Remembrance Day is celebrated the world over by people wearing poppies, visiting monuments and honouring the contributions of the men and women who fought in the World Wars.This year the Seniors’ Learning Centre is going a step further, showcasing historical documentaries that shed new light on the Second World War.For Remembrance and Honour runs for the next four Fridays starting this week, from 1.30pm until 2.45pm.The course, which continues November 4, 16 and 25, will be hosted by Sajni Tolaram, professor of English and film studies at the Bermuda College.Dr Tolaram, who is attached to the Division of Liberal Arts, has selected all four films to be shown and will facilitate discussion during each session.She said the films highlight “four of the biggest moments in the Second World War”, including events leading up to Britain’s involvement in the battle.“I believe that WWII was as indebted to filmmaking as filmmaking was to the war as a means of providing immediate visual documentation, preserving history, and advancing the capabilities of filmmaking.“The most important outcome for the films is that they pay tribute to all people who fought to liberate their fellowman from tyranny,” she said.Dr Tolaram has a personal connection with films from the 30s and 40s. She said her parents assisted in war efforts on the Island and introduced her to films from this era when she was two years old.She said it was hard to choose from such an “extraordinary amount of films” on the subject. But she did so with participants in mind and is excited about hearing people’s personal experiences, knowledge and thoughts on the Second World War.“I am looking forward to participating and learning from those who have experienced the dynamics of the Second World War or the families whose loved ones have given their lives in the war.”The first film will take a look at the role of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who became “a vital personality” in the battle.‘Desert Victory’, a film shot with real war footage in 1943, will be played in week two. It is considered the best war documentary ever made and won an Oscar in 1944.The last two films include a biopic on former US President Dwight Eisenhower and ‘The World at War’ series, which looks at the time when Harry Truman became President.She said the documentary was an important medium which serves as a mirror for mankind, regardless of the time, culture or subject matter.“We are constantly seeing our humanity reflected back to us: the weaknesses, and human desires and needs that need to be met.”Dr Tolaram said: “I hope people can experience this by just looking at specific experiences that they may have, which are significant and big, but they can see that the harrowing years of WWII really did reconfigure the world and this massive [series of events] became something that was individual, personal and unique.”She said the course with the Seniors’ Learning Centre was “an extension” of what she does at the college encouraging an interest for continued education.“Lifelong learning is something to be embraced for people, regardless of the amount of formal education they have.“[Seniors] are bringing vital life experience, wisdom and invaluable stories that I am looking to also benefit from.”Dr Tolaram believes it’s important to honour Remembrance Day on November 11, but said the course allows people time for further reflection.“I think we are moving beyond pausing to honour the individuals, the men and women who gave their lives so we can enjoy more prosperity and finer living conditions than they did.“And this is one way, not just to do this as an experience for our senior learners and our lifetime learners, but also to honour people who gave their very best.”The course is for registered members of the Seniors’ Learning Centre but is also open to visitors who can register by calling the office on 239-4029 or 239-4129. Members pay $25 for the series; visitors pay $5 for each class. The series will run in the Brock Hall at Bermuda College.