Vlast (Power)

2010

Documentarian Cathryn Collins makes her directorial debut with a poignant portrait filmed over the course of several years, dissecting the evolution of political power in Russia through the rise and fall of oil exec Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky. Once the richest Russian alive, Khodorkovsky found himself arrested and his company seized after publicly opposing Vladimir Putin's leadership. But until his name is cleared, "freedom" is relative.

3.2 Average Rating

Alone in Four Walls

2008

In rural Russia, children convicted of theft, murder and rape are sent to a home for delinquents. Without the outside world's pressures, they're finally allowed to act as children, but for some of them, this new life proves to be a challenge. This documentary tells the stories of several of these adolescents, who must endure separation from their families and who, upon release, are unlikely to be forgiven for their crimes.

3.5 Average Rating

Life on the Road with Mr. and Mrs. Brown

2009

James Brown -- the hardest-working man in show business -- reveals his most intimate domestic secrets in this biographical documentary about his marriage to fourth wife, Tomi Rae Brown, their careers, creative collaboration and inspiration. In addition to featuring concert footage, interviews and rare archival material, the film reveals Tomi Rae's own musical accomplishments and the controversy over her husband's arrest in 2004 for domestic violence.

3.1 Average Rating

Autism: The Musical

2007

Filmed over a six-month period, Tricia Regan's inspiring, Emmy-nominated documentary captures the transformation of five autistic children as they develop and rehearse "The Miracle Project," an original musical about autism. Supported by their families and led by educator and coach Elaine Hall (whose son is in the production), the kids slowly develop social skills as they learn to work with one another. For some, the metamorphosis is nothing short of amazing.

3.8 Average Rating