Hong Kong Stories

Casablanca revisitada(es)

A lyrical and nostalgic analysis of how Casablanca, the mythical film directed by Michael Curtiz in 1942, has influenced both film history and pop culture.

All You Zombies: Bringing 'Predestination' to Life(en)

Documentary about the making of the Spierig Brothers' 2014 film PREDESTINATION that is based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 science-fiction short story '—All You Zombies—'. Through interviews with cast and crew, film clips and behind-the-scenes footage, this documentary thoroughly explores how the film came to be from casting to pre-production to principal photography to post-production. Interviewees include writers/directors Michael and Peter Spierig, producers Paddy McDonald and Tim McGahan, director of photography Ben Nott, special makeup effects designer Steve Boyle, production designer Matthew Putland, special makeup effects supervisor Samantha Lyttle, costume designer Wendy Cork, film editor Matt Villa, and actors Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor and Ethan Hawke.

Locations: Looking for Rusty James(es)

A personal meditation on Rumble Fish, the legendary film directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1983; the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, where it was shot; and its impact on the life of several people from Chile, Argentina and Uruguay related to film industry.

The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat(fr)

A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.

Olive Thomas: The Most Beautiful Girl in the World(en)

Explores the life and death of one of the first onscreen flappers. By the time she appeared in The Flapper, she had completed more than seventeen films, but beneath the glitter of success Olive had her share of tragedy. Her death under mysterious circumstances just before her 26th birthday shocked the world.

Deep Throat: When Porn Makes Its Premiere(fr)

Deep Throat, a pornographic film directed by Gerard Damiano, a film-loving hairdresser, and starring Linda Lovelace, a shy girl manipulated by a controlling husband, was released in 1972 and divided audiences, who began to talk openly about sex, desire and female pleasure; but also about violence and abuse; and about pornography, until then an almost clandestine industry, as a revolutionary cultural phenomenon.

The French New Wave: A Cinema Revolution(fr)

The 60s was the birth and ascension of the French New Wave. Characterised as an avant-garde film movement and created by directors like Godard and Varda, it give birth to iconic actors such as Bardot and Belmondo.

Dirty Harry: The Original(en)

A retrospective look at the five Dirty Harry films (1971-88), starring Clint Eastwood.

11 Colours of the Bird(cs)

A behind-the-scenes look at the eleven-year process it took to make The Painted Bird. The narratives of director Václav Marhoul and actor Petr Kotlár weave their way through the various stages of the film's creation, offering their subjective views from the beginning to the last flap of a year-and-a-half long shoot.

An Appreciation of Stageocach with Peter Bogdanovich(en)

An appreciation of Stagecoach, with director and Ford biographer Peter Bogdanovich.

Gina Carano in Training(en)

El joven Berlanga(es)

The early days of the future genius of Spanish cinema Luis García Berlanga, from his birth in Valencia in 1921 to his departure to Madrid in 1947 to become a filmmaker.

Aliens, Dragons, Monsters & Me(en)

Documentary about the life and work of Ray Harryhausen.

Somewhere Between New York and LA(en)

Since he was 18 years old, Blake Eckard has written and directed six feature length films in his hometown of Stanberry, Missouri (population 1186). Aside from a short distribution deal in Canada and a few festival screenings, his movies have largely gone unseen.

The Story of British Cinema: The Pioneer Years(en)

For this inform­at­ive new one-off, film writer Ian Nathan focuses on the first 60 years of British film, from the inven­tion of cinema and the trans­ition from stage to screen, to the emer­gence of the stu­dios and the first pop­u­lar idols. Nathan takes us through the work of lead­ing Brit­ish film-makers — a tal­ent pool that, like Hol­ly­wood’s, benefited from the influx of refugees flee­ing Europe — includ­ing Alfred Hitch­cock, Pow­ell and Press­bur­ger, and many more besides.

From Manila with Love(en)

Retrospective documentary on the making of the 70's women-in-prison exploitation cult favorites "The Big Doll House" and "The Big Bird Cage".

Old Tucson: Where the Legends Walked(en)

Tells the story of Tucson and the legendary movies that were shot there.

A Film of Firsts: Peter Bogdanovich on Red River(en)

Interview with filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich about Red River and the two versions of the film.

Emmanuelle: Queen of French Erotic Cinema(fr)

France, 1974. The erotic film Emmanuelle, directed by Just Jaeckin, breaks all records for cinema attendance: the story of the creation of a sensual epic that marked a turning point in the struggle for sexual emancipation.

Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions(fr)

The greatness, fall and renaissance of Hammer, the flagship company of British popular cinema, mainly from 1955 to 1968. Tortured women and sadistic monsters populated oppressive scenarios in provocative productions that shocked censorship and disgusted critics but fascinated the public. Movies in which horror was shown in offensive colors: dreadful stories, told without prejudices, that offered fear, blood, sex and stunning performances.