A series of eye-opening documentaries present the world as we thought we knew it in new, unusual ways. There's great work here from all around the world, including the latest film by legendary director Werner Herzog. Educating yourself has never been more of a pleasure.
The Big Uneasy and Norman Mailer: The American
The Big Uneasy
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Harry Shearer; Writer: Harry Shearer; Stars: Harry Shearer, John Goodman),
Official Site,
Trailer
Why was New Orleans so desperately unprepared for Hurricane Katrina? This documentary explores the corruption and dodgy political dealings that made the disaster's impact worse.
A Letter To Elia
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Kent Jones, Martin Scorsese; Writer: Kent Jones, Martin Scorsese; Stars: Martin Scorsese, Elia Kazan)
A fresh exploration of the work of the director widely loathed for breaking down before the House Unamerican Activities Commission and turning in his colleagues.
Marwencol
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Jeff Malmberg; Stars: Mark Hogancamp)
An introduction to the world of Mark Hogancamp, who reconstructed World War II era European town Marwencol in miniature in his back garden as he recovered from a coma.
One Thousand Pictures: RFK's Last Journey and Pearls On The Ocean Floor
Nostalgia For The Light (Nostalgia De La Luz)
(Country: France, Germany, Chile; Year: 2010; Director: Patricio Guzmán; Writer: Patricio Guzmán)
A documentary about astronomers in Chile's Atacama Desert who gather to consider the stars while beneath the ground lie the remnants of ancient civilisations.
Norman Mailer: The American
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Joseph Mantegna; Stars: Norman Mailer, Muhammad Ali, Beverly Bentley, William F. Buckley)
A documentary portrait of the American literary phenomenon also known for his filmmaking, his boxing and his aggressive attitude to women.
Pearls On The Ocean Floor
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Robert Adanto; Stars: Shadi Ghadirian, Shirirn Neshat, Parastou Forouhar),
Official Site
Leading female Iranian artists discuss the social and political importance of their work.
Steam Of Life (Miesten Vuoro)
(Country: Finland; Year: 2010; Director: Joonas Berghäll, Mika Hotakainen; Writer: Joonas Berghäll, Mika Hotakainen; Stars: Timo Aalto, Martti Åhman, Pekka Ahonen)
Conversations in a sauna reveal the diverse lives, personalities and philosophies of its visitors.
Fire In Babylon and Nostalgia For The Light
Waste Land
(Country: UK, Brazil; Year: 2010; Director: Lucy Walker)
Portrait of garbage pickers in Rio who participated in a project with artist Vik Muniz.
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (William S Burroughs: A Man Within)
(Country: US; Year: 2010; Director: Yony Leyser; Stars: William S. Burroughs, Peter Weller)
A biopic of revolutionary writer William S. Burroughs, exploring his drug use, his sexuality, his methods, his madness and his work.