Looking for a documentary film...

February 10, 2008 8:49 AM

I'm trying to find a documentary about the lives of 5 girls in a New England boarding school called Playing House...

It takes place in the school I attended in the late 70s/early 80s and is apparently very difficult to find. It aired on HBO a couple of years ago, and I've only located one site that sells/distributes a copy for big $$.
Here are more details. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

posted by bakertim to media & arts (3 comments total)

Have you tried your local library?
posted by loiseau at 8:57 AM on February 10

Do you just want to see it once, or keep it? (If you want to keep it, you may have few options)

Interlibrary loan might be an option: search for it at http://worldcat.org to figure out how close to you it might be, or check with your local library.

The Berkeley Media site mentions that it includes public viewing rights with it: that's a part of why the cost is so high. It might be worth writing to them and saying "I attended this school, I'm really interested in viewing it as a single individual, is there any option you can suggest?" They might be willing to cut you a more reasonable deal on a rental than classroom use rates.

Have you considered contacting the school? They may have a copy you could arrange to borrow, too.
posted by modernhypatia at 9:16 AM on February 10

Good responses, thanks.. the school doesn't have a copy as the doc is more about the girls than the locale. I'm going to both check at a local library and WorldCat as well :)
posted by bakertim at 11:06 AM on February 10