Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

The story of itinerant circus performers, cabaret acts and fairground attractions. Rarities and never-before seen footage of fairgrounds, circus entertainment, freak shows, variety performances, music hall and seaside entertainment are chronicled from the 19th and 20th century - early shows that wowed the world and home movies of some of the greatest circus families at a time when the most outlandish, skillful and breathtaking acts traveled the world. Created in collaboration with The University of Sheffield’s National Fairground Archive.

Synopsis

Dailies to Dawn is a poetic journey and tribute which celebrates celluloid film processing as a living form, passionate and organic, made by experience, collective work and ultimate craftsmanship at one of the last thriving film laboratories in the UK.

Synopsis

Robert, an ex-shipyard welder from Govan, Scotland, reflects on how his life experiences have influenced his new found compulsion to write. His retrospective poetry reveals a man who is trying to achieve a state of contentment through words and philosophy. He has replaced his tools for pens and paper.

Synopsis

Pride, Pole & Prejudice examines the new trend that is transforming gyms and dance schools throughout the UK. It is about the artistry of pole dancing, those who teach it and the students who learn it and aims to banish the myth that pole dancing is only for strip clubs.

Synopsis

Animated Architecture - redefining animation and expanding its scope. Propeller project is a large-scale kinetic curtain for the north facade of the Royal College of Art campus in South Kensington. The 52 meters long and 4 meters high installation responds to the natural elements.

Synopsis

Synopsis

This film tells the story of itinerant circus performers, cabaret acts and vaudeville and fairground attractions. In this film, rarities and never-before seen footage of fairgrounds, circus entertainment, freak shows, variety performances, music hall and seaside entertainment are chronicled from the 19th and 20th century. We will see early shows that wowed the world and home movies of some of the greatest circus families. Director Benedikt Erlingsson takes us back to the days when the most outlandish, skillful and breathtaking acts traveled the world. This rich visual archive has been created with exclusive access to The University of Sheffield’s National Fairground Archive and is accompanied by an epic new score by Georg Holm and Orri Páll Dýrason of Sigur Rós, in collaboration with Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and Kjartan Dagur Holm.

Synopsis

Secret blood draws. Controversy. No diagnosis. No cure, leaving 20 million people to suffer with ME, a mysterious illness. This documentary investigates the debilitating condition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS). Varied stories and revelations produce a story of intrigue, heartbreak and hope.

Synopsis

'Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans' By 1970, Steve McQueen ruled Hollywood. Hot off the back of classics like ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ and ‘Bullitt’ he could now make the movie that was his life’s passion: McQueen's experience on 'Le Mans' changed his life forever. Interweaving stunning newly discovered footage and voice recordings with original interviews, this is the true story of how one of cinema's legends would risk almost everything in pursuit of his dream. Cannes Film Festival 2015 - World premiere - Cannes Classics

Synopsis

The turbulent history of 20th century Europe is inextricably interwoven with the lifestory of Juri Elperin, the awarded literary translator, who found homeland in language: Davos, Berlin, Paris, Moscow and again Berlin The Russian Revolution, the Republic of Weimar, Hitler, the Red Army, Stalin and the joy of life.

Synopsis

From BAFTA award-winning director Asif Kapadia (Senna), 'Amy' tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse - in her own words. Employing extensive unseen archive footage, this modern and moving film shines a light on the world we live in. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse instantly captured the world's attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense - she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyse her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of modern era. Tragically, relentless media attention coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships, her global success and precarious lifestyle saw her life fall apart. As a society, we celebrated her huge successes but were quick to judge her failings when it suited us. The talent that was initially her salvation eventually became the trigger for her disintegration. Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27. Official Selection Cannes 2015 - Midnight Screenings

Synopsis

By Our Selves documents a four-day walk made by the English Poet John Clare. Toby Jones, Iain Sinclair and a Straw Bear follow in his footsteps exactly 150 years after his death. En route they bump into Macgillivray, Dr Simon Kovesi and the wizard Alan Moore. Meantime the journey is narrated by Toby’s father Freddie, a maverick actor who featured in numerous David Lynch films. John Clare's escape from Epping Forest; an epic march through hunger and madness, is an English journey to set beside 'A Pilgrim's Progress'. Andrew Kötting, hyperkinetic camper-van captain of Gallivant, sets out in hot pursuit, dressed as a Straw Bear. Father and son, Freddie and Toby Jones, are possessed by the spirit of Clare, and locked in Beckettian embrace: one all-voice and one all-mute. The writer Iain Sinclair watches from the shadows, Alan Moore waits like a bearded figure of fate, in Northampton and Dr Simon Kovesi hands out the medicine. Captured in lustrous black and white photography, they discover the only truth of the road; whatever our hopes and delusions, we are always By Our Selves. Inspired by Iain Sinclair’s Edge of the Orison and John Clare’s Journey out of Essex.