Literature


UMBERTO ECO: a library of the world
UMBERTO ECO: a library of the world

2023  Aging / Gerontology  Art History  Cinema Studies  Europe  Literature  World History 

A documentary immersion into all things Umberto Eco, Davide Ferrario’s film takes us on a tour of Eco’s private library, guided by the author himself. Combining new footage with material he shot with Eco in 2015

ISABELLA [narrative]
ISABELLA [narrative]

2021  Literature  Women's Studies  Narrative Films  Cinema Studies 

A New York Times Critic's Pick! The latest in Matías Piñeiro's series of films inspired by the women of Shakespeare's comedies is his most structurally daring and visually stunning work to date. 

SWIMMING OUT TILL THE SEA TURNS BLUE
SWIMMING OUT TILL THE SEA TURNS BLUE

2021  Asian Studies  Cinema Studies  Cultural Studies  Education  Literature  Political Science  Sociology 

From master director Jia Zhang-Ke  comes a vital document of Chinese society since 1949. Jia interviews three prominent authors—Jia Pingwa, Yu Hua, and Liang Hong. SWIMMING OUT TILL THE SEA TURNS BLUE is an indispensable account of a changing China from one of the countrys foremost cinematic storytellers.


THE WILD PEAR TREE
THE WILD PEAR TREE

2019  Family Relations  Islamic Studies  Literature  Narrative Films  Psychology & Psychiatry  Middle Eastern Studies  Cinema Studies 

Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan's The Wild Pear Tree follows in the great tradition of family dramas like Death of a Salesman and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and weaves an evocative tale of creative struggle and familial responsibility with inspired performances, sumptuous imagery and surprising bursts of humor. 

FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT: a crooked family history
FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT: a crooked family history

Pacific Street Films  Family Relations  American History  American Studies  Criminal & Law  2017  Literature 

Based Helene Stapinski’s best selling memoir “Five-Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History.” The book and the film tell the story of Helene’s childhood, of her growing up working-class in Jersey City, New Jersey – in a family nearly overrun with crooks, petty criminals, corrupt politicians, mobster wannabes and murderers – and how she became a journalist and a best-selling author.

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SOKUROV: EARLY MASTERWORKS

Literature  Russia  Cinema Studies  Eastern Europe 

A deluxe collector"s set featuring three early masterworks by visionary Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov (Russian Ark, Alexandra) in newly translated and restored director"s cuts: Whispering Pages (70 min), a brooding, beautiful film inspired by nineteenth-century Russian literature, primarily Dostoevsky"s "Crime and Punishment"; Stone (79 min), a mysterious fable about a young night watchman"s encounter with the ghost of Chekhov; and Save and Protect (133 min), a visually sumptuous adaptation of Flaubert"s "Madame Bovary".

ANDRE GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER
ANDRE GREGORY: BEFORE AND AFTER DINNER

Performing Arts  Literature  New York City  American Studies  2013  Directed by Women 

A wonderful exploration of the life and work of groundbreaking director, actor and artist Andre Gregory. A witty and often hilariously funny raconteur, Gregory looks back on a career that spanned decades, from his influential theatre work to the making of the Louis Malle-directed classic My Dinner with Andre, in which he starred and co-wrote.

WAVUMBA: THEY WHO SMELL OF FISH
WAVUMBA: THEY WHO SMELL OF FISH

Anthropology  Indigenous Studies  African Studies  Environmental Studies  Cultural Studies  Religion & Spirituality  Literature  Aging / Gerontology  2013 

A gorgeously filmed ethnographic portrait of an elderly Kenyan shark fisherman who has a primeval bond with the ocean and its creatures, Wavumba: They Who Smell of Fish delivers an enchanting depiction of Africa's storytelling tradition, where fantasy, dreams, belief and reality blend.

PLANET OF SNAIL
PLANET OF SNAIL

Asian Studies  Health  Disabilities  Literature  Performing Arts  2012 

Winner of the prestigious Best Documentary prize at the International Film Festival Amsterdam, Planet of Snail is a mesmerizing, critically-acclaimed documentary about an accomplished young poet who can no longer hear or see and his relationship to the world around him.

