Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

A social research on the purpose of laundrettes in the 21st century. It is estimated that three quarters of laundrettes in the UK have closed down in the last 25 years. The first UK laundrette opened in 1949 in London and since then these washeries have provided fast and economical service to millions, have inspired films such as My Beautiful Laundrette and have featured in long running soap-operas such as Dot and Paulines laundrette in Eastenders. But most importantly, they have offered a community service as social centres for an increasingly individualistic and virtual society. Inspired by Fotonows The Launderette Residencies photographic exhibition The Laundrette Sessions was filmed in various laundrettes across Devon and Cornwall from May to September 2011

Synopsis

The director discovers in late 50`s family archive a Belgium where citizens seem to be in an state of cultural and ethnic harmony. This road movie reveals the present-day Flemish-Walloon tension, swinging between linguistic exclusivity and nationalistic exhibiton, in the midst of a globalisation process that makes identity clarification difficult.

Synopsis

Axis of Light, is a poignant observation, through the work of eight leading artists; Rachid Koraichi, Jananne al-Ani, Etel Adnan, Shirin Neshat, Youssef Nabil, MonaHatoum, Mona Saudi and Ayman Baalbaki to the beauty and mystery of the Middle East which is often ignored, especially today where strife, anger and violence demand centre stage in our media…where stereotypes and prejudices distort our view of this region. Through their eyes, the film moves between their worlds…between the worlds of both the East and the West and the past and present…exploring the meaning of their existence, identity, conflicts of sexuality the isolation of woman and the fragility of home and place. The history they have and the future they can lead us towards. It is a story of hope, but one that recognises the power of expression often against the odds.

Synopsis

The story of Bradley Manning, not as a Wikileaks ‘hacktivist’, but as a young American soldier simultaneously going through a crisis-of-conscious and a crisis-of-identity. Animated in a rotoscoped pixel-art style and using dialogue from Bradley’s online conversations, the film explores issues of personal and political secrets, digital identity and alienation.

Synopsis

As his fascination with re-enacting grew, Jon discovered his uncanny resemblance to one of history’s most nefarious characters.Apparently it’s to do with the shape of the jaw.

Synopsis

They say Philadelphia is the capital of boxing and Joe Frazier’s gym is the Whitehouse. Joe Frazier, one of the most famous athletes of the 20th century, is lost in the legend of one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sport. Filmed during the final years of the iconic boxer's life and told through the voice of son Marvis, this documentary reveals the story of the real Joe Frazier for the first time. For over forty years, since the last of his million dollar bouts with Ali, Foreman and others, Joe’s commitment to his adopted Philadelphia neighborhood kept his landmark gym alive. Now, tragically, it has to close.

Synopsis

Madhabilata is a personal film, a journey to touch the wave of silence between me and my biological mother. An intricate embroidery of desire, suffering, denial and ‘looking back’. A painful hide 'n' seek game between me and my mother, between 'real' and 'unreal','self' and 'other' .

Synopsis

A short film that follows the journey of two girls in a canoe on the River Shannon and how they stumble across one of nature’s greatest phenomenons; a murmuration of starlings.

Synopsis

In The Prophet, BAFTA-nominated director and composer Gary Tarn (Black Sun, 2005) takes Kahlil Gibran’s classic novel and spins it into a cinematic exploration of love, life and loss. An intimate narration, performed by the British actress Thandie Newton, is integrated into a minimal score for orchestra, guitar, cello and synthesiser. This fictional text is juxtaposed against footage shot on Tarn’s solo travels to Lebanon, Serbia, New York, Milan and London. Finding beauty in the everyday, the film leaves space for each viewer to find their own meaning : an uninhibited eye observing the world through the lens of poetic wisdom. First published in 1923, The Prophet, Gibran's hugely popular guide to living, has sold millions of copies worldwide and was the bible of the 60's counter-culture. It continues to be read and to inspire people around the world today.

Synopsis

'Makers Our Story' is a feature length documentary about the UK independent film industry that gives a rare insight into the work of indie filmmakers who exist outside of the 'Hollywood' studio system, showing the passion and commitment of a generation of filmmakers who share their experiences working in a challenging industry. Based around a diverse collection of interviews that includes a cross-section of talent from aspiring first-time filmmakers to award-winners, the documentary gets access to some of the UK's most influential people and companies. This is a remarkable story that shows audiences a side of the film industry rarely seen. Behind some of the great UK film successes there are filmmakers out there fighting for their survival and this is their story.

Synopsis

Palestine and Israel. Conflicting narratives and a world of preconceptions. Can we see this world differently? The House of Tomorrow takes a new approach to an old conflict inspired by the forward vision of extraordinary women who are changing their own worlds a step at a time - not by overlooking the conflict but by seeing what people can do despite it. Shot on location, the film takes us from the high rise tech buildings of Tel Aviv to the holy sites and bustling markets of Jerusalem, from the cobbled lanes of Bethlehem to the expanding streets of Ramallah, capturing the energy and tension of a world defined by it’s clashing viewpoints. A contemporary and fast-paced documentary, The House of Tomorrow focuses on the future and the idea that people can have a hand in their own destinies, however unlikely and whatever the odds.

Synopsis

Millions of British families can never afford a holiday. We follow one such family as they leave their council estate under the Heathrow flight path for a subsidised rural break, revealing some little-recognised truths about poverty along the way.