This ground-breaking feature documentary investigates our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health. Almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, and mix into the soil, becoming a permanent part of the environment. Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it? Acclaimed author and science journalist Ziya Tong takes a personal approach by visiting leading scientists around the world and undergoing experiments in her home, on her food, and her body while collaborating with award-winning director Ben Addelman in an urgent call to action for all of us to rethink our relationship with plastic.
Read MoreGenre: Documentary
A WWII transport ship equipped with non-functioning lifeboats and inadequate lifebelts was sunk by one of the first radio-guided missiles ever used in war. 1,015 U.S. soldiers were killed in the attack that remains the greatest loss of life at sea in the history of any U.S. war. Uncovered classified documents reveal that neglect and oversight contributed to the large number of casualties. The government deflected responsibility by declaring the disaster classified indefinitely while ordering all survivors to remain silent. The casualty families were stonewalled and most of them went to their own graves never knowing what happened; their boys just never came home. A Q&A with the filmmaker follows the screening.
Read MoreNo hope. No future … until a football season united a team and revealed the character that turned them into heroes. UNDEFEATED, an Academy Award-winning documentary, is the inspiring and moving tale of three underprivileged student athletes from inner-city Memphis and the volunteer coach, Bill Courtney, trying to help them beat the odds on and off the field.
Read MoreTHANK YOU VERY MUCH traces the life and career of legendary performance artist Andy Kaufman, exploring the enigmatic legend’s gonzo, boundary-shattering comedy which provoked and often outraged audiences. The film reveals a nuanced understanding of what drove the mercurial performer, who inspired an entire generation of offbeat comedians and entertainers after him. The film includes rare, never before seen footage and audio recordings that shed new light on Kaufman’s creative process; including newly uncovered archival footage and intimate recollections of friends, colleagues, and family members, and interviews with Kaufman’s closest collaborators such as Bob Zmuda, Lynne Margulies, Steve Martin, Danny DeVito, and Marilu Henner. THANK YOU VERY MUCH excavates the all-too-short life and career of a comedy iconoclast whose impact is felt all the more today with the blurring of artifice and reality that defines our present age.
Read MoreThis star studded tribute brings into focus the dazzling, complex period of Liza Minnelli’s life starting in the 1970s, just after the tragic death of her mother Judy Garland—as she confronts a range of personal and professional challenges on the way to becoming a bona fide legend. Over these years, Liza seeks out extraordinary mentors: Kay Thompson, Fred Ebb, Charles Aznavour, Halston, and Bob Fosse. With insightful participation from a coterie of colleagues such as Michael Feinstein, Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey and the late Chita Rivera, along with the revelatory participation by the star herself, the film illuminates the contradiction of Liza Minnelli: her privilege and struggle, strength and vulnerability, unreal expectations and towering talent – the friction of which fueled her stunning rise, resilience and her enduring place as one of the greatest, most original performers in the history of entertainment.
Read MoreBecoming Led Zeppelin explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds. Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances, and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words and is the first officially sanctioned film on the group.
Read MoreThis original documentary explores the iconic 1973 fashion event at the Palace of Versailles. Pitting French designers against a group of American talent – this film provides an in-depth look at the artistry, cultural significance, and impact of this pivotal point in fashion history. A Q&A follows the screening with director, Fritz Mitchell.
Read MoreThis film captures the six-decade career of award-winning costume designer Bob Mackie, whose bold personality mirrors his unique, unfiltered designs. It explores his unusual upbringing, close relationships, and surprising family connections that shaped his optimistic and daring work. Featuring original interviews with Mackie’s clients, collaborators, and those he’s inspired, plus his own insights into his most iconic looks.
Read MoreWith exclusive access to the Miles Davis Estate, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool reveals rare footage, studio outtakes, and new interviews with luminaries like Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Ron Carter. Lauded as “superbly crafted” by Variety and “essential” by Rolling Stone, this film offers an intimate, honest portrait of a legend whose music reshaped contemporary culture.
Read MoreA century after Alfred Hitchcock’s debut, his influence on cinema endures. Award-winning filmmaker Mark Cousins revisits Hitchcock’s legacy with a fresh, radical approach, using Hitchcock’s own voice to guide us through his career. As Hitchcock “rewatches” his vivid silent films, iconic 1950s-60s masterpieces, and later works, we embark on a playful and revealing exploration of his enduring impact.
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