Catalogue

The Other Man – F.W. de Klerk and the End of Apartheid

THE OTHER MAN is a political thriller about Nobel laureate F.W. de Klerk, South Africa’s last apartheid-era president. In less than 4 years he went from being Mandela’s jailor to his vice president. Together they changed history for the better and may have prevented a civil war, yet little is known about de Klerk. The documentary explores the fascinating political journey and legacy of this controversial figure.

“Fascinating…tracks his prickly, protean relationship with Nelson Mandela…Even-keeled, Engaging…The stakes were so high and the statesmanship so delicate.” – Jeanette Catsoulis, The New York Times

“Extraordinary…powerful…fascinates. His teaming with Mandela unleashed a wave of right-wing violence.” – Ernest Hardy, The Village Voice

“Brilliant…effortlessly and brilliantly tells of a story many overlooked.” – John Cole-Morgan, The South African

One Breath – The Story of William Trubridge

ONE BREATH is a short documentary about William Trubridge, a world champion of freediving, a form of deep water diving done without the aid of external breathing devices. Trubridge has set 15 freediving world records and currently holds the world record in the Free Immersion and the Constant Weight Without Fins disciplines. On January 18th 2011, Trubridge won the World’s Absolute Freediver Award (WAFA) naming him ‘best all around freediver’. Filmmaker Nicolas Rossier spent a few days with him in the Bahamas resulting in a unique portrait that offers a privileged glimpse into Trubridge’s unusual and magical world. This unique piece is part of a series on extreme sport athletes.

“A stunning glimpse into the magical and unusual world of a diving phenom.” – CNN Editor

“Beautiful, mysterious and compelling…strong visual style.” – Award-Winning Producer Richard Koci Hernandez

American Radical – The Trials of Norman Finkelstein

AMERICAN RADICAL is the probing, definitive documentary about American academic Norman Finkelstein. A devoted son of holocaust survivors, ardent critic of Israel and US Mid-East policy, and author of five provocative books including, The Holocaust Industry, Finkelstein has been steadfast at the center of many intractable controversies, including his recent denial of tenure at DePaul University. Called a lunatic and disgusting self-hating Jew by some, and an inspirational street-fighting revolutionary by others, Finkelstein is a deeply polarizing figure whose struggles arise from core questions about freedom, identity and nationhood.

“Powerful, brave, bold, incendiary film. I highly recommend it!” – Michael Moore,  filmmaker

“Surprisingly entertaining…a compelling portrait of a difficult man.” – The Jewish Daily Forward

“A fascinating, well-rounded portrait that simultaneously informs, inspires, and infuriates.” – Mark Achbar (director of The Corporation)

Aristide and the Endless Revolution

An hour south of Miami is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation, Haiti. In 1991 its citizens elected a former Roman Catholic priest, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, as president. Nicolas Rossier’s powerful and informative documentary focuses on Aristide’s last years as president, as he struggled to fulfill his promises of reform in the face of mounting domestic opposition and, simultaneously, an increasingly hostile relationship with the United States — culminating in his forced removal from office in early 2004.

‘Powerful, cogent, an absorbing piece of investigative journalism.” – The Boston Globe

“Taut, well-balanced, insightful…A probing look into Haiti’s contentious modem history.” –  The New York Times

“Fascinating..haunting..Extremely informative.” – San Francisco Bay Guardian

Brothers and Others

BROTHERS AND OTHERS captures the impact of the September 11th tragedy on Muslims and Arabs living in America. This 60-minute documentary follows a number of immigrants and American families as they struggle in the heightened climate of suspicion, FBI and INS investigations and economic hardships that erupted in America following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In interviews with Arab and Muslim immigrants, government representatives, and a select group of legal and historical experts — including Ghazi Khankan, Noam Chomsky and James Zogby — this film explores how America’s fear of terrorism has negatively impacted a substantial portion of the American population.

“This scintillating documentary addresses the acts of terrorism brought forth against Americans on September 11, 2001, exploring their effects on Muslims, South Asians and Arabs in the country.” – Netflix.com

“…impressive and fascinating, both in subject matter and filmmaking…The filmmaking is direct and personal and conveys a sense of urgency and newsworthiness.” – MTV Networks International

“Highly recommended…gives a very moving glimpse into the lives of Muslims living in America.” – Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)

Life is a Dream – A Street Poet in New York

LIFE IS A DREAM captures the extraordinary life of the Jewish street poet Isidore Block, best known as Poet-O, as he entertains visitors to Central Park in New York City by giving readings of his own poetry and wishes out with his famous Unicorn Bell. Though Isidore’s life on the streets is arduous and, at times, sad, it is also filled with beauty, as the 80-year-old artist cherishes the reactions he receives from his audiences. Life is a Dream is a thought-provoking reflection on the state of the American dream through the eyes of a street artist who has for years transformed Central Park into his own kingdom.

“On paper, Poet-O’s words glimmer with a deep-rooted majesty…It is as lush and tumultuous and grimy and resplendent and uncontainable as Central Park itself.” – The New York Times

“A sensitive, touching film about a beautiful man. Poet-0 — a New York City institution — embodied the spirit of Central Park. Mr. Rossier’s film captures his essence, and his undying love for his urban palace.” – The New York Observer

“…like a real life Santa Clause ringing his bell, and granting wishes. We love his poetry and we love him, Isidore the Adorable…a special and magical film about a special and magical person.” – Lewis Burke Frumkes, host of the Lewis Frumkes Show

On Power, Dissent and Racism – A Discussion with Noam Chomsky

ON POWER, DISSENT AND RACISM documents a series of talks and conversations with writer and MIT professor Noam Chomsky in 2002 in New York City and Cambridge, Massachusetts, capturing Chomsky presenting with rigorous analysis and humor his reflection on the motivations behind 9/11 and its consequences on the international system. In this one-hour documentary Chomsky starts with the principle that we need to think globally when we want to comprehend the world of today. He defines the notion of terrorism within its historical context and gives his thoughts on how we should fight it without exercising the politics of the most powerful. Among many other topics, Chomsky also gives his personal perspectives on the role of the media in the war on terrorism, and personal views on racism against Arabs and Muslims since 9/11.

“One of the great voices of reason of our times.” – New York Daily News

“Judged in terms of the power, range, novelty, and influence of his thought, Noam Chomsky is arguably the most important intellectual alive.” – New York Times Book Review

“Noam Chomsky is one of the most significant challengers of unjust power and delusions; he goes against every assumption about American altruism and humanitarianism.” – Edward Said