Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 25m / TV-14

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.

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.

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.

Coming to Independent Lens - Playwright: From Page to Stage

30s / TV-PG

The lives of two outstanding young playwrights — one, an African American from Miami’s inner city; the other, an Indian American from Cleveland — are brought together inextricably in the process of creating a new language for the stage.

Playwright: From Page to Stage: "On Being a Playwright"

2m 5s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Playwright: From Page to Stage, writers Rajiv Joseph and Tarell McCraney talk about what it means to be a playwright — both the joy and the pain of working in the theater — in this clip that also features scenes from Joseph’s play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, starring Robin Williams.

Young Lakota: The Difficult Decision

2m 1s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Young Lakota, Sunny Clifford describes the difficult decision she faces: whether to remain on the Pine Ridge Reservation to help improve tribal conditions or to leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Young Lakota: A Bittersweet Farewell to the Pine Ridge Reser

5m 15s / TV-PG

In this video companion piece to the Independent Lens documentary, Young Lakota, Sunny Clifford says goodbye to her employer at the grocery store and to her twin sister, Serena, as she prepares to go away to college in England.

Young Lakota: South Dakota Law Impact Oglala Lakota Tribal P

1m 48s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Young Lakota, Sunny Clifford sits with Cecelia Fire Thunder, the first female president of her tribe, during a newspaper interview about the controversy surrounding her decision to open an abortion clinic on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Coming to Independent Lens: Young Lakota

30s / TV-PG

Three young people living in the Pine Ridge Reservation try to forge a better future. When the first female President of Oglala Lakota defies a South Dakota law criminalizing abortion by vowing to build a women’s clinic in their sovereign territory, the three young tribe members are faced with difficult choices.

Coming Soon to Independent Lens: Indian Relay

30s / TV-PG

Indian Relay documents an unheralded aspect of modern-day Native American life and what it takes to win one of the more exciting forms of horse racing. From the bitter cold of winter to the heat of summer, the film follows teams from three different tribes as they compete across a grueling season.

Indian Relay: Moments of Reflection Before the Races

3m 6s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Indian Relay, we witness some of the quieter moments between races, when racers and managers have time to reflect on the challenges ahead.

Indian Relay: Fierce Competition and Strong Bonds

3m 57s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, Indian Relay, the competition intensifies as "the big races" begin. However, competitors still maintain respect for one another, especially as, in some cases, they may actually be family members.

The Graduates: Gang Prevention

18m 53s / TV-PG

Eduardo Corona followed his siblings down the path of joining gangs. His life changed when he joined Reality Changers, an organization helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds become first generation college students. Eduardo brought up his grade point average and went on to college. Now a Reality Changers counselor, he’s a role model helping others like himself turn their lives around.

The Graduates: Undocumented Students

16m 36s / TV-PG

Gustavo Madrigal started school in the U.S. in 5th grade after coming from Mexico with undocumented parents. They set high standards, but his undocumented status presented barriers to attending college. After graduation he worked for a time, then became an activist for the DREAM Act and began attending classes at Freedom University, which offers courses to help students prepare for college.

The Graduates: Bullying

17m 10s / TV-PG

Juan Bernabe came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic with his mother at age 11. When he was 14, he came out as gay and was subject to bullying by peers. Feeling isolated and afraid to confide in his mother, Juan was on the verge of dropping out. The performing arts program at Lawrence (Mass.) High School kept him in school and helped him gain confidence about his identity.

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