Film list

[sacred-harp-singers--Film-image]
Sacred Harp Singers 1984 85'
    Directed by Mark Brice .
A moving portrait of harp singers Leonard and Mazine Lacy. Sacred harp music is a kind of harmonised plainsong practised in rural America. This film was shot in Sand Mountain, Alabama, and is
North America Music / Ethnomusicology Rural
[the-sacred-thresh--Film-image]
The Sacred Thresh 2016 18'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
After ploughing and sowing, there follows harvesting and threshing, with a very dignified threshing squad ritually touring the village inns. This film is part of **Carnival King of Europe DVD 4
Central Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[the-sakuddei--Film-image]
The Sakuddei 1974 52'
    Directed by John Sheppard .
The Sakuddei are a small and ethnically separate community living on the island of Siberut off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. Their distinctive way of life and elaborate religious
South-East Asia Collective / Community identity Social Change Land Rights
[salma--Film-image]
Salma 2013 90'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto .
When Salma, a young Muslim girl in a south Indian village, was 13 years old, her family locked her up for 25 years, forbidding her to study and forcing her into marriage. During that time, words were
South Asia Gender Role and Identity Social Norms Marriage Art / Artists / Artisans
[scenes-of-afghan-music-london-kabul-hamburg-dublin--Film-image]
Scenes of Afghan Music: London, Kabul, Hamburg, Dublin 2007 97'
  Directed by John Baily .
Scenes of Afghan Music is Part IV of 'A Quartet of Afghan Music Films', made in the author’s personal “fieldwork movie” style. It reveals the diversity of music and dance practices in the
Middle and Near East Music / Ethnomusicology Migration Collective / Community identity
[the-school-and-the-village--Film-image]
The School and the Village 1992 50'
  Directed by Heimo Lappalainen .
Taiga Nomads is a film series about the Evenki (previously the Tungus), a nomadic people scattered all over eastern Siberia, and living under harsh conditions in the taiga ± an area predominated by
Central Asia and Far East Nomads and Nomadism Everyday Life
[schoolscapes--Film-image]
SchoolScapes 2007 77'
    Directed by David MacDougall .
Inspired by the cinema of Lumière and the ideas of the 20th century Indian thinker Jiddu Krishnamurti, David MacDougall follows up the Doon School Quintet, his series of films about a traditional
South Asia Children / Young people Education / Knowledge transmission Film / Photography / Mass media
[sea-boundary--Film-image]
Sea Boundary 2012 55'
  Directed by Rosella Schillaci .
The film depicts the daily struggle of fishermen to earn a living in a harsh physical environment that brings out the social and economic tensions of modern society. Manning the Priamo are Cola, the
Western Mediterranean Labour Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Socioeconomic conditions Migration
[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
[sermiligaag-6554n-3622w--Film-image]
Sermiligaag 65°54'N, 36°22'W 2008 64'
    Directed by Anni Seitz Sophie Elixhauser .
The people of East Greenland inhabit a small string of coastal land at the edge of the biggest island of the world. Long winters have always shaped daily life here, a life that has gone within a few
North America Rural Social Change Environment
[shade-seekers-and-the-mixer--Film-image]
Shade Seekers and The Mixer 2006 60'
    Directed by Richard Werbner .
Set in Moremi village within Botswana’s awesome Tswapong hills, the film makes village elders self-consciously reflexive. The elders, including a controversial healer, view and discuss an earlier
Southern Africa Health / Health care / Healing Religion / Belief / Faith Informant-researcher relationship
[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
[shepherds-in-the-cave--Film-image]
Shepherds in the Cave 2016 87'
    Material Culture Directed by Anthony Grieco .
An international team of art restorers, archaeologists and volunteers begin work on the restoration of religious frescoes inside a network of ancient caves. Faced with local bureaucratic challenges
Western Mediterranean Archaeology Herding Art / Artists / Artisans Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy
[sherpas-of-nepal--Film-image]
Sherpas of Nepal 1977 52'
    Directed by Leslie Woodhead Pattie Winter .
