Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 25m / TV-14

Pushing the Elephant: Together at Last

2m 42s / TV-PG

When civil war came to Rose's Congolese village, she was separated from her five-year-old daughter, Nangabire. Rose Mapendo managed to escape with nine of her 10 children and was eventually resettled in Phoenix, Arizona. More than a decade later, mother and daughter are reunited in the U.S. where they must come to terms with the past and build a new future.

Wangari Maathai Sees the Forest for the Trees

3m 4s / TV-PG

How does the simple act of planting trees lead to winning the Nobel Peace Prize? Ask Wangari Maathai of Kenya. In 1977, she suggested rural women plant trees to address problems stemming from a degraded environment. Under her leadership, their tree-planting grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment and to promote democracy, earning Maathai the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Celebrate the Power of Sisterhood

44s

There has never been a better time to shine a light on stories of women creating change around the world. Around the globe courageous and powerful women are standing up and speaking out for equality and justice, and making profound changes in their communities and the world at large. Please join Independent Lens for a groundbreaking series of films about the power of sisterhood.

Me Facing Life: Prison Reflections

2m 34s / 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: Where Was I?

1m 43s / 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: Pretrial Interview

3m 9s / 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: 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.

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