Film list

[anshan-diaries--Film-image]
Anshan Diaries 2022 27'
    Student Directed by Xiuzhi Dong .
Director Charles Xiuzhi Dong uses real family life as its backdrop. Casting his grandpa he investigates and retraces his family saga spanning three decades of Chinese post-cultural revolution history.
[bang-the-drum--Film-image]
Bang the Drum 2020 28'
  Directed by William Nitzky .
For the Yao minority in rural southwest China, the bronze drum is a sacred heritage. Its sound aids the souls of deceased elders in reaching the ancestral land. When the Chinese government steps in
Central Asia and Far East Music/ Ethnomusicology Tourism/ Travel/ Pilgrimage Rural Shamans and Shamanism
[the-blooms-of-benjeli-technology-and-gender-in-west-african-ironmaking--Film-image]
The Blooms of Benjeli: Technology and Gender in West African Ironmaking 1997 29'
    Directed by Carlyn Saltman .
The filmmaker and two historians went into the village of Banjeli in 1985 to recreate for the film the traditional iron smelting techniques (which are no longer used) of the area. By focusing on the
West Africa Art / Artists / Artisans Archival material / Museum displays History Material Culture
[cara-romero-following-the-light--Film-image]
Cara Romero: Following the Light 2022 27'
    Shorts Directed by Kaela Waldstein .
An enrolled citizen of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Romero was raised between contrasting settings: the rural Chemehuevi reservation in Mojave Desert, CA and the urban sprawl of Houston, TX.
[chosen-people--Film-image]
Chosen People 2016 18'
  Directed by Qihui Wu .
Responding to systematic racism and historical erasure, the African diapora has developed a multitude of tactics for mitigating oppressive ideological conditions. Among them, the Hebrew Israelite
[democracia-indigena--Film-image]
Democracía Indígena 2000 39'
    Directed by Bruce Pacho Lane .
This film examines the indigenous rights revolution sweeping Mexico through the municipal elections in Huehuetla, Puebla. In 1989, the Huehuetla Totonacs formed the Organización Independiente
Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Political Activists
[a-donation-to-the-museum--Film-image]
A Donation to the Museum 2015 25'
    Directed by Teri F. Brewer .
Human remains from the California Channel Islands were donated to an English city museum nearly a century ago. More recently research began into how they came to be there, and whose remains they
North America Western Europe Archaeology Archival material / Museum displays
[the-eye-begins-in-the-hand--Film-image]
The Eye Begins in The Hand 2022 16'
    Shorts Directed by Yehuda Sharim .
El Ojo Comienza En La Mano is a tribute to campesino histories in rural California through the artwork of an artist largely absent from critical conversations on Chicanx art, Ruben A. Sanchez, as
[floating-raft--Film-image]
Floating Raft 2018 29'
    Directed by Zhang Chong .
Floating Raft takes an observational look at the life of a vibrant Chinese Buddhist monk Shi Yanyi and his Buddhist brothers, in Los Angeles. The Shaolin Temple is famous for its 1500-year Buddhist
[the-heavenly-court-in-song-family-village--Film-image]
The Heavenly Court in Song Family Village 2009 30'
    Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .
Religious life in the village is highly gendered, with female shamans dominating most religious activities. These shamanesses and their gods are organised as a “court”, which expresses a
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Shamans and Shamanism Ritual
[i-heart-jack-lalanne-a-cartoon-memoir--Film-image]
I (heart) Jack Lalanne: A Cartoon Memoir 2022 14'
    Animation Directed by LeAnn Erickson .
The filmmaker, a lesbian, feminist baby boomer, shares her coming out story with the help of exercise guru Jack LaLanne. Combining animation with the written memoir, I (heart) Jack LaLanne pushes the
[in-search-of-the-hamatsa-a-tale-of-headhunting--Film-image]
In Search of the Hamat’sa: A Tale of Headhunting 2004 33'
    Directed by Aaron Glass .
