Bike Vessel

Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

Watch Latest: S26 E14

1h 24m / TV-PG

The House I Live In: Does the War on Drugs Target Minorities

1m 8s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, The House I Live In, filmmaker Eugene Jarecki observes that while documenting the steps that so many Americans take through the world of the Drug War, he couldn't help but notice that at every stage, Black Americans were disproportionately represented.

The House I Live In: Do Limited Options Make Drugs Seem Like

1m 29s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, The House I Live In, David Simon, the creator of The Wire, and other experts on the War on Drugs describe how drugs may offer the only opportunities for those living in communities with extremely limited economic opportunities.

The House I Live In Takes a Hard Look at The War on Drugs

2m 17s / TV-PG

From director Eugene Jarecki (Why We Fight) comes an unflinching look at how the War on Drugs has disproportionately disenfranchised, incarcerated, and impoverished African Americans.

The House I Live In: A Law and Order Man Shares His Doubts a

1m 30s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, The House I Live In, prison guard Mike Carpenter speaks candidly about how the severity of America's drug laws may actually be making it harder for law enforcement to tackle the problem effectively.

The House I Live In: The Wire's David Simon on the Downside

3m 22s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, The House I Live In, David Simon, the creator of The Wire, describes how the strategies behind the War on Drugs have actually destroyed law enforcement's power of deterrance and increased cynicism among enforcement agents and citizens alike.

Waiting for the Revolution: Fight for WorkersĺäĄ_ Rights

6m 46s

This educational module from the film Waiting for the Revolution, part of the Women's Empowerment Curriculum, investigates the dilemma of whether community organizers should work within the system or outside of the system to bring about social change.

Shadya: Muslim Feminism

9m 3s

This educational module from the Women's Empowerment Curriculum explores the ways in which Muslim girls and women have made strides in asserting their rights. Muslim women face many of the same struggles and challenges as women all over the world. In addition, there are specific issues these women face as Muslims within their families, communities and religion.

Shadya: An Israeli ArabĺäĄ_s Experience

7m 23s

This educational module from the Women's Empowerment Curriculum investigates Arab citizens of Israel as a group, and how the film Shadya draws attention to a population rarely exposed in the media.

Shayfeen.com: Digital Activism

7m 21s

This educational module from the Women's Empowerment Curriculum analyzes how digital media tools work in less developed nations or areas where media access is limited. Evaluate the savvy, resources, skills and support needed to develop effective media outreach.

Waiting for the Revolution: BoliviaĺäĄ_s Indigenous Worker

9m 4s

This educational module from the film Waiting for the Revolution, part of the Women's Empowerment Curriculum, investigates the concepts of unemployment, unions and worker’s rights as universal human rights.

Kenya & Wangari Maathai: Taking Root

7m 47s

This educational module from the Women's Empowerment Curriculum examines how Kenya’s history as a colonized nation has contributed to their challenges with deforestation. Identify how this environmental degradation is related to other social, political and economic problems that affect the country’s marginalized citizens.

Taking Root: The Greenbelt Movement

7m 44s

This educational module from the Women's Empowerment Curriculum examines the community organizing/civic action steps that the Green Belt Movement took to address Kenya’s deforestation and investigates the strategies that other “change makers” and organizations use to address specific issues.

Artist and Activist Ai Weiwei's Muse is His Conscience

2m 24s / TV-PG

Ai Weiwei is arguably the most internationally celebrated Chinese artist of the modern era. But at heart, he is a troublemaker who challenges the government with rebellious and irreverent gestures. This has often cost him his freedom, but he never seems to lose his childlike approach to serious dissidence.

Never Sorry: Ai Weiwei Weaves Red Tape into Art

2m 1s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens film, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, we see Ai and his lawyers encountering resistance from authorities as he attempts to file a lawsuit for his earlier treatment by police. While he succeeds in filing the complaint, it's clear that seeking justice in China can be a Kafkaesque ordeal.

Sen. Tim Kaine Introduces the Created Equal Project

2m 24s

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduces the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Created Equal Project. The initiative showcases powerful NEH-funded films, including The Abolitionists, Freedom Riders, and The Loving Story — films that provide a deeper understanding of African American history and the American story.

The Powerbroker: Young Took the Struggle from the Streets to

2m 14s / TV-PG

In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary, The Powerbroker, we see how Whitney Young, Jr. established himself in the business world before moving on to become a leader in the civil rights movement.

Spotlight on Civil Rights Leader Whitney Young, Jr.

1m 51s / TV-PG

Whitney M. Young, Jr. was one of the most celebrated - and controversial - leaders of the civil rights era. Unique among black leaders, he took the fight directly to the powerful white elite, gaining allies in business and government, including three presidents.

The Powerbroker: Alfre Woodard on Whitney Young's Fight for

53s

Actress Alfre Woodard narrated the upcoming Independent Lens film, The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights. In this short interview, she discusses the pivotal role played by the civil rights movement’s inside man as he navigated a society divided by war, race, and poverty.

Fallen City: Sundance Premiere

2m 4s

Filmmaker Qi Zhao reflects on the premiere of his film "Fallen City" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary zooms in on the family lives of three survivors, who are marked by painful memories and deep sadness from China's 2008 Sichuan Earthquake.

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