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
[hope-despair-and-laughter-a-circus-project-in-palestine--Film-image]
Hope, Despair and Laughter: A circus project in Palestine 2007 27'
  Directed by Ester Hertog .
Filmed in Dheisheh refugee camp in the West bank, this film is about a circus summer-camp dedicated to bring laughter and hope for Palestinian children. Children are taught all sorts of activities
Middle and Near East Development projects Dance / Theatre / Performance Children / Young people
[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
[join-me-in-shambala--Film-image]
Join Me in Shambala 2001 30'
  Directed by Anya Bernstein .
Once brutally persecuted under the Soviet regime, Buddhism is re-emerging in Siberia. But with a past where Lamas were killed in prisons and temples burnt to the ground, there are few masters left to
Central Asia and Far East Religion / Belief / Faith Post-communism
[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
[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-place--Film-image]
Out of Place 1993 38'
  Directed by Peter Lutz .
The war in Bosnia in the early 1990s drove Nerma and Mavis from their homes. Having found refuge in Sweden, they learn to cope with a new situation.
Scandinavia Refugees / Displaced populations War / Conflict / Reconciliation
[part-of-us--Film-image]
Part of Us 2009 27'
  Directed by Maria Meriwether .
For the Ngarrindjeri people, the living and the dead are connected through shared land and heritage. The preservation of this connection is at the heart of the community’s effort to repatriate the
Australia Death Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[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
[pepsi-war--Film-image]
Pepsi War 1992 30'
  Directed by Charlie Clay .
The post-colonial period in Papua New Guinea has seen resurgence in tribal warfare. Pepsi War follows the story of a fight between two clans, which developed from a dispute over cola bottles.
Melanesia War / Conflict / Reconciliation Colonialism / Postcolonialism
[pushy-women--Film-image]
Pushy Women 2001 23'
  Directed by Caro MacDonald .
The modern Japanese woman has the world at her feet: she can pursue any career, wear whatever she likes, and spend her leisure time however she likes - even playing sumo. This film follows five young
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Sport
[the-ragged-ones--Film-image]
The Ragged Ones 2002 30'
  Directed by David Griggs .
The Basotho live in Lesotho, a kingdom of high mountains surrounded by South Africa. Afflicted by famine, poverty and AIDS, they carry on making a science out of their witchcraft beliefs.
Southern Africa Religion / Belief / Faith Socioeconomic conditions
[raised-by-humans--Film-image]
Raised by Humans 2010 25'
  Directed by Karlia Campbell .
'Raised by Humans' follows two dogs with difficult life histories as volunteers from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals try to find families to adopt them in Stockport,
British-Irish Isles Animals Development projects
[ravi-and-bhajay--Film-image]
Ravi and Bhajay 2002 26'
  Directed by Rachel Webster .
Street boys Ravi and Bhajay lead a tough life on the pavements of Mumbai in India. To get away from it, they visit the nearby holy city of Ujjain with the film-maker. But the call of life on the streets is still strong.
South Asia Children / Young people Squatter Settlements / Homelessness Urban
[read-me--Film-image]
Read Me 2008 29'
  Directed by Janina Kriszio .
Reading traditionally played an important role for German (self-)identification. In 2000 an international survey revealed that German pupils are lacking basic reading skills, giving rise to
Western Europe Education / Knowledge transmission
[rock-n-pray--Film-image]
Rock ‘n’ Pray 2001 24'
  Directed by Fotini Stefani .
The monks from the monastery of Saints Augustine and Serapheim Sarow on mainland Greece have found modern ways to appeal to young people. The film explores how their traditional life co-exists with
South-East Europe Religion / Belief / Faith Intergenerational relations
[round-trip--Film-image]
Round Trip 1999 36'
  Directed by Angela Torresan .
Portrait of a Brazilian woman and her friends, now living in Lisbon, exploring the basis of their sense of identity in the context of a transnational way of life.
Western Mediterranean Collective / Community identity Migration
[sahars-wedding--Film-image]
Sahar’s Wedding 1991 46'
  Directed by Hanna Musleh .
The chronicle of a wedding in a village in Palestine under Israeli occupation at the time of the first Intifada, this film looks at the lives of the bride and groom, and their families. Attitudes
Middle and Near East Marriage Social Change
[a-saint-from-new-york--Film-image]
A Saint from New York 1995 30'
  Directed by Line Hatland .
Dorothy Day, ex-communist, anarchist, single mother and co-founder of the widespread ‘Catholic Worker’ movement — died in New York in 1980. Soon after the Claretian Fathers started a campaign
North America Alternative culture Religion / Belief / Faith
[scenes-of-resistance--Film-image]
Scenes of Resistance 2000 30'
  Directed by Alejandra Navarro Smith .
A series of portraits of life in a Zapatista indigenous community in Chiapas, Southern Mexico. This film invites us into the people's everyday lives, and presents their own views of the fight against
Central America Resistance Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[the-second-red-line--Film-image]
The Second Red Line 2004 25'
  Directed by Veera Lehto .