The Hamat’sa (or “Cannibal Dance”) is the most important—and highly represented ceremony of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) people of British Columbia. This film traces the history of
North America Archival material / Museum displays Dance / Theatre / Performance Ritual Informant-researcher relationship Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[the-intersection--Film-image]
The Intersection 2021 30'
    Shorts Directed by Daniel Quintanilla Jessamine Irwin .
Cecile reconnects with the French of her childhood, thanks to recently-arrived Franco-African immigrants, like Trésor, seeking asylum in Cecile’s hometown of Lewiston, Maine. Cecile’s Franco
[legacies--Film-image]
Legacies 2018 34'
    Student Directed by Clair Maleney .
The pioneering approach of Jubilee School in West Philadelphia seeks to empower its students (mainly black, and from low-income households), via a curriculum which highlights the arts, social
[lessons-from-the-tiger--Film-image]
Lessons from the Tiger 2010 22'
    Directed by Ife Olatunji .
A brief glimpse into the Foundation Fior Di Loto girls' school, this film explores the competing ideas of traditional and contemporary womanhood in Rajasthan, India. Four girls introduce us to the
South Asia Gender Role and Identity Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission
[marriage-maoism-and-modernity--Film-image]
Marriage, Maoism and Modernity 2009 30'
  Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .
This film outlines the types of marriage exchange practiced in a Chinese village over the last fifty years. Dowry, brideprice and exchange marriages have dominated the marriage market in turn as
Central Asia and Far East Marriage History Social Change
[the-medium-is-the-masseuse-a-balinese-massage--Film-image]
The Medium is the Masseuse: a Balinese Massage 1983 31'
    Directed by Timothy Asch Linda Connor Patsy Asch .
Jero uses massage and traditional medicines to treat Ida Bagus, who suffers from sterility and seizures. Through her treatment and her words, Jero reveals her conceptions of the human body, the
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Reproduction (biology)
[nawi--Film-image]
Nawi 1970 20'
    Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
This classic ethnographic documentary, by the renowned filmmaking team of David and Judith MacDougall, explores the nomadic life of the Jie of Uganda. During the dry season the Jie leave their
East Africa Herding Music / Ethnomusicology Nomads and Nomadism
[new-york-just-another-city--Film-image]
New York Just Another City 2019 18'
  Directed by André Lopes Joana Brandão .
Brazilian Guarani filmmaker Patrícia Ferreira reflects on New York City and Indigenous representation in dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History. This film is part of the collected DVD
North America Archival material / Museum displays Colonialism / Postcolonialism Indigenous peoples / First Nation peoples Race / Racism / Antiracism
[promenade--Film-image]
Promenade 2016 31'
    RAI Basil Wright Directed by Philip Cartelli .
Recorded during two years but organized around a single day, “Promenade” observes a series of movements and interactions on a renovated section of the Marseille waterfront. During the day a cast
[the-secret-of-the-stone--Film-image]
The Secret of the Stone 2009 39'
  Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .
Located on the North China Plain about 200 miles south of Beijing, 'Song Family Village' is home to about 1,300 people. Some 80% of all villagers are members of a single lineage of the Song surname.
Central Asia and Far East Family / Kinship Collective / Community identity Ritual Festivals / Carnival
[seed-and-earth--Film-image]
Seed and Earth 1989 36'
  Directed by Lina Fruzzetti Alfred Guzzetti Ned Johnston Ákos Östör .
Seed on Earth is a film about everyday life in rural Bangladesh (village of Janta, near Bishnupur town). It follows the daily schedule of two families and observes the complementary and difference of
South Asia Rural Family / Kinship Gender Role and Identity
[a-sheepherders-homecoming--Film-image]
A Sheepherder's Homecoming 1996 40'
  Directed by Allen Moore Louis Werner .
This film documents a migrant worker’s experiences as a herder on a Nevada sheep ranch who then returns to his family in Mexico after a long absence to renew ties and find a job at home. It
North America Central America Migration Labour
[singing-bird-carrying-on-the-kumeyaay-tradition--Film-image]
Singing "Bird": Carrying on the Kumeyaay Tradition 2018 30'
    Directed by Teri Brewer .
