BBC2 documentary of Eddie Izzard's first foray into world touring. Beginning in her "hometown" of Eastbourne and and culminating in her month long show in the East village of New York, Izzard travels to Paris (her first, unsuccessful French language show,) Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and Stockholm.
The project began as a way to explore, educate about, and advocate change around the overcrowding in the Philadelphia jail system. It has come to focus on mass incarceration across the nation and the intersection of race, poverty, and the criminal justice and penal systems. The documentary centers around Michelle Alexander's theory in her book, The New Jim Crow: since the rise of the drug war and explosion of prison populations, because discretion within the system allows for prosecution of people of color at disproportionately high rates, mass incarceration is a new version of Jim Crow. The movie also dissects the War on Drugs and 'tough on crime' movement, and offers possible reforms and solutions to ending mass incarceration and this new racial caste system.
The greatest human rights disaster in the world is happening 10 feet from the U.S.A. An investigation of the political, social, and economic forces that have left tens of thousands of innocent Mexicans dead.
Fixation is a documentary, focusing on the thrilling world of fixed gear cycling. This film captures the excitement and popularity of this growing sport from all perspectives. With the resurgence of this original form of cycling, we discover the appeal to having only one gear. Though technology has developed multiple speed bicycles, for faster and easier riding, both fixed and freewheel single speeds continue to have a strong following. The range of riders is vast, from professionals to the casual everyday rider. Their styles and motives are different, but their outcome seems to be the same: the freedom, the simplicity and the challenge of having one gear is what brings them back to the basics. We explore the full spectrum of this lifestyle: Messengers, Olympic Racing, City Riders, Bike Polo, Brakeless, Freestyle and more. "Fixation" showcases the different personalities of those involved with fixed gear cycling community, in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose.
Public schools don’t have to be a minefield of metal detectors, minimal expectations, and mind-numbing routine. An alternative exists right here in Chicago, at the Dixon Elementary Public School in the Chatham neighborhood, where former principal Joan Crisler and her successor Sharon Dale have implemented the idea that art should be an integral part of the learning environment, with museum-quality works openly adorning the halls. The results, in terms of student performance and morale, have been spectacular, but, as this inspiring but pragmatic documentary demonstrates, there are no miracle solutions: Crisler’s protégé Carol Briggs has an uphill battle applying the same approach at another school, and recent budget cuts have left even the most successful programs vulnerable to the axe.
"The Magic Life" chronicles the journey of three magician hopefuls: a 17-year-old from Beijing who travels to the U.S. to attend magic school, a 25-year-old trying to make rent by performing on Hollywood Blvd for tips, and a 32-year-old New York University MBA graduate who moves to Los Angeles to perform at the world famous Magic Castle. The film depicts the challenges of following an unconventional career path. Forget about parents, family, or friends who may not understand or support your choices - there's almost an invisible societal pressure in terms of what types of jobs are acceptable. "The Magic Life" is about those who are willing to risk everything to take the road not normally taken. Sometimes the risk pays off, sometimes it doesn't.
Take to the sky in Washington the Beautiful and come face-to-face with Washington state’s majestic mountains, including one of the Pacific Northwest’s most well-known symbols: Mount Rainier. Celebrate the diversity of the state’s landscapes from the glittering Puget Sound in the west to the rolling Palouse in the east and everything in between — all in high definition to display brilliant detail. Continue the journey by foot in this spectacular film with cultural events, recreational activities, and everything that makes Washington state a Pacific Northwest treasure.
Living for 32 is the inspirational story of Colin Goddard, a survivor of the tragic gun shooting massacre which occurred on the Virginia Tech campus, April 16th, 2007. The winning combination of Colin's passion, charisma and optimism has commanded the attention of the American public and media since the devastating incident which left 32 dead and 17 injured. In Living for 32, Colin shares an intimate account of terror he and his classmates endured and the courageous journey of renewal and hope he chose to pursue.
Paraguay's lush soy farms are battlegrounds between huge agri-business and small farmers. The GMO beans fatten up cattle in rich countries so steaks remain cheap. But the pesticides used are destroying the crops of the campesinos and harming their kids.
Rarely has an architect caused as much sensation outside of the architecture community as Rem Koolhaas. His outstanding creations such as the Dutch Embassy in Berlin, the Seattle Library, the Casa da Musica concert hall in Porto, and the Guggenheim Heritage Museum in Las Vegas are working examples of the Dutchman's visionary theories about architecture and urban society. "Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect" is an engaging portrait of a visionary man, which takes us to the heart of his ideas. The filmmakers have made a visually inventive thought provoking portrait of the architect, prompting Rem Koolhaas to state "it's the only film about me that I have liked."
The hamburger has been an American icon, a popular food product, and now, the subject of this fascinating documentary, BURGER TOWN. Since its origins, this round pattie of beef has been a staple of American food, and soon after became an icon of popular culture. This hour-long video explores the unique history of the hamburger in the United States, focusing on Los Angeles's importance in its popularization, and in the success of fast food in general. Richard McDonald, founder of the food chain, is one of the many hamburger "historians" interviewed in this enticing film.
The Joffrey Ballet: Mavericks of American Dance, narrated by Mandy Patinkin, tells the full story of this groundbreaking company, from their founding in 1956 to the present.
An epic account of our tempestuous relationship with the iconic symbol of wild America. It explores the visionary quest to protect and restore bison and details the inextricable relationship of the Plains Indians with the animal. The film also recounts the harrowing near-destruction of the species in the late nineteenth century - from an estimated 30 million bison to a mere 23 individuals by 1885. It explores the epic vision - and monumental obstacles - to restore bison to immense tracts of the Great Plains.
An investigation of the economic / social / political forces behind the violence plaguing Ciudad Juarez. A coverage of events from 2011, and victims affected by the "drug war." A forecast of Juarez' future from numerous experts, including the critical 2012 elections.
War Department Training Film No. 107-C In preceding films in this series you have met the P-47 and taken it through take-off, normal flight and landing. In this film we give the P-47 some action Presented by the Army Air Forces in cooperation with Republic Aviation Corporation 1943
The Reagan Era was marked with names, triumphs and tragedy that made history that became the fabric of American life and memory: Iran-Contra the Cold War the Solidarity Movement and the candle in the White House window Pan Am 103 the Challenger disaster Beirut Libya. Ronald Reagan's speeches were inspired lectures that informed the nation - sometimes angry, sometimes confused, and sometimes frightened of the next steps their government would take. Ronald Reagan: An American Journey is a collection of these dialogues, creating a portrait of the man Time magazine named as one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th century.
In a small village near Paris, 14-year-old boys and girls enter the training center for future lads and jockeys. For these young pupils, the transition between the family environment and this new world is brutal. Though sharing the world of teenagers -- flirting, cell phones and PlayStation -- they enter a world where the comfort of the horses comes before that of the human.
Over the course of a three-day series of teachings and a public lecture, the Dalai Lama discusses numerous Buddhist tenets, such as maintaining compassion despite the pressures of modern society, achieving inner peace and living a responsible life.
Betty White travels around the world to national parks, zoos and aquariums; along the way, she shares personal stories of her own pets and gives viewers a look at the organizations that support animals.