Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

“CLAPTON IS GOD”. With these words graffitied across London, Eric Clapton became the ultimate guitar hero. He is the only ever three-time-inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an 18-time Grammy Award-winner, and widely renowned as one of the greatest performers of all time. But behind the scenes lay restlessness and tragedy. The insatiable search to grow his artistic voice left fans surprised as he constantly quit successful bands, from the groundbreaking Yardbirds to 1960s super-group Cream. His isolated pursuit of his craft, and fear of selling out, served as a catalyst for his evolution as an artist. Stretching from his traumatic childhood living in a “house of secrets”, to his long and difficult struggle with drugs and alcohol, and the tragic loss of his son in a heart-breaking accident, Eric Clapton always found an inner strength and healing in music. Told through his own words and songs, as well as those of his family, friends, musical collaborators, contemporaries and many heroes – including BB King, Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2017 - TIFF Docs - World premiere

Synopsis

A feature length documentary on the life and work of Sir Ian McKellen. Fully authorised, including access to private photo albums and a wealth of never-before-seen archive material, including diaries written when he was 12 and unseen behind the scenes of theatre shows and films. The documentary is built around a 14 hour interview covering everything from his upbringing to becoming a theatre star, to coming out and being a leader in the gay rights movement, to his film stardom from Magneto to Gandalf, and personal thoughts on everything from acting to old age and death.

Synopsis

A vivid portrait of Tom Sietas, a world record in Static Apnea, the ability to hold one’s breath underwater. Combining underwater imagery with a contemporary dance sequence the film reveals what drives Tom to push his body to such physical extremes; for Tom to deny breath is to find life. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2017 - Experimenta Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

Winner of the UKRI/AHRC Best Research Film 2018 Award, and over 60 other awards and official selections globally, Black Snow looks at the explosion at the Oaks Colliery in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, which despite being the world’s worst industrial loss of life in the 19th century, was a tragedy that remained relatively unremembered until 2015, when a group of ex-miners, trade unionists, and local historians attempted to raise money to erect a memorial for its 150th anniversary. The film tells three interlocking stories: the story of a historical community devastated by the disaster, struggling to survive; the story of a contemporary community, decimated by the loss of industry, rediscovering itself in the struggle to remember; and the story of a sculptor, struggling to make one last masterpiece. It features an original score by BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee Jed Grimes and Mercury Music Prize winner Robin File.

Synopsis

Tom and Gertrude have been married for sixty six years. In the stillness of Nairnshire they live a life of routine pleasures. A lucid, sometimes funny, and profoundly compassionate study of extreme old age, death, grief and loneliness. This beautifully shot documentary is a portrait of old age passing by...

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An elegy for the NASA/ESA spacecraft Cassini. Using light and dark, movement and stillness, the film combines digital video with manipulated archival images and 3D models to explore the relationship between man, machine and the natural environment.

Synopsis

Run by Chris Smith, the Kluster Rooms was a recording space at Cable Street Studios - an old sweet factory in Limehouse. It was home to writers, filmmakers, musicians, and a record label.

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In the quiet world of a quintessentially small English town but amidst the fear and uncertainty of immigration and terrorism, Ingrid offers shelter to Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who has left everything behind in his search for a new life.

Synopsis

Going behind the doors of the private world of a residential rehabilitation centre in Somerset, this powerful documentary uncovers what is done to help people beat their addictions and start rebuilding their lives, through a series of intimate encounters at Broadway Lodge. From Phillip Wood, the film-maker behind the acclaimed BBC documentary, 'Chasing Dad', we meet people who come from different situations and parts of the UK who all have one thing in common: to seek a new beginning here. Observing the relationships formed between staff, clients and their families, the film explores how desperate and difficult it is for people to transform themselves when funding is scarce and emotions are running high.

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Documentary exploring the recent rise of antisemitism in Europe.

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STOOGE is a feature documentary about Robert Pargiter, Iggy Pop's No1 fan. It covers the three years leading up to his 50th birthday when he tries to track his hero down in a final absolution. His journey has taken him all over the world in search of redemption after years of struggling with addiction, of coping with depression, and of celebrating the communal lust that is Rock 'n’ Roll.

Synopsis

A hand drawn animated documentary, following the rhythms of a day in Yorkshire. It captures the sound of Yorkshire, from it's multicultural and bustling cities like Bradford and Sheffield, to the delicate sounds of birds in the countryside and the hypnotic rhythm of the motorways and train tracks. Official Selection Annecy Film Festival 2018 - Short Film Competition