509 Films: Volume 6(2011)

Nanook of the North(en)

This pioneering documentary film depicts the lives of the indigenous Inuit people of Canada's northern Quebec region. Although the production contains some fictional elements, it vividly shows how its resourceful subjects survive in such a harsh climate, revealing how they construct their igloo homes and find food by hunting and fishing. The film also captures the beautiful, if unforgiving, frozen landscape of the Great White North, far removed from conventional civilization.

Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations(de)

Starting with a long and lyrical overture, evoking the origins of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, Riefenstahl covers twenty-one athletic events in the first half of this two-part love letter to the human body and spirit, culminating with the marathon, where Jesse Owens became the first track and field athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympics.

Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty(de)

Part two of Leni Riefenstahl's monumental examination of the 1938 Olympic Games, the cameras leave the main stadium and venture into the many halls and fields deployed for such sports as fencing, polo, cycling, and the modern pentathlon, which was won by American Glenn Morris.

For Your Eyes Only(en)

A British spy ship has sunk and on board was a hi-tech encryption device. James Bond is sent to find the device that holds British launching instructions before the enemy Soviets get to it first.

Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston(en)

Overcoming the seemingly insurmountable odds that life threw his way, Liston became heavyweight champion of the world when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in 1962. Eight years later, he died but friends questioned the cause of his death.

Seven Years in Tibet(en)

Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Lhasa, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.

From Harlem with Love(en)

Tensions between the USSR and the United States were high in 1959, with the seemingly constant threat of nuclear war. Then some unlikely ambassadors stepped forward to clear all that away: the Harlem Globetrotters. From Harlem With Love is the story of how a group of barnstorming basketball players traveled to the heart of the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War and bridged a cultural gap many thought would stand forever.

Endless Roads(es)

7 female riders, 1 van, 15 days, 4,300km, 416 GB of raw material… culminating in one video, divided into four chapters. The film documents the adventure of the trip, portraying the girls, their lifestyle and their passion for longboard.

Counterpunch(en)

As boxing's popularity wanes, three fighters at different stages of their career make sacrifices to pursue their dreams of becoming champions.

Mountain(en)

An epic cinematic and musical collaboration between SHERPA filmmaker Jennifer Peedom and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, that explores humankind's fascination with high places.

Snowflakes at the End of the World(fr)

Snowflakes at the End of the World offers a meditation on the beauty and ugliness of Montreal winter, and invites critical reflection on the relationship between humans and nature.

Lorena: Light-Footed Woman(es)

A young woman of the Tarahumara, well-known for their extraordinary long distance running abilities, wins ultramarathons seemingly out of nowhere despite running in sandals.

Darkhorse The Bro Tape(en)

Darkhorse: The Bro Tape features some of the best underground surfers in the world. These amazing surfers chase waves and not fame and glory. They are the unsung heroes of the sport of surfing. Featuring local legends and unknown shredders. It's time that the dark horses of the sport get some recognition. Surfers like Kilian Garland, Bud Frietas, Johnny Craft and Kalani Chapman take top billing in this action filled surf movie with music exclusively from punk rock label Ort Records. Shot on location in California and Hawaii.

Do What You Love Kjersti Buaas Story(en)

“Do What You Love” tells a retrospective story about 4x Olympic Norwegian Snowboarder, Kjersti Buaas. Watch her find a deeper connection to herself, resulting in progression and a passionate connection to health, the environment and nutrition.

Don't Let Go(en)

Don't Let Go is a true documentary about windsurfing. Filmed in ten different countries over the past two years, we captured all aspects of being a pro windsurfer. From travelling to remote destinations, riding the biggest waves, competing on the world tour, suffering serious injuries and fighting hard to come back. There are good and bad times, whatever it is, keep your dream alive and Don't Let Go.

Dope 3(en)

In a world over-saturated with snow-porn, mass amateurism, and an ever-changing status quo there stands alone one super crew. From the creators of Dope and Dope 2 is a snowboard picture of epic proportions. Introducing Dope 3, counterculture, creativity, friendship, followers, fans, fun, insanity, taking it to a whole new level of dope, the third level in fact. Do your homework, the results speak for themselves.

Local Heroes: Baseball on Capital Region Diamonds(en)

'Local Heroes' combines exhaustive research, rare archival film footage, fascinating still photography and revealing original interviews to bring viewers a fill range of the area's diamond history, from its mythical beginnings with Ballston Spa native Abner Doubleday to Heritage Park in Colonie - and everything in between.

The Argentine Miracle of Tennis(en)

Roland Garros(en)

From the shacks and dirt sheets of Argentina to Center Court of Roland Garros.

The History of Argentine Tennis(en)