PATIENCE (AFTER SEBALD)
PATIENCE (AFTER SEBALD)

Literature  Cinema Studies  Europe  World History  2012 

A richly textured essay film on landscape, art, history, life and loss, Patience (After Sebald) offers a unique exploration of the work and influence of internationally acclaimed writer W.G. Sebald (1944-2001), author of "The Emigrants," "Austerlitz" and "The Rings of Saturn." Featuring contributions from major writers, artists and thinkers, this is the first film on this important writer.

SHAKESPEARE HIGH
SHAKESPEARE HIGH

Performing Arts  Literature  Urban Studies  Latino Studies  Education  2012 

Executive produced by Kevin Spacey, Shakespeare High is an uplifting documentary that follows a diverse group of California high school students as they prepare for and compete in an annual Shakespeare Festival - a unique program that counts many of Hollywood's biggest stars among its alumni. A celebration of theater and performance, Shakespeare High illustrates the life-changing effect drama programs such as this can have on young people.

AL-HALQA – IN THE STORYTELLER’S CIRCLE
AL-HALQA – IN THE STORYTELLER’S CIRCLE

Anthropology  Cultural Studies  Literature  Performing Arts  Islamic Studies  2011 

For centuries, Marrakech's historic Djemaa el-Fna square has been home to the world's greatest storytellers; their craft even recognized by UNESCO as an "Intangible Heritage of Humanity." This wonderful documentary examines this age-old tradition and considers its place in the modern world.

THE WOMAN WITH THE FIVE ELEPHANTS
THE WOMAN WITH THE FIVE ELEPHANTS

Literature  Eastern Europe  Psychology & Psychiatry  Russia  Jewish Studies  World History  2011 

Winner of multiple awards, The Woman with the Five Elephants unravels the mystery behind the life and work of the world's greatest translator of Russian literature. A poetic, precise and revelatory investigation into language, meaning, and the tides of history.

FAIRYTALE OF KATHMANDU
FAIRYTALE OF KATHMANDU

LGBTQ  Anthropology  Asian Studies  Irish Studies  Literature  2009  Directed by Women 

When a filmmaker accompanies a celebrated, openly gay poet on one of his many trips to Nepal - where he is revered for his philanthropy and generosity towards young men - she discovers all is not what it seems. A thought-provoking documentary about exploitation, sexual tourism and the developing world.

WITH A STROKE OF THE CHAVETA
WITH A STROKE OF THE CHAVETA

Latin-American Studies  Labor Studies  Literature  Sociology  2009  Directed by Women 

Don Quixote, Les Misérables, One Hundred Years of Solitude. The practice of reading classic works of literature to workers at cigar factories dates back to the mid-1800s. With a Stroke of the Chaveta explores this rich tradition that continues to flourish in Cuba.

TO TELL THE TRUTH: the liu binyan story
TO TELL THE TRUTH: the liu binyan story

Media Studies  Literature  Political Science  Asian-American Studies  Asian Studies  2007  Directed by Women 

Chinese journalist Liu Binyan sought out the truth his entire life and consequently paid a huge price for his honesty. Named one of Time Magazine's Asian Heroes, this film documents his incredible story and struggle to build a freer China.

THE UNAPOLOGETIC LIFE OF MARGARET RANDALL
THE UNAPOLOGETIC LIFE OF MARGARET RANDALL

Women's Studies  Sociology  Literature  Cultural Studies  Directed by Women  Immigration 

This portrait of Margaret Randall—activist, poet, writer, teacher and photographer—comes at a particularly appropriate time, as patriotism is being equated in some quarters with keeping silent about important issues.

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L.E.A.R.: THE LEAGUE OF REVOLUTIONARY WRITERS AND ARTISTS

Literature  Latino Studies  Political Science  Sociology  Spanish Language  Directed by Women 

Examines the history of this famous organization founded in Mexico City in 1934. The League, whose founding members included painters such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, included artists from various disciplines, all of whom shared a commitment to the fusion of art and politics.

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MICHELLE'S THIRD NOVEL

Literature  Short Films  Directed by Women 

A young novelist, suffering from a bad case of writer's block, and on the verge of blowing a fuse, discovers a shocking new means of artistic inspiration.

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THE OXCART

American Studies  Latino Studies  Literature  Sociology 

Based on a play by Puerto Rican playwright Rene marques, this video potrays the migration of a Puerto Rican family from the countryside to the San Juan ghetto and then to New York's Spanish Harlem.

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