Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

An uplifting feature documentary highlighting the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit. Top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant catadors, pickers of recyclable materials, true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves.

Synopsis

A community based docuementary that explores the influential history of the English market town, of Lutterworth, in Leicestershire. The intention of the film was to create an awareness and to celebrate the influential past of the town, exploring the folk that have worked and resided in Lutterworth. In doing this film takes a look at the how the town has in the past shaped the world we live in today. Whittle On talks about Sir Frank Whittle who worked tirelessly at Lutterworth's Ladywood Works. He eventually went onto develop one of the most important inventions of modern times; the jet engine. Amongst other historical figures Whittle On also discusses the work of John Wycliffe who with help from others is thought to have translated the bible from Latin to English.

Synopsis

Thank You Skinhead Girl is a documentary which explores the filmmakers experience of being in care and becoming a skinhead girl during the late 70’s early 80’s. It gives insight into a sub-youth culture that has been one of the most misunderstood, of all the youth groups. The film shows the historical rise of the skinhead movement, the fashion, music and the gang structure in Oxfordshire UK at the time. Through the voice of the filmmaker we are taken into the personal reflections of that time, which shows a working class girl finding refuge within the skinhead movement. A place where she grew, survived, thrived and eventually learnt a very hard, uncomfortable lesson through violence. The film features music from Reggae legends the ‘Symarip’, Oxford Ska band The Inflatables and Welsh Oi! band The Oppressed. This film has been enabled by Screen South Community Projects Fund and OFVM – Film Oxford Production Equipment Award.   'Best Documentary' 8th International Short Film Festival Balchik, Bulgaria 2010, nominated 'Best Film' Portobello Film Festival 2009.

Synopsis

Eel Pie Island in the River Thames has seen it all, from royalty to the Rolling Stones, a tale of jazz, blues and bohemians. This is the history of the island from people who were there, people who always had a ‘damn good time’.

Synopsis

Spirit Level Film uncovers the appalling state of the UK’s justice system, its record on imprisoning young offenders and the dangerous relationship between media misrepresentation and government policy. Produced with the support of The Nationwider Foundation, Safer Wales, Addaction and Construction Youth Trust.

Synopsis

A feisty elderly woman’s sole purpose in life appears to be setting up an isolated roadside stand along the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. A seemingly mundane daily task soon evolves into a humorous and charming observation on the importance of purpose, commitment and tradition.

Synopsis

The Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas's reputation rests on the trilogy of films he made in the 1970s about his childhood in postwar Scotland. What many people do not know about Douglas is that he was also a passionate collector of cinema memorabilia and pre-cinema optical devices. He incorporated many of these into his last film, Comrades, which tells the story of the first trade union from the point of view of an itinerant lanternist. Lanterna Magicka recounts the story of Douglas's collection, the making of Comrades and the remarkable legacy Douglas left us with.

Synopsis

Shot in Iceland from a gyro-stabilised rig on a helicopter, and on the ground using a high speed Phantom camera, this film attracted the interest of David Lynch's producer Joni Sighvatsson and Francis Coppola's producer Fred Fuchs and became the inspiration for Clemo's Breath and First Breath projects, currently in development.

Synopsis

Between the Caribbean Sea and the Maya Mountains lies Toledo, known as The Forgotten District of Belize, Central America. For the last 20 years, the Maya have been promoting their own ecotourism programme in order to protect their rainforest and traditions. Despite constant opposition from the government and the tourist industry, Margarita, Reyes, Chet and their friends remain strong and optimistic. This film is a tribute to their tireless efforts.

Synopsis

A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures follows independent filmmaker Chris Waitt as he interviews his ex-girlfriends in an attempt to find out why they dumped him. This revealing and humorous documentary sees the slacker filmmaker go on a sexual and emotional odyssey in a desperate quest to solve his innumerable problems.

Synopsis

18 year old Rebecca Saunders has had to grow-up fast - helping to take care of her younger siblings and hold the family together in the wake of her mum's illness.

Synopsis

What does it feel like to know that you are about to be killed? Nearly a decade ago, a terrified village in southern Mexico sought refuge in a small wooden church and awaited their inevitable fate. Several hours later, 45 of them were dead. Until now the full story of the massacre at Acteal has never been told. A Massacre Foretold is a powerful story of drama and intimacy, that takes us into a world of masked Mayan rebels, clandestine government death squads and an inspiring indigenous village.