Indie
This exhilarating Yakutian action drama film (coming from the Republic of Sakha, in the Arctic Circle) has many international and relatable themes: protecting your family, taking revenge upon a perpetrator. Director Burnashev successfully conveys the pain and emotion of a parent in a hard situation.
Synopsis
A heinous crime is committed in a remote Russian village. The evidence points to Police Officer Afonya. The locals are ready to take matters into their own hands. Investigator Nikolai must quickly find out all of the facts of this case before they do.
Yakut and Russian language, with hard coded English subtitles.
The narrative unfolds on the day Andie returns to her childhood home, moving back in with her parents. Her mother, an assertive talk therapist, immediately urges her to map out her life plan, while her father, a once-renowned playwright, adopts a more carefree approach. Facing unemployment and restricted indulgence in day-drinking, Andie's year at home brims with tumult. Outwardly bewildered about her life's purpose, she redirects her focus to ineffectively assisting others in their quests; coaxing an old high school teacher out of the closet, enlightening her younger brother on feminism, and navigating a series of unsuccessful job attempts. Despite the lack of circumstantial changes, Andie undergoes a transformative journey during these months, becoming more self-assured and accepting of her current place in life.
Meet the men who stood up for their rights by sitting down at the counter of the Rock Hill, SC Five and Dime. They asked for a cup of coffee and were instead met with violence, police brutality and unjust imprisonment. Rock Hill became a landmark of the Civil Rights Movement and is the origin of 'Jail No Bail.' The tactic spread, inspiring protesters to no longer fund their own oppression through bonds and fines. The courage of these men ignited a passion that changed the course of history.
23-year-old student Alyona returns from Moscow to Yakutsk after learning that her mother has gone missing. Alyona begins to investigate the disappearance, and the trail leads her to a small remote village named Symyr. She travels to Symyr in search of her mother, only to discover that there are evil spirits roaming the land.
Director Stepan Burnashev crafts an eerie slower-burning psychological thriller, based on Ayi faith, folklore and local legends of spirits. Using the stunning Siberian countryside vistas as a backdrop, this beautifully shot Yakuti film is unsettling - Combining a contemporary visual style with age-old legends.
The film is presented in it's original Yakut language, with hard-coded English subtitles.
After the death of his mother, Murdo and his father journey from Scotland to North Alabama to visit their relatives. Murdo is an accordion player but has not played in a while. He meets a woman named Queen Monzee-ay who plays accordion. She rekindles his interest in music and invites him to play a gig with her. Music becomes a wedge which drives itself between him and his father, who (out of the best intentions) tries to control him. Eventually, Murdo transcends his father and follows the music.
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Tom's doctor at the Eating Disorder Clinic where she is committed says that she's getting better. The thought of getting healthy and heavy scares her. It looks like it is going to be the worst day of her life. And then Tom meets Neil, a socially awkward tuba player. Together they try to escape from their lives and all that is considered socially acceptable.
Don't Forget Me is a dark yet heartwarming indie comedy about the need to be out of your mind in order to fall madly in love.
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Eric Clapton is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. He ranked 2nd in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and 4th in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time." In this documentary feature he is interviewed in depth, and, with contributions from Keith Richards, John Mayall, The Yardbirds, Jack Bruce and many more, this is THE definitive Clapton biography.
Two young men come running out of a dark alley, leaving behind another young man with his neck stabbed. The moment Danny received the message about the murder of Itzik, his only son, his life would never again be the same. Ten years of legal proceedings and new disclosures made during that time have slowly crumbled his faith in gaining justice. Along with the pain of his loss, he realizes that only he can find the truth of what happened that night. His journey in search of the truth reveals his complex identity for the first time: a spy who worked for the security services, an Arab who converted and became a practicing Jew, a man who felt pride, respect and sympathy for a country that has absurdly and horrifyingly betrayed him.
Frontman Aaron appears to have it all figured out: a loyal group of friends, a thriving band, and a girlfriend who supports him. His seemingly perfect life is complicated by a tough battle against cancer, and when he encounters someone new, he must confront the pivotal decision to continue living life on his own terms and rocking until he drops, or embracing maturity by fighting for his survival. In a poignant story of love and resilience, everything unfolds South of the River.
This bold reimagining of Shakespeare's Macbeth delves into the shadowy corners of the human mind. Showcasing a visually striking style and a contemporary twist, this adaptation follows the gripping journey through madness, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of one's choices, all while maintaining the poignant language and themes of the original tragedy.
