Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

Charting the incredible true story of the Scots who managed to ground half of Chile’s Air Force, from the other side of the world, in the longest single act of solidarity against Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship. In 1974 a group of workers at the Rolls Royce factory in East Kilbride showed their support for the people of Chile by refusing to carry out the vital repairs of engines for Hawker Hunter planes, which had been used during the brutal military coup in September 1973. The boycott endured for four years but the Scottish workers never knew what impact they had; it was a matter of conscience and an act of solidarity. Bustos Sierra – himself the Scotland-based son of a Chilean exile – reunites inspirational figures Bob Fulton, Robert Somerville, Stuart Barrie and John Keenan to hear their story. With unprecedented access, Nae Pasaran also ventures much further to detail the horrors of the Pinochet years, meets survivors of the period and hears the Chilean side of the story.

Synopsis

A personal portrait of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran documented by Sheeran's cousin Murray Cummings. Following this modest performer’s creative processes, from an early-morning jam in the garden to a finished song, from the first chord to the honed lyrics. Whether observing Sheeran’s collaboration with producer Benny Blanco, the tension during a recording session at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, or paying a visit to Sheeran's first musical mentor at his old high school, Cummings gives voice to the people who know Sheeran the best. Drawing on photos and family, Cummings makes use of his own memories and the various stages of Sheeran’s development to create a portrait of a man obsessed by music. The film eschews the celebrity hype to concentrate on the intensive work on the current album in California’s creative quarter, providing us with intimate insights into the workings of this musician as he navigates between his own artistic aspirations and the demands of the music industry. Official Selection Berlinale 2018 - Berlinale Special Gala - World premiere

Synopsis

A searing documentary of a lost cultural icon. A story of art, sport, sexuality, and rebellion. Watch any figure skating and it falls into two camps: before and after John Curry. From what was a macho, technical sport whose judges punished deviation, blossomed – through John Curry’s stubborn beauty – ice-dancing. After winning gold at the Winter Olympics for a rebelliously balletic routine, audiences and reviewers alike were enthralled by his genius. But Curry’s story is about more than skating. On the night of the final, Curry became the first openly gay Olympian at a time when homosexuality was barely legal. From bullying and prejudice, to relief in the gay underworld, to his untimely death from AIDS, Curry’s story dovetails with the experiences of a generation. This is the story of a man whose body was a battleground. From love affairs, to violence in sex clubs, to its ‘unmanly’ elegance on the ice, every act was rebellion. John Curry was no activist, but an artist expressing his authentic self – yet in a world where his existence was taboo, his life was unavoidably political. Official Selection CPH:DOX 2018 - International premiere

Synopsis

In 2014 filmmaker Grace Harper started making a film with her estranged father as a way to reconnect with him, during the course of filming her brother Sam died unexpectedly. Continuing filming provided a way to make sense of what had happened, and this resulting film is a story of the very different ways people cope with tragedy, but first and foremost it is a tale of everlasting love.

Synopsis

Chilly Gonzales is a Grammy-winning composer, virtuoso pianist and entertainer. Criss-crossing between rap, electro and solo piano music, he became the outrageous pop performer who invited himself to the ivory tower of classical music. The eccentric artist inspires and collaborates with the likes of Feist, Jarvis Cocker, Peaches, Daft Punk and Drake. The documentary follows Chilly Gonzales from his native Canada to late '90s underground Berlin, and via Paris to the world's great philharmonic halls. Diving deep into the dichotomy of Gonzales' stage persona, where self-doubt and megalomania are just two sides of the same coin. The playfulness of his character is mirrored in the look of the film. Using Gonzales' extensive video archive in a rather unorthodox manner... Reality and fiction blur together as we embark on a trip through Chilly Gonzales' world. Official Selection Berlinale 2018 - Panorama Dokumente - World premiere

Synopsis

Featuring a district in Yerevan, Armenia, where the legacy of the Soviet Union still occupies the minds and daily lives of the residents living in these huge unfinished monolithic structures, which were originally planned and positioned to spell out the letters CCCP. The film highlights the community's everyday issues and concerns, linking the past and present with all its changes and difficulties of the people once living in a superpower that has now become a decaying empire. Official Selection Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2019 - International Competition

