Documentary
Nazrah: A Muslim Woman's Perspective
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Nazrah: A Muslim Woman's Perspective

2003
Muslim women living in the U.S. Pacific Northwest freely share their views on Islam and a variety of complex social and political issues in filmmaker Farah Nousheen's award-winning documentary. The women engage in an open roundtable discussion of Islam; the difficulties they face in achieving equality within the Muslim community; stereotypes of Muslim women in the media; and the political climate at the time the movie was filmed.

Directed by:

  • Farah Nousheen
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Daguerréotypes
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    Daguerréotypes

    1976
    Experimental filmmaker Agnes Varda presents this vivid documentary portrait of her longtime neighborhood along Paris' Rue Daguerre, compiled from footage that she began shooting in 1974 while caring for her 2-year-old son.

    Directed by:

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    Barefoot to Timbuktu
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    Barefoot to Timbuktu

    2010
    Blending new material and archival footage, filmmaker Martina Egi unfolds a fascinating tale of an activist artist who spent three years helping the residents of a barren desert settlement in Mali rebuild their community into an oasis. Although Ernst Aebi is best known for his urban pioneering in New York's Soho and Tribeca neighborhoods, his work in Araouane -- a seven-day camel ride from Timbuktu -- is one of his proudest accomplishments.

    Directed by:

  • Martina Egi
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Three Miles North of Molkom
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    Three Miles North of Molkom

    2008
    This wildly entertaining documentary follows a gruff Australian rugby coach as he ventures into the offbeat New Age waters of Sweden's alternative-spirituality No Mind Festival, where he's surrounded by hippies, shamans and tantric sex enthusiasts.

    Directed by:

  • Robert Cannan
  • Corinna Villari-McFarlane
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    On the Other Side of Life
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    On the Other Side of Life

    2009
    Two young brothers in a South African township depend both on their wits and each other to get by, walking the line between their elders' traditional way of living and the dangerous lure of the gangster life. When they both fall under suspicion in a murder case, the brothers are sent to prison and must learn an entirely new set of survival tactics. Back outside on bail, Lucky and Bongani find still another challenge to face together.

    Directed by:

  • Stefanie Brockhaus
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Memory Books
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    Memory Books

    2008
    Filmmaker Christa Graf shows how "memory books" help families in Africa deal with impending loss and especially how they become critical touchstones for children once their parents have passed away. In Uganda, where researchers say as much as 35 percent of the population has AIDS, a growing number of infected parents are writing heartfelt books to their children in an attempt to pass on guidance and preserve their memories after they are gone.

    Directed by:

  • Christa Graf
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    FTA
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    FTA

    1972
    Francine Parker's documentary -- which disappeared from theaters after only one week -- chronicles the Pacific leg of the 1971 "Free the Army" tour, the anti-Vietnam War revue featuring a troupe of performers led by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. Consisting of satirical skits, antiwar humor, protest songs and interviews with members of the military, the FTA revue was designed to inspire U.S. soldiers to voice their dissent.

    Directed by:

  • Francine Parker
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Will Eisner: Profession: Cartoonist
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    Will Eisner: Profession: Cartoonist

    1999
    This three-part documentary colors in the life of celebrated cartoonist Will Eisner, whose inventive work changed the face of comics and graphic novels throughout the 20th century. "Spirit" recounts the story behind Eisner's most famous character. "The Dream" chronicles Eisner's ambitions to be recognized as an artist as well as his pioneering approach to the graphic novel. And in "Master Class," Eisner demonstrates his signature techniques.

    Directed by:

  • Marisa Furtado
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Building Bombs
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    Building Bombs

    1991
    This Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles everyday life in Aiken, S.C. -- ground zero for America's hydrogen bomb-making facility, the Savannah River Plant. Through interviews with residents, politicians, activists and factory workers, the incisive film looks at the consequences of living in the shadow of nuclear weapons and the illegal dumping of radioactive waste. Actress Jane Alexander narrates.

    Directed by:

  • Mark Mori
  • Susan Robinson
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    John Paul II: The Millennial Pope
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    John Paul II: The Millennial Pope

    1999
    Karol Wojtyla, known all around the world as Pope John Paul II, has led the Catholic Church for more than two decades. This episode of the award-winning public television series "Frontline" examines the pope's pre-Vatican life, his views on faith and religion and his relationships with Jews and modern Catholics.

    Directed by:

  • Helen Whitney
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman
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    Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman

    2007
    From Europe to the Middle East and Africa, women worldwide are on the verge of breaking age-old barriers. Award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Fox illustrates the political background of the plight of women in the world and interviews women from a variety of countries about their experiences and role models. An unforgettable portrait of international womanhood, Fox's documentary dramatizes the state of equality and freedom in the new century.

    Directed by:

  • Jennifer Fox
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Saints and Sinners
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    Saints and Sinners

    2004
    This moving documentary tracks the struggles of a New York gay couple, Edward DeBonis and Vincent Maniscalco, who have but one goal: to get married and be recognized by the Catholic Church. As the two seek to acknowledge their seven-year relationship while facing opposition to their union from those they know as well as complete strangers, their ordeal puts a heart-wrenching face on a hotly debated issue.

    Directed by:

  • Abigail Honor
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero for All Seasons
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    Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero for All Seasons

    2009
    In this inspiring documentary, filmmaker Catherine Meyburgh chronicles the remarkable life of Nelson Mandela, from his happy childhood to his political imprisonment to his triumphant election as president of South Africa. Commemorating the iconic leader's 90th birthday, Meyburgh's film features personal accounts from many of Mandela's friends, peers and confidantes, all gathered to pay tribute to the legendary civil rights activist.

    Directed by:

  • Catherine Meyburgh
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    The Time of Their Lives
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    The Time of Their Lives

    2008
    While residing at a home for the elderly, political activist Hetty, age 102, prepares to participate in a peace march, novelist Alison, 87, works on her seventh book and former journalist Rose, 101, becomes the world's oldest newspaper columnist. In this engaging documentary, these fascinating women discuss their remarkable lives, impressive accomplishments and continuing efforts to make a difference.

    Directed by:

  • Jocelyn Cammack
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Savage Planet: Extremes
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    Savage Planet: Extremes

    2000
    From the snowy avalanche-prone peaks of Utah, Washington and France to the below-sea-level furnace of Death Valley, this Stacy Keach-hosted PBS presentation explores some of the world's most extreme landscapes and the people drawn to them. Survivors' accounts and news footage of avalanches combine with visual evidence of the mysterious sliding stones in Death Valley's Racetrack Playa to showcase opposite ends of the environmental spectrum.

    Directed by:

  • Emma Hawley
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    White House Workers
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    White House Workers

    2008
    The president and his appointed staff get all the attention, but the permanent employees of the White House are the ones with the tales behind historic events and exciting dramas that have taken place in the storied building. The program features an introduction by former President Jimmy Carter, as well as interviews with the butlers, chefs, housekeepers and other support staff who make sure everything runs smoothly at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

    Directed by:

  • Marjorie Hunt
    • rating:2.7.png 2.7 Average Rating


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    Now and Then
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    Now and Then

    1995
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
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