Social & External
The people behind it
Patrick Winczewski
Sprecher
A documentary produced in 1979 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Albert Einstein. Narrated and hosted by Peter Ustinov and written by Nigel Calder.
Structural study of a tree. Light, water and air coax it out of the soil in a manner foregrounding time’s relativity to different forms of life on Earth. Made the day my brother got his fork-lift license.
An educational physics film utilizing a fascinating set consisting of a rotating table and furniture occupying surprisingly unpredictable spots within the viewing area, Leacock’s Frames of Reference (1960), features fine cinematography by Abraham Morochnik, and funny narration by University of Toronto professors Donald Ivey and Patterson Hume, in a wonderful example of the fun a creative team of filmmakers can have with a subject other, less imaginative types might find pedestrian.
Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has revolutionised our understanding of gravity, space and time. Initially acclaimed, then forgotten, and now rediscovered, the adventure of this hundred-year-old theory has marked the scientific history of the 20th century. From its inception, a mathematical difficulty arose that could have nipped the theory in the bud: the Schwarzschild singularity. In the company of great international relativistic physicists, the viewer embarks on a discovery of this theory with a singular destiny. We discover a "curved" universe that proves to be even stranger than Einstein had envisioned, and harbours some objects - such as black holes - that still challenge today's scientists.
Prof. Jim Al-Khalili tackles the biggest subject of all, the universe. Through a series of critical observations and experiments that revolutionised our understanding of our world Jim guides us through the greatest cosmic detective story of all. He takes us from the beginning of the universe to the end time and answers the question: where did the universe come from and how will it end?
"The Observer's Testimony" is an intense psychological video art piece fundamentally based on Slavoj Žižek's philosophical concept of Parallax. The work utilizes a split-screen format to simultaneously present the transformation of the same clay bust into two contradictory psychological realities: The Left Screen depicts the Hunter's (The Accuser's) hardening into a cold judgment and moral decay, conceptually justified by Murat Kaplan's facial analysis; while the Right Screen reflects the Victim's (The Innocent's) dissolution into helplessness, fear, and ultimate surrender. This organic yet unnatural transformation of the busts places the viewer in the irreducible gap between two contradictory testimonies. The core goal of the work is to demonstrate the impossibility of objective truth by proving that reality is entirely dependent on the observer's subjective point of view.
Four 1950s icons meet in the same hotel room, and two of them discover more in common between them than they ever anticipated.
A documentary of Varala, a physical education institute for women in Tampere, Finland. Filmed in the summer of 1947.
8000: An Art Odyssey (Anssi Kasitonnin maailma) is a documentary about the Finnish Ars Fennica awarded artist Anssi 8000. Anssi does everything his own way, and preferably with his own hands. The films follows Anssi as he prepares for the biggest exhibition of his life at Kunsthalle Helsinki, films a French short film with dreams of an Oscar award and develops a skate toy with a company based in Hong Kong. It is a warm and humorous story about passion, creativity – and how sometimes, doing things the wrong way is the right way.
English pop punk band Senseless Things formed in 1986 London; they released four studio albums and achieved two UK Top 20 hit singles before splitting up in 1995. They reformed in 2017 to play several gigs including Shepherd's Bush Empire. While the audio from the night was recorded, the concert itself was never officially filmed. However, much was captured by fans on mobile phones and handheld cameras, which has now been deftly and impressively sewn together to form a seamless film. The record of that night has been lovingly interspersed with historical and never-seen-before personal footage owned by band.
Ratty: The Downfall of NYC Rats, is an observational documentary giving a voice to the intriguing yet terrifying furry rodents of New York City. Ratty uses street interviews, archival footage, and interviews with organizations such as SenesTech, Positive Pest Management, and PETA to answer the question: How are we alleviating the problem? Does the solution lie in the hands of the people, or City Hall and Sanitation? The whimsical caricature of a Brooklyn rat, played by El Gabriel Gomez, provides a lighthearted transition between interviews. Will the launch of rat birth control be the solution, or another attempt at control that will fail?
Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winning and Oscar®-nominated global icon Mary J. Blige makes history with her first-ever headlining show at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City, and fans worldwide can now experience this milestone moment together on the big screen. The sold-out Madison Square Garden show is the coveted hometown stop on Blige’s highly acclaimed For My Fans tour, a deeply personal series of performances dedicated to the supporters who have been with her since the beginning. The tour, which has captivated audiences in cities across the country, features a career-spanning setlist, intimate storytelling, and surprise guest appearances. Performing hits from her extensive catalog—including classics like "Be Without You", "Family Affair", and "No More Drama"—as well as songs from her latest album, the show is a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and artistry.
In a world where traditions are fading, A Place in the Ring follows the deeply personal journey of Katja Schumann, a circus artist and horse trainer, as she faces the end of her legacy. Raised in a prestigious european circus dynasty, Katja has dedicated her life to the art of horse performance, an intricate craft passed down through generations. Now, as her world changes and her children have rejected the circus, she is confronted with the ultimate question: How do you pass on a life’s work when there’s no one left to inherit it? As Katja retreats to her farm in rural Denmark, a young girl named Liv moves in, eager to learn the ways of the circus—but Liv wasn't born into this world. Katja must confront her own inner struggle: Can she let go of the reins and teach this young apprentice, despite the looming fear that the art she cherishes may disappear forever?
Loud thoughts of nine women on the existential themes, about the essence of being human, and about the feelings. Each of them performs the act of meeting with herself. Person number one meets person number two, her alter ego. There rises a question: who am I? Where did I come from and where am I going to? The world comes into contact with them through music and lyrics. A path of self-awareness begins, which they also pass through catharsis on the background of various emotions, and which is saturated only with love.
The film is about half-documentary, half-comedy about a kid who is thought to be the top snowboarder in the world until the day he gets put in jail. When released, he's picked up by all the other top snowboarders in the world in a party van, and to celebrate, they all go up the mountain the van for a snowboard party. All of the snowboarders in the film are real people and the story is semi-true.
Harper wants to know why her relationships keep failing. In an attempt to understand, she enlists two of her exes to help her look at their past through an anthropological lens.
In France, 2.5 billion of used diapers must be disposed ever year. An example of the cost to the environment and to families for having a child. Is the change from disposable back to reusable cloth diapers a return to the past or a wise choice in sustainable habits? What are other countries doing about this problem? Drawing on interviews with researchers, industrialists, consumers and feminists, the film seeks to answer questions about an emancipatory product of today's consumer culture.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
In a crime-plagued neighborhood near Miami, brutal, bare-knuckled backyard fights give young men a chance to earn money -- and self-respect.
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
A comedic, brutally honest documentary following self-destructive TV writer Dan Harmon as he takes his live podcast on a national tour.
Over 35 years after Bob Lazar's revelations, this documentary exposes secrets of a facility the government still denies. Featuring Lazar's testimony, recreations, and new evidence, it reopens a case that continues to spark global curiosity
A documentary about ten very different lives connected by having appeared onscreen wearing masks or helmets in Star Wars.
This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.
Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
With unprecedented access to the official archives and intimate recollections from the band, both current and past, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition invites fans to experience one of the most iconic journeys in music history. Spanning five decades, this electrifying documentary charts the band’s rise from the pubs of East London to the world’s biggest stadiums. Featuring exclusive interviews with band members and contributors such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D, as well as all-new animated sequences of the band's legendary mascot, Eddie, the film offers a rare and intimate look at Iron Maiden’s uncompromising vision and unwavering connection with their truly global army of fans.
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
The Captains is a feature-length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed starship captains in the Star Trek franchise.
A purely observational non-fiction film that takes viewers into the ethically murky world of end-of-life decision making in a public hospital.
In the Realms of the Unreal is a documentary about the reclusive Chicago-based artist Henry Darger. Henry Darger was so reclusive that when he died his neighbors were surprised to find a 15,145-page manuscript along with hundreds of paintings depicting The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glodeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Cased by the Child Slave Rebellion.
An astonishing journey revealing the awesome power of the natural world. Over the course of one single day, we track the sun from the highest mountains to the remotest islands to exotic jungles.
A night of drunken chaos rocks a quiet Dutch town in this shocking documentary about a teen's birthday invite that accidentally went viral on Facebook.
Behind-the-scenes documentary about how Lionel Messi succeeded in lifting the World Cup – the only trophy to have eluded him in an incredible career.
A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.
