps'' in 2005.

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

* Wiley, Mason, Damien Bona and Gail MacColl. ''Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards''. New York: Ballantine Books, 1986. .

External links

NFB Web page''First Steps''
at the United Nations Audiovisual Library * , posted by the United Nations * {{Academy Award Best Documentary Short , state=collapsed 1947 films 1947 documentary films 1940s short documentary films English-language Canadian films Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award winners Black-and-white documentary films Documentary films about children with disabilities United Nations mass media National Film Board of Canada documentaries American short documentary films Canadian short documentary films Canadian black-and-white films 1940s American films 1940s Canadian films