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Compassionate Eye
Horace Bristol shot some of the most significant photographs of the
20th century, compelling images that have become icons of our past.
However, his photographs were lost for forty years (more)
Concert Yiddish Soul
Here is a documentary featuring the actual concert of the musicians
introduced in Yiddish Soul. Lovers
of Klezmer and Yiddish music will delight in hearing performances by
vocalists Chava Alberstein, Myriam Fuks, Shura Lipovsky, Karsten Troyke,
the KlezRoym ensemble and a host of talented accompanists.(more)
The Legacy of Rosina Lhevinne
This documentary film offers an intimate and compelling portrait of
the life and achievements of the legendary pianist and master teacher,
Rosina Lhevinne: her years of study at the Moscow Conservatory of Music,
her marriage to famous pianist, Joseph Lhevinne, her devastation following
her husband's death and her recovery and stunningly productive life
from age 65 to 96. (more)
Mr. Wong’s World
Mr. Wong is a wealthy business man who returned to China from Canada.
He has made it his mission to rescue historic buildings of old Shanghai
that would otherwise fall prey to the wrecking ball during an unprecedented
building boom. (more)
Orhan Pamuk
Orhan Pamuk, Turkey’s best-known modern novelist and winner of the Nobel
prize in 2006, became a pariah overnight for speaking out about the
Turkish role in the Armenian genocide. He insists the nation should
know the truth about its history, and that there must be freedom of
speech. (more)
Yellow Ox Mountain
This is a documentary that portrays the artistic endeavors and the personal
journeys of two artists, Zhang Hongtu (b. 1943) and Zhang Jian-Jun (b.
1955), who are part of the Chinese contemporary art community of New
York. (more)
Arabian Sands: Wilfred Thesiger, Desert
Adventurer
Thesiger was an adventurer and explorer
who crossed the Arabian desert twice and lived among the Bedouin. This
film is based on his memoir (Arabian Sands), and includes his
photographs and archival footage of desert tribes. (more)
Art of Darkness
The slaves of the Caribbean contributed not only to the wealth of their
masters, but also to the cultural heritage of the British Empire. As
this film shows, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, and the British
Museum were all funded by money made from the slave trade.(more)
The Artist Was A Woman.
The history of Western art has few examples of great women artists.
This documentary uncovers the works of some gifted women, while exploring
why their talent was never recognized.(more)
The Bible Under Fire
For more than three hundred years, the King James Version of the Bible
had been dominant. Then, in 1952, a Revised Standard Version (RSV) was
published to a firestorm of controversy. Some dubbed it the "Red Bible"
and called it a Communist plot to undermine American society. At the
same time, the RSV broke sales records. (more)
A Bridge of Books
This engaging, often funny documentary film chronicles the adventures
of an enterprising 23-year-old named Aaron Lansky, who rallied together
an international network of volunteers and set out to rescue the world¹s
Yiddish books. (more)
The Call of The Jitterbug
This engaging film vividly evokes the rich past of the dance craze of
the early 30's known variously as the Jitterbug, the Lindy Hop and Swing
dancing. (more)
Can't Stop Now: A Choreographer Validates
the Older Dancer
This film features six superb dancers who have been able to continue
their careers beyond the age of forty, thanks to the vision of choreographer
Jiri Kylian of Netherlands Dance Theatre III. Features Karen Kain, Martine
Van Hamel, Gary Cryst and Jeanne Solan. (more)
Celestial Dance
This richly photographed film shows a special ceremony performed in
a remote village in northern Bali to purify the village. Two young girls
dance and chant in accordance with strict Balinese traditions.
(more)
Chagall
This remarkable film retraces the life and work of the beloved artist
Marc Chagall. Much of the narrative is told in his own words, including
unique film footage of him interviewed as he paints. Among his contemporaries
interviewed are Apollinaire, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, and Malraux.
