2010


PETITION
PETITION

Asian Studies  Criminal & Law  Sociology  2010 

A harrowing investigation into China's legal system, this documentary takes us inside the world of 'petitioners,' people who come to Beijing from all over the country to seek justice against corrupt local officials and courts, only to find themselves waiting months or years (in some cases more than 10 years) for a hearing.

THE LAZARUS EFFECT
THE LAZARUS EFFECT

African Studies  AIDS  Health  2010 

Produced by (RED) and executive produced by Spike Jonze, The Lazarus Effect documents the real impact that large-scale AIDS programs and affordable access to antiretroviral medication can have on people, families and communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

CHINA, THE EMPIRE OF ART?
CHINA, THE EMPIRE OF ART?

Asian Studies  Art History  Photography  2010  Directed by Women 

In the past twenty years, some of the most provocative, controversial and sought-after art has been made in China. This documentary profiles the booming art scene, from new art schools inundated with applications to leading Chinese artists whose work is selling for record breaking prices on the global art market.

MARWENCOL
MARWENCOL

Photography  Art History  Psychology & Psychiatry  Health  Cinema Studies  2010 

Winner of multiple awards, Marwencol explores the real and imaginary worlds of Mark Hogancamp, who, as therapy for a vicious attack, built a 1/6th scale WWII-era town in his backyard populated with dolls that enact epic stories of violence, longing and revenge.

THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART
THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART

Art History  Russia  Eastern Europe  Anthropology  Cultural Studies  Islamic Studies  2010  Directed by Women 

The incredible story of how a treasure trove of banned Soviet art worth millions of dollars was found in the desert of Uzbekistan develops into a larger exploration of how art survives in times of oppression. A fascinating documentary about a group of visionary artists and one man who risked his life to rescue their work.

ANECDOTES ABOUT FIDEL
ANECDOTES ABOUT FIDEL

Latin-American Studies  Political Science  2010  Directed by Women  Cuban Studies 

When a young Fidel Castro rescued his friend, Father Llorente, from drowning, he said it was a miracle and prayed to the Virgin Mary. Gabriel Garcia Marquez once gave Castro a copy of Stoker's Dracula which kept him up all night. A witty, engaging collection of personal anecdotes offers new insight into the Cuban leader.

LANDS
LANDS

Anthropology  Cultural Studies  Environmental Studies  Latin-American Studies  Sociology  2010  Directed by Women 

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, three cities form a unique triple border between three South American countries: Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Beautifully photographed, Lands examines the impact of borders, commerce and urbanization on the lives of the local and indigenous population as well as the surrounding ecology.

BEYOND BABYLAND
BEYOND BABYLAND

2010  Women's Studies  Urban Studies  Sociology  Health  Family Relations  Economics  Death & Dying  American Studies  African-American Studies  Medicine 

Beyond Babyland seeks to understand the causes behind the troubling rate of infant mortality in African-American communities while introducing us to the people and organizations working tirelessly to turn around this tide.

TYPEFACE
TYPEFACE

Art History  American Studies  Media Studies  Kartemquin Films  2010  Directed by Women 

In the age of Photoshop, Typeface explores the centuries-old tradition of hand-making wood type and the role it played in American graphic design. The latest documentary from award-winning production company Kartemquin Films, Typeface further examines the surprising resurgence of this analog craft in a digital age.

17 August
17 August

Criminal & Law  Psychology & Psychiatry  Russia  Eastern Europe  2010 

On a small island in central Russia, inside a former monastery converted into a high security prison, inmate Boris Bezotechestvo is serving a life sentence in solitary confinement. This startling documentary chronicles one day in his life, advancing a complex and troubling assessment of crime and punishment.

SWEET CRUDE
SWEET CRUDE

African Studies  Environmental Studies  Political Science  Media Studies  Peace & Conflict  Terrorism Studies  2010  Directed by Women 

An award-winning documentary, Sweet Crude examines the humanitarian, environmental and economic devastation caused by 50 years of oil extraction in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Filmmaker Sandy Cioffi - imprisoned by the Nigerian military during the shoot and released only after an international outcry - uncovers an international web of oil politics, big business and media manipulation.

TWO SPIRITS
TWO SPIRITS

2010  Human Sexuality  World History  Psychology & Psychiatry  Native American Studies  LGBTQ  Family Relations  Education  Criminal & Law  Anthropology  American Studies  American History  Directed by Women 

An exploration of gender and sexuality in Native American culture, Two Spirits interweaves the story of the life and brutal murder of a Navajo teenager with the largely unknown history of the 'two-spirit' tradition - the acceptance, even celebration, among indigenous cultures of people with both masculine and feminine traits.

OCTOBER COUNTRY
OCTOBER COUNTRY

American Studies  Women's Studies  Anthropology  Psychology & Psychiatry  2010 

A beautifully rendered portrait of an American family struggling for stability while haunted by the ghosts of war, teen pregnancy, foster care and child abuse. Winner of multiple awards, October Country intimately examines the forces that unsettle the working poor and the violence that lurks beneath the surface of American life.

TWELVE CANOES
TWELVE CANOES

Anthropology  Indigenous Studies  Cultural Studies  2010  Directed by Women 

An extraordinary and exquisite work of anthropology, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rolf de Heer, Twelve Canoes paints a vivid portrait of the people, history, culture and place of the Yolngu people whose homeland is the Arafura Swamp of north-central Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia.

THE FALL OF WOMENLAND
THE FALL OF WOMENLAND

Anthropology  Asian Studies  Women's Studies  Human Sexuality  Cultural Studies  Sociology  2010  Directed by Women 

A fascinating documentary on the unique sexual culture of the Mosuo people, a small minority situated in the southwest of China, and one of the last remaining matriarchal societies in the world. The Fall of Womenland explores their history and present reality as well as the dangers that threaten their inherited way of life.

CAMPESINOS... we will inherit the earth
CAMPESINOS... we will inherit the earth

Latin-American Studies  Environmental Studies  Economics  Labor Studies  2010 

Most of us rarely think twice about being able to buy a fruit or vegetable at any time of year or season. Campesinos... We Will Inherit the Earth profiles three children in Central America whose farming families are responsible for sustainably growing products that are everyday staples in our society - and are available every day.

THE GOOD MOTHER
THE GOOD MOTHER

Women's Studies  American Studies  2010  Directed by Women 

Every year, mothers from all over America leave their families and homes behind (albeit briefly) to compete in the "Mother of the Year" pageant - in the hope of becoming the reigning representative of American motherhood. A surprising documentary that both explodes and reinforces feminist ideals.

GARBAGE DREAMS
GARBAGE DREAMS

Environmental Studies  Middle Eastern Studies  Labor Studies  Urban Studies  2010  Directed by Women 

For generations, Cairo has relied on the Zabelleen or "garbage people" to collect the city's trash - resulting in the world's most efficient recycling program. A multiple award-winning documentary, Garbage Dreams considers the environmental and social repercussions when the city suddenly decides to outsource their trade to multinational waste disposal companies.