Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 25m / TV-14

Daisy Bates: Media Tactics

15m 57s / TV-PG

This educational module allows students to consider the media’s role during the desegregation of Central High School and the consequences of media coverage on those involved. They will identify Daisy Bates’s media strategies and analyze the ways in which race and gender shaped the media’s portrayal of her. Part of the Women and Girls Lead, Volume 2: African-American Women Lead curriculum.

When I Walk: Sundance Premiere

2m 42s

Filmmaker Jason DaSilva reflects on the premiere of his film When I Walk at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary chronicles the slow, physical decline of the filmmaker as he struggles with multiple sclerosis.

Sundance 2013: Film Fest Schmoozing in 5 Steps

1m 48s / TV-PG

5 simple steps to the art of schmoozing at film festivals as demonstrated by Steve Goldbloom at Sundance 2013 (extra credit for those who can spot Chris Noth). Produced by Steve Goldbloom (@steveeegeee) and Noah Pink (@noahpink).

Witness a Texas Showdown Over Teaching Standards

2m 5s / TV-PG

Once every decade, the highly politicized Texas State Board of Education rewrites the teaching and textbook standards for its nearly five million schoolchildren. When an unabashed creationist seeks re-election as chairman, the theory of evolution and U.S. history are caught in the crosshairs, which could impact the classroom curricula not only of Texas, but also of the nation as a whole.

The Revisionaries: The Texas Dentist Who Moonlights as a Cul

1m 32s / TV-PG

Don McLeroy, a dentist, Sunday school teacher, and avowed young-earth creationist, leads the Religious Right charge. McLeroy was elected to the Texas State Board of Education and later appointed chairman. During his time on the board, McLeroy has overseen the adoption of new curriculum standards, drawing national attention and placing Texas on the front line of the so-called “culture wars.”

Bhutto: Democracy in Pakistan

6m 59s / TV-PG

This educational film module adapted from the Independent Lens documentary Bhutto shows how relations between the United States and Pakistan, and tensions between Pakistan and India, have shaped the politics of all three countries; discuss factors in the life of Benazir Bhutto that shaped her political philosophy and career; and her commitment to democracy in Pakistan.

Waste Land: Art and Transformation

8m 7s / TV-PG

This educational film module introduces Jardim Gramacho - the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - and some of the people who work there. The module raises questions around the power of art to change lives, and the social responsibility of the artist.

Waste Land: Pictures of Garbage

3m 52s / TV-PG

This brief film module introduces Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, and his project "Pictures of Garbage," which inspired the documentary Wasteland. The module explores how Muniz initially conceived of the project of creating large scale portraits of garbage pickers made from garbage they collected from the world's largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Waste Land: Human Dignity

9m 32s / TV-PG

This educational film module portrays the lives of two women working as garbage pickers in the world's largest landfill, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Magna and Suleima. Both participate in Vik Muniz's art project "Pictures of Garbage," which helps the women deepen their sense of self worth, and find greater respect from their community.

New Frontier: Sparking Innovation at Sundance

1m 41s

New Frontier is a social and creative space at the Sundance Film Festival that showcases media installations, multimedia performances, transmedia experiences, panel discussions, and more. Shari Frilot, senior programmer of the festival and the New Frontier, explains why the exhibits are a natural fit for Sundance and filmmakers.

Pushing the Elephant: Reunion

6m 56s / TV-PG

This film module shows Congolese refugee Rose Mapendo's reunion with her daughter Nangabire, who was separated from the rest of the family 10 years prior to their arrival to the U.S. Rose and her 10 children recount their imprisonment and the murder of Rose's husband in the DRC. Meanwhile, Nangabire prepares for an emotional reunion with her family.

Pushing the Elephant: Rose Tells Her Story

9m 47s / TV-PG

This film module portrays Congolese refugee Rose Mapendo's activism on the behalf of women and refugees. We see her gradually find her voice and share her story publicly to raise awareness about rape as a weapon of war, and the need to support refugees as they rebuild their lives. It also shows her return to the DRC to meet with women there and discuss strategies for their empowerment.

Lois Vossen on Curation at Sundance

3m 29s

Independent Lens founding series producer, Lois Vossen, offers advice on how to survive the landmark festival in Park City, and talks about some of the recent PBS hits that got their start at Sundance. A longtime Sundance Veteran, Vossen winds up seeing up to five films a day as she scours the town for new talent in documentary film.

Pushing the Elephant: First Day of School

5m 45s / TV-PG

This film module follows Congolese refugee Nangabire on her first day of school in the U.S. We see her sense of isolation in a new environment, where she can't speak the language and doesn't know the culture. In a conversation with her mother, she also reveals her side of the story of being separated from her mother and siblings for the past 10 years after they left the DRC as refugees.

From Sundance to Oscar: Profile of Filmmaker David France

2m 23s / TV-PG

This time last year, journalist David France was receiving lots of credit for his documentary “How To Survive A Plague.” One year later, the first time filmmaker is back at Sundance as an Academy Award nominated director.

God Loves Uganda: Sundance Premiere

3m 8s

Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams reflects on the premiere of his film "God Loves Uganda" which played January, 18 at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary is a powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to change African culture with values imported from America's Christian Right.

Outlawed in Pakistan: Sundance Premiere

2m 35s / TV-PG

Filmmakers Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann reflect on the premiere of their film "Outlawed in Pakistan" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary follows the story of a Pakistani teenager, who accuses four men from her village of gang-raping her and then faces a deeply flawed criminal-justice system, when she takes her case to the Pakistani courts.

The Boys of “American Promise”

2m 52s

A day in the life with the subjects of the documentary American Promise. Best friends Idris Brewster and Oluwaseun (Seun) Summers reflect on their first trip to Sundance, days before the premiere of their feature documentary.

Bhutto: First Woman Leader of a Muslim Nation

6m 59s / TV-PG

This educational film module from Bhutto traces the rise of Benazir Bhutto to power. Review the status of women in Pakistan, the influences of Islam and the military on Pakistani politics, and Bhutto's personal life. The module raises the question: was Bhutto a feminist or pragmatist when reconciling her position on women’s rights with conservative Islamic elements in power in Pakistan?

Bhutto: The History of Pakistan

7m 43s / TV-PG

This educational film module, adapted from the Independent Lens film Bhutto, shows a brief montage of the pivotal moments in Pakistan’s birth as a nation, and the critical economic, political and social issues that the country faces. The module supports curricula developed to understand Benazir Bhutto's legacy as the first female leader of a Muslim nation.

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