Film list

[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-daring-young-girl-on-the-flying-trapeze--Film-image]
The Daring Young Girl on the Flying Trapeze 2020 27'
  Directed by Nina Ross .
As a child, Nancy Willis dreamt of joining the circus, longing for freedom and adventure. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and told she would not live beyond her twenties, the now 65-year-old artist
British-Irish Isles Art/ Artists/ Artisans Personal Narrative Health/ Health care/ Healing Life Story/ Life History
[even-asteroids-are-not-alone--Film-image]
Even Asteroids Are Not Alone 2018 17'
  Directed by Jón Bjarki Magnússon .
Eve Online is a computer game in which players mine, trade and fight their way through computer-generated galaxies. Whilst computer game aficionados are often depicted as isolated, this game is
Internet
[forget-alberto-for-now--Film-image]
Forget Alberto For Now 2020 19'
  Directed by Beina Xu .
A refugee known only as Alberto flies from Athens to Brussels on a fake passport. Three years later, a small crew from Berlin tries to make a film by shooting the landscape of his transit. Things
Western Europe Western Mediterranean Reflexivity Migration Resettlement Refugees/ Displaced populations
[from-there-to-here--Film-image]
From There to Here 2019 30'
  Directed by Qi Yu Teo .
In 1949, the author’s young grandfather migrated from An Xi, China, to Singapore. Spending almost 70 years in Singapore, he has only been back home four times. As an immigrant from China,
Central Asia and Far East Migration Intergenerational relations Life Story / Life History
[gula-music-for-a-sacred-time--Film-image]
Gula - Music for a sacred time 2020 15'
  Directed by Remigiusz Sowa .
Introduces the rich and varied Hindu-Buddhist religious and ritual musical heritage of the ancient royal city of Bhaktapur (Nepal).
South Asia Music / Ethnomusicology
[guli-armugon--Film-image]
Guli Armug'on 2019 23'
  Directed by Iqbol Meliqo’ziev .
Uzbek and Tajik women in eastern Uzbekistan celebrate the arrival of spring by gathering at the grave of an Islamic saint. The Afghan redbud trees growing on the site are in full bloom. The magical
Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Ritual
[house-no-15--Film-image]
House No. 15 2018 7'
  Directed by Aryo Danusiri .
Jakarta, Indonesia. Monsoon season. Children are at play in their flooded house, located in the riverside area of Ciliwung, known for its informal housing settlements. What unfolds before the camera
South-East Asia Everyday Life Children/ Young people Sensory Ethnography
[intranquillites--Film-image]
IntranQu’îllités 2019 20'
  Directed by Edward Owles .
Lyrically narrated by award-winning Haitian poet James Noël, the short film interweaves the work of several Haitian artists who want to redefine how their nation is perceived. The film explores the
Caribbean Islands Art/ Artists/ Artisans Nationalism Social Organisation
[land-lot-s7--Film-image]
Land Lot S7 2020 28'
  Directed by Abtin Sarabi .
Following sugar cane field workers in Senegal as they chop and burn their way through seemingly endless fields, this poetic film takes an unconventional approach to understanding the gruelling work
West Africa Labour Agriculture / Farming
[lives-and-deaths-between-ebbs-and-flows--Film-image]
Lives and Deaths between Ebbs and Flows 2019 14'
  Directed by Futuru C.L. Tsai .
Futuru Tsai explores the relationship between Amis people and the sea in this playful portrait of maritime culture in coastal Taiwan. The film focuses on various social and practical activities in
Central Asia and Far East Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nation peoples
[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
[new-images--Film-image]
New Images 1964 27'
  Directed by Ulli Beier Frank Speed .
The film is a brief description of life in a busy commercial centre that still depends upon and retains its ancient traditions. These are based on the history of the town which was founded on the
West Africa Art / Artists / Artisans Religion / Belief / Faith Archival material / Museum displays
[ocak--Film-image]
Ocak 2020 28'
  Directed by Zeynep Kaserci .