(more)
Charlie Chaplin: A Profile
This biography of the "Little Tramp" traces his life from his impoverished
childhood in London, his meteoric rise to fame, his bitter exile in
Switzerland, and to the belated tributes in Hollywood in the seventies.
Clips from his films are intercut with the commentary of authors and
critics. (more)
Chinese Contemporary Art
There has been an astounding flowering of innovative, energetic and
challenging contemporary art in China. The film travels to artists
studios, galleries and museums where this art is evolving and displayed,
and the artists explain their techniques and philosophies. Art experts
bring historical context to the new movement. (more)
Accompanying film: Chinese Contemporary Art Comes to America
Chopin’s Afterlife
Chopin’s Afterlife is a pianist’s search for Frédéric Chopin whose
music seems to connect people everywhere. Musicians and non-musicians,
dancers, poets and visual artists. investigate different layers hidden
under the seeming simplicity of the music and its sheer beauty. (more)
Chuck Davis, Dancing Through West Africa
Here is a spirited celebration of traditional African dance filmed in
the villages and suburban compounds of Senegal and The Gambia. Chuck
Davis performs with his company, the African American Dance Ensemble,
on one of his frequent trips to West Africa. (more)
Chutney in Yuh Soca: A Multicultural Mix
Three short films show the vitality of ethnic identity which blends
with the prevailing culture, yet keeps its own spirit. Filmed in Trinidad,
Tobago, the U.S. and Britain. (more)
Colonel Jin Xing
An extraordinary portrait of a Chinese ballet dancer who underwent one
of the first sex change operations in China to become a woman. She is
now the toast of the Chinese theater, despite having challenged very
traditional institutions. (more)
Dalda 13
An Indian woman photographer, who photographed notables such as Gandhi,
Ho Chi Minh, Queen Elizabeth, and Jackie Kennedy, yet had to publish
under her husband's name. (more)
Dance and Trance of Balinese Children
Combining footage taken by Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson over fifty
years ago with footage shot today, this delightful video shows how the
tradition of teaching Balinese children to dance is being passed on.
(more)
A Dance the Gods Yearn to Witness
This beautiful film introduces Bharata Natyam dance, a classical Hindu
dance form which originated thousands of years ago. Interwoven with
the performance are explanations of the history and tradition of this
art form. (more)
Dancing Through Death: The Monkey, Magic and
Madness of Cambodia
The film takes us back to the murderous years of Pol Pot (1975-79) when
90 percent of the Cambodian dancers were executed or died of starvation
or disease. It shows how several surviving dancers train a new generation
to continue their tradition. (more)
Daughters of De Beauvoir
Seen through the eyes of the women she influenced, including Kate Millet
and Marge Piercy, this is an in depth look at one of the leaders in
the international women's movement (more)
Didn't We Ramble On: The Black Marching Band
This joyful film shows how the spirit and soul of the West African people
has been passed down, through the black marching band. (more)
Dreamers: The Painters of Haiti
The artwork of unschooled Haitian artists, painting with riotous color
and beguiling fantasy, is gaining appreciation in the outside world.
