Xhizito: Twisted Reflections is a work of journalistic autofiction that blends investigative depth with a fantastical veil of anonymity. At its core, Xhizito is not a character or a place—it’s a sound, a rhythm, a word charged with plastic identity and fluid meaning. Its phonetic expressiveness evokes ambiguity, twisting itself into something elusive and serpentine. But what, exactly, is Xhizito? In this first chapter of a larger enigma, we delve into the heart of a phenomenon that resists definition, seeking answers in echoes, masks, and mirrors.
After fleeing the war in Ukraine, several families rebuild their lives in a village in Seville. Through different conversations and introducing us to their day-to-day, Nuevas raíces shows their process of adaptation, resilience and rooting in a land that, without seeking it, also begins to be home.
From Subsonica to Vinicio Capossela, from Nico to C.C.C.P. to Diaframma: in the 1980s and 1990s, Le Macabre club rocked Bra with the best of Italian rock. Through the voices of the protagonists, this film tells the story of that legendary stage in the sleepy Italian province, of the family that created it, and of those who experienced it.
In Emilia, amid the wounds of the earthquake, the Rulli Frulli Band was born. Boys and girls of all colors and abilities play instruments made from trash and light up stages across Italy. Not just a band, but also a model of inclusion studied by the Università Cattolica. An adventure made of music and rebirth.
"After enduring the trauma of a brutal gang rape, young dancer Thea embarks on a profound journey of healing. Through her choreography, she confronts her pain step by step, gradually transforming her vulnerability into a quiet yet fierce bravery. With the unwavering support of her partner Thiago and the unconditional love of their dog Mandinga, Thea discovers a safe space to begin piecing together her shattered world. The birth of her son Monan further redefines her relationship with her body and sense of self. We follow Thea's most intimate struggles through her personal video diaries, intertwined with the tender lens of her childhood friend, filmmaker Felix, who uncovers the unspoken layers of her healing process.
DESPITE THE SCARS highlights the collective responsibility we share in supporting those who have endured trauma, reminding us of the vital roles empathy, dignity, and love play in times of darkness."
In March 2022, a massive wildfire broke out through Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province and Samcheok in Gangwon Province. The fire threatened not only the lives of the residents, but also the countless animals who shared the area. In the aftermath of the disaster, some animals, especially the cats-known for their territorial nature-were left behind. LUCKILY, I SURVIVED tells the story of the volunteers came from across the country to help with the recovery, and the cats rescued from the site. Among them are 'Snim (monk)' who refuses to leave the burned temple, 'Sandle' who suffers severe burns all over its body, and 'Sagye' once cared for by elderly villagers now ailing after the fire. Through their stories, the film sheds light on the devastating impact of a man-made wildfire and the compassionate efforts of people to save vulnerable lives offering a glimpse of hope for coexistence of human and the rest of nature.
Acclaimed director Hao Zhou journeys into one of China’s vast factories around the time of the pandemic to detail the impact of global supply chains and coercive business practices on workers’ lives.
Terry Kennedy has lived several colorful lives, including a stint as a Hell’s Angel – but, most memorably, as the unlikely friend to a giant manta ray named Willy. Now in his 80s, Terry mounts one last diving expedition to a remote island in search of his long-lost friend.
What happens when art meets trash? Maintenance Artist profiles pioneering public artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles — the first artist-in-residence at NYC’s Department of Sanitation.
In 2024, the eleven (!) members of the iconic mid-90’s cult comedy troupe The State reunited for a live tour. With their irreverent and absurdist live sketches as the backdrop, and framed with a greatest-hits playlist of classic material, the group’s unreasonably talented stars sit down to share the behind-the-scenes story of The State’s meteoric rise and lasting influence- in typically hilarious fashion.
In 1970s Britain, Tony Powell was a star defender for Norwich City Football Club — until one day he disappeared from the public eye without a word to family or friends. Decades and seemingly a lifetime later, Tony now quietly resides at the Holloway Motel in the heart of West Hollywood as its manager and sole resident (apart from his dog Samantha). However, after he learns the motel is shuttering and he'll soon be evicted, Tony must finally reconcile his past and present in order to survive and come to terms with the multifaceted relationships of his life: those he's found, lost and abandoned.
In this charming and profound portrait of artistic devotion, celebrated sculptor James Grashow embarks, at age 79, on a four year odyssey to complete his magnum opus: a gigantic, intricate wooden sculpture dubbed "The Cathedral."
In 1972, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan became the first Southern Black woman to join Congress, one of many firsts in her career as a trailblazing political leader. Looking at her life both in and out of the limelight, this insightful documentary explores how her voice still resonates today.
Pat, the evasive, androgynous character made famous on Saturday Night Live by Julia Sweeney, was an inescapable figure in 1990s pop culture. As a child, filmmaker Ro Haber became obsessed with Pat—a character whose popularity stemmed from making others uncomfortable by defying gender norms. Decades later, and now an out trans filmmaker, Haber still grapples with Pat’s legacy. Thirty-five years after It’s Pat first aired, Haber assembles a group of queer and trans comedians, writers, and even Sweeney herself to revisit the character. Through conversation and critique, they aim not to erase Pat but to reframe them, transforming a symbol of ridicule into one of reflection and empowerment.
Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America explores the vital role of Ethnic Studies in redefining the narrative and promoting service to Asian American communities across the country. From the birth of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State to present-day movements, Making Waves documents the stories of Asian American activism and efforts to lift up Ethnic Studies as a strategy to address present and future waves of anti-Asian hate.