Bike Vessel

Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

Watch Latest: S26 E13

1h 24m

Chuck Norris vs. Communism: Underground Movie Screening

2m 58s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Chuck Norris vs. Communism, a Romanian citizen who lived through the repressive '80s remembers how he managed to smuggle in a video player (which cost as much as a car) and host word-of-mouth underground screenings of American films in his apartment. Dramatic recreations bring it all to life.

Chuck Norris vs. Communism: Keeping Romania In Ignorance

1m 6s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Chuck Norris vs Communism, Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceau?escu limits television to a single, government-run channel, which only broadcasts two hours a day. As one Romanian puts it: denying 20 million people access to information was a way to "keep a whole country in ignorance for years."

Chuck Norris vs. Communism - Trailer

30s

1980s Romania: thousands of American movies were smuggled through the Iron Curtain, opening a window into the free world. A black market racketeer and a courageous female translator brought the magic of film to the people, and helped spark a revolution.

East of Salinas: An Unexpected Christmas Gift

2m 44s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary East of Salinas, Jose's teacher Oscar pools resources with other successful people from migrant families to wrap Christmas gifts they generously collect for needy Salinas families. When Oscar goes to Jose's home to give away gifts, he has a big surprise in store for his young pupil.

East of Salinas: Jose Does His Homework

1m 12s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary East of Salinas, third-grader Jose, who is an expert at math, finishes his homework before he can do anything else for the evening. His grades are important to him because he desperately wants to make the fourth grade so he can go on a promised field trip to the beach, where he's never been.

East of Salinas: Leaving Home to Find Work in Yuma

2m 28s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary East of Salinas, Jose's stepfather Jaime prepares to travel to Yuma, Arizona, a 12-hour drive from Salinas, to find seasonal work in the fields. He must follow the farm jobs, even if it means leaving his family for a place many migrants fear: the U.S.-Mexico border.

East of Salinas - Trailer

30s

Born in Mexico but living in Salinas, California, 3rd-grader Jose loves school. With little support at home, he turns to his teacher, Oscar Ramos, who like Jose was born the son of migrant farm workers, and who inspires him to imagine a life beyond the fields.

Mimi and Dona: The Lord's Prayer

2m 31s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Mimi and Dona, the 92-year-old Mimi and her daughter share a tender moment as they awkwardly try to get through the Lord’s Prayer before bed on the night before Dona is supposed to move out. They don’t quite have the prayer down, but they finish it nonetheless.

Mimi and Dona: "You Cannot Care for Dona Anymore"

2m 53s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Mimi and Dona, all seems to go relatively smoothly as Dona moves into an assisted living facility until it’s time to say goodbye for the day.

Mimi and Dona: My Aunt Dona

2m 34s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Mimi and Dona, we first meet the titular mother and daughter (who has an intellectual disability), in the Dallas home they have shared for Dona’s entire life. They watch Wheel of Fortune together, get their hair done, and keep their simple life simple. But nothing lasts forever.

Mimi and Dona - Trailer

30s

What happens when love runs out of time? For 92-year-old Mimi, who has spent much of her life caring for 64-year-old Dona, her daughter with an intellectual disability, it means facing the inevitable — the likelihood that she will not outlive her daughter and the need to find her a new home.

India’s Daughter - Trailer

30s

The story of the brutal gang rape and murder in Delhi of 23-year-old medical student Jyoti Singh, which sparked outrage and protests in India, a country beset by extreme poverty and gender inequality.

India's Daughter: ĺäĄ_No Fear, No Shame, No RemorseĺäĄĺ

1m 40s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary India’s Daughter, one of the men who raped and murdered Jyoti Singh explains his view of a woman’s place in the world; meanwhile, Jyoti’s parents remember their daughter and the shocking lack of remorse from her killers.

India's Daughter: ĺäĄ_To Teach Them a LessonĺäĄĺ

1m 30s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary India’s Daughter, those closest to Jyoti Singh’s case — from her parents to Leila Smith (former Chief Justice and member of Rape Review Committee in India) to one of the perpetrators and his defense lawyer — discuss their perspectives on the brutal act of violence that took Jyoti’s life. [Warning: Contains graphic description.]

Stray Dog: Find Your Way Back

2m 26s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Stray Dog, Ron “Stray Dog” Hall and other veterans visit the home of a grieving woman whose daughter was a casualty of war in Iraq. “Do you ever find your way back?” she asks them. They pray together, and do what they can to help her find peace and hope again.

Stray Dog - Trailer

30s

From the director of the Oscar-nominated Winter’s Bone comes this portrait of a motorcycle-riding Vietnam veteran. There’s much more to Ron “Stray Dog” Hall than meets the eye; behind the tattoos and leather vest is a man dedicated to helping his fellow vets and immigrant family as he also comes to terms with his combat experience.

Coming to Independent Lens in 2015/16

1m

This season Independent Lens presents a new group of award-winning films that will thrust viewers into the heart of conversations tackling everything from faith to family, gun violence to race relations, and elder care to young love. The Emmy-winning Independent Lens airs Monday nights at 10/9c (check local listings).

What Is Indie Lens Pop-Up?

30s

Indie Lens Pop-Up is a neighborhood series that brings people together for film screenings and community-driven conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS's Independent Lens, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders and organizations to discuss what matters most, from newsworthy topics, to family and relationships. Make friends, share stories, and join the conversation.

Stray Dog: Meat and Potatoes

54s

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Stray Dog, Ron’s teenage Mexican stepsons join their mother and stepfather for a real American meat and potatoes dinner, and resist the urge to add salsa to flavor it.

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