Kathak: The Dance of Storytellers(2024)

The World of Vija Vētra(en)

This documentary tells the fascinating story of Vija Vetra, a world-renowned Latvian dancer, choreographer and teacher. At the age of 84, Vetra remains a vital and creative force, and her tale offers inspiration for both artists and lovers of the arts. In a career spanning seven decades, she has mastered diverse styles ranging from ballet to traditional Indian dance, and her talent has won her acclaim as a 'spirit in human form' and 'the bridge between East and West.' Her life is a celebration of the power and beauty of the art of dance, but is also a powerful story of struggle, loneliness and sacrifice. Her creative , positive spirit stands alone against a materialistic world that is constantly changing. Her wise soul, her point of view and criticism towards the modern world push us to think about secret meanings, symbols and the simplicity of life.

Vaikhari(hi)

Vaikhari, which in Sanskrit means intelligent and articulate utterances, primarily focusses on "padhant" which is the art of recitation of mnemonic syllables used in Hindusthani Classical Music and Dance. The film incorporates different artistic streams in allusion to padhant, thereby aiming at a profound aesthetic experience of rhythmic utterances in its multiple manifestations. Kalidasa's immortal Meghdootam serves a template for narrative development while creating a realm of different temporal designs fabricated by various rhythmic elements (percussion, dance) where padhant lies at the nucleus of contemplation and subsequent artistic expansion.

Trip to Manipur(en)

Amateur film of a road trip through northeastern India, showing traditional dances and a gigantic flower float.

Delhi to the North West Frontier(en)

Amateur film featuring government buildings in Delhi, a shooting party in Malakand and winter in Abbottabad.

Aka and Daffla Dances(en)

A stunning display by Nyishi tribesmen from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India.

Our Greatest Ambassador(en)

Richly detailed record of the Prince of Wales' Indian tour.

Imphal Bazaar(en)

A scenes from a tour of Manipur State and a women's bazaar in Imphal.

Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers(en)

A trip to the spectacular city of Bundi and a Kathakali dance performance, filmed in vivid colour.

Dancers at Trivandrum Gopinath(en)

Kathakali performance featuring the great Indian dancer Guru Gopinath.

Ci-Mi(az)

The film tells the story of two brothers, Ji and Mi, who were separated for many years and found each other after 20 years.

Gimme Shelter(en)

A detailed chronicle of the famous 1969 tour of the United States by the British rock band The Rolling Stones, which culminated with the disastrous and tragic concert held on December 6 at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, an event of historical significance, as it marked the end of an era: the generation of peace and love suddenly became the generation of disillusionment.

A Documentary About The Movie One Second(zh)

The Conspiracy(en)

It’s an insidious, centuries-old conspiracy theory that continues to rear its ugly head today: Jews have a secret international plot to control the world. How do such preposterous ideas get started, and why do they flourish? Filmmaker Maxim Pozdorovkin orchestrates bold, striking animation and exceptionally talented voice artists to walk us through almost 250 years of anti-Semitic ideology, focusing on how times of uncertainty give rise to anxieties in marginalized populations, and how three Jewish family dynasties came to bear the brunt of irrational scapegoating.

A Witch Story(en)

Alice is a descendant of Martha Carrier, a woman hanged for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Her research for an upcoming book leads her to work with Brooklyn-based feminist guru Silvia Federici and to trace the history of the great witch hunts to today’s continuing patriarchal power grabs. A captivating story at a crossroads where past collides with present.

In the Company of Rose(en)

On Martha’s Vineyard, three-time Tony-winning playwright and director James Lapine meets Rose Styron, the widow of the great American novelist William Styron. Over six years of periodic meetings, Rose shares the fascinating story of her complex life as a poet, journalist, human rights activist, and life partner to William. The result is the tale infused with life wisdom for all ages.

Dont Look Back(en)

In this wildly entertaining vision of one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, Bob Dylan is surrounded by teen fans, gets into heated philosophical jousts with journalists, and kicks back with fellow musicians Joan Baez, Donovan, and Alan Price.

Pier Paolo Pasolini - Una visione nuova(it)

The documentary focuses on some decisive encounters for Pasolini's intellectual parable with the great Oscars of Italian cinema: from Bernardo Bertolucci to Dante Ferretti, from Ennio Morricone to Danilo Donati.

The Drive to Sing(en)

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced musical activities to shut down in March 2020, singers searched for ways to stay connected and sing live music together. Online solutions such as Zoom helped groups socially, but did not allow a choir to rehearse and perform together. Several tech-savvy musicians turned to old-school audio technology to organize parking lot choirs, with each singer safely isolated in their own car. The idea spread through social media across the US and Canada, and reached the attention of the New York Times, the Today Show, and NPR. "The Drive to Sing" tells the story of the parking lot choir, the cast of characters who worked together to develop and refine it, and the singers who kept their musical communities going during this time of fear and isolation.

The 50(en)

In the dangerously overcrowded California State prison system, 50 men serving life sentences are given the opportunity to become substance abuse counselors. As the first-ever participants in the Offender Mentor Program, the group reckons with their own demons as they excavate the deep trauma of their fellow inmates. An intimate study on the possibilities of redemption.

Ihmemaa(fi)

A documentary about the fantasy and reality of home regions. The director takes a trip back to past decades and ends up observing Finns in the present day. The film is structured around commissioned films shot in Finnish municipalities and cities.