A train from Paris to Moscow arrives at Brest-Litovsk, a border crossing between Poland and the former Soviet Union. Since Soviet rails are 89 mm wider than European ones, Belarusian railway workers must lift the cars and change the wheels so the train can continue eastward. Nominated for an Oscar in 1995 and winner of numerous awards worldwide, 89 mm od Europy shows the gap that still exists between the countries of the East and the West.
Category: Documentary
A film that was created by chance, while making another documentary. This is the story of a typical opportunist who has always been able to adapt to the times in which he lived. “Hero” without any sense of shame tells how he sewed uniforms for German officers and now runs a thriving restaurant. Despite the rather short statement, it is worth thinking more deeply about the attitude of the “king” of life…
A Polityka journalist visits a young girl in the countryside who devotes every free moment to high culture. Her main job, however, is to look after the farm and her old mother. Conversations between two women from different backgrounds are the axis of Marcel Łoziński’s film.
With a combination of Hollywood, European and Israeli film, documentary, news coverage and excerpts of ‘live’ footage shot in the West Bank and Gaza strip, Introduction to the end of an argument critiques representation of the Middle East, Arab culture, and the Palestinian people produced by the West.
Matilde Landeta entered the flourishing Mexican film industry in the 1930s, working her way up from script girl to direct 110 shorts and, in the late 40s, to produce and direct three features, including LA NEGRA ANGUSTIAS. In this engrossing documentary filmed in Mexico City, a vibrant Landeta, now in her 70s, recalls those years. Interviews with Mexican directors Marcela Fernandez-Violante and Maria Novaro enrich this illuminating tribute.
This feature documentary invites you to partake in a discussion between four Egyptian women of different political and religious stripe. Amina, Safynaz, Shahenda and Wedad are Muslim, Christian, or non-religious, but they are first and foremost friends. They listen to one another’s views and argue openly, without ever breaking the bond that unites them. How do we get along with each other when our views collide? A timely question, and a universal one. Four Women of Egypt takes on this challenge, and their confrontation redefines tolerance.
A moving and graphic portrait of the people of wartorn Beirut in their day-to-day struggle to survive in the rubble and despair. Filmed shortly after the 1982 massacres at Sabra and Chatila, the film gives a vivid picture of the plight of these people and of any people who are too poor to escape the ravages of war.
Peter Howson is one of the world’s most collected living artists, his work hanging on the walls of galleries and museums and in the homes of rock stars and actors. In 2008 he received the biggest commission of his career – to paint the largest-ever crowd scene in the history of British art – but the commission is fraught with so much difficulty its completion is in jeopardy from day one.