Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

This is a hard-hitting documentary about Condoleezza Rice, an extraordinary but little understood woman who rose from segregated Alabama to become the most powerful woman in the world. Incisive and shocking, this is the first retrospective film on the Bush Administration. It overturns the popular misconception of Rice as a yes-woman to President Bush to reveal her as his most enduring confidante, and thus responsible for much of the Bush legacy. This political, biographical documentary tells a Faustian story of a woman whose hubris tempted her into a pursuit of power that destroyed her core values, and hurtled America into a perilous new direction.   Dr Rice leads her own defense, through a series of candid interviews. We have exclusive interviews with her three most authoritative biographers: Marcus Mabry (Twice As Good); Glenn Kessler (The Confidante); and Antonia Felix (Condi).   The film's most disturbing revelations center on Rice's role as Chair of the group of 'Principals', whose role was to select and authorize torture techniques, which included water-boarding, fingernail extraction, and sleep deprivation. Condi signed off on the orders to the CIA with the words, 'This is your Baby, go do it!'.

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Born into a world of wealth and privilege, he devotes his life to eliminating poverty and inequality. A religious leader who traces his ancestry back to the Prophet Muhammad, he struggles to balance the traditional with the modern. His Highness the Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, a Shia sect with 15 million followers around the world. At a time when Islam is at odds with itself and with the West, the Aga Khan represents a voice of moderation, speaking out for pluralism and diversity, and promoting dialogue between civilizations. But will he be heard?  

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Commissioned as part of the 'Bridging the Gap' production scheme, At Home with the Jedi is a domestic portrait about faith, family and future, meeting the founders of the UK's Church of Jediism, whose galactic ambitions reach far beyond their small town existence.

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A young Iraqi woman from London travels to her homeland for the first time. On her personal journey through the country she meets a series of characters, each of whom is finding a way to get on with their lives in the aftermath of the invasion.

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Poet Leah Thorn is writer-in-residence at HMP Bronzefield, a high security womens prison in Middlesex. Through her workshops we meet a variety of women striving to find a voice through creative writing. Personal histories, emotions and inner conflicts are revealed through their poems and interactions.

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Ozlem is Kurdish. When her village in Turkish Kurdistan was bombed by the Turkish army Ozlem fled and came to London. She lives in the predominantly Turkish area of Dalston with Onur, her Turkish boyfriend. Her work in a Kurdish community centre helping Kurdish asylum seekers heightens the stresses and strains on her relationship with Onur. Far away from home and in a foreign land, she is struggling to make some sense of her own identity.

Synopsis

A rare insight into eighty years of cinema through the personal, first-hand recollections of one of Britain's most acclaimed filmmakers. Since 1918 as a child actor in silent movies alongside Dorothy Gish, Jack Cardiff's life and career in cinematography and directing have been inextricably interwoven with the history of cinema: from Dietrich, Powell and Pressburger's, Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes, Hitchcock, Huston's The African Queen, Monroe, Bogart, Flynn, Douglas to Schwarzenegger and Stallone. With interviews with over twenty famous actors, directors and producers, including unique behind-the scenes footage from Jack's own personal archive, the documentary is the most detailed film ever made on a cinematographer. Jack is a charismatic storyteller, whose exceptional experiences are both entertaining and inspirational.

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Cangleska Wakan discusses the 'sacred hoop' of the Sioux Lakota with discussions from powerful and respected contributors on Indian reservations in South Dakota.

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Commissioned as part of the 'Bridging the Gap' production scheme, short documentary Christmas with Dad follows 23-year-old AJ as he and his family prepare for the festive season and the arrival of an eighth child. With remarkable access and insight the film reveals a young man struggling to define his role as a father, haunted by his own childhood and facing an uncertain future.

Synopsis

Can one man with a dream win the heart of the world's most powerful woman? This is a documentary like none you have seen before - the first musical docu-tragi-comedy in the history of cinema. Part Borat, part Fahrenheit 9/11, part Mamma Mia!, it follows a love-struck soul's hilarious, emotionally engaging, and ultimately shocking quest to woo former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.   A spin on the Rapunzel fairy-tale, this unique romantic/political/biographic feature follows Devin Ratray, a portly website designer, musician, former child actor (famed as Buzz in Home Alone), and besotted admirer of Condi, as he prepares to meet her.   As Devin travels the country, learning more about the great lady from those who know her, Courting Condi tells the life story of one of our era's most inspiring, enigmatic, and controversial figures. This film is both timely and a classic love story, punctuated by timeless songs.   It's the first retrospective of the Bush Adminstration and will inspire audiences to laugh, sing and protest about the past eight years.

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An Indian gypsy woman torn between two worlds fighting by her wits and beauty for survival. Shot over four years the film follow the life of charismatic Sandra. From the bottom rungs of Indian society, she was the first of her caste to marry a Westerner. With the advent of tourism her family was one of the first to move to Pushkar in search of a better way of life. As a teenager she met Michael, a wealthy middle aged Australian. Utterly seduced by each others differences Michael spent five years with her family before marrying her. After four years he deserted her taking their daughter with him. The film starts weeks after Sandra was abandoned trying to understand what happened. As time progresses becoming more estranged from her family Sandra follows a route that leads her into dubious relationships with tourist men. This complex film offers an insight into a microcosm reflecting the emotional impact when two cultures clash. A free spirit the decisions Sandra makes often feel like her choice, yet the invisible walls that imprison her in limbo are also cultural. A tragic cautionary tale that also celebrates the spirit of survival in a rapidly changing India.

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A mobility scooter, a travel ban and one man's fight for independence. Michael Clark takes on Newcastle's Metro system in a single handed protest to restore access for mobility scooter users to the Newcastle Metro train.