Films - RAI FILM

RAI FILM

Film list

[at-low-tide--Film-image]

At Low Tide 2016 63‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

Every day, carrying the simplest of tools, diggers across coastal Maine set out at low tide to dig for clams on the wide mud flats that stretch far into the bay. It is backbreaking work. But it has

North America Material Culture Labour Hunting / Gathering / Fishing

[autumns-work--Film-image]

Autumn’s Work 2013 47‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

"Autumn’s Work" follows Bill Coperthwaite as he prepares for winter. Wrestling with a large felled tree amidst its vast tangle of branches, Bill slowly and methodically breaks it down

North America Alternative culture Rural Everyday Life Art / Artists / Artisans

[benjamin-and-his-brother--Film-image]

Benjamin and His Brother 1999 87‘

Directed by Arthur Howes .

Years of war and ethnic conflict in the Sudan have created a generation of young men, known as the "Lost Boys", who have spent more years in refugee camps than in their home communities.

North America East Africa Refugees / Displaced populations War / Conflict / Reconciliation Children / Young people Family / Kinship

[business-as-usual--Film-image]

Business as Usual 2002 27‘

Directed by Lucy Pardee .

Everyone knows about Ground Zero in New York, but have you bought into the memory? Big Mike, Tyrone and the other street vendors will sell you part of the disaster whilst offering you their views on

North America Trade Memory Disasters

[the-cellar--Film-image]

The Cellar 2018 84‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

George Sprague lives and works in Buck’s Harbor, Maine. He is widely known for his "cellar" (affectionately called the whine cellar), where people gather to talk, make lobster traps, share

North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade

[a-chair-in-six-parts--Film-image]

A Chair: in six parts 2013 42‘

Student Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

A poem about a chair. In 1960, Bill Coperthwaite bought 300 acres of wilderness in Machiasport, Maine. Influenced by the poetry of Emily Dickinson and by the back to the land movement of Scott and

North America Material Culture Alternative culture Art / Artists / Artisans

[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

[dreamcatcher--Film-image]

Dreamcatcher 2015 98‘

Directed by Kim Longinotto .

A film set in Chicago about an inspirational woman who has defied her past and now rescues girls and young women from a life on the streets.

North America Gender Role and Identity Labour Sex / Sexuality

[the-eskimos-of-pond-inlet--Film-image]

The Eskimos of Pond Inlet 1977 52‘

Directed by Michael Grigsby .

For the Eskimos of Pond Inlet – a new village in North Baffin Island in which they have been settled by the Canadian Government – the life of the semi-nomadic hunter has given way to that of

North America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Collective / Community identity Social Conflict

[finn-beach--Film-image]

Finn Beach 2020 63‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

The summer draws to a close, but the season is not yet over. Work continues — baiting and hauling traps, sorting and shipping lobsters. There are always tasks to be done. But within the daily

North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade

[the-float--Film-image]

The Float 2020 75‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

The peak of the lobster season has arrived. George works closely with his son and grandson to repair their float ravaged by high tides, strong winds and the constant erosion of salt water. Towing

North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade

[in-the-land-of-the-war-canoes--Film-image]

In the Land of the War Canoes 1972 47‘

Directed by Edward S. Curtis .

The film was made in 1914 by Edward Curtis. The plot concerns the efforts of a young man, Motana, son of a great chief, to obtain a bride and how he is thwarted by a wicked sorcerer. Many of the

North America Archival material / Museum displays Marriage Film / Photography / Mass media

[in-search-of-cool-ground-the-mursi-trilogy--Film-image]

In Search of Cool Ground: The Mursi Trilogy 1987 52‘

Directed by Leslie Woodhead .

This is a trilogy about aspects of the culture of two groups of people, the Kwegu and the Mursi, in Ethiopia. The titles are: THE MURSI , THE KWEGU, THE MIGRANTS *What made this trilogy special

North America Social Change Socioeconomic conditions Health / Health care / Healing

[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

[in-and-out-of-africa--Film-image]

In and Out of Africa 1993 59‘

Directed by Ilisa Barbash Lucien Taylor .

A classic in ethnographic filmmaking, In and Out of Africa traces the transnational trade of African Art between West Africa and the USA, providing an insight into how value, commoditization and

North America Art / Artists / Artisans Trade Material Culture

[in-the-dooryard--Film-image]

In the dooryard 2020 71‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

Spring in Buck’s Harbor is about preparing for the fishing season ahead. Work on lobster traps and on halibut hooks begins in earnest. But it is rarely a solitary activity. Every day people

North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade

[muktuk--Film-image]

Muktuk 1983 40‘

Directed by Graham Johnston .

Shot on the mosquito-ridden shores of the Mackenzie Delta in Canada’s North-West territories, the film deals with the annual Beluga (white whale) hunt. Three families are followed who have

North America Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Education / Knowledge transmission

[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

[oink--Film-image]

Oink! 2020 22‘

Directed by Rob Eagle .

An experimental research documentary offering a portrait of gay men who‚ in different ways‚ relate to the “pig” sexual imaginary. It provides insight into their experiences of identity,

Western Europe North America Sex / Sexuality LGBTQI* Collective / Community identity

[on-the-water--Film-image]

On the water 2020 67‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

During April, George and Mark, his son and sternman, begin setting traps for the season ahead. It’s cold and rough on the ocean, and lobsters are scarce. Halibut fishing, permitted for only

North America Hunting/Gathering/Fishing Trade

[polka--Film-image]

Polka 1986 50‘

Directed by Robert Boonzajer-Flaes .

The film confronts the accordion music of Chicano immigrants in southern Texas with the traditional music of accordion players in Austria. Without making any final judgements on the ‘roots’ of

North America Music / Ethnomusicology Collective / Community identity

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[tablas-and-drum-machines-afghan-music-in-california--Film-image]

Tablas and Drum Machines: Afghan Music in California 2001 58‘

Directed by John Baily .

Ethnomusicologist John Baily visits Fremont, California, the new home of the large community of exiled Afghans. He is joined by Kabuli master-musician, Ustad Asif Mahmoud, who plans to open a small

North America Music / Ethnomusicology Education / Knowledge transmission Refugees / Displaced populations

[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

[treasured-moments--Film-image]

Treasured Moments 2016 33‘

Student Directed by Ravi Hart Lloyd .

This is the personal story of a boy who grew up mixed in every aspect of his life, his parents, where he was from, his race. The black kid who thought that he was white. The white kid who thought

Caribbean Islands North America Family / Kinship Race / Racism / Antiracism Collective / Community identity Film / Photography / Mass media

[tuktu--Film-image]

Tuktu 1985 47‘

Directed by Graham Johnston .

Tuktu is the Kuvanmiit Eskimo word for caribou. The film traces the early evolution of Ambler, founded almost 30 years ago on the Kobuk River in Alaska. Change and development mark life now in this

North America Animals Social Change

[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

[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

[winter-days--Film-image]

Winter Days 2013 59‘

Directed by Anna Grimshaw .

"Winter Days" evokes the stillness and quietness of the forest in winter. Life is lived close to the stove. It’s a time for small tasks and chores – making a wedge, sewing a pocket, the

North America Alternative culture Rural Everyday Life Art / Artists / Artisans

[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

[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