Social & External
The people behind it
Hugo Chávez
Cruz Quinal, "the mandolin king," lives near Cumana in a mountain valley surrounded by sugarcane fields. Perpetuating 16th century Spanish traditions of guitar-making, Cruz fashions such musical instruments as cuatros, marimba, escarpandola, and his own creation, a mandolin with two fretboards. He is an accomplished musician as well. In this moving portrait, Cruz compares himself to a decaying colonial church across the street: revered yet neglected, the village altar stands, paint peeling, under the open sky.
In 1969, the Renovación Universitaria movement and the subsequent raid on the Central University of Venezuela by the government of Rafael Caldera, triggered a strong wave of protest in the Institutes of Higher Education in Venezuela. This documentary collects part of the events that took place in the city of Mérida, Mérida State, where the University of the Andes is located.
Through the testimony of Manuel Taborda, a pioneer of labor organizing in Venezuela’s oil fields, this documentary revisits the experiences of oil workers between 1920 and 1936. Their memories reveal a world marked by corporal punishment, exploitation, racial segregation, and disease, alongside the emergence of collective resistance against the American and British oil companies that controlled the industry and the government that enabled them.
Mayami Nuestro goes beyond the slogan "tá barato, dame dos" (“it’s cheap, give me two”) to force a rethinking of Venezuela’s relationship with oil and national identity. Produced at the height of the oil boom, this 34-minute documentary examines Venezuelan lifestyles in the 1970s and early 1980s, questioning the consumerist fantasies fueled by petro-wealth. Through interviews with merchants, bankers, U.S. academics, and the testimonies of Venezuelans themselves, the film maps the era’s version of the “American Dream” as lived—and projected—abroad. Winner of national and international awards and directed by Carlos Oteyza, Mayami nuestro offers a sharp, historically grounded critique and an open invitation for new generations to reflect on the legacy of oil and its cultural consequences.
Hugo Chavez was a colourful, unpredictable folk hero who was beloved by his nation’s working class. He was elected president of Venezuela in 1998, and proved to be a tough, quixotic opponent to the power structure that wanted to depose him. When he was forcibly removed from office on 11 April 2002, two independent filmmakers were inside the presidential palace.
A machine-voice makes a "sad film of his homeland" for a dying patient to ease its passing: footage from Kennedy's visit to Venezuela in 61' creeps through montage errors, and a seemingly endless poem comes alive one last time.
Imagen de Caracas was an experimental film spectacle, directed by Jacobo Borges and Mario Robles in 1968 for the 400 anniversary of the foundation of Caracas. It needed more than 48768 meters of film and 5000 actors.
Short that tells the history of Campoma, a small Venezuelan town founded by black slaves.
Documentary about the life of Luis Mariano Rivera.
Intertwined stories of people fighting for love, survival and the truth during quarantine.
The struggle of two men, Osuna and Funes, hungry for power and wealth in a small town in Venezuela, during the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez.
Documentary about the life of Simón Bolívar, directed by Antonio Bacé.
When COVID-19 struck in 2020, Alyssa – an Australian healthcare professional living in the UK with her partner – wanted to do everything she could to help. What happened next changed her outlook on life forever.
This making-of is made up of a series of short vignettes, starting with a piece on Shin Ha-Kyun and Bae Du-Na learning sign language for their roles, followed by some on-set interviews with Song Kang-Ho, Shin, and Bae. One of the noteworthy takeaways from these clips is the oddly frequent laughter on the set, especially while shooting some particularly wrenching scenes. Next are a few pieces on the prosthetic effects used for some of the stabbings, etc. It wraps up with Park Chan-Wook discussing the casting process for some of the smaller roles and footage of Park's friend Ryu Seung-Wan helping to choreograph a scene on set.
Jemma Skulme (1925-2019) experienced many different times during her long life, and the conversation revealed how time and events have influenced the life of this creative person. The conversation with the artist took place on February 12, 2016, in her studio in Mežaparks. Džemma's memories are permeated by enormous diversity, complexity, a considerable burden of responsibility, time, and many other factors that have undoubtedly left their mark on her life.
After a Russian missile strike kills their 11-year-old son and critically wounds his mother, a grieving father holds a phone to his child's ear at the funeral so she can say goodbye from her hospital bed.
Egypt, the cradle of history and culture traces its beginning to life developed along the banks of the Nile.
A short documentary film about the life and legacy of Pharaoh Ramses II from the Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition
The beloved composer Eduards Rozenštrauhs was born on August 13, 1918, and a few months later, the state of Latvia was established. How did the author of the popular song "Zilais lakatiņš" live his life until his death on March 8, 1992? Historical evidence is sought in the stories of the composer's relatives — his daughter Skārleta, granddaughter Vineta, niece Vallija — as well as the memories of his colleagues from the Puppet Theater and the stories of musicians who performed Eduards Rozenštrauhs' songs together with the composer himself during the Awakening.
Come to the Emerald Isle. From the mysterious 5,000 year old monument at Newgrange to contemporary Dublin and Belfast, experience both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
The film is based on interviews with 2,000 women from 50 countries, and covers the status of women all over the world. The topics covered include forced marriages, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, acid attacks, motherhood, sexuality, menstruation, education and the professional success of women.
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
In a crime-plagued neighborhood near Miami, brutal, bare-knuckled backyard fights give young men a chance to earn money -- and self-respect.
Over 35 years after Bob Lazar's revelations, this documentary exposes secrets of a facility the government still denies. Featuring Lazar's testimony, recreations, and new evidence, it reopens a case that continues to spark global curiosity
A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.
In 1997, Louis Theroux made a documentary about the world of male porn performers in Los Angeles. 15 years later, he returns to find a business struggling with the deluge of free porn on the internet. Louis revisits some of the original programme's contributors as well as meeting the latest crop of porn performers dreaming of porn stardom.
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s pulse-pounding action set pieces, and discover how iconic characters from the pages of Marvel Comics such as Kate Bishop were adapted and brought to life for the six-episode series.
Those who knew iconic funnyman John Candy best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews.
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Film adaptation of French economist Thomas Piketty's ground-breaking global bestseller of the same name: an eye-opening journey through wealth and power.
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
