Self Portrait '92

P.T. Anderson: Close-Ups(en)

In Paul Thomas Anderson's lens, close-ups reveal emotions, unfold secrets, and storytelling power resides in subtle expressions.

Scorsese: The Mirrors(en)

Scorsese Mirrors reflect emotions, revealing truths. A cinematic journey through the power of glass.

Cinéma Laika(fr)

In the heart of the Finnish forest, the long-closed foundry of the little town of Karkkila has come back to life thanks to director Aki Kaurismäki and his creation of the town's first cinema. The peace and calm of the little town of Karkkila, nestled deep in the Finnish forest, is interrupted by unexpected sounds. In the abandoned foundry, noisy building work is taking place. Inside the building, Aki Kaurismäki is both builder and site manager of what is soon to become the Kino Laika cinema. The creation of the cinema is the talk of the town. In the factory still in activity, in a 1960s Cadillac, in a bikers' club, in the local pub, in the woods or in Aki Kaurismäki's former editing room, people start talking about cinema again.

Věra Plívová-Šimková(cs)

Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer's End(en)

Narrated by Linda Hunt, this documentary examines the life of the late author and gay rights activist Paul Monette. Born in 1945 to a well-off Massachusetts family, Monette grows up unable to accept his homosexuality, for years hiding it from his loved ones while struggling to develop as a writer. In 1978, Monette publishes his first novel, which allows him to come out to his parents. After losing one lover to AIDS in 1986, he becomes a ferocious advocate for awareness of the disease.

David Lean: A Self Portrait(en)

A television documentary on the life and career of British film director David Lean. Scenes of Lean directing are intercut with personal interviews in which the director explains his methods, the beginnings of his career, and his relationships with actors and actresses.

On Cukor(en)

Widely thought of as “a woman’s director,” legendary film director George Cukor is profiled with the use of film clips and interviews with his friends and colleagues to provide a picture of the director’s unique accomplishments and to trace the arc of his career.

John Ford Goes to War(en)

When World War II broke out, John Ford, in his forties, commissioned in the Naval Reserve, was put in charge of the Field Photographic Unit by Bill Donavan, director of the soon-to-be-OSS. During the war, Field Photo made at least 87 documentaries, many with Ford's signature attention to heroism and loss, and many from the point of view of the fighting soldier and sailor. Talking heads discuss Ford's life and personality, the ways that the war gave him fulfillment, and the ways that his war films embodied the same values and conflicts that his Hollywood films did. Among the films profiled are "Battle of Midway," "Torpedo Squadron," "Sexual Hygiene," and "December 7."

Andrey Zvyagintsev. The Director(ru)

Portrait of director Andrey Zvyagintsev against the background of the filming of his film "Loveless".

Fernando Birri, el utópico andante(es)

Documentary film about Argentinian filmmaker Fernando Birri. An interview: a journey through documentary filmmaking, his childhood, the dawning of New Latin American cinema...

Jorge Prelorán, el cine de un humanista(es)

Jorge Prelorán was one of the most prolific documentary filmmakers from Argentina. This documentary presents an interview which focuses on his creative work, and on how his ideas about documentaries are key in the uniqueness of his topics and characters.

Un film (autoportrait)(fr)

The shooting diary of a film shot in France and in the United States. Using photos of Paris and of New York City, excerpts of his former films, statements by friends of his and shooting sequences of the film itself, tormented filmmaker Marcel Hanoun has made a heterogeneous and unclassifiable film about the difficulty of filming.

Marceline. A Woman. A Century(fr)

Portrait of Marceline Loridan-Ivens, a writer and filmmaker who survived the Holocaust.

Elia Kazan: An Outsider(en)

Hour long documentary on the legendary director.

Bergmans början: Ilska. Kärlek. Magknip.(sv)

Documentary relating Ingmar Bergman's life, from his high school graduation up until he became an established filmmaker in the latter half of the 40's.

An afternoon with Bolaño(es)

A short film homage to Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño for the Festival d'Art Independent PEPE SALES 2016.

The Last Wolf: Karl Edward Wagner(en)

Karl Edward Wagner was one of the most accomplished dark fantasy and horror writers in the world during the 1970’s and 1980’s, but very few outside of his devoted cult of fans even know his name. Creator of the immortal antihero warrior Kane and the author of several cerebral tales of psychological horror, Karl gave his characters and settings a unique and chilling perspective. A rugged and imposing figure who resembled his red-bearded swordsman Kane, Karl’s life ultimately ended tragically in 1994 due to the ravages of alcohol, cutting short the career of a writer who should be considered a legend in the field of weird fiction. This feature-length documentary features Karl’s family, friends, and contemporaries like Ramsey Campbell, Peter Straub, and Dennis Etchison as they explore the life of the Last Wolf, a dark genius from a bygone era who, like Kane, remains immortal through his words.

Behind the Doors of Umberto Eco(fr)

Umberto Eco, the author of best-selling novels who passed away in February 2016, unveils the secrets behind his undertakings and novels.

About the Possibility of a Life(bg)

This film is a documentary portrait of the great Bulgarian Writer and poet Valeri Petrov.

BNT presents: Georgi Gospodinov in the Time Shelter(bg)

A documentary about the Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov, who won the International Booker Prize in 2023 for his novel Time Shelter.