Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

A look at the growing disparity between different economic classes. Comedian, provocateur and aspiring revolutionary Russell Brand leads a polemical documentary about the financial crisis from international banking centres in London and New York. Combining documentary style, archive footage and comedy routines to explore how the crisis has affected the working and lower classes while the famed “one percent” has benefited. Tribeca Film Festival 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

Five former breakdancers reflect on their youthful rites of passage through the vibrant UK Hip Hop scene of the early 1980s and how it allowed them to escape the confines of life on inner city council estates. As the wild energy of the scene burned out their adolescent dreams met the realities of adulthood. But the scene had a lasting legacy on their lives - once a B Boy, always a B Boy... and then a tragic event gives them an unexpected chance to recapture the past. Previously unseen archive footage shines the light on a forgotten era in British youth culture in this humorous and poignant character-driven documentary. Winner of Best Documentary at the Hip Hop Film Festival New York

Synopsis

In a hair-salon in Haifa, the director installs a mini film-set over the washing-basin. As she washes their hair, she converses with the salon’s clients - Arabs and Jews, on topics ranging from politics to love. What emerges from these conversations is an honest and nuanced portrayal of contemporary Israel.

Synopsis

Filmmaker Colin Rothbart pulls off the wigs, wipes off the mascara to unveil the real people behind the much hyped and talked about East London's alternative drag scene. Overeating, gender dysphoria, egos, excess. Following in the tradition of Paris Is Burning and The Cockettes, and DRESSED AS A GIRL is so much more than show-stopping performances. Filmed over five years, the film covers not only the rise and fall of this hugely popular gay club scene but also offers some personal, emotionally honest portraits of six individuals at the heart it. Fundamentally it's about the nature of friendship, life and even survival against the odds, universal themes that everyone can relate to.

Synopsis

An inspirational story of a Scotsman attempting to leave an alcoholic and violent past behind, daring to follow his dreams. Filmmaker Stephen Mulhearn takes us on a personal journey of discovery following his dramatic near death experience. A gritty, true-life story about a quest to find understanding to human suffering.

Synopsis

The planet is in crisis. The problems we are facing at this crucial moment are deeper than climate change or social inequality – the fundamental cause lies in the way we see the world. ‘Planetary’ presents a stunning visual portrait of our Earth, taking us on a journey across continents: from the African savannah to the Himalayas, and from the heart of Tokyo to the view of our fragile planet from orbit. Through intimate interviews with a diversity of people, from NASA astronauts and environmentalists to philosophers and Tibetan lamas, the film shows that the solution to transforming our civilisation lies in an understanding that all life is inseparably interconnected, and that we cannot change the world unless we change the way we see ourselves, the world, and the wider cosmos we are embedded within. SXSW 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

"Passionate about music from a young age, Rodrigo and Gabriela were lucky enough to discover each other as teenagers in Mexico City, forging one of the most successful musical duos performing today. Music journalist turned filmmaker Alexandro Franco takes us through their fairytale rise, as they leave Mexico to prove themselves in Europe, arriving in Dublin in the late 90s as the Celtic Tiger was roaring. Whilst their phenomenal talent was obvious from the start, they had to prove themselves through old fashioned hard work... But they soon attracted a huge raft of admirers, drawn to their distinctive acoustic style - a blend of flamenco, heavy metal, and rock. An uplifting story of how talent and hard work can fulfil your wildest dreams." Sheffield Doc/ Fest

Synopsis

808 is a documentary film about the inspiring story of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It's the tale of the birth of electronic music, and how one small machine changed the musical landscape forever... by accident. It's the story of a sound that has been embraced by the world's top producers and performers, and has been name-checked on a whole host of hit records. Associated with numerous musical styles crossing both time and genre, its defining sounds are as relevant now as they ever have been. It defined hip hop and modern dance culture and its sound continues to deliver dancefloor-smashing beats today. SXSW 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

Following comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he dives headlong into drugs, sex and fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realize we have all been nurtured on bad ideas and empty celebrity idols. Brand leaves Los Angeles to embark on a stand-up comedy tour about his own true icons - Gandhi, Che Guevara, Malcolm X and Jesus Christ - and transforms from addict and Hollywood star into an unexpected political disruptor and new found hero to the undeserved. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2015 - Gala Screening

Synopsis

Hollywood relies on Bruce Willis to save the world in Armageddon, but who are the real-life heroes seeking to save our civilization from the next major asteroid impact? Disaster Playground investigates future outer space catastrophes and the procedures to manage and assess the risks. The film follows the scientists planning the monitoring and deflection of hazardous Near Earth Objects and the real-life procedures in place in the event of an asteroid collision with the earth. Follow the chain of command that runs from the SETI Institute and NASA to the White House and United Nations and meet the people who are responsible from protecting us from a potentially devastating asteroid impact. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, co-commissioned through Broadway’s Near Now programme. SXSW 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

'The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson' confronts our worst nightmares of impending death and turns them upside down. It tells the extraordinary, yet universal story of legendary musician Wilko Johnson who, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a few months to live, accepted his fate with uplifting positivity and embarked on a farewell tour, capturing the imagination of the world as he went. But like every good story Wilko's has a damn fine twist in its tail. Two years later and confounding the odds, Wilko wakes up in a hospital bed, unexpectedly sentenced to live, having now to integrate those enlightened lessons learnt under sentence of death into the unexpected and ongoing future of his life. SXSW 2015 - World premiere

Synopsis

"In 2012, 23 year-old Jyoti Singh had her whole life in front of her. A promising medical student and the apple of her adoring parents' eyes, she was months shy of completing her studies. But after attending an evening screening of 'Life of Pi' with a male friend, she met a terrible fate on a moving Delhi van, gang raped and brutalised by a number of strangers. By the time of her death a few days later, she had become a national symbol, and the focus of mass protests the length of India against an endemic rape culture and the ongoing subjugation of women. Director Leslee Udwin speaks to an impressive array of interviewees, from the accused rapists, awaiting their fate on death row, to Singh's parents and the defence team, whose shocking attitudes women are barely decipherable from the rapists they so staunchly defend." Sheffield Doc/Fest