The Kumeyaay, an indigenous people of Southern California and Northern Mexico still perform more than a dozen ancient song cycles kept alive through a process of apprenticeship and study which can
[song-family-village-takes-a-bride--Film-image]
Song Family Village Takes a Bride 2009 27'
  Directed by Zhifang Song Gary Seaman Steven Rousso-Schindler .
Most weddings in the village still reflect traditional patterns of patrilineal descent and patrilocal residence. The bride leaves her natal home to marry into her husband’s village, where she is a
Central Asia and Far East Marriage Family / Kinship Gender Role and Identity Social Change
[temporary-sanity-the-skerrit-boy-story--Film-image]
Temporary Sanity: The Skerrit Boy Story 2006 32'
  Directed by Dan Bruun .
This film deals with the culture of Jamaican dancehall music as it exists in New York. It follows one young dancehall participant who makes his living performing and promoting dancehall music.
North America Music / Ethnomusicology Alternative culture
[tracing-roots-a-weavers-journey--Film-image]
Tracing Roots: A Weaver's Journey 2015 26'
    Material Culture Directed by Ellen Frankenstein .
This film follows master Haida weaver Delores Churchill on a journey to replicate the spruce root hat found with Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi, also known as the Long Ago Person Found. The remains of the
[under-the-mens-tree--Film-image]
Under the Men's Tree 1973 15'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
At Jie cattle camps in Uganda men often gather under a special tree to make leather and wooden goods and talk, relax, and sleep. This brilliant ethnographic documentary by renowned filmmakers David
East Africa Infrastructure / Transport Informant-researcher relationship Reflexivity
[unearthed--Film-image]
Unearthed 2021 16'
    Shorts Directed by Colin Rosemont .
The film examines the intersections of history, spirituality, colonialism, and contemporary archaeology through the experiences of archaeologists and Native Californians brought together by an excavation.
[vaud-and-the-villains--Film-image]
Vaud and the Villains 2010 30'
  Directed by Lukas Belkind .
Three members of an 18-piece, 1930s style, American folk big band explore their personal relationships with Los Angeles, performing, the music they love, and the band that binds them all together.
North America Dance / Theatre / Performance Music / Ethnomusicology
[virtual-me-gender-and-identity-in-world-of-warcraft--Film-image]
Virtual me: Gender and Identity in World of Warcraft 2013 11'
  Directed by Trent Monahan Sarah Prothero Jennifer Torson .
'Virtual Me' examines the experiences of players of the online game World of Warcraft, focusing specifically on their experience and understanding of issues surrounding gender and identity within
North America Gender Role and Identity Animation Internet
[walkers--Film-image]
Walker's 2018 11'
    Student Directed by Kyle Myers-Haugh .
In this portrait of a historic black barbershop in Wilmington, North Carolina, we witness the everyday rituals that bind the men in this community together. Tight close ups illuminate intimate
[were-ni-he-is-a-madman--Film-image]
Were Ni! He is a Madman 1963 30'
  Directed by Frank Speed Raymond Prince .
This ethnopsychiatric film shows the management of psychiatric disorders by the Yoruba of Nigeria. There are two basic types of institutions to deal with psychiatric disorders. First there are
West Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Possession
[yours-truly--Film-image]
Yours Truly 2018 15'
    Directed by Maddi Barber Charlotte Hoskins Christopher Murray .
Yours Truly follows the trail of taxidermic pieces collected by The Manchester Museum during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Archival letters between the museums directors, explorers, and
[youth-group--Film-image]
Youth Group 2015 28'
    Student Directed by Wanwan Lu .
Set in the predominantly Asian “ethnoburbs” of Los Angeles County, this film follows a vibrant Buddhist youth group in a Chinese-American temple. Youth group members, most raised by immigrant
North America Collective / Community identity Religion / Belief / Faith Intergenerational relations