Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 25m / TV-14

The Sky's the Limit for the Women of Barefoot College

2m 2s / TV-PG

Welcome to India's Barefoot College, founded by Bunker Roy to provide rural women living in poverty with an education that empowers them to make their communities self-reliant and sustainable. Follow the story of Rafea — a 30-year-old Jordanian mother of four — who is traveling outside of her village for the first time to attend Barefoot's solar engineering program.

Solar Mamas: Culture Shock and Curiosity at the Barefoot Col

1m 52s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Solar Mamas, the female students of India's Barefoot College start their crash course in solar engineering. Coming from rural areas of Jordan, Guatemala, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Colombia, this classroom experience is completely new to many of the women in attendance.

Love Free or Die: A Vote on Marriage Equality in New Hampshi

6m 14s / TV-PG

In this video companion piece to the Independent Lens documentary, Love Free or Die, Bishop Gene Robinson -- the first openly gay person to be elected Episcopal Bishop, attends an important event in the New Hampshire Legislature. A vote on Marriage Equality.

Love Free or Die: Bishop Robinson on Persevering in the Face

3m 15s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Love Free or Die, Bishop Gene Robinson is interrupted mid-sermon by a man who denounces him as a heretic. Afterwards, Robinson shares his emotional response to the incident and describes why he is able to persevere in the face of hate.

Can a Church Preach Love and Discriminate at the Same Time?

1m 28s / TV-PG

Gene Robinson is a man whose two primary passions are in direct conflict: his love for God and for his partner Mark. Robinson is the first openly gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christendom. His consecration by the Episcopal Church in 2003, to which he wore a bullet-proof vest, caused an international stir.

Love Free or Die: Gene Robinson's Sermon at the New York Cit

5m 18s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Love Free or Die, Bishop Gene Robinson delivers a sermon at New York City's First Presbyterian Church on Gay Pride Day. He urges the clergy who are present to show their support for the LGBT community by offering water and encouragement to parade participants.

As Goes Janesville: Behind the Scenes

6m 17s / TV-PG

In this video companion piece to the Independent Lens documentary, As Goes Janesville, producer and director Brad Lichtenstein and co-producer Nicole Docta provide some behind-the-scenes insights about the making of their film.

As Goes Janesville: One Janesville Family Endures Through Un

1m 16s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens film, As Goes Janesville, we see Cindy Deegan -- an unemployed factory worker who has returned to school to gain new job skills -- and her family as they struggle to maintain a normal existance on only unemployment and disability benefits.

Half the Sky: Diane Lane on Somaliland's Edna Adan Maternity

2m 54s / TV-PG

Diane Lane reflects on her experiences filming in Somaliland, where she got a first-hand look at the challenges and solutions surrounding maternal mortality at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital.

Half the Sky: Treating Fistulas at Edna Adan Hospital

5m 53s / TV-PG

Worldwide, two million women are living with fistulas. Every year there are 100,000 new cases. Only 14,000 cases are treated annually. In Somaliland women have an estimated 1 in 50 lifetime chance of developing a fistula during childbirth. When funds allow, the Edna Adan Hospital treats fistulas for free and this is the story of Fadumo Ibrahimo Juisaw who has come to be treated.

Half the Sky: Gabrielle Union Reflects on Her Experiences in

7m 48s / TV-PG

Gabrielle Union talks about her time in Vietnam and the many experiences she had. Gabrielle shares her experiences celebrating her birthday in Vietnam, learning about skin whitening and the value of education. Through her experiences, she has a newfound appreciation for her life in America.

Half the Sky: Intergenerational Prostitution in India

10m 44s / TV-PG

This educational module adapted from the documentary series Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide follows journalist Nicholas Kristof and actress America Ferrara as they investigate intergenerational prostitution in India, and meet change maker Urmi Basu.

Half the Sky: WomenĺäĄ_s Economic Empowerment in Kenya

10m 41s / TV-PG

This educational module adapted from the documentary series Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide follows journalist Nicholas Kristof and actress Diane Lane as they meet women who have experienced the impact and challenges of microfinance in Kenya.

Half the Sky: America Ferrera's Diary Cam Insights on India

5m 1s / TV-PG

Follow America Ferrera along as she narrates her time in India through a diary cam. Ferrera talks about meeting the young girls who work with Urmi Basu to break the cycle of forced prostitution. Watch as Ferrera makes chapati with the girls and even learns to sew with some of the mothers.

Half the Sky: Room to Read Gives Away Its Ten Millionth Book

5m 49s / TV-PG

John Wood, founder of Room to Read, gives away the 10 millionth book in Vietnam. The first time Room to Read gave away books, it was 3,000 to a school in Nepal, now the organization has grown to help over 6 million children worldwide.

Half the Sky: Seeking the Truth About Female Genital Cutting

4m 2s / TV-PG

Nicholas Kristof confronts Miriam and Farhiya in a clinic in Somaliland. The two women are traditional birth attendants and also perform female genital mutilation. However, they tell Kristof that this is a practice they have stopped doing three pears prior. Kristof investigates to find out the truth behind these claims.

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