A stunningly-crafted documentary that brings to life German-Jewish artist Charlotte Salomon in all her yearning for love and creative expression, her struggle to come to terms with her family history, and whose passion for beauty came face-to-face with the harsh reality of 1940s Europe. The title of this film comes from her remarkable 700-page painted life story in which she asks, “Where does life stop and art begin?” Director Franz Weisz masterfully weaves together interviews with people who knew her, family photographs, excerpts from a 1980 biopic, images of Charlotte’s vibrant paintings and a previously-unknown letter containing a shocking revelation.
Once described by the press as "one of the most controversial figures on the Australian art scene", avant-garde poet and playwright Christopher Barnett achieved a level of notoriety in the Melbourne underground theatre scene during the ‘70s and ‘80s, before self-exiling to France. He remains there today, running an experimental theatre lab working with the marginalised and underprivileged, applauded by the establishment (including former French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault) and faithful to his belief that art can change the world. These Heathen Dreams is an intimate portrait of Barnett's life and revolutionary philosophy. Combining archival footage dating back to the ‘60s with contemporary observational documentation and text from Barnett's writings, it is a poignant and inspiring study of the power of both art and political activism.
An animator is in the process of creating a series of three drawings of prominent historical figures. As the animator goes about his drawings, a narrator tells some stories about the historical figure in question. The drawings come to life as the narrator tells some anecdotes about the historical figure. As each drawing nears its completion and as the story about that figure nears its end, it becomes more and more apparent who the historical figure in question is.
A documentary on Chang Apana, the Chinese-Hawaiian police officer who was the inspiration for the character of Charlie Chan.
There are four ancient Beauties: a female warrior Liu Rusi, a sentimental winebibber Chen Zilian, a startling geisha Li Mengying and a prodigal daughter Susu. Their souls were carried to modern society by a mystery necklace, and entered a girl Qin Duyi's body who is ordinary and hapless. The only way to send the four ancient beauties back, is to get the real love of four heartless men.
Speculative historical essay defending the theory, sustained by Spanish historian Celso García de la Riega (1844-1914) and his followers, that the famous explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was born in a small village near the city of Pontevedra, in the region of Galicia, Spain. (A new version was released in 1930.)
In 1850 the Italian dancer Maria Baderna arrives at Brazil, her fame and the scandals she provokes turns her name in a common expression. The film uses passages supposed to be about her to criticize modern Brazil, the dictatorship period and also a homage to filmmakers like Rogério Sganzerla.
After Seonjo passes away, Prince Gwanghae ascends to the throne. But he indulges himself in dissolute orgies, neglecting his duties as the king. Queen Dowager Inmok begs him to behave like a king. But Prince Gwanghae torments her, arguing that she's playing a regent. Queen Dowager cannot help but enduring the king's outrageousness.
The life and work of stage designer ADOLPHE APPIA, originator of the most profound agitations in contemporary theatre. Through the dynamic alternation of animated drawings and choreographies specially conceived for the film, we discover the steps of his artistic evolution.
A portrait of the inventor of the letterpress, who was a key figure in the history of mankind, but also an enthusiastic inventor, a daring businessman, a tenacious troublemaker: the life of Johannes Gutenberg (circa 1400-68).
This short documentary tells the story of the life and legacy of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, an Omaha woman who became the first Native American physician.
The great awakening in the Colonies in the spring of 1775; the patriotic activities of Samuel Adams and John Hancock; the midnight ride of Paul Revere; the gathering of the Minute Men and the battle of Lexington, all these important details of Colonial history are shown as a prelude to the intense war romance woven around the situation at Valley Forge during the terrible winter of 1777, when the cause of Liberty looked next to Betty, daughter of a Minute Man who was killed in the battle of Lexington, is stopping at the inn of her uncle, a Tory sympathizer, near the winter camp of Washington's army at Valley Forge.
Period drama about the life of Suphankanlaya, a princess who lived contemporary with King Naresuan and Queen Suriyothai in the 16th century Ayutthaya period.
Portrait of an exceptional musical talent and one of opera’s biggest stars, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli. With interviews from her illustrious friends and colleagues from the world of classical music: Daniel Barenboim, Antonio Pappano, Gustavo Dudamel and more.
The movie is about the great historical figure Vasil Levski. It follows three different plot lines: the relationship with his mother, Gina, the relationship with his loved one, Ana, and the plans for freeing Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. The movie starts in 1846 and follows Vasil Levski's whole life until his hanging in 1873.
The 'Hidden Faith of Our Founding Fathers' is perhaps the first and only documentary to go where no film has ever gone before: into the hidden faith of America's founding fathers. Many founders were involved in secret societies, and yet it is often claimed these men were Christians who were trying to build a Christian nation. But was their faith the true faith of the Bible? And is it possible, as some claim, that the exact opposite is true? What did the founders believe about the Person of Jesus Christ? Were they fighting for Christianity, or against it? Moreover, is it possible that the events of the American Revolution have a much darker significance in the pages of Bible prophecy than most church leaders are aware?