Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

A look at the history of one-time Gestapo commander Klaus Barbie, infamously known as 'The Butcher of Lyon'. Klaus was a Nazi torturer, American spy and tool of repressive right-wing regimes. His story is symbolic of the real relationship that Western governments had with fascism, and reflects the world as it is today - and the politicians that inhabit it - in a very different way.

Synopsis

O Zelador, a feature-length documentary, explores the life of Mestre Russo. A remarkable individual who lives with his family in Baixada Fluminense, a former plantation about a one hour bus ride from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. It is a desperately poor area of dirt tracks, roaming animals, open sewers and ramshackle houses. At an early age Mestre Russo discovered the value of Capoeira. The music, self-defence and philosophy of this Afro-Brazilian cultural manifestation helped him endure a life fraught with danger and hardship. The film follows Mestre Russo, his wife and sons and his loyal group of students who claim that Russo's love, knowledge and guidance have been an inspiration to them. He is a father-figure to each of them. They, in turn, have provided him with the extended family which he sought. Russo holds a meeting every Sunday, a 'Roda' (literally circle) in Caxias, where people come and perform Capoeira in the street. This Roda endured the oppressive regime during the dictatorship and has survived for 35 years up until today. The film includes interviews with Russo, his family, students, other Masters as well as journalists, academics and a Candomble priest. These interviews, together with archive footage and photographs chart the turbulent history of Capoeira and sets it in its cultural, social and political context told through the life of this remarkable man.

Synopsis

Our Story, Our Voice is an explosive, unapologetic and unflinching look into the new global crisis and its impact upon the oppressed world. In an age where multi-national companies, states sponsor terrorism, democracy is imposed, and monoculturalism functions as unwritten law, Our Story, Our Voice is an essential film of resistance.   From the multi-award-winning producers of 500 Years Later, Our Story, Our Voice transforms what were once isolated whispers into unified, worldwide screams.

Synopsis

Jim is a witty writer and brilliant comic book artist. He is the creator of Captain Penumbra, the superhero from the lunar realm where light and darkness merge. After a thousand letters Gwynne is finally going to meet him in person. But leaving her home in Ireland Gwynne approaches Jim slowly, visually savouring the America that he has written about and asking complete strangers what image of Jim they form by reading the letters he has sent her. Gradually she circles closer to Jim's personal realm, meeting his family and visiting his childhood haunts. When Gwynne reaches Arizona Jim's current whereabouts are finally revealed. Passing the gates of the State Penitentiary she is about to witness the disturbing reality of Jim's present existence. She finally encounters the convicted killer she has befriended awaiting his fate on Death Row, in the half light between life and death.

Synopsis

Three years ago Peter found a new born lamb abandoned in a ditch. 'Ben' is now a full-grown sheep with ambitions to move into Peter’s house with him. Peter however has other ideas. 'Peter and Ben' tells the touching and quirky story of how two - drop outs find friendship in a hostile world.

Synopsis

A visual portrait of the disabled avant-garde filmmaker Stephen Dwoskin, as represented by his environment. The film is a very personal movement through Steve's past and present, as seen through the house he has lived in for the last 30 years and the objects within it that both surround and represent him - as an individual living with a disability, and as an artist-filmmaker who has enjoyed a long and successful career.

Synopsis

5 June, 1968: Robert Kennedy wins the California democratic primary and is set to challenge Nixon for the White House. Moments later, he is assassinated by 24-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. But even under hypnosis, Sirhan has never been able to remember the shooting and leading psychiatrists believe he was a 'Manchurian Candidate', hypnotically programmed to kill Kennedy. Now, newly-discovered film and photographs appear to show three senior CIA operatives at the crime-scene, suggesting the CIA was behind the assassination. A disturbing new investigative documentary based on O’ Sullivan’s reports for BBC Newsnight and The Guardian. Accompanying book to be published by a major US publisher on the 40th anniversary of the assassination in June, 2008.

Synopsis

Rabbit Stories is a study of mental illness - a portrait of a young schizophrenic man called Fenton Fuller.

Synopsis

A Cameroonian asylum seeker detained by the UK Home Office for imminent deportation is released and granted a three year stay in Northern Ireland as a result of a campaign that gained widespread support from the Northern Irish public and politicians like Martin McGuinness.

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Fearless, feisty and resolute, the "Rough Aunties" are a remarkable group of women unwavering in their stand to protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa.

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Roya and Omid is an exploration of transsexuality in Iran. B, a young female-to-male transsexual reflects on his childhood spent in the wrong body. His narrative is crossed the insightful comments of several male-to-female transsexuals – Donya, Handry, Leila and Shirin, who have to endure the daily scorn of society.

Synopsis

Sargy Mann has been a successful figurative painter for over twenty years despite being registered blind. In May 2005 he went to Cadaques, Spain, to find subjects for new pictures. Then the day after getting back he went completely blind. This film shows how he has continued to paint, and maybe make some of his best ever work.