Films - RAI FILM

RAI FILM

Film list

[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-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-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

[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

[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-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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[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