Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 7 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 16m / TV-PG

Me Facing Life: They All Wanted Admiration

3m / TV-PG

In 2004, Cyntoia Brown was arrested for murder. There was no question that a 43-year-old man is dead and that she killed him. What mystified filmmaker Daniel Birman was just how common violence among youth is, and just how rarely we stop to question our assumptions about it. He wondered in this case what led a girl -- who grew-up in a reasonable home environment -- to this tragic end?

Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story - Promo

28s / TV-PG

In 2004, Cyntoia Brown was arrested for murder. There was no question that a 43-year-old man is dead and that she killed him. What mystified filmmaker Daniel Birman was just how common violence among youth is, and just how rarely we stop to question our assumptions about it. He wondered in this case what led a girl -- who grew-up in a reasonable home environment -- to this tragic end?

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within: "Godfather of Punk"

1m 28s / TV-PG

An iconoclast who himself became an icon, William Burroughs explored the outer boundaries of culture and identity in the 1950s. His work was vilified by conservatives and banned by the U.S. government, but emerged to influence artists for generations to come. Burroughs's friends and colleagues remember the public persona and the private man.

William S. Burroughs - Promo

28s / TV-PG

An iconoclast who himself became an icon, William Burroughs explored the outer boundaries of culture and identity in the 1950s. His work was vilified by conservatives and banned by the U.S. government, but emerged to influence artists for generations to come. Burroughs's friends and colleagues remember the public persona and the private man.

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within: "Always Keep It Loaded"

2m 3s / TV-PG

An iconoclast who himself became an icon, William Burroughs explored the outer boundaries of culture and identity in the 1950s. His work was vilified by conservatives and banned by the U.S. government, but emerged to influence artists for generations to come. Burroughs's friends and colleagues remember the public persona and the private man.

William S. Burroughs: Shotgun Art

1m 35s / TV-PG

An iconoclast who himself became an icon, William Burroughs explored the outer boundaries of culture and identity in the 1950s. His work was vilified by conservatives and banned by the U.S. government, but emerged to influence artists for generations to come. Burroughs's friends and colleagues remember the public persona and the private man.

The Life and Times of America's First Shock Jock

31s / TV-PG

February 15, 2011 - Encore presentation - Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene. He gave voice to the unheard - speaking truth to power on his raw and uncensored TV and radio programs. His explosive language and brash style shocked the world as he battled both the system and his own demons on a journey to becoming a leading activist during tumultuous times.

When I Rise: Interview With Robert Mims

4m 37s / TV-PG

In 1957, Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student found herself at the epicenter of racial controversy, struggling against the odds and ultimately ascending to the heights of international opera.

When I Rise: Conrad Interview

2m 5s / TV-PG

In 1957, Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student found herself at the epicenter of racial controversy, struggling against the odds and ultimately ascending to the heights of international opera.

When I Rise: A Musical Legacy

4m 13s / TV-PG

In 1957, Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student found herself at the epicenter of racial controversy, struggling against the odds and ultimately ascending to the heights of international opera.

When I Rise: I Felt So Betrayed

4m 51s / TV-Y

In 1957, Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student found herself at the epicenter of racial controversy, struggling against the odds and ultimately ascending to the heights of international opera.

When I Rise - Promo

27s / TV-PG

In 1957, Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student found herself at the epicenter of racial controversy, struggling against the odds and ultimately ascending to the heights of international opera.

For Once in My Life: After the Big Performance

2m 34s / TV-PG

Made up of 29 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band is a raucous home away from home where members are free to display their talent, humor, and tenacity. Every member of the Spirit of Goodwill band copes with incredible challenges and obstacles, but nothing holds them back when it's time to rock the house.

For Once in My Life: Nancy

3m 6s / TV-PG

Made up of 29 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band is a raucous home away from home where members are free to display their talent, humor, and tenacity. Every member of the Spirit of Goodwill band copes with incredible challenges and obstacles, but nothing holds them back when it's time to rock the house.

For Once in My Life - Trailer

28s / TV-PG

Made up of 29 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band is a raucous home away from home where members are free to display their talent, humor, and tenacity. Every member of the Spirit of Goodwill band copes with incredible challenges and obstacles, but nothing holds them back when it's time to rock the house.

For Once in My Life: The Band

1m 36s / TV-PG

Made up of 29 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band is a raucous home away from home where members are free to display their talent, humor, and tenacity. Every member of the Spirit of Goodwill band copes with incredible challenges and obstacles, but nothing holds them back when it's time to rock the house.

For Once in My Life: Melissa's Mother

2m 24s / TV-PG

Made up of 29 musicians and singers who all have severe mental and physical disabilities, the Spirit of Goodwill Band is a raucous home away from home where members are free to display their talent, humor, and tenacity. Every member of the Spirit of Goodwill band copes with incredible challenges and obstacles, but nothing holds them back when it's time to rock the house.

Herb & Dorothy: The Art of Collecting

4m 11s / TV-PG

He was a postal clerk. She was a librarian. With modest means, this couple managed to build one of the most important modern art collections in history. Meet Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, whose shared passion and commitment defied stereotypes and redefined what it means to be an art collector.

Herb & Dorothy - Trailer

2m 33s / TV-PG

He was a postal clerk. She was a librarian. With modest means, this couple managed to build one of the most important modern art collections in history. Meet Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, whose shared passion and commitment defied stereotypes and redefined what it means to be an art collector.

Between the Folds: Reinterpreting the World in Paper

2m 34s / TV-PG

Think origami is just paper planes and cranes? Meet a determined group of theoretical scientists and fine artists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at graduate degrees to forge new lives as modern-day paper folders. Together they reinterpret the world in paper, creating a wild mix of sensibilities towards art, science, creativity and meaning.

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