The story of a family who earns their livelihood as hazelnut cultivators in rural north-eastern Turkey. Filmed in an observational style, it offers glimpses into the local social life of the village
Middle and Near East Collective / Community identity Agriculture / Farming Rural
[okinami--Film-image]
Okinami 2019 24'
  Directed by Can Tamura (aka John Wells) .
This film features a Japanese seaside ritual performed in honour of a marine deity, who is considered to hold the power to determine a safe and successful year of local fishing. This two-day event
Central Asia and Far East Festivals/ Carnival Urban Folklore Myths/ Fairy tales
[the-orchard-keepers--Film-image]
The Orchard Keepers 2014 24'
  Directed by Bryony Dunne .
Against the backdrop of political upheaval, an ancient network of orchards thrives in the mountains of the Sinai desert. Filmmaker Bryony Dunne shadows two Bedouins as they nurture their gardens and
North and Northeast Africa Environment Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany Rural
[the-ospreys-and-the-old-man--Film-image]
The Ospreys and the Old Man 2020 9'
  Directed by Ang Gao .
A 76-year-old man living in a village in the middle of China continues the traditional practice of using ospreys (鱼鹰. 鱼鹰 usually referred to as great cormorant in English) to fish while most
Central Asia and Far East Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Animals Elderly People
[out-of-focus--Film-image]
Out of Focus 2013 37'
  Directed by Adrian Arcé Antonio Zirión .
This is a collaborative documentary about arts, culture and everyday life inside a prison for minors. It was shot during a photography and video workshop with young inmates at the Juvenile Community
Central America Children / Young people Prison Art / Artists / Artisans Reflexivity
[the-people-next-to-coal-power-plant--Film-image]
The People Next to Coal Power Plant 2019 22'
  Directed by Hyewon Choi .
Vegetable crops are contaminated, fish have disappeared, illness is rife. Life in the shadow of a Korean coal power plant is difficult, but the locals have no choice but to struggle on nonetheless.
Central Asia and Far East Infrastructure/transport Environment Disasters
[pepe--Film-image]
Pepe 2004 23'
  Directed by Juana Schlenker .
Pepe is a Spanish immigrant who came to England more than forty years ago to work as a waiter. After working in several restaurants and hotels, he retired two years ago and now he fills his days with
British-Irish Isles Migration Elderly people
[raju-and-his-friends--Film-image]
Raju and His Friends 1988 40'
  Directed by Marcus Banks .
This film is set in the city of Jamnagar, western India. The film focuses on the emotions, quality of life, and on duty. Raju’s friendship with different people, including the director, provide a
South Asia Urban Informant-researcher relationship Life Story / Life History
[reclaiming-the-forest--Film-image]
Reclaiming the Forest 1987 39'
  Directed by Paul Henley Georges Drion .
National governments, itinerant gold-miners, and indigenous inhabitants compete for control of an area of the South American rainforest. The film shows the potential conflict between the interests
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Change Social Conflict
[return-of-the-nightingales--Film-image]
Return of the Nightingales 2013 33'
  Directed by John Baily .
In 2010 Afghan musicologist Dr. Ahmad Sarmast opened the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), a coeducational vocational music school in Kabul that teaches Afghan, Indian and Western
South Asia Music / Ethnomusicology Education / Knowledge Transmission Children / Young people
[room-11-ethiopia-hotel--Film-image]
Room 11, Ethiopia Hotel 2006 23'
  Directed by Itsushi Kawase .
The film recounts the life of children living on the street in Gondar, Ethiopia, by witnessing the interaction between two children and the filmmaker. The entire film was shot in the room of Ethiopia
North and Northeast Africa Children / Young people Squatter Settlements / Homelessness Informant-researcher relationship Reflexivity
[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
[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
[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
[sons-of-the-moon--Film-image]
Sons of the Moon 1984 25'
  Directed by Frank Speed Deirdre LaPin .