(more)
East Wind West Wind: Pearl Buck
The extraordinary life of Pearl Buck (1892-1973), the child of missionaries
who was raised in China and developed a deep affection for the Chinese
people. She became one of the most popular American writers of the 20th
Century, especially for her best-selling novel, The Good Earth. Archival
footage and interviews provide unique insight into China in the first
half of the 20th century. (more)
The Emperor's Eye: Art and Power in Imperial
China
This spectacular film brings to light the priceless treasures of China's
imperial art collection, relating them to the political climate of their
time. It also describes how the collection survived both war and revolution
in the 1930-40's. (more)
Geraldine Page: A Working Actress
This captivating video gives rare insight into the creative energy and
intelligence that propelled the career of one of America's most accomplished
actresses of stage, screen and television. (more)
The Gospel of Thomas
Religion, archaeology and understated drama intertwine in the story
of the discovery of ancient papyrus manuscripts in southern Egypt in
1945. (more)
Guguletu Ballet
Since 1992 a white ballet dancer has been teaching classes to African
children in the township.The program Dance for All has made a difference
in their lives. (more)
Hansel Mieth
Hansel Mieth is the compelling tale of a pioneering woman photojournalist
who created some of the most indelible images of mid-twentieth century
America. During the late 1930s and 1940s -- the golden age of pictorial
magazines -- Mieth's images of strikers, criminals, scientists, cowboys,
Native Americans, and countless others appeared in every major publication
in America (more)
Harmonica Breakdown: The Blues as Social History
Part documentary, part dance performance, this film was inspired by
the music of blues harmonica player Sonny Terry. His work, Harmonica
Breakdown, is deeply rooted in its social and historical context. (more)
High Heels and Ground Glass
This fascinating film portrays the life and work of five outstanding
women photographers, who perfected their craft in an era when photography
was a man's domain. Included are Gisele Freund and Lisette Model, the
teacher of Diane Arbus. (more)
In A Jazz Way: A Portrait of Mura Dehn
This delightful film tells the story of Mura Dehn, a Russian-born dancer
who came to America in the 1930's, and dedicated herself to preserving
jazz dance on film. (more)
Indecent Acts: Oscar Wilde
Wilde, the most famous writer and wit of the Victorian age, was vilified
when he was found guilty of homosexual crimes. Contrasting the treatment
that he suffered with that of contemporary gay sex offenders, this film
reveals one of the most dramatic courtroom sagas ever. (more)
India Cabaret
Mira Nair's award-winning film shows the life of female strippers in
a Bombay nightclub. The women reveal their hopes and fears, while showing
strength and resilience. (more)
Indies Under Fire
This gripping documentary chronicles the devastating effect of giant
book chains on the country's independent bookstores. During the golden
years of the independents, there were 5,200 members of the American
Booksellers Association -- -- today there are fewer than 3,000. (more)
Inner Visions: Avant Garde Art in China
This documentary gives us a rare opportunity to meet young artists
and intellectuals in Beijing and hear how they steer a course between
survival and artistic expression. (more)
Jessye Norman, Singer
Documents the remarkable career of the African American opera singer
who is world renowned. Born in Augusta, Georgia, she grew up during
a time of racial strife. Nevertheless, she broke new ground for African
Americans in the classical arts. (more)
The Library in Crisis
Dense with the informed commentary of notable scholars, this documentary
in effect traces the history of civilization through the phenomenon
of the library. From ancient China, India, Islam, and the Graeco Roman
world, we see how the library radiated knowledge and spiritual values,
and facilitated the cross fertilization of ideas from one culture to
another. (move)
Lost Magic of the Shanghai Art Studios
At the end of the 1950’s, the Shanghai Art Studios were among the most
important in the world. The came the Cultural Revolution and the director
was imprisoned. (more)
The Man Who Wanted to Classify the World
In 1934, a Belgian visionary named Paul Otlet conceived of a library
with no physical books whose contents could be viewed on a screen. His
obsession was to classify, encode and unify books and documents published
all over the world. His classification system is regarded today as similar
to hypertext, which enables us to navigate the Internet. (more)
Mississippi: Power of Place
Mississippi, known for its rich literary and musical heritage, was the
home of William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Tennessee Williams. In this
film, we see how the spirit of place inspires creativity among a new
generation of artists. (more)
Monkey King Looks West
This colorful production contrasts the rich heritage of Chinese opera
with the day-to-day realities of its emigre performers in New York City's
Chinatown. (more)
Mozart Noir, Le
Few people know that in 18th century France, a black man became not
only an internationally recognized composer, but also a director of
France¹s leading orchestras. His remarkable life story is recounted
in this film, which shows how he overcame the adversities of class,
race and society to distinguish himself as a violinist, composer and
conductor. His musical compositions inspired Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.
(more)
Palestinian Writers
This is a portrait of two important women writers from the West Bank:
Sahar Khalifah, a feminist and revolutionary novelist, and Liana Badt,
an intellectual who writes on themes of Palestinian history. (more)
Portrait of a Muckraker: The Stories of Jessica
Mitford
This award-winning program is a wise and witty portrait of the outspoken
Jessica Mitford. From her acid pen came such books as The American
Way of Death, The Trial of Dr. Spock, and Kind and Unusual Punishment.
(more)
Robbing the Cradle of Civilization
This documentary takes us into the Baghdad Museum to see the shards
and broken glass which remained from seven days of pillage.It documents
the illegal international trade in antiquities. Part detective story,
part historical thriller, part archaeological tragedy, the documentary
is a grim reminder of the spoils of war. (more)
Rumblings of The Earth: Wifredo Lam, His
Work and Words
This richly illustrated film uses the paintings and writings of the
Afro-Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam along with interviews with authorities
on art and Caribbean culture to trace the evolution of a unique and
truly multicultural twentieth century artist. (more)
Salman Rushdie - Between The Devil and the
Deep Blue Sea
This eloquent film brings into sharp focus the conflict between freedom
of expression and religious conservatism. It focuses on the protests
that Satanic Verses provoked throughout Muslim communities all over
the world. (more)
Samuel Bak: Painter of Questions
The film explores the fulfillment of Bak's early promise and the way
his personal Holocaust experience has shaped his prodigious artistic
output. (more)
Save and Burn
Save and Burn builds from The Library
in Crisis by deepening an understanding of the history of civilization
through the phenomenon of the library. From ancient China, India, Islam,
and the Graeco Roman world, we see how the library radiated knowledge
and spiritual values, and facilitated the cross fertilization of ideas
from one culture to another. (more)
Silver Shine: Jazz Musician, Andy Hamilton
This is a portrait of a unique musician, Andy Hamilton. It incorporates
archival footage, interviews and performance, capturing the social climate
of the black urban jazz scene in England. (more)
Something Within Me
This is the story of St. Augustine's, a Catholic school in the South
Bronx. The school's pastor and a gifted music teacher committed the
school to a curriculum specializing in the arts with remarkably positive
results. (more)
Something Wonderful May Happen: New York School
of Poets and Beyond
This film surveys the New York School of Poets: its poets, poetry and
important influence on the next generation of American poets. It includes
a reading of the poem "Twin Towers" by David Lehman written after the
1993 bombing of the WTC as well as poetry by Kenneth Koch, John Ashbery
and Hettie Jones. (more)
Songs for Ralph
This is a lively musical tribute to Ralph Rinzler who championed indigenous
American music, first as a musician, then in field research and recording,
eventually founding the Center for Folklife in the Smithsonian Institute.
(more)
A Sound Education
Dr. Chen Ho Yun teaches violin to ghetto kids in South Central, L.A.(more)
Soundmix
This inspiring film brings together five extraordinary teenage musicians
from diverse cultural backgrounds who are reinvigorating American musical
traditions. (more)
Staceyann Chin - A Poetry Slammer
Staceyann Chin, twenty-nine years old, is a lesbian, multiracial, and
one of the major American slam poets. This film is a portrait of her,
her poetry and the world of poetry slam. (more)
The Stations of Bach
This fascinating documentary on the life and music of Johann Sebastian
Bach also explores the social, political and aesthetic forces in Germany
during his time (1685-1750). Performances enliven the film. (more)
Straight Up Rappin'
This compelling documentary is about rap as it is declaimed in the streets
of New York, straight up -- without music. The young people demonstrate
that their grim surroundings have not killed their ability to express
their political thoughts. (more)
Strong-Cuevas Sculpture
Strong-Cuevas sculpts powerful, larger than life pieces that can
hold sway on a hilltop, and conjure up tribal pieces from Africa or
Oceania. In this film, we follow her from her studio in Amagansett,
Long Island to the foundry up the Hudson where her pieces take their
final shape in its glowing furnace. (more)
The Sunrise Dance
This unique and highly visual documentary shows an ancient, sacred Apache
ceremony that has never before been filmed. The Sunrise Ceremony marks
the passage from adolescence to adulthood for young Apache women. (more)
Tales of Pabuji: A Rajasthani Tradition
Using animation techniques combined with filmed actual performances,
this colorful production documents an ancient storytelling tradition
still ongoing in India. It recounts the epic of Lord Pabuji of Rajasthan.
