Luz in Latin America

Ancestral Voices(en)

An educational documentary spanning two continents, opening up a much-needed debate about traditional African spiritual systems; their cosmologies, ideologies and underlying ethical principles. Modern science no longer refutes the origins of mankind being in Africa and similarities in the cosmological ideologies of African esoteric systems with those found many established world religions today, suggest that it was not only people that migrated, but also concepts and themes that then provided bedrock for the formation of other systems of belief.

In the Beginning: The Trey Canard Story(en)

In The Beginning follows Trey Canard’s heartfelt story to the top of the sport, despite overcoming the loss of his father and a series of injuries. It is in those low times that Trey transformed into a champion. Like life, Trey’s story is a bit of a roller coaster and the film will showcase Trey’s journey, giving viewers intimate access into Trey’s thoughts. No other motocross film has ever had this kind of access to such a powerful and inspiring story. In The Beginning focuses on the motocross and supercross champion’s life through 2010, the year Trey won the National Title.

The Things I Cannot Change(en)

"This feature documentary is considered to be the forerunner of the NFB's Challenge for Change Program. The film offers in inside look at 3 weeks in the life of the Bailey family. Trouble with the police, begging for stale bread, and the birth of another child are just some of the issues they face. Through it all, the father tries to explain his family's predicament. Although filmed in Montreal, the film offers an anatomy of poverty as it occurs throughout North America." - NFB

Edged in Water(en)

More than 80 minutes of high-energy skiing! Morning mist emerges from liquid glass. As a skier rips through a perfect turn, the rising sun ignites the spray like wildfire. This is the sensation created by [i]Edged in Water[/i]. No film has ever captured water skiing like this. The camera is everywhere: in the sky, on the water, aboard the boats, on the skiers. These are perspectives on skiing you've never seen and sounds you've never heard, stirring a fresh stoke like you've never felt. As [i]Edged in Water[/i] speeds into action, hang on. Starring: Wade Cox, Chris Parrish, Jamie Beauschesne, Freddy Kreuger, Marcus Brown, Natalie Hamrick, Jaret Llewellyn, Chris Rossi, Terry Winter, Ron Scarpa, Keith St. Onge, Scot Ellis and more ...

Olympia: Part One – Festival of the Nations(de)

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. This first half of her two-part film opens with a renowned introduction that compares modern Olympians to classical Greek heroes, then goes on to provide thrilling in-the-moment coverage of some of the games' most celebrated moments, including African-American athlete Jesse Owens winning a then-unprecedented four gold medals.

Olympia: Part Two – Festival of Beauty(de)

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. Where the two-part epic's first half, Festival of the Nations, focused on the international aspects of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, part two, The Festival of Beauty, concentrates on individual athletes such as equestrians, gymnasts, and swimmers, climaxing with American Glenn Morris' performance in the decathalon and the games' majestic closing ceremonies.

The Team. The Time. The 2006 Mets(en)

Shea Stadium was the place to be in 2006. Fueled by just the right mix of budding young superstars and established veterans, the New York Mets cut a swath through the National League, ending Atlanta s string of 14 consecutive division titles and coming within one hit of reaching the World Series. The 2006 Mets were fun, exciting and resilient! You could never count them out. And even though they came up just short of their ultimate goal, they left their fans with an overriding sense of optimism for the future. It s all here, from Spring Training, to the All-Star Game, to the nail-biting tension of the postseason. Featuring exclusive interviews with Jose Reyes and David Wright, never-before-seen footage and inside-the-game wireless. Narrarated by Tim Robbins. Relive the season that captivated a city.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing(en)

Shut Up and Sing is a documentary about the country band from Texas called the Dixie Chicks and how one tiny comment against President Bush dropped their number one hit off the charts and caused fans to hate them, destroy their CD’s, and protest at their concerts. A film about freedom of speech gone out of control and the three girls lives that were forever changed by a small anti-Bush comment

California Soul(en)

Most of the footage can be seen in the NobodySurf Originals series that I made for them. This is a unique collaboration with Jitzuwa Finder, who makes custom soundtracks for NobodySurf Originals. Also, I added footage that never made it to the series to come up with something new and exciting. Aloha and Mahalo Tatsuo Takei

The Battle of The Alamo(en)

Sports Day in Peterborough(en)

The children of Peterborough run rings around comedian Tommy Handley and other dignitaries during a city sports day.

Billie Holiday: A Sensation(en)

A documentary about the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday (1915-1959). There exist many myths and legends about the Jazz Singer Billie Holiday — one of the greatest voices of the last century. Most of them tell the story of the tragic victim of drugs, alcohol, men, color, or the circumstances of her upbringing. To some extent she contributed herself to these legends, especially in her autobiography "Lady Sings the Blues". In recent years, more and more records and reports have shown a different picture of her. These statements of confidants, colleagues and friends clean up with many of the legends and show a strong personality who has been anything but a pitiable victim. Billie Holiday was a strong-willed and determined person and a very complex personality who did not correspond to the classic victim type.

Le plafond de verre(fr)

This is the story of the few people who went ahead, beyond racial prejudice. And their struggle to open the workplace to other people.

Forever(en)

Père-Lachaise - one of the world's most famous and beautiful cemeteries - is the final resting-place of a gifted group of artists from all eras and corners of the world. Some - such as Piaf, Proust, Jim Morrison and Chopin - are worshiped to this day. Others have fallen into oblivion, or are visited occasionally by a single admirer. In Forever we see the mysterious, calming and consoling beauty of this unique cemetery through the eyes of people of flesh and blood. Many come for their 'own' beloved: husbands, wives, family and friends. Others Honor 'their' artist by leaving behind a personal message or a flower. While admirers share with us the importance of art and beauty in their lives, the graveyard gradually reveals itself as a source of inspiration for the living. Death offers little consolation except for the passing of time, the melancholia of a moss-covered tomb, and the beauty and power of a piece of music, a poem or a painting Written by Cobos

Welcome to Africville(en)

Welcome to Africville gives voice to what may have been marginalized members of an Afro-Canadian community in 1969. It's intention is to be a catalyst to thought and reflection about the lives and struggles of people from that community whose stories still go untold. It is the fictional account of a family. We listen to the stories of three generations of women and their friend Julius on the day their community is to be destroyed by the municipal government of Halifax. This story is a portrait of four individuals coping with universal uncertainties and insecurities.

A Way Out(en)

A Way Out is a documentary about breaking the cycle of poverty in Canadian's oldest and largest "ghetto," Regent Park. In addition to talking about what it is like to grow up poor in North America, it explores the reasons behind one person finding a way out of poverty and others remaining. As a former resident of a low-income community, Christene Browne went back to find out what had happened to some of her old friends. Formal and impromptu interviews are conducted and the community is revealed through footage and stills.

Raisin' Kane: A Rapumentary(en)

We The People 2.0(en)

American citizens who are normally marginalized, forgotten and left to fend against toxic dumps and other violations, come to understand that the only way to survive and save their communities is to challenge the system head-on.

Energy War(en)

Documentary feature. 16mm; color; sound.

In Paraguay(en)

Documentary film by Ross McElwee.