Projects in genres: Black

Synopsis

Joel, at 17, has been diagnosed as HIV positive. He decides, very prematurely, that he'd rather face this 'embarrassing' disease alone than with anyone else - to unexpected consequences.

Synopsis

Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King spent almost a century between them in solitary confinement in Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentary. They are known as the Angola 3. Herman and Albert are still in solitary confinement after thirty six years in solitary confinement. How could this be?

In America. Today. In The Land Of The Free... Is a documentary feature that examines the story of these extraordinary men who appear to have been targeted by the prison officers for being members of the Black Panther Party because they fought against the terrible conditions and systematic sexual slavery that was rife in the prison. They were subsequently convicted of the murder of a prison guard. There was no physical evidence against them and the main eye witness was bribed and promised his freedom by the warden in exchange for testifying. After years in the oblivion of solitary confinement, this year has finally seen dramatic developments of the Angola 3. This documentary tells the on going story of the case of the Angola 3.

Synopsis

The 1960's saw the closure of hundreds of psychiatric hospitals when people gained more and more awareness of lobotomy, lobectomy, electroshock therapy, insulin therapy, and when the discovery of Thorazine prompted patients' release to the community. After the onset of de-institutionalization, there has been an almost deliberate effort to bury the history of these places.

Ian Ference, an amateur photographer has visited dozens of derelict insane asylums - mostly by breaking into the guarded premises - in order to resurrect the memories of those forgotten patients.

Insanity Vault follows Ian through one of his crazy adventures in Connecticut.

The team arrives at Norwich State Hospital early morning and sets up for a long walk in the nearby forest and along a disused railway line which leads to the abandoned buildings. They progress in a military like operation towards the safety of the tunnels, carefully avoiding the patrol.

Ian sets up base camp in one of the halls, which was originally used as a non violent building. Walls are crumbling and fallen plaster covers the ground several inches deep in some corners. Discarded documents and artefacts are scattered around.

The forensic ward, which housed the guilty for reason of insanity and the violent patients, is disturbingly beautiful. Sun rays finding their way through the barred windows, contrast with the sternness of the corridors. In some rooms, the roof has even collapsed.
 

Synopsis

Vanessa and Maurice, an African-American couple with five kids, leave Alaska for Las Vegas in search of a better life. Filmed over four years, it is a story of love and family set against the turbulent backdrop of economic boom and bust.

Synopsis

Abiyot runs for money, every weekend at a different race. He left Ethiopia to try and relaunch his running career in the US.

With every aspect of his daily routine centered on his training, his footsteps not only dictate the rhythm of his life, but also become the pervasive rhythm of the film.

Synopsis

Young loner, Franke Scarfe, 22, is stuck in the past, due to traumatic incidents that happened to him 10 years previously.

The death of a former guide-leader triggers off a series of events that help him bury the past and get on with his life.

Synopsis

An intimate and moving account of one family’s extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming injustice and brutality

In 2008 Mike Campbell – one of the few remaining white farmers in Zimbabwe to have held fast in the face of the violent ‘Land Reform’ programme – took the unprecedented step of challenging President Robert Mugabe before the SADC International Court (SADC - South African Development Community) to defend his farm, which is also home to 500 black workers and their families, and to charge Mugabe and his government with racial discrimination and with violations of Human Rights.

This film, much of it shot covertly, follows the traumatic ordeal of Mike, his son in law Ben and their family as they take on a man who has brought death to thousands.
 

Synopsis

Nora is based on true stories of the dancer Nora Chipaumire, who was born in Zimbabwe in 1965. In the film, Nora returns to the landscape of her childhood and takes a journey through some vivid memories of her youth. Using performance and dance, she brings her history to life in a swiftly-moving poem of sound and image. The result is a film about family dramas, difficult love affairs and militant politics, which moves back and forth between the comic and the tragic, the joyful and the mournful. It is a film about a girl who is constantly embattled - struggling against all kinds of intimidation and violence - but who slowly gathers strength, pride and independence.

Shot entirely on location in Southern Africa, Nora includes a multitude of local performers and dancers of all ages, from young schoolchildren to ancient grandmothers, and much of the music is specially composed by a legend of Zimbabwean music - Thomas Mapfumo.

Synopsis

A bullied teenage schoolboy teams up with two misfits to defeat the bully and win a girls heart in a classic tale of overcoming the monster. 'Napoleon Dynamite' meets 'The Goonies', in an 80s kid's comedy with a 21st century twist.

Synopsis

Based on an actor who suffers from an identity crisis with his film noir private detective character, whom I shall fondly refer to as - The Mole (his character actually wears a facial mole!).

Synopsis

Jerry Downing is an aspiring novelist who has an ego problem that is turning him into a monster in his household. He is an unformed, incomplete human being that has flaws in his personality. His ordinary world is one where he signs on the dole, checks-in for agency work and watches television over meals. One of his flatmates, Julia Wells, sees his problem and encourages him to give up his novel writing and find a full-time job where he will meet his other half. He refuses the call to adventure because he has been sacked from previous jobs because as a result of writing his novel during working hours. His other flatmate, Kerry Cerberus, invites him to go salsa dancing with her. He declines the offer, suddenly aware of her feelings for him.

Whilst searching for work, Jerry comes across his father who is also unemployed and off to sign on the dole. This highlights the inadequate role models and male figures in his life that have groomed him towards unemployment. He realises that he has to battle against his own nature in order to rise above his situation. He determines in his mind that he will find a job.

Synopsis

The Park is a drama that focuses on the lives of three teenage boys each living with a secret. The boys talk about things that are happening in their lives but tend not to divulge their true personal thoughts and feelings to one another. For example, the bruise on Tony’s left eye, the amount of ‘p*ssy’ JC gets and the fact that Marvin gets all the p*ssy he needs now that he has a girl friend, but the young men never delve deeper than the surface. As the sun begins to set, the boys say their good byes and this is where the drama unfolds.