Young and promising Chechen MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter Khavaj must flee from Chechnya to Brussels when his brother discovers his homosexuality and promises to kill him. In an episode of silence, the young man finds comfort in the Planetarium, among the silence of the stars. In this documentary, which traces his first months of life in Belgium, Khavaj slowly observes how the last link that ties him to Chechnya disintegrates. The life of yesterday is in past, but the future is not clear yet.
A documentary that shows how young activists from around the globe such as Felix Finkbeiner (Plant for the Planet), Luisa Neubauer, Greta Thunberg (Fridays for Future) and Vic Barrett (Youth v. Gov) are currently challenging the status quo and pushing for social and political change. The film focuses on these young protagonists, addressing the question of what it feels like and what is at stake when you engage in such a life. Experienced activists, as well as experts in a wide variety of topics, will provide background information and forecasts for future developments.
The one-off documentary tells the story of two women travelling by bike across the United States, from Canada to Mexico along the Great Divide. A unique adventure through the most remote areas of the Rocky Mountains, between pristine nature and wild animals. An epic journey that led them to travel 4,000 km and climb 60,000 meters and that, day after day, forced them to face their own limits, their strength and fragilities, and tested their relationship. Because every journey is always a love story.
Experimental test footage from Edison’s earliest motion picture work, capturing camera trials, exposure studies, and mechanical movement. Likely filmed by Edison staff in the early 1890s, it survives today in the Library of Congress collection. The film has been preserved and restored by the LOC and was later showcased in the compilation Copyright Comedies and More (2022).
In “Baul: Soul of Bengal,” traveler Kristina Houwer embarks on a transformative journey to West Bengal, India, where she discovers the enchanting world of the Bauls — wandering minstrels who pass down ancient spiritual teachings through music. Kristina’s adventure reveals the profound wisdom and deep-rooted traditions of the Bauls, whose music transcends time and cultural boundaries. Through intimate encounters and captivating performances, Kristina immerses herself in their unique way of life, uncovering the true essence of the Baul spirit. This documentary is a heartfelt exploration of music, spirituality, and the unifying power of song.
A documentary on the life of Amy Winehouse, the immensely talented yet doomed songstress. We see her from her teen years, where she already showed her singing abilities, to her finding success and then her downward spiral into alcoholism and drugs.
A documentary on the cryptic cartoon band, Gorillaz. From 2000-2006 director Ceri Levy filmed the creators behind the scenes, revealing the first drawings, animations and music, and following the evolution of the group through to the album Demon Days.
April 14, 1865. One gunshot. One assassin hell-bent on killing a tyrant, as he charged the 16th President of the United States. And in one moment, our nation was forever changed. This is the most dramatic and resonant crime in American history—the true story of the killing of Abraham Lincoln.
A commercial diver is stranded on the seabed with only five minutes of oxygen supply, but with no chance of rescue for more than 30 minutes. With access to amazing archival footage, this is the true story of one man’s impossible fight for survival.
A series of sketches taken from the recently-unearthed Morecambe & Wise tape that contained footage which had not been seen for 50 years, and was believed to have been lost forever. The newly discovered half-hour show featured a series of gag-packed routines involving stage curtains, ventriloquism and a daring sketch in which Eric eavesdrops on a newly wedded couple in the flat next door. Now, contributors including Jonathan Ross, Ben Miller and Eddie Izzard look back at this rare slice of classic comedy once again.
Commissioned by the BBC & BFI, CLASH is a short experimental documentary critiquing Britain's obsession with period dramas, and how they erase the diverse reality of Britain today. This film - part parody, part candid interview - is a response to Humphrey Jennings' 1942 'LISTEN TO BRITAIN', a documentary used to propel a myth of national unity. CLASH, through the perspectives of underrepresented queer people of colour, critiques the myths we still tell ourselves on screen. Through candid interviews and staged period-drama sequences with our subjects - involving a hobby horse race in East London - our film explores the issues surrounding nostalgic heritage cinema, and how it erases the diverse landscape of Britain today.
Liberation tells the dramatic story of the battle waged on two fronts during World War II - the Allied campaign to liberate Europe and Hitler's genocidal campaign against the Jews. The World War II documentary uses film footage, radio broadcasts, and period music gathered from archives around the world. Interwoven throughout the film are the compelling stories of the Jews of Europe - unforgettable stories of tragedy, courage, resistance, and survival. Liberation begins in 1942, when Adolf Hitler was still at the height of his power and the Allies began envisioning a cross-channel invasion of Europe.
Combining rare archival footage with interviews recorded forty years after the event, this documentary tells the story of the Women’s Emergency Brigade during the 1936–37 General Motors sit-down strike in Flint, Michigan. While national attention focused on the men occupying the factories, women—auto workers and the families of strikers—organized food supplies, picket lines, and public demonstrations that helped sustain the historic labor victory. The film highlights their long-overlooked role in the American labor movement.
In 1984 Ron Fawcett, is one of the most athletic climbers, he takes pleasure in taking up the challenge of climbing "free" without artificial aids, the equipment and rope being used only for safety, a revolution at the time. The documentary is part of "Pushing The Limits", a 10-episode series by Leo Dickinson documenting sporting adventures that push the limits of human endurance. Each episode focused on an extreme sport, ranging from rock climbing to hot air ballooning.