In HIV testing, the second red line is the indication of a positive result. This film follows two volunteers working with HIV & Aids sufferers in the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana. In the
South-East Asia Health / Health care / Healing Development projects
[shooting-freetown--Film-image]
Shooting Freetown 2011 29'
  Directed by Kieran Hanson .
A decade since Sierra Leone's devastating civil war, from the ashes rises a new dawn of creativity in audio-visual media. Inspired by Jean Rouch's ‘shared anthropology’ and ‘ethno-fiction’,
West Africa Film / Photography / Mass media War / Conflict / Reconciliation Reflexivity
[the-shrimpers--Film-image]
The Shrimpers 2008 30'
  Directed by Austin Paterek .
For the past 10 years the shrimping industry in United States has been on a steady decline. Estimates show that only 15 percent of the original fleet is still in operation, due to overseas
North America Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Trade
[sin-tierra-no-somos-shuar--Film-image]
Sin tierra, no somos Shuar 2009 23'
  Directed by Stacey Williams .
Shuar traditions and land are intimately tied to another. This film explores how the traditions and relationships change when foreign mining companies enter their territory.
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict
[a-small-light--Film-image]
A Small Light 2004 32'
  Directed by Julia Yezbick .
Through following the daily life of a home for the elderly in Kathmandhu, Nepal, run by Catholic nuns but situated beside the cremation ghats of Pashupathinath Hindu temple, this film explores
South Asia Death Inter-religious relations Religion / Belief / Faith Elderly people
[small-man-of-the-forest--Film-image]
Small Man of the Forest 2004 37'
  Directed by Hugh Hartford .
Murray Collins leaves his city life in search of a bipedal ape. On his journey to highland Sumatra, he meets an academic, three farmers, two conservationists and a shaman, all of whom advise him on
South-East Asia Animals
[smell-the-roses--Film-image]
Smell the Roses 2003 28'
  Directed by Julie Milling .
Christiania is a self-governing community in the heart of Copenhagen set up by squatters at the height of 1970s idealism. Faced with extinction or urban redevelopment, residents struggle to redefine a fading ideology.
Scandinavia Alternative culture Urban
[a-spark-in-him--Film-image]
A Spark in Him 2008 28'
  Directed by Claudia Engels .
‘A Spark in Him’ is a film about the life story of Sajay Kumar, a young man without arms who lives in a home for disabled children in Kerala, India, and studies at the College of Fine Arts. By
South Asia Health / Health care / Healing Children / Young people Education / Knowledge Transmission
[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
[staging-a-return--Film-image]
Staging a Return 1994 30'
  Directed by Jakob Hogel .
The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are a Danish dependency and for generations, young people have gone to Denmark to complete their studies. When they return for the summer, there is a tradition
Scandinavia Dance / Theatre / Performance
[the-sweet-life-and-all-that-goes-with-it--Film-image]
The Sweet Life and All That Goes With It 2002 29'
  Directed by Anne Schiltz .
Although the Saxons arrived in Transylvania, Romania over 800 years ago, they have retained a strong sense of their distinctive identity and still speak German. After the Revolution of 1989, most
South-East Europe Collective / Community identity Travellers / Roma
[swings-and-roundabouts--Film-image]
Swings and Roundabouts 1994 30'
  Directed by Helen Pratt .
Five years after the downfall of Ceausescu and Romania still receives an influx of Western European aid workers to help with rural orphanage projects. Temporary and full-time volunteers at an
South-East Europe Children / Young people Squatter Settlements / Homelessness Development projects
[the-temple-in-the-sea--Film-image]
The Temple in the Sea 2008 26'
  Directed by Theo Youngstein .
‘The Temple in the Sea’ looks at ritual and religious practice at a well-known Hindu shrine and its associated cremation grounds in Central Trinidad. Documenting the daily life of the Temple, and
Caribbean Islands Ritual
[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
[tenondei-a-beautiful-future--Film-image]
Tenonde’i - a Beautiful Future 2008 30'
  Directed by Nadja Marin .
In a village inside the world’s fifth largest and tough city, São Paulo, a young Guaraní created a children’s choir to raise money for his community. Filled with beautiful sounds, the film is a
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Children / Young people
[they-say-were-all-winners--Film-image]
They Say We’re All Winners 2002 32'
  Directed by Mari Finnestad .
The Zimbabwean girls' team comes to Norway to take part in the world's largest kids' football tournament. The film questions the outcome of this well-intentioned cultural exchange because some of the
Scandinavia Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Sport Collective / Community identity
[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
[the-thompsons--Film-image]
The Thompsons 1996 29'
  Directed by Andy Lawrence .
In 1996 the troubles in Northern Ireland continued to the sound of beating drums and marching feet. This is the story of a Protestant family in rural Ulster and their fight to remain British and free from Irish rule.
