April 20, 2021
Before Krasner: The Wild and Wooly Saga of Philadelphia District Attorneys
Independent Lens in Behind the Films
By Sharon Pruitt-Young It was a world-changing moment for the city of Philadelphia: Larry Krasner, a former criminal defense attorney and a highly polarizing figure in local politics, was elected…...
April 19, 2021
How the Team Behind “Philly D.A.” Captured History for Epic Docuseries
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Philadelphia-based filmmakers Ted Passon and Yoni Brook, and producer Nicole Salazar, had to work as a well-oiled machine team to make an epic docuseries like Philly D.A. happen. Each one…...
April 09, 2021
Philadelphia Has a Long History of Fights Over Criminal Justice Reform
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Kristal Sotomayor In order to understand the rich history of criminal reform work, up through the vivid stories of crime and punishment presented in the docuseries Philly D.A., it…...
April 07, 2021
“Nobody Was Listening”: Finding Light in a Dark Stairwell
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Filmmaker Ursula Liang's previous documentary 9-Man was about the fascinating titular sport that originated among Chinese immigrant communities in the United States and Canada, and was set in mostly Boston,…...
April 05, 2021
Coded Bias” Asks: Are Our Faces Being Used Against Us?
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Christina Sturdivant Sani Coded Bias begins with MIT researcher Joy Boulamwini’s quest to find out why facial recognition technology inaccurately viewed her beautifully-hued brown face. After viewing the documentary with…...
April 03, 2021
“Coded Bias” Explores Blurring of Real and Imagined Artificial Intelligence
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Shalini Kantayya has directed visually eye-catching and memorable work for both National Geographic TV with Breakthrough, a series profiling trailblazing scientists transforming the future) and the documentary Catching the Sun,…...
April 02, 2021
The District Attorney’s Office, Explained: From Prosecutors to Deputy D.A.’s, Who Does What
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
NOTE: This post is being edited for clarity and will be updated soon. ...
February 22, 2021
Who Was Mr. SOUL?
Craig Phillips in Beyond the Films
If you're of a certain generation and familiar at all with the late '60s and early '70s groundbreaking public TV show SOUL!, you may recognize the name Ellis Haizlip, but…...
February 17, 2021
Listen Up: How Music Was the Heart of SOUL!
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
by Nick Dedina Today we take it for granted that Black culture is mainstream American culture. But, before the age of hip-hop, cable TV, the internet, streaming, and mobile phones,…...
![On the set of SOUL! with Ellis Haizlip interviewing Melvin Van Peebles [Credit: Chester Higgins]](https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MR_SOUL_stanlathan_ellishaizlip_Melvin-Van-Peebles-650x650-c-default.jpg)
February 09, 2021
How SOUL! Helped Pave the Way for Black Cultural Programming
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Ade D. Adeniji Mr. SOUL! explores America’s first Black variety television show SOUL!, which ran from 1968 to 1973, and was steered by pioneering Black producer and host Ellis…...
February 05, 2021
Telling the Story of Gender, Politics, and Violence in America Through the Eyes of Women Police Officers
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
In addition to her documentaries Still Doing It: The Intimate Lives of Women Over 65, and Suicide On Campus, a web documentary produced in conjunction with The New York Times…...
February 03, 2021
Enter to Win “A Day in the Life of America” T-Shirt
Independent Lens in Contests
Join us for a good old-fashioned giveaway. Enter by February 9 at 8:59pm PT for a chance to win a limited edition A Day in the Life of America T-shirt!…...