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A husband and wife decide to divorce after ten years of marriage. It's the only way out of a stretched unsuccessful marriage, where each of them believes that they have not fully realized their potential and the change will give impetus to a new life and forgotten dreams. But only after the divorce, they realize that it was all just an illusion and that in fact the problem was not the marriage. A story of broken dreams and unfulfilled potential, but also of high aspirations and hope.
Set in the city of Yakutsk (the coldest city on Earth, in the Siberian Circle), this Yakuti arthouse drama film intimately depicts the downward spiral escalation of a failing marriage, until the point of no return.
Presented in original Yakuti language, with hard-coded English subtitles.
When a young student discovers a fascinating and unfinished manuscript about a child lost in the woods, he finds himself on a unexpected dark journey that will change not only him but the past itself.
The Story of Adi Khavous, a musician and extraordinary artist who chose a vagabond lifestyle. Adi left home in Israel and now lives in Canada as a solitary immigrant and rock 'n' roll singer. The film depicts five years of Adi's journey and presents an alternative, off-beat way of life. In his lonesome life, Adi holds on to one dream: to break through as a musician. This 5 years journey provides a glimpse into the extreme life of a unique artist.
This Hebrew language arthouse doc was a huge hit on the festival circuit, scooping up multiple awards and winning tons of praise.
Striving for the Present - Part A is an experimental film that combines a fictional character in a documentary setting. The film revolves around an old homeless man who has given up all normal aspirations (Shelter, family, work) and spends his days wandering the streets endlessly. The random encounters with real characters that stumble upon his way allow the viewer to observe reality with a fresh outlook that combines critique and compassion for the world we live in.
A fishing expedition turns deadly when men turn from fighting against the ocean to fighting one another. Inspired by Bernardo Santareno's "The Lugger" and "In the Seas of the End of the World", this is the story of a codfish lugger captain and his crew, fishing in the banks of Newfoundland, who decide to risk sailing to Greenland in search of more fish. Along the way, he faces storms, crew revolts, and deals with the best and worst of humanity when tested in the most extreme circumstances.
An Israeli documentarian delves into the relationship between the life of the controversial author and the work, specifically the way Bellow borrowed real people from his past as the inspiration for characters in his stories.
After hearing that his close friend and fellow military veteran attempted suicide, George raises awareness for military member suicides by hiking the full 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. He finds support and comfort from fellow hikers, civilians, and military veterans alike in the "Hiker Universe", an adventurous subculture of hikers that revel in the common purpose and unspoken meaning of life that drives them down the trail and over the next peak.
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James Billie is no ordinary leader--he is the man who forever changed the destiny of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A decorated Vietnam veteran, award-winning musician, fearless alligator wrestler, and the "father of Indian casinos," Billie rose from humble beginnings to become the most influential Native American figure of the past century. Charismatic and controversial, he lifted his people from crushing poverty to unprecedented prosperity, but not without epic battles and bitter conflict.
Wrestling Alligators traces the Seminoles' remarkable journey, from their mythic survival in the swamps against U.S. soldiers to the opening of a small bingo hall in 1979 that exploded into a multi-billion-dollar gaming empire. Along the way, Billie locked horns with sheriffs, governors, federal officials, and even his own tribe, as power, money, and tradition collided. This sweeping portrait is both a story of one man's extraordinary life and a gripping saga of Native resilience, cultural pride, and the price of leadership. More than a biography, it is a cinematic tale of survival, ambition, betrayal, and triumph that asks: what does it take to wrestle with history--and win? This is a re-release of this 2015 film festival favorite film. It has been updated with a revised ending reflecting the current status of things.
Yamna is an 82-year-old miracle-worker and righteous woman from Sderot, Israel. The film depicts her unique character and rituals, her Eastern culture and her effort to bequeath her mystical power to the next generation Yamna's story is told through the people who come to her for help as we are offered a glimpse into some of her secrets. Yehudit, 40, whose biological clock is running out, hopes that Yamna can help her become pregnant after conventional fertilization treatments have failed. Dudu, Yamna's grandson, asks her for help with finding success in the music industry. Yamna's daughter, Shula, has the technical know-how of her mother but is still searching for the special spark she needs to honor her birthright and become a righteous woman.