In isolated mountain hamlets in Nigeria’s Jos Plateau the Ngas have traditionally observed the movements of the moon in the night sky. The moon is a key symbol in Ngas cosmology, believed to
West Africa Religion / Belief / Faith Music / Ethnomusicology Everyday Life Ritual
[sophia-and-her-people--Film-image]
Sophia and Her People 1985 35'
  Directed by Peter Loïzos .
Sofia and her family lost their village home in 1975 when Turkey invaded Cyprus. The film, mainly set in Nicosia in 1983, shows the pressures of refugee economic recovery through shift work in a
South-East Europe Refugees / Displaced populations Social Change Family / Kinship
[spirit--Film-image]
Spirit 2019 19'
  Directed by Jane Dyson Ross Harrison .
Saraswati is a new arrival in an Indian Himalayan village. She wonders how she will ever feel at home in the new setting. “Spirit” by Jane Dyson and Ross Harrison is a story of longing and
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and identity Agriculture/ Farming Everyday Life Family/ Kinship
[this-is-a-majlis-a-sound-essay--Film-image]
This Is A Majlis - A Sound Essay 2020 17'
  Directed by Timothy Cooper Abeera Arif-Bashir .
This short film is a multi-platform sound essay. It is primarily illustrated with still images, that conjure an atmosphere of intimacy and intensity of the majlis-e-aza, a mourning gathering central
South Asia Music/Ethnomusicology Urban Art/ Aritists/ Artisans Social Change
[together-as-one--Film-image]
Together as One 2013 39'
  Directed by Kilian Lamtur Tanlaka .
Nso' is the biggest kingdom of the Western Grassfields and an ethnic group in the northeast corner of Cameroon’s northwest region. Its capital Kumbo is where the ruler (Fon) lives. The Nso'
Central Africa Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany Collective / Community identity Inter-religious relations
[unity-dress-scapes-of-accra--Film-image]
Unity: Dress-scapes of Accra 2016 37'
  Directed by Mara Lin Visser .
This is a film about African fashion in the capital of Ghana. African printed fabrics seem to making a comeback in the fashion system of Accra. While following Allan, a fashion designer and his wife
West Africa Trade Material Culture Art / Artists / Artisans
[uzu--Film-image]
Uzu 2015 27'
  Directed by Gaspard Kuentz .
Held every October in the city of Matsuyama, the Dogo Autumn Festival is one of the most violent religious festivals celebrated in Japan. Eight teams of men carrying massive portable wood shrines
Central Asia and Far East Ritual Gender Role and Identity
[the-veil-unveiled--Film-image]
The Veil Unveiled 2004 29'
  Directed by Vanessa Langer .
In Yemen, the land of Queen Saba, a wide variety of veils can be found. In the capital Sana’a, the women, although at first sight appearing to all be wearing but black, distinguish themselves one
Middle and Near East Gender Role and Identity Material Culture Religion / Belief / Faith
[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
[we-dont-need-a-grave--Film-image]
We Don't Need A Grave 2014 27'
  .
'We Don't Need a Grave' attempts to show how the people who choose Shizenso rather than the typical family grave try to accept one's death. Shizenso is a natural mortuary practice that has no
Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Death Ritual
[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
[wild-honey-caring-for-bees-in-a-divided-land--Film-image]
Wild Honey: Caring for bees in a divided land 2019 30'
  Directed by Lisa Palmer .
For more than a century, the island of Timor has been divided by a colonial border. Timor’s migratory wild honey bees challenge this division. In community honey harvest rituals, queen bees are
South-East Asia Animals Food / Water Hunting / Gathering / Fishing
[without-fathers-or-husbands--Film-image]
Without Fathers or Husbands 1995 26'
  Directed by Hua Cai .
The Na are an ethnic group in south-east China. Their particularity is that all the members of each household are consanguineous relatives; their social organisation is absolutely matrilineal and as
South-East Asia Family / Kinship Collective / Community identity Gender Role and Identity Sex / Sexuality