Thami is a village 12,000 feet up in the Himalayas in the Kingdom of Nepal. As the film's opening shots illustrate, in a type of filmic short-hand, Thami is composed of a patchwork of individual
South Asia Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Labour Marriage Social Change
[the-shilluk-of-southern-sudan--Film-image]
The Shilluk of Southern Sudan 1976 52'
    Directed by Chris Curling .
This film presents a compelling visual and aural analysis of Shilluk kingship in 1975, and provides a very useful complement to Evans-Pritchard's 1948 text, The Divine Kingship of the Shilluk.
North and Northeast Africa Collective / Community identity Social Organisation
[shinjuku-boys--Film-image]
Shinjuku Boys 1997 54'
    Directed by Kim Longinotto Jano Williams .
A film about love and gender. This film is set in the New Marilyn night club in Tokyo where all the hosts are women who have decided to live as men. They make their living by working in a club with
Central Asia and Far East Gender Role and Identity Sex / Sexuality Love
[the-short-happy-life-of-the-poklad--Film-image]
The Short Happy Life of the Poklad 2012 27'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
In the Dalmatian island of Lastovo, the Poklad is a monumental, all-encompassing annual celebration. Dressed as XIX C. British marines, the Pokladari escort the captive dummy to its death. This
South-East Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[sifinja-the-iron-bride--Film-image]
Sifinja - The Iron Bride 2009 70'
  Directed by Valerie Haensch .
A film about mobility, human creativity, and technology in a Sudanese truck community. The English Bedford-Lorry was introduced to Sudan in the late 1960s. Since then, local craftsmen technically
North and Northeast Africa Infrastructure / Transport Material Culture Art / Artists / Artisans
[silk-muthappar-and-vhs-portraits-from-south-india--Film-image]
Silk, Muthappar and VHS: Portraits from South India 1997 63'
    Directed by Ulrich Grossenbacher Damaris Luethi .
The documentary, filmed during ethnographic field research, shows three portraits of ‘ordinary’ personalities — Mala, a young weaver sharing a one-bedroom house with nine siblings; Santa Cruz,
South Asia Labour Everyday Life Film / Photography / Mass media
[the-silvesterchlause-of-hundwil--Film-image]
The Silvesterchläuse of Hundwil 2014 12'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
The old Julian New Year’s Eve on January 13th is still observed and celebrated in some Reformed communities in Outer Appenzell in Switzerland. This film is part of **Carnival King of Europe DVD
Western Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[the-silvesters-of-urnasch--Film-image]
The Silvesters of Urnäsch 2011 13'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
A celebration of mountain wilderness is all too evident in the costumes of the Silvesters of Urnäsch in Outer Appenzell, particularly in their “Pretty/Ugly” version. This film is part of
Western Europe Festivals / Carnival
[since-the-company-came--Film-image]
Since the Company Came 2001 52'
  Directed by Russel Hawkins .
Set in the South Pacific, in a remote Solomon Islands village, 'Since the Company Came' is the story of a community coming to terms with social, cultural and ecological disintegration. When village
Melanesia Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict Socioeconomic conditions
[singing-pictures-women-painters-of-naya--Film-image]
Singing Pictures - Women Painters of Naya 2005 45'
  Directed by Lina Fruzzetti Ákos Östör .
For generations the Patua (Chitrakara) communities of West Bengal have been painters and singers of stories depicted in scrolls. The film follows the daily lives of Muslim Patua women from Naya
South Asia Material Culture Art / Artists / Artisans Music / Ethnomusicology
[sisters-in-law--Film-image]
Sisters in Law 2005 104'
  Directed by Kim Longinotto Florence Ayisi .
Six year old Manka has run away from home, fleeing her abusive aunt. Sonita has daringly accused her neighbor of rape. Amina has decided to end her brutal marriage by taking her husband to court. Set
West Africa Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy Gender Role and Identity Children / Young people
[the-skills-you-passed-on--Film-image]
The Skills You Passed On 1992 50'
  Directed by Heimo Lappalainen .
