Zoe McIntosh introduces us to Peter One, King of Caravans, and his realm, the Bignell Street Motel Caravan Park in Whanganui. Bignell Street has a reputation for being a place of last resort for the down and out, where people with nowhere else to go can always find a caravan roof for their heads. A social butterfly and a self-admitted garage sale addict, motel manager Peter says he acts as a de facto social worker to the weird and wonderful itinerant inhabitants of his trailer park, although some claim he’s just as strange and desperate as they are. - NZIFF 2013
Frantz Fanon: His Life, His Struggle, His Work (2001)
It is the evocation of a life as brief as it is dense. An encounter with a dazzling thought, that of Frantz Fanon, a psychiatrist of West Indian origin, who will reflect on the alienation of black people. It is the evocation of a man of reflection who refuses to close his eyes, of the man of action who devoted himself body and soul to the liberation struggle of the Algerian people and who will become, through his political commitment, his fight, and his writings, one of the figures of the anti-colonialist struggle. Before being killed at the age of 36 by leukemia, on December 6, 1961. His body was buried by Chadli Bendjedid, who later became Algerian president, in Algeria, at the Chouhadas cemetery (cemetery of war martyrs ). With him, three of his works are buried: “Black Skin, White Masks”, “L’An V De La Révolution Algérien” and “The Wretched of the Earth”.
Citizen Kitano (2020)
Takeshi Kitano is an international icon. We know the actor, the multi-award-winning filmmaker, but many ignore his double personality: the crazy TV star, the street kid from Tokyo close to the Yakuza, and the political satirist who blasted taboos! Can we dream of a better guide to introduce us to the cultural history of Japan?
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007)
The documentary consists of tape of Don's show (never been filmed before), interviews with Don's contemporaries, (Steve Lawrence, Bob Newhart, Debbie Reynolds, etc.), established comedians (Billy Crystal, Rosanna Barr, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, etc.) and young comedians (Jeff Atoll, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, etc.).
Salvatore Adamo, ma vie, la vraie (2022)
He has sold 120 million albums since 1960, that is to say more than 60 years of career and more than 7000 concerts all over the world, but Salvatore Adamo remains humble, concerned about others, his family and his public. Can one write a story with so many good feelings? Without a doubt, he brings to those who follow him always a deep peace and joy. In this documentary, Salvatore Adamo tells the story of his career and his special relationship with his audience. To the sound of his most beautiful melodies, he confides without taboo on his musical journey, his inspirations and his musical and artistic universes in a broad sense.
Serge Lama, la vie à la folie (2023)
Serge Lama is the author of huge popular successes for more than 60 years: "Je suis malade", "Femme, femme, femme" or "Les Ballons rouges" have gone through the fashion. In this documentary, Serge Lama reveals himself to Mireille Dumas as he had never done before. The artist comes back on the important moments of his life. He talks about love, about the women he has sung to throughout his career, about his possessive and tyrannical mother, about his father, an operetta singer who became a beer merchant out of necessity, and who he would like to avenge at all costs by shining on the stage of the Olympia. He also tells of the pain of having lost his first love in a terrible accident.
Francisco Brennand (2012)
Francisco Brennand is an eighty-five year odl, painter, sculptor and ceramist from Brazil. He lives and works isolated in an open-air museum set in an old ceramic roofing tile factory that belonged to his father. Based on his diaries, written over the past 60 years, the film narrates the artist's journey from the moment he moved into the factory until today.
Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada (1994)
Up until the end of her life, Beatrice Wood continued to influence younger artists with her definitive, free-wheeling ways. She was central to the American Dada movement and was the last surviving member of this group. In this program she recalls her friends Man Ray, Picabia and others, and her ex-husband Marcel Duchamp. She died in 1999 at 105 years of age.
Madu (2024)
From practicing barefoot on the streets of Lagos to performing on stage in England, twelve year old Anthony Madu leaves his home in Nigeria to study at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. Anthony, who had barely left his neighborhood in Lagos, finds himself thrust into a new world where his wildest dream is suddenly within reach. His journey is a story of extraordinary obstacles, courage, growth, and ultimately, his search for belonging.
Katharine Hepburn: All About Me (1993)
In a rare interview, Katharine Hepburn shares her memories and memorabilia.
Laush (2014)
A documentary-narrative film which looks at real events and personal phenomena of artist Zarko Lausevic. "Laush" above all tells a story of an evil time we've all been through, represents both sides and is made with empathy and respect towards everyone involved in the tragic incident. Through recreations, narration, memories of colleagues and quotes from the book "A Year Passes, a Day Will Never Pass" which the artist wrote during the hardest stage of his life, the weight of his fate is presented. The aim of this project is to portray the life of brilliant actor, who in the midst of great fame, disappeared from the scene through the cruelty of dubious times.
Alone (2017)
Alone is about the 91-year-old actress and writer Luba Skořepová, who used to be a member of Czech National Theatre group for almost 70 years. She still wants to work but for many people she is too old. So she tries to manage her last play from her small apartment by a cell phone. The film is about hope and about hopelessness of faded glory.
Mommy, What's a Funkadelic? (NaN)
George Clinton's somewhat absurdist take on Parliament-Funkadelic history. Features never-before-granted access to his archive and spotlights his alter egos and friends
Font Men (2014)
You've never heard of Jonathan Hoefler or Tobias Frere-Jones but you've seen their work. They run the most successful and respected type design studio in the world, making fonts used by the Wall Street Journal to the President of the United States.
Thomas Hart Benton (1989)
Thomas Hart Benton's paintings were energetic and uncompromising. Today his works are in museums, but Benton hung them in saloons for ordinary people to appreciate.
To Make a Comedy Is No Fun (2016)
Documentary feature about Czech director Jiří Menzel, featuring Menzel himself as well as Miloš Forman, Emir Kusturica, István Szabó and others.
The Graham Norton Story (2016)
Charting his unique journey from humble beginnings in Ireland to superstardom as Britain's best-loved chat show host, this documentary hears from people who knew Graham Norton, worked with him and helped shape his career, as well as his devoted fans, friends and media champions.