Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

Spirit Level Film takes us on a journey into the halls of Parliament, where MPs are allowed to lie to their constituents with impunity. The documentary led to the Elected Representatives (Prohibition of Deception) Bill’s introduction into Parliament.

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In the aftermath of Hurricane Fabian, the Bermuda Government commissioned a memorial to Bermudians “Lost at Sea”. This competition for the island's first public artwork was won by UK-based Bermudian-born sculptor Bill Ming. Andy Mckay’s film is a poetic portrait of the sculptor's early years in a segregated society, as a seaman, the cultural adjustment of coming to England in 1970 and surviving as an artist. The film weaves together his work, emotional and humorous life stories, the making of the 12 ton bronze construction and the defining moments of its meaning to Bermudian people. The film received a standing ovation at the 10th Bermuda International Film Festival. It was financed by The Government of Bermuda, Arts Council England, Nottinghamshire County Council, The University of Lincoln, INTA Films.

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More than 13,000 people in London live in squatted houses. 5 1/2 Roofs tells six stories about six different squats and their inhabitants. Six stories about life in the city.

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Fourteen women who never normally meet (seven Palestinian, seven Israeli), living in a conflict zone, come together to fight for the common goal of losing weight.

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Situated in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of mainland Spain, Ibiza forms part of the Balaeric Islands. It was first inhabited by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago. The most recent invaders were the Hippies in the 1960s and 70’s. They made Ibiza their spiritual home and many settled on this bewitched rock. But what has become of them? Witness the unconventional lifestyles, through amusing, insightful and surreal mini adventures, of 67-year-old fashion designer/hippie Queen Mora and 73-year-old psychoanalyst/hippie Andrux. Two of the last Ibiza hippies.

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Fazaila is a Shia-Muslim teenager from East London whose mum thinks she's becoming 'too English'. This first film by her cousin Heena explores Fazaila's need to find her own way.

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The village of Beshencevo in Central Russia lying beside Nizhni Novogorod and the Volga entertains a camera crew in the home of the Chiline family who have lived in the village. The family have lived through the Soviet past and are reluctantly entering the new prosperity of Russia. They argue and talk, live out their personal dramas and determinedly continue with their ancient way of life through the coldest months of Winter.

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In career spanning nearly 20 years, from 1972 to 1991, Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas only made four films and three of those were shorts. And yet he was highly acclaimed, winning the Silver Bear at Venice for his first film, garnering praise from the likes of Lindsay Anderson, Francois Truffaut and Satyjit Ray, and picking up the Independent's 'film of the year award' for Comrades in 1987. This documentary explores Bill Douglas's struggle from childhood poverty to acclaimed director. A remarkable man. A remarkable film-maker.

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As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar coffee industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price.  

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Combining photographs, cine and video footage from family archives and present day interviews with his parents and siblings, Edinburgh based filmmaker Paul Hamilton wonders what it is to be a Black Sheep. This short documentary takes the audience on an emotional journey through the filmmaker's youth and the rocky relationship with his family.

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A story of love, death, and resurrection... The dead car - discarded, dumped and crushed - is toxic waste manifested in burning tyre mountains and landfill until the European Union takes action. The spirit of the car lives on.

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A year in the troubled life of the Music School of Luanda, the capital of Angola, and one of the world's poorest and most dangerous places. Following four central characters, this film reveals not only their struggle with their country's war-ravaged past, but also their musical passion and ambition.