British-Irish Isles War / Conflict / Reconciliation
[those-who-dont-work-dont-make-love--Film-image]
Those Who Don’t Work Don’t Make Love 1998 30'
  Directed by Cristina Grasseni .
An observational documentary about dairy farmers in the Italian Alps. Caught between pride for tradition and the pressure for modernisation, the story of one family is told through the eyes of
Western Mediterranean Agriculture / Farming Social Change
[those-who-care-faith-and-freedom-in-a-ladakhi-village--Film-image]
Those who Care: Faith and Freedom in a Ladakhi Village 2001 31'
  Directed by Henriette Levaulx-Vrecourt .
In Tia village, in an isolated area of Ladakh - North West India - lives an amchi (a local herbal doctor) and his wife. It is summer - a short season in the Indian Himalayas and the only period of
South Asia Health / Health care / Healing Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany
[tiempo-de-vals--Film-image]
Tiempo de Vals 2006 22'
  Directed by Rebecca Savage .
The ‘Quinceañera’ celebration is a lived illusion. A daydream shared by the whole community of Tetlanohcan, a rapidly urbanising agricultural town in Tlaxcala, Central Mexico. The dream is
Central America Festivals / Carnival Social Change
[two-ears-one-mouth--Film-image]
Two Ears, One Mouth 1999 25'
  Directed by Andy Benfield .
Duncan Williamson is of Traveller descent and lives in Scotland, Amy Douglas is fifty years younger and lives in Cheshire. But they share a love for telling stories and both manage to make a living
British-Irish Isles Travellers / Roma Art / Artists / Artisans
[uncle-poison--Film-image]
Uncle Poison 1998 60'
  Directed by Ricardo Leizaola .
Filmed in the city of Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Uncle Poison is an intimate portrait of a traditional faith healer, set against the backdrop of his community’s Easter celebrations. Every day,
South America Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith Archaeobotany / Ethnobotany
[untouched-rock--Film-image]
Untouched Rock 2008 28'
  Directed by James Vybiral .
‘Untouched Rock’ follows a British climbing expedition to Greenland where six young men hope to establish new routes on the mountains of 'the un-named valley'.
North America Children / Young people Sport
[usch-in-the-bush--Film-image]
Usch in the Bush 2001 32'
  Directed by Michaela Schäuble .
In the 1980s Ursula Heimer leaves behind her husband and children in Germany and goes to live in the African bush. We meet her seventeen years later in a tiny village in Togo, where she has been
West Africa Personal Narrative Alternative culture
[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
[vendemos-recuerdos--Film-image]
Vendemos Recuerdos 2009 25'
  Directed by Carolina Corral Paredes .
Carlos is an enthusiastic tour guide and Doña Rosa is an indigenous old woman that sells crafts in the market. Both of their life’s works are an effort to provide what inquisitive tourists might
Central America Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Trade
[views-from-heavenly-lake--Film-image]
Views from Heavenly Lake 2010 26'
  Directed by Polly Vinken .
Since the beginning of the Mao era in 1949, populations that were once nomadic, isolated by miles of desert and mountains across the Tian Shan ranges, are now becoming highly sought after objects of
Central Asia and Far East Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Social Change
[vivir-la-chicha--Film-image]
Vivir la Chicha 2003 28'
  Directed by Sharis Coppens .
Chicha music evokes the experiences of the many Peruvians who migrate from the high Andes down to the cities. This film tells the story of Aurora Ramos, a cobbler and market saleswoman, and the role
South America Music / Ethnomusicology Trade Migration
[we-are-born-to-survive--Film-image]
We Are Born to Survive 1995 30'
  Directed by Paul Henley Paul Okojie .
A political biography of the activist Kath Locke, from Manchester's Moss Side, based on an interview conducted by her political comrade Paul Okojie shortly before her death in 1992, aged 64.
British-Irish Isles Political Activists Race / Racism / Antiracism Public Figure
[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
[women-of-a-divided-land--Film-image]
Women of a Divided Land 1997 22'
  Directed by Joanna Hill .
This film follows the activities of Israeli and Palestinian women peace activists in Jerusalem and the West Bank, portraying both the collective and individual experiences of resistance.
Middle and Near East Resistance Political Activists Religion / Belief / Faith
[writing-panare-portrait-of-a-linguist-on-fieldwork--Film-image]
Writing Panare - Portrait of a Linguist on Fieldwork 1996 30'
  Directed by Paul Henley .
Marie-Claude Muller is a linguist who has worked for many years with the Panare, an Amerindian people of Venezuelan Amazonia. She has now been commissioned by the government literacy programme to
South America Linguistics / Language Education / Knowledge Transmission
[you-cant-live-with-your-mouth-shut--Film-image]
You Can’t Live With Your Mouth Shut 1999 29'
  Directed by João Nicolau .
Cape Verde is an archipelago situated 500km off the West Coast of Africa. On the island of Santiago lives Mano Mendi, the last player of cimboa, a one-string violin used to accompany the traditional
West Africa Music / Ethnomusicology