The second of three films about the Evenki people of eastern Siberia. Focuses on Nikolaj Pavlovich Archemku, who experienced the very beginning of Soviet power, two World Wars, and the
Central Asia and Far East Nomads and Nomadism Everyday Life
[smoke--Film-image]
Smoke 1991 28'
    RAI Basil Wright Directed by Maarten Rens .
The film deals with fish smoking in Monnickendam, a small town twelve miles north of Amsterdam. Using archival footage, interviewing old fishermen, and contrasting the traditional and the modern
Western Europe Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Food Archival material / Museum displays
[socotra-the-island-of-djinns--Film-image]
Socotra, the Island of Djinns 2016 64'
    RAI Basil Wright Directed by Jordi Esteva .
The film is the story of a journey across the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Yemen. Socotra is isolated during the monsoon season, when it is impossible to land on it. This
Middle and Near East Myths / Fairy tales Nomads and Nomadism Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Trade
[some-alien-creatures--Film-image]
Some Alien Creatures 2005 74'
  Directed by David MacDougall .
A film about the famous experimental, co-educational boarding school in South India, the Rishi Valley School, founded by the influential Indian thinker Krishnamurti. In this film about a progressive
South Asia Children / Young people Gender Role and Identity Education / Knowledge Transmission
[some-women-of-marrakech--Film-image]
Some Women of Marrakech 1977 52'
    Directed by Melissa Llewelyn-Davies .
In Marrakech, traditional attitudes to women prevail perhaps more strongly than in other Moroccan cities. This is especially true for those women who live by the standards of traditional ideals in
North and Northeast Africa Gender Role and Identity Labour Dance / Theatre / Performance Social Norms
[sons-of-haji-omar--Film-image]
Sons of Haji Omar 1978 58'
  Directed by Timothy Asch Asen Balikci David Newman Richard Sorensen .
Haji Omar and his three sons belong to the Lakenkhel, a Pashtun tribal group in northeastern Afghanistan. Concentrating within one family, the film draw sharp, colourful portraits of the protagonists
Middle and Near East Everyday Life Nomads and Nomadism Herding
[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
[southeast-london-ethnography-three-student-films-anglesea-road-the-good-ol-days-talk-of-trade--Film-image]
Southeast London Ethnography - Three Student Films: Anglesea Road; The Good Ol' Days; Talk of Trade 2007 13'
    Directed by Elhum Shakerifar Ed Owles Jamie Taylor .
These 3 films on Southeast London were made by GCC college students who took a course in anthropology & film. ANGLESEA ROAD: Situated in Woolwich, South East London, Anglesea Road is a small
British-Irish Isles Urban
[spear-and-sword-a-payment-of-bridewealth-on-the-island-of-roti--Film-image]
Spear and Sword: a Payment of Bridewealth on the Island of Roti 1988 22'
  Directed by James J. Fox Timothy Asch Patsy Asch .
The film begins as the groom’s side gathers the animals and money for a bridewealth payment, and discusses problems that might arise in negotiating the exchange. In ritual silence, they walk to the
South-East Asia Ritual Marriage Family / Kinship
[speeding-the-plough-in-stilfs--Film-image]
Speeding the Plough in Stilfs 2015 22'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
In Upper Vinschgau in South Tyrol a highly charged Carnival parade takes place with the specific purpose of “speeding the plough”. This film is part of **Carnival King of Europe DVD 4 SPEEDING
South-East Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[spring-in-dickinsons-reach--Film-image]
Spring in Dickinson’s Reach 2013 83'
  Directed by Anna Grimshaw .
"Spring in Dickinson’s Reach" provides an introduction to the unique environment that Bill Coperthwaite has crafted in the Maine forest. Beginning in early spring, the film follows
North America Alternative culture Rural Everyday Life Art / Artists / Artisans
[st-anthony-bonfires-in-mamoiada--Film-image]
St. Anthony Bonfires in Mamoiada 2014 17'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
St. Anthony’s Day marks the first annual outing of the celebrated Sardinian Mamuthones with their blackened shepherd’s outfit, carefully directed by their eternal antagonists, the Issohadores.
