This documentary introduces viewers to qigong, a 5,000-year-old method of cultivating and circulating the life energy called qi. It relates some of the history of qigong, as well as scientific evidence of efficacy. We also see qigong used in various contexts in modern China, and hear from Chinese doctors and qigong practitioners. The film was originally produced for the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
Himself
Desperate to recover from his depression, Dave travels from his home in British Columbia, Canada to Peru in order to experience the healing effects of the sacred medicine ayahuasca. After Dave spends some time in the country, a Shipibo healer begins to teach him how to work with the medicine more deeply.
Matthew Polly analyzes the film and its impact
Edward Barton-Wright was one of the first Europeans to study Ju-Jitsu in Japan. Back in London, he founded a club where he taught the upscale society in self-defense. He combined the most effective martial arts of his time: Canne Vigny, Boxing, Savate and Ju-Jitsu. Barton-Wright became such an early pioneer of mixed martial arts (MMA). He called his self-defense art Bartitsu . The stick fighting instructor at the Bartitsu Club was Pierre Vigny, who optimized the techniques of classic French stick fighting for self-defense.
A documentary that follows various practitioners of Chinese martial arts in the modern world.
A young woman's story of possession and healing in rural Rajasthan
In the heart of the Ariege Pyrenees, Patrick Chêne, a farmer and osteopath, cares for humans and animals with his hands and diphonic song. The vibrations of his singing radiates through the body and acts like an acoustic probe, showing a sensitive world full of invisible energies that make and form life, building our link with Earth and our environment.
Documentary about the Holy Angels Residential School in Alberta, where hundreds of First Nations children were imprisoned.
Filmed mostly on a Mini DV camera Gavin has thought of a quick way to become successful and be the master of the world but he has to wait for it all to fall into place… he has to wait for the postman to start production documenting the process of being master of the world.
See Grand Master Helio Gracie's historical battles against Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champions Kato and Kimura, which took place in the 1950's. Also watch the 1975 Team Gracie vs. Team Karate challenge, which took place on tile flooring, where Rorion, Relson, and the legendary Rolls Gracie were pitted against various karate black belts. Plus, Rorion in the first publicized NHB match in the US, where he fights a world-renowned Kickboxing champion who asked to keep his identity unknown. It also includes many fights of Gracie Jiu-Jistu students as well as the grueling match between Rickson Gracie and the feared brawler "King Zulu". Bonus Footage includes: The unedited footage of Helio Gracie's classic match with Kato. Also, see what is like a day with Helio Gracie at his ranch in Brazil. Plus, and the young gun Ralek Gracie in his first real fight!
This DVD documents many fights which occurred in the years just prior to Rorion's creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Including Royce Gracie's first fight with Jason De Lucia (The second match was in UFC II) and the Hapkido master who fights Rorion can't seem to understand why he keeps getting choked out. You will also see Royler and Royce Gracie compete in black belt judo competitions and prove repeatedly that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport. Also included are some of Rickson Gracie's fights, one against a Russian which took place at the Gracie Academy and the other is the classic fight of his, on the beach in Rio de Janeiro. Bonus Footage Ryron and Rener of the new generation of Gracie's, competing in incredible matches against some of today's best grapplers: "King of the Cage" champion Joe Stevenson, Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Cassio Werneck, Todd Margolis and much more!
How do we heal our deepest wounds? Two combat veterans, suffering from severe trauma, abandon pharmaceuticals in order to seek healing through psychedelic medicines. Recent scientific research has shown that these substances can help people to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Beyond the personal stories, From Shock to Awe raises fundamental questions about war, the pharmaceutical industry, and the US legal system.
A television reporter interviews fighters and promoters about Bruce Lee in preparation for a tournament to claim the title of “Successor to the Bruce Lee legacy”. Footage from Bruce Lee's films and interviews is repurposed in pseudo-documentary style.
American Gospel explores the core question of Christianity, 'What is the gospel?' Through the distorting lens of American culture.
The documentary portrayed one of the most established dance companies in Hong Kong which has a history of over four decades. With a tradition of blending Chinese dance and ballet together in the training, the dance company has set sail to re-evaluate its artistic essence by adapting new physical disciplines and philosophy, picking up different cultural traces, meditation and Chinese martial arts. Through monologues of the company members, the film unveiled their fears, self-doubts, and findings in their quest to refine their dance forms and express their cultural roots. It's an uncertain journey towards the cultivation of inner peace and the essence of movement and stillness.
A profile on martial artist John Liu and the making of his "lost" U.S. directorial debut, New York Ninja.