Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

Donor Unknown follows the story of Jo Ellen Marsh, 20, as she goes in search of the sperm donor father she only knows as Donor 150. Jo Ellen has always known her family 'wasn't like other families'. She grew up in Pennsylvania with two mothers, and a burning curiosity to know more about her anonymous donor father. When Jo Ellen discovers a unique online registry that connects donor-conceived children, she manages to track down a half-sister in New York. The New York Times picks up the story, and, over time, 12 more half-siblings emerge across the USA.   The New York Times article also falls into the hands of Jeffrey Harrison, living alone with four dogs and a pigeon in a broken-down RV in a Venice Beach car park. In the 1980s, Jeffrey supplemented his meagre income by becoming a sperm donor at California Cryobank. His number was Donor 150. Donor Unknown follows Jo Ellen from her discovery of her siblings, to the moment Jeffrey steps forward to identify himself as Donor 150, to her decision to travel to California to meet him.

Synopsis

The world's first street art disaster movie. Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner with spectacular results. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, 'It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed'.

Synopsis

Charting the glorious supremacy of the West Indies cricket team throughout the late 70s and 80s, this film describes how the bat and ball was more effective than gunfire in the battle against racial injustice and the struggle for black rights. It is told by the men who were there - such as Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Clive Lloyd. Fire in Babylon boasts dynamic archive, classic music by the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Gregory Issacs and Burning Spear, this is a story that celebrates the emancipation of a people through the sport of cricket.

Synopsis

The story of a woman who gets lost every day of her life, in the streets she’s lived in for 20 years, even in her own house - when she wakes each morning, her walls seem to have moved overnight. Her world becomes different in the blink of an eye.

Synopsis

'A girl's life is cruel - A woman's life is very cruel', notes Sampat Pal, the complex protagonist at the centre of Kim Longinotto’s latest foray into the lives of extraordinary women.   Sampat Pal should know, like many others she was married as a young girl into a family which beat her often. But unusually, she fought back, leaving her in-laws and eventually becoming famous as a champion for beleaguered women throughout Uttar Pradesh, many of whom find their way to her doorstep.    Rekha, a 14 year-old untouchable, is three months pregnant and homeless unable to marry her unborn child's father because of her low caste. Fifteen year-old Renu's husband from an arranged marriage has abandoned her and she's threatening to throw herself under a train. Both desperate young women, reach out for their only hope - Sampat Pal.   Pink Saris is an unflinching and often amusing look at these unlikely political activists and their charismatic leader.  In extraordinary scenes, we watch her launch herself into the centre of family dramas, convinced her mediation is the best path for these vulnerable girls.  Her partner Babuji, who has watched Sampat Pal change over the years, is less certain.

Synopsis

This film is a unique documentary event: with unrivalled access, it follows both sides in a political battle during a year long campaign which attracted worldwide headlines.   Labour MP Margaret Hodge, a Jewish immigrant, is defending the parliamentary seat of Barking in the British general election from a challenge by the leader of the right wing British National Party, Nick Griffin, who has a big following amongst disenchanted white working class voters.   With building tension, as violence erupts on the streets, the film shows the strategies of both parties and the eventual denouement on election night.   Described as 'remarkable' by the Observer newspaper, the film will be of particular interest in countries where there is a populist rightwing or racist party.

Synopsis

This feature documentary is about the life & work of Poet Laureate Eintou Springer, about the Black Power events of 1970 in which her cousin Theodore Guerra, SC, was a prosecutor and she an activist, about moving away from the influence of the Euro-Christian church and the gravitation to and meaning of African religion in her life, about her racial experiences in her childhood, about literature becoming the source of her interest... Eintou recalls her childhood in Santa Cruz, the cultural milieu that shaped her, the role of the extended family and that of her grandfather: the stickfighting, the mas, the cuisine, the fauna and flora; memories of a personal nature... Eintou addressing a public audience, interspersed with her play, Kamboulay, performed in the street, brief extract of her play, Hyarima, and her reading poetry. The critical voices of Profs. Carole Boyce-Davies, Funso Aiyejina, Shango Womi discuss the relevance of her work to the region. Prof. Aiyejina, Mavis John and Wendell Manwarren of 3 Canal all speak of their musical & cultural interaction with Eintou. The final sequence speaks of her working life, class and shade prejudices and her mother’s domestic work to educate her brother and her.

Synopsis

Two fanatical Eastern European girls come to the fashionable East London to prepare for Jesus' return, by performing a 'homemade' exorcism on a tortoise that listens to death metal.

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Elise is 18, alone in London and missing. Her friend, Renee, is determined to find her and bring her back to the squat they both share. But where is Elise?

Synopsis

OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW bears witness to German artist Anselm Kiefer's alchemical creative processes and renders a film journey through the universe of Kiefer's studio estate, La Ribaute, in the South of France. This strange, sprawling village extending over 35 hectares combines working studios, a network of tunnels, caves, underground pools, a crypt and an amphitheatre. Shot in cinemascope, the film enters into direct contact with the materials Kiefer employs to build his works – lead, concrete, ash, acid, earth, glass and gold. Here creation and destruction are interdependent. Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2010 - World premiere Official Selection Toronto Film Festival 2010

Synopsis

Cadência is the second Brazilian documentary from director Daren Bartlett. Cadência builds an intimate picture of Brazilian football and its related cultures, divisions, traditions and what is the firm cohesion that creates the strong unified image Brazil projects to the world. The film's stunning cinematography immerses the viewer in the sights and sounds, the rhythm, the cadence of a city as it winds up for carnival, the biggest celebration of the year. Insightful and passionate commentary from the late Brazilian football legend Socrates, combined with academics, artists and last but not least the people, combine to make this a powerful and poignant documentary, simply a beautiful film.

Synopsis

An engaging film documentary in the style of 'What the Bleep Do We Know', 'Sicko' and 'SuperSize Me' which follows writer/producer Paul Duddridge as he attempts to host his own 'mini Olympics' where teams are split by race rather than nationality. It's all quite harmless and silly but exposes some uncomfortable questions, misconceptions and prejudices that most of us hold. Experts discuss: What race really is, how many races there are, how they evolved, the differences between them. Filmed on location in California, Arizona, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio and the UK - A Film About Races is an irreverent exploration of the common myths and misconceptions about race - definitely not a film about racism.