Stone Hatch(2023)

King for a Day(en)

King for a Day is a poetic archive-led documentary immersing us in the personal story of the people of Padstow in Cornwall, their ancient rituals and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. The tension between tradition and progress highlights the importance of cultural identity and the role of folk customs in our globalised society. King for a Day is an intimate portrait of a place and community pushed to the margins. A cinematic journey interweaving audio-visual archive spanning 150 years. Will this be the last generation to tease the ‘Old Oss’ from his stable to welcome the Summer?

Ottery(en)

A reverberating blur of bodies and fire conjures forth representation of the potent and intoxicating Southern English folk custom of the flaming tar barrel dash.

Under the Forest(en)

In the Forest of Dean is a community of people continuing the ancient practice of Freemining: a traditional way of mining for coal an iron ore in small scale mines. The detailed knowledge involved has been passed on by oral tradition since time immemorial. This film gives a snapshot of three of the last operational mines in the Forest and the people that work them.

The Story of the Weeping Camel(mn)

When a Mongolian nomadic family's newest camel colt is rejected by its mother, a musician is needed for a ritual to change her mind.

Tokyo Phoenix(fr)

In 150 years, twice marked by total destruction —a terrible earthquake in 1923 and incendiary bombings in 1945— followed by a spectacular rebirth, Tokyo, the old city of Edo, has become the largest and most futuristic capital in the world in a transformation process fueled by the exceptional resilience of its inhabitants, and nourished by a unique phenomenon of cultural hybridization.

Here We Come A-Wassailing(en)

A documentary on the surviving syncretic pagan midwinter customs of the British Isles, focusing on nine ritual celebrations ranging from the Moray Firth in the north, the Somerset Levels in the south, Humberside in the east, and County Kerry in the west. Featuring music by the Albion Band and narration by John Tams.

Salvia Divinorum: A Western Approach(en)

Salvia Divinorum is an often misunderstood and powerful psychedelic plant used by the Mazatec shamans in southern Mexico for centuries. This entheogen's mysteries are thoroughly explored, by Director Erin Wyche, from an American view point.

An immersion into the Divine Feminine(en)

By drawing a parallel between the Indian Durga Puja festival and other forms of celebrating the divine feminine, Santa Shakti reveals the Sacred Power beyond languages and religions.

Wheel of Time(de)

Wheel of Time is Werner Herzog's photographed look at the largest Buddhist ritual in Bodh Gaya, India.

Shadows of Light(de)

Shadows of Light combines the loud and soft tones of life. The centerpiece is an Austrian mountain pasture where the summer solstice is celebrated with international artists and where tradition and zeitgeist are not contradictory.

Africa Uncensored(it)

Documentary film making at its best as it narrates very exotic and esoteric rituals of the primitive peoples of Africa.

The Birth of Saké(ja)

Through the unrelenting winter in the north of Japan, a small group of workers must brave unusual working conditions to bring to life a 2,000-year-old tradition known as sake. A cinematic documentary, The Birth of Sake is a visually immersive experience of an almost-secret world in which large sacrifices must be made for the survival of a time-honored brew.

Eyes of Stone(hi)

A young woman's story of possession and healing in rural Rajasthan

Fools Gambit Morris(en)

A short film exploring the joy and importance of Morris dancing for a group of young people.

Layers of Reed(en)

Deep in the heart of the Waveney valley, Master Thatcher Nick and his apprentice Olly work on the ancient roofs of east anglia. Keeping the craft alive, they challenge modern practices, following long standing traditional methods using local materials. This film accompanies them over a short day in their working lives, following their methods & musings and uncovering the ‘truth on the roof’.

The Beaning(en)

An experimental documentary exploring a sinister theory surrounding the death of Cleveland baseball player Ray Chapman in 1920 and the subsequent rise of the Yankee dynasty.

The Threshold HouseBoys Choir: Form Grows Rampant(en)

The Threshold Houseboys Choir was a project by Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson. Operating out of Bangkok, Thailand, the Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV founding member started this audio and visual endeavour after Coil's conclusion. Despite the name, it was a solo project relying heavily on computer generated vocals. The name was derived from a play on words, combining the terms houseboy, house of boys, boys' choir, and Threshold House, which was Coil's own label. "Form Grows Rampant" is the soundtrack of a film shot by Christopherson (a video capture at the GinJae Vegetarian Festival in the south of Thailand) and his first major musical project since the tragic death of John Balance and Coil's subsequent demise.

Metal Myths: Ghost Pt. 2(en)

A mockumentary detailing the history of the Swedish rock band Ghost.

A Taste of Whale(en)

In the Faroe Islands, hundreds of pilot whales are slaughtered each year in a hunt known as the “Grind.” This gruesome tradition has drawn outrage from activists, most notably the international conservation group Sea Shepherd, who routinely sail to the islands to try to block whaling boats. Yet the Faroese are equally determined to maintain their tradition, defending the practice as more sustainable and less cruel than getting meat from slaughterhouses. Director Vincent Kelner spends time with both Faroese hunters and Sea Shepherd crusaders, building to a nuanced look at a disturbing event with much larger implications for the way humans relate to other creatures.

Las medidoras(es)