South-East Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[st-martins-bonfires-in-predazzo--Film-image]
St. Martin’s Bonfires in Predazzo 2010 10'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
On November 11th, great bonfires are lit by the local youth to celebrate the distribution of the annual revenues from the forestry harvest. This film is part of **Carnival King of Europe DVD 3 -
South-East Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[st-nicholas-night-in-val-di-fassa--Film-image]
St. Nicholas’ Night in Val di Fassa 2010 15'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
As an early harbinger of celestial light, St. Nicholas and his mixed company of angels and devils visits every home, to tell children off in the most persuasive of manners. This film is part of
South-East Europe Festivals / Carnival Folklore
[steel-lives--Film-image]
Steel Lives 2005 45'
  Directed by Massimiliano Mollona .
The anthropologist spent several months working as unskilled labourer alongside Sheffield steelworkers at Morris for his PhD. This film is a look into the working lives of men who earn a living in
British-Irish Isles Labour Socioeconomic conditions Collective / Community identity
[stockmans-strategy--Film-image]
Stockman's Strategy 1984 52'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
A film which explores the philosophy of teaching and learning of Sunny Bancroft, manager of an Aboriginal-run cattle station in northern New South Wales. It also tells the story of Shane Gordon, a
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Animals Education / Knowledge transmission
[the-storyteller--Film-image]
The Storyteller 1990 50'
    Student Directed by John Paul Davidson .
Unaware of the written word until the 1950s, the Waura tribe who live in the headwaters of the Xingu river in Brazil still practise the art of storytelling. Tribal storyteller Aruta recounts one of
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Dance / Theatre / Performance Religion / Belief / Faith
[a-summer-task--Film-image]
A Summer Task 2013 47'
  Directed by Anna Grimshaw .
"A Summer Task" examines the rhythm and tempo of work in the forest. The film follows Bill Coperthwaite and his cousin, Steve, as they fell and haul trees to build a bridge and begin
North America Alternative culture Everyday Life Rural Art / Artists / Artisans
[sundanese-culture-alive--Film-image]
Sundanese Culture Alive 1988 46'
    Directed by Jean Hellwig .
Jaipongan is a new style of music and dancing which was ‘invented’ about a decade ago on Western Java, Indonesia. Drawing on more classical Javanese music and taking elements from Japanese and
South-East Asia Music / Ethnomusicology Dance / Theatre / Performance
[sunny-and-the-dark-horse--Film-image]
Sunny and the Dark Horse 1986 86'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
A true story of a country family’s gradual involvement and growing passion for ‘picnic racing’. Sunny Bancroft is an Aboriginal cattle-station manager in New South Wales. With his
Australia Rural Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Animals
[suspension--Film-image]
Suspension 2019 73'
    Werbner Award Directed by Simón Uribe .
This film documents the building of a modern road through the imposing geography of southern Colombia. It brilliantly captures some of the absurdities and contradictions of a construction project
South America Development projects Infrastructure / Transport Material Culture Rural
[sweeping-evil-away-in-rauris--Film-image]
Sweeping Evil Away in Rauris 2017 9'
  Directed by Michele Trentini .
The Schnabelperchten of Rauris in the Salzburger Alps are mysterious, spiteful figures who appear out of nowhere with their brooms, and go round every house to perform a simple and effective
Central Europe Folklore Festivals / Carnival
[seance-reflections-with-richard-werbner--Film-image]
Séance Reflections with Richard Werbner 2004 45'
    Directed by Richard Werbner .
Njebe and Martha are a childless couple living in Botswana’s capital. Seeking to recover their well-being, they consult a charismatic diviner and healer, in Njebe’s old village, Moremi. They
Southern Africa Health / Health care / Healing Ritual Reproduction (biology)
[the-season--Film-image]
The season 2020 63'
  Directed by Anna Grimshaw .
This is part 4 of a 7-part series. Lobsters slowly migrate north, moving into the Machias Bay from warmer, southern waters. George works quickly to finish setting his full quota of traps.
Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade
[the-smokehouse--Film-image]
The smokehouse 81'
  Directed by Anna Grimshaw .
George has been smoking fish for as long as he can remember. The smokehouse has a place of pride in his dooryard, and he lovingly tends the racks to ensure perfection. The end of fishing is in
North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade