Documentary

This rare documentary, simply called “John Cage”, was made in 1966 for the German TV station NDR and is one of the earliest films devoted entirely to the work of Cage and his collaborators. It was made on the occasion of the Cage and Cunningham European tour in that year, and instead of fully explaining the music and philosophy of the composer, we get a fascinating glimpse at the work process of the dance troupe and of Cage himself. Most of the film is concerned with showing us how they set up a performance for the Nuits de la Fondation Maeght, and there is a lot of interview and everyday material with Cage, Merce Cunningham, David Tudor, Gordon Mumma and Carolyn Brown, to name just the best known artists here. It’s also nice to see a rather youthful looking Cage (though he was 54 at the time!), still wearing the famous tie that had been cut off by Nam June Paik a few years earlier. There’s also some archival footage from Tudor’s and Cage’s very first German performance in Darmstadt in 1954.Read More »

His teachers, coaches, childhood friends and Barça teammates, together with journalists, writers and prominent figures from the history of football, come together in a restaurant to analyze and pick apart Messi’s personality both on and off the field, and to look back at some of the most significant moments in his life. Viewed from Álex de la Iglesia’s unique perspective, Messi recreates the player’s childhood and teenage years, from his very first steps, with a football always at his feet, through to the decision to leave Rosario for Barcelona, the separation from his family, and the role played in his career by individuals such as Ronaldinho, Rijkaard, Rexach and Guardiola.Read More »

The traditional and modest life in deep rural Crete. A film on the verge of traditional documentary film and an attempt to find a new direction in terms of what documentary film could be. An envious look at contemporary works by his fellow filmmakers from the British Free Cinema, obviously spurred on director Pitt Koch’s ambition.Read More »

Quote:
From Provence to Greece, a very personal travel diary shot while Jean-Daniel Pollet accepts an invitation to participate in a conference. Leaving is always a fantastic endeavor and the filmmaker sublimates the experience by gleaning images of places and loved ones. Images of Delphi, Bassae, Ancient Greece … But for Pollet these images are not enough, and he must also speak of the world … News, television and even Peugeot advertising images, which resulted in the film being blocked for many months.Read More »

Quote:
The culmination of Albert Maysles’ lifelong passion for capturing the stories of train passengers, and styled in the tradition of Direct Cinema, In Transit unfolds as a series of interconnected vignettes.

Ranging from overheard conversations to moments of deep intimacy, in which travelers share their fears, hopes and dreams, In Transit takes place entirely aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, the country’s busiest long-distance route. A journey into the hearts and minds of these everyday Americans, the directors explore the essence of what it is to be a citizen of America today.Read More »

A documentary which traces the life of the magnetic, world-conquering, Jamaican musician, model and party queen Grace Jones.

Larger than life, wild, scary and androgynous – Grace Jones plays all these parts. Yet here we also discover her as a lover, daughter, mother, sister and even grandmother, as she submits herself to our gaze and allows us to understand what constitutes her mask. The stage is where her most extreme embodiments are realised and her theatrical imagination lets loose: this is where the musical of her life is played out. The film includes Grace’s unique performances singing iconic hits such as Slave To The Rhythm, Pull Up To The Bumper, as well as the more recent autobiographical tracks Williams’ Bloods and Hurricane. Read More »

The President of an imaginary African country decides to combat a history of colonialism and free their economy from poverty and corruption by nationalizing the mining of their natural resources, much to the chagrin of Western capitalists, in this forward-thinking political thriller from Benin.

“It tackles several hot-button issues including an exit from the CFA franc currency, closer ties with Russia and China as opposed to the West, criticism of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and pride in being African.” – Global TimesRead More »

Last of a trilogy

“KEHRAUS, Again” was made in 2006, another ten years have passed since the last film and Stefan and Marlen are no longer alive. Gabi makes it through and her now grown-up children are faced with the realities of their own childhood. Henry and Marion have settled in. The grandchild generation has already been placed in foster families. “You live like this…”

“The film has become an “unintentional” – never actually planned – long-term observation, because I wished for a happy ending with every film. Reality has produced this stuff in 16 years.” G.K.Read More »

Quote:
An American family takes an apocalyptic road trip through the US West. A summer holiday of camping, mini golf, swimming, and baseball, in landscapes inscribed by extermination, genocide, and war.Read More »