Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

The tragic tale of Mark Linkous, known as Sparklehorse, one of America’s most influential cult music artists whose life was lived with intensity and beauty. Crippled by adversity and struggling with his demons, 2020 marks the 10th anniversary since Mark took his own life. Made with the cooperation of the Linkous family, Mark's life is told in his own words and music with contributions from David Lynch, Matt Linkous, Jonathon Donahue, David Lowery, Jason Lytle, Gemma Hayes, Adam Bryanbaum Wiltzie, Ed Harcourt, Josh Carter, Matthew Wright, John Parish, Adrian Utley, Emily Haines, and is narrated by Mark's close friend and collaborator Angela Faye Martin.

Synopsis

In the sixteen years that Felix has grown up he's had to contend with the unpredictable and consuming nature of Tourette's Disorder, all whilst navigating the usual tribulations of adolescence. He wants to share his story and break the stigma. Official Selection IDFA (International Documentary Festival Amsterdam) 2020 - European premiere

Synopsis

Artist/filmmaker team of Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell set off to understand the world of debt. It turns into a community movement which opens it own bank, produces its own currency and then buys £1 million worth of predatory debts, which are blown up in the shadow of London’s financial district. Filmed over five years, it is a story which takes in debt resisters in the US, leading international economists and a rich cast of people from the filmmakers’ diverse local community. At a time when most people – including politicians – do not understand how money comes into existence this film pulls back the veil on the dark world of debt with wit and insight. As one would expect from the makers of HOW TO RE-ESTABLISH A VODKA EMPIRE (BFI London Film Festival 2011) the film mischievously plays with the documentary form as the filmmakers move from behind to front of camera, in an entertaining range of character. A film to inform, enrage and inspire. Official Selection Hot Docs Festival 2021 - Artscapes - World Premiere

Synopsis

Ding Ling, a research scientist who fled Indonesia in the wake of rising sea levels, disembarks from the cargo ship on which she had been living. She moves onwards to explore new/old territories, revealing something of her past in Indonesia and China via Singapore. The episode DING LING AND SENAIT is a moment in Shezad Dawood's episodic film series 'Leviathan Cycle', shifting the narrative from one of breakdown and fragmentation to a focus on methodologies for surviving the future.

Synopsis

OVERSHADOWED tells the story of Matt Deighton, a hugely respected and loved artist within the British music industry. Front man for the 90’s acid jazz band ‘Mother Earth’, Paul Weller’s guitarist of choice and Noel Gallagher’s replacement in ‘Oasis’. But who is he? Critically acclaimed yet an underground secret. Who is Matt Deighton? Matt guides us on a tour through his life, his music and performances, exploring the challenges of mental health and musicianship. Accompanied by some of his friends and collaborators including Chris Difford, Bill Fay, Paul Weller, Marti Pellow and Carleen Anderson. OVERSHADOWED is the remarkable musical journey of Matt Deighton, the singer songwriter we ought to know.

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MEAN TIME considers photography as a product of looking at and thinking about, the world prefigured on separating or shuttering it. MEAN TIME is also the calculation of solar time and the experience of, or feeling about, a certain period of time as being troubled or unjust.

Synopsis

ARCHANGEL ALI is the story of a boy who only ate fruit for four years. Inspired by Michael Jackson and the desire to leave an overwhelming city life behind, Ali stops bodybuilding and quits his job in finance to begin a radical process of detoxification. A sensory journey into the ups and downs of self-healing, love and individuation. This film documents the transformative detox journey of Ali Reza, a young man who grew up in Shepherd’s Bush, London. Ali started bodybuilding at the age of 14, graduated from University and went on to start working for Goldman Sachs. A few years later, Ali could no longer ignore his worsening mental health. He decided to look in the mirror and make a radical decision. Following studies into his idol Michael Jackson and on discovering some key YouTube influencers, Ali stopped everything he was doing to become a full-time Fruitarian. Shot across London, Indonesian islands and the equatorial rainforests of Borneo, Ali’s search for tree-ripe fruit is abundant but what else does he encounter along the way? ARCHANGEL ALI is the story of a generation seeking health and harmony in the face of a complex and challenging world.

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In a forgotten seaside town in the north of England, seventy-eight year old Dave hands out food and kindness to those in need. After ten years of austerity, this nuanced portrait of a volunteer-run food bank penetrates the harsh reality of contemporary Britain.

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Two men share their experiences of working in the food industrial complex, challenging our traditional ideas of food production. Dealing with a patriarchal paradigm in crisis, disjointed offers a performative space to heal from trauma: work movements become a way of embodying the inaccessible.

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Ecstatic lipsynching in downtown bars is a far cry from Donna’s Baptist upbringing in San Jose; now in her seventies, her estranged siblings haven’t even seen her in a dress. Donna is offered a chance to co-write a play about an overlooked episode in queer history, the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, in which transgender women Donna knew stood up against police harrassment. She writes a character to be played by a young transgender activist. Praised for her writing and emboldened by her new friends, she heads out of the city to meet her sister Gloria… This intimate and uplifting film is beautifully observed by director Jay Bedwani and features mesmerising moments recalled by Donna in her emerging writer’s voice. Donna is a film that shows the strength that can be drawn from your community and proves: it’s never too late to find your métier and truly blossom.

Synopsis

GIMME ONE is a 360 virtual reality experience showcasing five UK ballroom artists as they explore ideas around cultural appropriation, empowerment and safe space. Their self-expression is seen through dance using digital volumetric and motion capture techniques, visualising the unique voices of this vibrant subculture.

Synopsis

An intimate portrait of a bio drag queen. Body dysmorphia takes centre stage in this highly visual examination of the selves we invent to navigate the world. Official Selection BFI Flare LGBTIQ+ Film Festival 2021