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Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

Watch Latest: S26 E15

1h 22m / TV-14

The State of Arizona: Sheriff Joe Debates Journalist During

2m 15s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary The State of Arizona, controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks to reporters during a raid of a fast food restaurant checking for illegal immigrants, where he’s challenged by a journalist about the operation. Meanwhile, patrons debate whether or not illegal immigrants should be allowed to work there.

The State of Arizona - See the Preview

29s / TV-PG

This topical documentary captures the explosive emotions and complex realities behind Arizona’s headline-grabbing struggle with illegal immigration. Tracking the year after Arizona passes SB1070, its controversial “papers please” law, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue and depicts a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values.

The State of Arizona: A Wall Goes Up

/ TV-PG

In this video extra from the Independent Lens documentary The State of Arizona, Rudy Peña, a fifth generation of Mexican descent, reflects on a surprising divide within the Latino community. He talks about his family history and how he feels ostracized by newer Mexican immigrants because he doesn’t speak Spanish and doesn’t feel the way they do.

Blood Brother: Rocky Returns to India

2m 54s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Blood Brother, Rocky Braat describes his first encounter with the unforgettable HIV-positive kids he met in India, what they called him in their native tongue, and how he found it so hard to shake them that he had to return to India to see them again.

Coming Soon to Independent Lens: Blood Brother

30s / TV-PG

An intimate portrait of Rocky Braat, who traveled to India as a disillusioned tourist. When he met a group of children with HIV living at an AIDS hostel, a place of unspeakable hardship, he decided to stay and devote his life to them.

Blood Brother: Rocky Visits with Pizza and Books

1m 8s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Blood Brother, Rocky goes to visit one of the girls in the hospital, where she’s been for a few days, plus he brings pizza to the kids, and reads a story in English with them.

Coming Soon to Independent Lens: At Berkeley

1m 19s / TV-PG

Legendary documentarian Frederick Wiseman goes back to school for this wide-ranging film about the University of California at Berkeley, the oldest and most prestigious member of a ten campus public education system.

At Berkeley: Fred Wiseman and Why He Went Back to School

/ TV-PG

Alongside scenes and images from the Independent Lens documentary At Berkeley, filmmaker Frederick Wiseman talks about why he wanted to do a film about “the extraordinarily complicated place” that is the University of California, Berkeley, which fits well into his institutional series, as well as about the unprecedented access he was given, and why showing it on public television is so important.

Oscar-nominated How to Survive a Plague Coming in December

29s / TV-PG

How to Survive a Plague is the story of two coalitions — ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) — made up of self-made activists, many of them HIV-positive, who challenged the pharmaceutical industry, then helped it to identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.

Coming to Independent Lens: How to Survive a Plague

2m 15s / TV-PG

How to Survive a Plague is the story of two coalitions — ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) — made up of self-made activists, many of them HIV-positive, who challenged the pharmaceutical industry, then helped it to identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Making a Sushi Restaurant Special

1m 59s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a renowned Japanese food critic discusses the most important attributes needed to make a sushi restaurant special, and how master chef Jiro Ono has them all.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: The Challenges of Making Shrimp and Oc

4m 21s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Master Chef Jiro Ono reflects back on his own history with sushi, dating back to post WWII, how the art of making sushi invaded his dreams, and the evolution of technique in preparing more challenging food items like shrimp and octopus.

Seasons Greetings from Jiro & Independent Lens

29s / TV-PG

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, owner and meticulous chef of a tiny Tokyo sushi restaurant. Despite humble appearances, it’s the first of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin review, and sushi lovers around the world call months in advance for a reservation. The film is an elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection.

See the Preview for Jiro Dreams of Sushi

29s / TV-PG

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, owner and meticulous chef of a tiny Tokyo sushi restaurant. Despite humble appearances, it’s the first of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin review, and sushi lovers around the world call months in advance for a reservation. The film is an elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection.

Meet Four California Sushi Masters

2m 20s

Join Independent Lens on a mouthwatering tour of some of the greatest sushi restaurants San Francisco has to offer. Craving more? Satiate your appetite when Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the story of one of the world's greatest sushi chefs, premieres December 23, 2013 on PBS’s Independent Lens.

Coming to Independent Lens: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

1m 58s / TV-PG

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, owner and meticulous chef of a tiny Tokyo sushi restaurant. Despite humble appearances, it’s the first of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin review, and sushi lovers around the world call months in advance for a reservation. The film is an elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: The Secret to Success

2m 23s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, master chef Jiro Ono discusses the secrets to his success and lifetime dedication to his craft, while a renowned Japanese food critic talks about what makes Jiro’s restaurant stand apart from all the rest — especially its “minimalist, simple” sushi.

Playwright: Why Does Theater Still Matter?

1m 14s / TV-PG

In this opening excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Playwright: From Page to Stage, these questions are posed: In a world where there are so many other options for entertainment, why do people still choose theater? Why does theater matter? And while supporting new plays is especially important, why does Broadway seem less and less interested in them?

Playwright: From Page to Stage: "Replacing the Lead Characte

3m 21s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Playwright: From Page to Stage, we learn more about why they felt they had to switch lead actor in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo when they play moved from Los Angeles to Broadway, and what brought them to cast Robin Williams. Williams himself chimes in about being the “new kid.”

Playwright: Turning Robin Williams into a Dead Tiger

3m 3s / TV-PG

In this video extra from the Independent Lens documentary Playwright: From Page to Stage, go behind the scenes as Robin Williams rehearses for the titular role in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo for the play’s Broadway run. We hear why Williams “fit the part so beautifully” and watch the comic actor prepare with director Moises Kaufman and writer Rajiv Joseph. Includes snippets from the live play.

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