A polka kingdom crumbles in this documentary tracing the rise and fall of dubious duple meter master Jan Lewan. A Grammy-nominated polka superstar who defected from Poland to the West in the 1970s, Lewan created a musical empire that made him an internationally-recognized figure. When scandal erupted and Lewan's shady dealings were revealed, fans couldn't believe that their hero had committed one of the largest polka-related financial crimes in history.
Related Movies
Scattered People (2021)
Follows Mas and Saha, two young Iranian asylum seeker musicians, navigating a frightening new world of immigration detention - where they discover the power of music.
Ray Charles - Live in France 1961 (2011)
Lost for 50 years, these newly discovered concerts were filmed at the 1961 Antibes Jazz Festival in France and show Ray Charles in his prime period with the original Raeletts and his most legendary band (including David "Fathead" Newman and Hank Crawford). These first concerts he ever gave in Europe opened the door for Ray Charles to become one of the most revered international stars America has ever produced.
Iron Maiden: 12 Wasted Years (1987)
A documentary of the band's first 12 years with interviews and live footage.
The Distortion of Sound (2014)
The last two decades have seen a striking decline in the quality of sound and listening experience. Compressed music, MP3s and streaming, have diminished the quality and flattened the emotion. Marketing gimmicks and convenience now take the place of excellence. The Distortion of Sound is an eye-opening exposé of the current state of sound starring Linkin Park, Slash, Quincy Jones and more. This documentary will open your ears and inspire you to reach for richer, more soul-stirring musical experiences.
Checking in at 20 (2014)
Brian Chippendale is the drummer in Lightning Bolt. Greg Saunier is the drummer in Deerhoof. They've teamed up for a self-titled drum duo album—a limited edition LP featuring two side-long improvisations. Checking in at 20 was directed by Matt Conboy of Death by Audio films featuring interviews with members of the Flaming Lips, Les Savy Fav, Thee Oh Sees, and Oneida.
Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island (2024)
In this thrilling documentary, indomitable women fight back against the nuclear industry to expose one of the biggest cover-ups in US history: the 1979 Three Mile Island meltdown and its aftermath. The film reveals the never-before-told stories of four intrepid homemakers who take their case all the way to the Supreme Court, and a young female journalist who's caught in the radioactive crossfire.
Slow Southern Steel (2011)
Slow Southern Steel is a film about heavy music in the modern American South, as told by the very people who have created this music during the last two decades. Shot in back alleys, parking lots, and the seedy green rooms of the dirtiest clubs that the Bible Belt failed to snuff out, these diehard musicians discuss their love of music and the south, as well as the difficulties, contradictions, and insanity that haunt every southern artist. There are no illusions here, no apologies, no distractions - only the straight truth as told by those who would know the difference. Narrated by the notorious Dixie Dave Collins (Weedeater, Buzzov-en, Bongzilla), Slow Southern Steel is an authentic and honest and thorough look at one of the most remarkable music communities ever spawned on the continent.
Descent Into the Maelstrom: The Untold Story of Radio Birdman (2017)
Documentary that chronicles the career of the legendary Australian punk band Radio Birdman.
Black Sabbath: The Last Supper (1999)
Filmed live during Black Sabbath's 1999 "Reunion" tour, this historic concert features the original lineup of the legendary metal band.
Ozzy Osbourne - Live at Budokan (2002)
This 2 hour video was recorded live at Budakan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on February 15, 2002. It features 14 classic tracks spanning Ozzy's career and also behind-the-scenes footage of The Osbournes In Japan. Known for biting the head off of a bat, bickering with his vulgarity-happy family on MTV, and being one of the icons of heavy metal music, Ozzy Osbourne is nothing less than a cultural treasure. 01) I Don't Know 02) That I Never Had 03) Believer 04) Junkie 05) Mr. Crowley 06) Gets Me Through 07) Suicide Solution 08) No More Tears 09) I Don't Want to Change The World 10) Road to Nowhere 11) Crazy Train 12) Mama, I'm Coming Home 13) Bark at the Moon 14) Paranoid
One Deadly Weekend in America (2017)
A look at the people affected by seven shootings which occurred during the same July weekend.
Repetitioner (2005)
The theatre 7:3 project was conducted at the Tidaholm prison 1998-1999. What started as an artistic experiment, ended up in police killings at Malexander. The process in the prison were filmed during 6 months.
Mi vida entre las hormigas (2017)
Documental film about Jorge Martínez, leader of the spanish rock band Ilegales.
A Venue For The End Of The World (2014)
Haunted by uncanny similarities between Nazi stage techniques and the showmanship employed by modern entertainers, a filmmaker investigates the dangers of audience manipulation and leader worship.
Fluer i Kødbyen (2016)
In 1971 September met four young men in a garden in Gentofte. They wanted to make a band. And they soon found out that they could joke his way to one hit after another. A handful of years later had their playful approach made them Denmark's largest orchestra. But if success came easily to them, it was also their biggest problem. For besides they were hit by alcoholism and stage directing, they faced one overriding dilemma: Should they stick to the happy drengerøvs tone (young men who appear to be young, immature or inexperienced or who behave childishly), they had so much luck, or trying to become adults?
Mac Dre: Legend of the Bay (2015)
Bay Area rapper Mac Dre began his career at 18 and quickly became an influential force in early west coast hip-hop. In 1992 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery when his lyrics were used against him in court. He left prison with a new lease on life, founded an independent record company, and then was murdered just when he began to emerge as a star. For the first time ever, his mother Wanda reveals the true experiences of a hip-hop legend.
A Symphony of Noise (2021)
Treating a trumpet as if it was a portion of fish and chips is not basic culinary research but an audio-activistic intervention that lends a voice to British fishermen’s opinion towards Brexit. And the title ‘audio activist’ is very fitting for the British composer Matthew Herbert. ‘A Symphony of Noise’ provides an insight into Herbert’s thoughts about how we should hear the world and presents amplified sounds of teeth being pulled out, a pig being born, and a swimmer crossing the English Channel. The controversial and political samples become a part of a live performance at the Berlin night club Berghain, which makes the listeners both grate their teeth and dance along. Matthew Herbert wants us to listen to the world afresh, and it is a pretty fantastic experience.
Brownie Speaks (2014)
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown made an outstanding and influential contribution to music. In an era when many musicians were emulating Charlie Parker’s drug abuse, Brown inspired others to achieve greatness while living a clean life. Ironically, he was killed in a car accident at the age of 25. This feature-length documentary presents a richly detailed account of Brown’s life, and examines his historical importance in the context of three criteria–innovation, influence, and individuality.