In Syria, the new government that overthrew Bashar al-Assad's regime on 8 December 2024 has just signed a historic agreement with the Kurds in the north-east of the country. In the heart of a country ravaged by more than 13 years of civil war, this autonomous administration of Syrian Kurdistan could well be integrated into a country that is in need of reconstruction and whose unity remains fragile. But in the north, the war has not stopped. A few kilometres away, neighbouring Turkey has been stepping up its attacks on Rojava for years, while militia abuses persist and the threat of Islamic State continues to loom. From Kobane to Raqqa via the Al-Hol prison camp... For this new long-form feature, Blast took to the roads of northern Syria in January 2025.
In Surinamers in Nederland: De terugkeer van het zwarte goud, we see Surinamese people arriving in the Netherlands, unsure of what to expect, and being packed into overcrowded boarding houses. The government's idea is that they should then be integrated into society as quickly as possible. This was to be done by the Centraal Bureau Uitvoering Vestigingsbesluit Rijksgenoten, set up in 1974.
0.0La Lucha: Getting Schooled in America is a documentary that follows the journey of five students trying to survive in environments stricken by poverty, crime, dismal resources, and inadequate educational opportunities. Despite facing obstacles many cannot imagine, they understand that graduating high school is their best chance to rise above their fate. Can changing how we deliver education—tailored to the student instead of forcing them into a one-size-fits-all system—really make the difference?
0.0This poetic film follows director Marialuisa's journey with Anita and Leticia, Central American women traveling with the Caravan of Mothers of Missing Migrants.
8.0“Being French in 2024 means being able to serve as Prime Minister while openly gay.” With these words closing his policy speech on January 30, 2024, Gabriel Attal made history. The documentary *Homos en politique: le dire ou pas?* uses this milestone — the appointment and visibility of France’s first openly gay Prime Minister — as a springboard for a broader inquiry. Journalists Jean-Baptiste Marteau and Renaud Saint-Cricq travel across France to meet LGBTQ politicians of all generations, from Paris to rural towns. Eleven years after the protests against same-sex marriage, has France really changed? Through interviews with figures like Bertrand Delanoë, Sarah El Haïry, Jean-Philippe Tanguy, Franck Riester, and others, the film explores how coming out intersects with politics, homophobia, and representation — questioning whether saying “I’m gay” in politics is still an act of courage or simply a sign of the times.
0.0Wheat has long been vital to the Middle East, but the region relies on imports, leaving millions vulnerable. When Lebanon's grain silos exploded in 2020, the urgency of food sovereignty became clear.
1.0This documentary follows Lali in her return after four years away from the stage, showcasing the personal journey that led her to become the artist we know today.
0.0In the last days before the internet changed the music industry forever, one small town band's struggle to succeed became the stuff of legend.
8.0In America women can go to jail for their husbands’ crimes, men are allowed to marry ten-year-olds, and abortions in some states are illegal, even in cases of rape. Documentary filmmaker Brice Lambert journeys through the American South and meets women who are at the receiving end of the attack on women’s rights since Donald Trump’s return to power.
0.0The V&A presents Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, an exclusive private view of the ‘hugely enjoyable and thought-provoking exhibition’ (★★★★★ The Guardian) at the V&A in London, filmed especially for the big screen. Take a guided tour ‘down the rabbit hole’ with the V&A Curator Kate Bailey and presenter Andi Oliver as the documentary explores how Alice has become an enduring icon, influencing successive generations and inspiring creativity in fashion, film, photography and on the stage. This special cinema event will bring to life the magical world of a landmark exhibition that charts the evolution of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland from manuscript to a global phenomenon beloved by all ages.
8.0A documentary that brings to light the extraordinary story of the Sacred Band of Thebes – an elite military unit composed of 150 pairs of male lovers that became one of the most formidable forces of the ancient world. It delves into the history of this little-known chapter of classical antiquity through forensic archaeology, rare archival material, ancient art, and animation. It explores how the Sacred Band rose to prominence, met its tragic end, and continues to resonate in modern discussions of identity, heroism, and love.
10.0A tribute to the late Pat Schulz, an influential Canadian feminist.