What Is Democracy? (2018)
This reflection on democracy spans millennia and continents, from ancient Athens' groundbreaking experiment in self-government to capitalism's roots in medieval Italy.
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Divan (2003)
In this film, documentarian Pearl Gluck chronicles her Hasidic Jewish upbringing and her subsequent, more secular life as a Manhattanite. Gluck then documents her return trip to her old neighborhood, where she tries to reconcile with her devout father, who hopes that she will move back to Brooklyn. Gluck strikes an on-camera compromise with her dad, and agrees to trek to Hungary in order to find a long-lost family heirloom -- a couch that many notable rabbis have crashed on.
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The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2004)
A homeless musician's life is transformed after he discovers a flock of wild South American parrots living in San Francisco. How they got there is a mystery, but Mark Bittner forms a bond with the exotic birds through his music and his patient, attentive care. Over time he comes to appreciate their individual identities and makes a case for humans to reevaluate their relationship to animals. When he is forced to leave them, he despairs over the birds' fate.
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Winged Migration (2001)
This documentary presents an epic portrait of winter bird migration. Filmed on all seven continents over four years, the footage is brought together into one portrait of a journey that's uniformly arduous for all kinds of different birds. Rather than concentrating on statistics and facts, the film near-wordlessly portrays the sheer physical effort demanded of the birds on their disparate routes. Along the way, we see the many dangers they face, from man-made waste to a group of hungry crabs.
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Deep Blues (1991)
While some successful blues acts sell out arenas and tour around the world, many of the best blues artists remain relatively unknown, playing in small clubs or, in some cases, just in their own yards. Filmmaker Robert Mugge and music scholar Robert Palmer take an enthusiastic look at these lesser-known blues artists, showcasing incredible music from talented players who have never been signed to major labels and generally have not received the recognition they have deserved.
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Mike Wallace Is Here (2019)
Filmmaker Avi Belkin examines the life and career of journalist Mike Wallace, presenting never-before-seen footage that showcases the often confrontational interview methods he used on "60 Minutes."
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End of the Century (2003)
Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee -- better known as The Ramones -- changed the course of rock history with their rebellious punk ethos and minimalist approach to songwriting, and in the process became counterculture icons. "End of the Century" follows the Queens kids from their earliest underground gigs in the 1970s to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, featuring rare archive concert footage and candid interviews with the band members.
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Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021)
Take a stroll down "Sesame Street" and witness the birth of the most impactful children's series in TV history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed our world.
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Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2016)
Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" opened in November 1981 to scathing reviews and closed after just 16 performances. Archival footage of the rehearsals, along with interviews with the cast, tell the tale of this infamous production.
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