(more)
Talking Canadian
This film takes an amusing look how the English language developed differently
in two neighboring countries, the U.S. and Canada. It shows how our
speech patterns reflect our history. (more)
A Thief Among the Angels: Barry Moser and
the Making of the Pennyroyal Caxton Bible
This entertaining film tells the story of Barry Moser, one of America's
greatest book artists. He is also a book designer, illustrator, publisher
and wood engraver and has just completed a limited edition Bible. He
believes "the problems of good and evil are still to be fought today".
(more)
Tibor Jankay - The Art of Survival
This charming film documents the life of a 94-year-old Hungarian born
artist who used his artistic skills to survive the Holocaust. (more)
Turning to Dust: Preserving Our Books
There's a quiet calamity going on in libraries and archives all around
the world. Books and documents are crumbling because the paper on which
they are printed is turning to dust. This documentary shows us preservation
centers where conservationists treat endangered books. (more)
The Twin Towers: A History
The Twin Towers have attained mythic status in the 21st century. The
effect of their destruction and the tragic loss of life is engraved
on the American consciousness. Here is a fascinating history of the
buildings that set the character of lower Manhattan and symbolized not
only the power of New York City but American culture and financial dominance.
(more)
Uncommon Images: James Van DerZee
This is a touching portrait of one of the first and foremost photographers
of black American life, who set up shop in Harlem and spent sixty years
taking stunningly direct pictures there. (more)
The Vanishing Rembrandts
Over 700 paintings by Rembrandt have "disappeared" over the last century.
Why? The controversial process of attribution that began in the 1960's
when the Dutch government began the Rembrandt Research Project. The
Vanishing Rembrandts shows the sleuthing methods of scientists and art
historians who bring new evidence to the formerly subjective tradition
of connoisseurship. (more)
The Venetian Dilemma
With stunning imagery, The Venetian Dilemma portrays the fragile
urban ecology of Venice besieged by 14 million tourists who far outnumber
the local residents. By tracking four Venetians who are trying to make
a life in this unique historic place, the themes of urban gentrification
and tourist impact are raised--a problem not only for Venice but for
many other urban areas. (more)
Vietnam Symphony
In 1965, as the Vietnam War intensified and Hanoi faced the threat of
massive US bombing, students and teachers from the National Conservatory
of Music were forced to flee the city for the relative safety of a small
village in the countryside. With the help of villagers, they built an
entire campus underground, creating a maze of hidden tunnels, connecting
an auditorium and classrooms. Here, as the war raged around them, they
lived, studied and played music for five years. (more)
What If?...A Film about Judith Merril
Science fiction writer Judith Merril rocketed to success with her first
story in 1948. This film includes interviews with her as well as with
sociologists, futurists and other science fiction writers who evaluate
Ms. Meril's formidable contribution. (more)
Wild Swans - Jung Chang
Chinese author Jung Chang's grandmother was born into a still feudal
society, and became a warlord's concubine. Her mother, became a high
ranking Communist Party official. This film brings to life the memories
Chang recorded in her best-selling autobiography, Wild Swans.
(more)
Yiddish Soul
This charming film documents the revival and popularity of Yiddish music
in today's Europe. It is now considered "world music" and has become
the passion of a new generation of artists both Jewish and non-Jewish.
(more)
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