Synopsis

Revealing how a unique and extraordinary window of opportunity was opened to the small and powerless Zionist movement: examining the complex and surprising, circumstances and characters, that made the world’s most powerful empire, pen the Balfour Declaration in 1917, promising a homeland for the Jews of the world in Palestine, a land that was not Britain’s to give! Following the twists and turns that led Britain to retreat from its promises, and from its legal obligations in the Mandate to create a Jewish homeland and adopting an anti-Zionist policy with the most deadly consequences possible. And, showing how the Zionists adapted to this new reality, and how the end of the century’s Second World War left stark choices for the British as well as the Zionists. The film follows that often violent path from war’s end, to the British departure in 1948 and the Declaration of an Independent Jewish state. Combining rare archive material, with testimonies of people who lived during the Mandate period, some of which has never been seen or heard before, and interviews with eminent historians and politicians.

Synopsis

Chris Eden-Green has been producing films about steam trains since 2012, and has a strong following of loyal rail fans from all over the world eagerly awaiting his latest DVDs and YouTube programmess. Fans liken his programmes to 'Top Gear' for steam trains. ('Top Gear' is a popular British TV show about cars). He knows he'll never be a millionaire from doing this but he's passionate about steam trains and he doesn't care much what you think about that. His fans have supported him via crowdfunding to take a trip to Germany to make a film about German steam trains. Together with his friends Sam and Adam they drive from Kent in England, to the Netherlands then on to Germany where they are challenged by the weather and unfamiliar timetables at Brocken Mountain, in the beautiful Harz National Park in Saxony, Germany. Very picturesque, if only the damned weather would behave itself! Chris has Aspergers but it doesn't define him. Making films about trains is his way of escaping from the often frustrating world that surrounds us all. Things may be shitty sometimes but if you focus on what is happening right now, you'll be alright.

Synopsis

When the youngest member of a reputable all-star cheerleading team struggles to ‘hit’ her stunt during her coach’s rigorous training sessions, the rest of the team suffers.

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of Chelyabinsk, one of Russia's most industrially brutal and polluted cities, 'Harmony' explores social and gender dynamics of Russian youth through the paradigms and preconceptions of the country’s most prominent sports: ice hockey and rhythmic gymnastics. The two respectively embody Russia’s nationalistic interpretation of hyper-masculine and feminine ideals and are examined through straddling the boundaries of documentary verite and visual art. Here, sport gathers broader meaning —reflecting the traits and obsessions of society as a whole. Official Selection CPH:DOX 2018 - World premiere

Synopsis

A mixed-race child, Marvin Rees grew up in Bristol's ghettos in the UK with prostitution, violence and poverty on a daily basis. Ever since, Marvin had the desire to go against the injustices he experienced and decides to run for mayor. As a complete amateur, he steps into the world of politics. Despite his charisma and intellect, his biggest battle is believing anyone will take this black guy from the ghetto serious. In a tight race, he must accept his loss in front of rolling cameras. Though feeling personally ashamed, losing has even a greater significance as the city carries a history of exclusion and racism. Bristol was part of the slave trade, was struck by a civil rights movement in the 1960's inspired by Martin Luther King and had the black youth revolting in the 1980's, which caused a nationwide riot. Today it is the increasing fear of muslims that shatters the city. Despite his doubts, Marvin decides to run again. More professional, stronger and with the vital support of the muslim community. Will he manage to break the circle of history and become the first mayor of African decent of a city in Europe?

Synopsis

THE SEPARATION SYSTEM (2017/18) is a collaborative commission facilitated by FACT’s Veterans in Practice programme, produced by veterans through workshops at HMP Liverpool and HMP Altcourse with artist Katie Davies. Taking the form of both a single channel cinematic film and a two-screen immersive installation, the piece explores the distinct, yet interconnected, spaces of the military, custody and ‘civilian’ life. Exploring these spaces and the experiences within them through the notion of work, an everyday activity that unites these worlds and is familiar to us all, the film communicates what we, as a civilian audience, do not understand about the unique set of relations, actions and responsibilities held by the individuals within these spaces.