Blog

Blue icons representing men and women line an image, creating a pattern of symbols. A single orange icon peels itself off of the page to distinguish itself.
Beyond the Films
September, 12, 2022

The Psychology of Groupthink and the Desperate, Dangerous Desire for Social Acceptance

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
Four black and white marbled composition notebook emblazoned with the phrase "Try Harder!" set against a yellow background.
Contests
May, 16, 2022

Try to Win a Try Harder! Notebook

Independent Lens in Contests
A young Indigenous American girl plays with another's hair while a third looks on outside on the Navajo Nation Reservation.
Beyond the Films
May, 9, 2022

At Remote High School, Indigenous Teens Dream of a Glittering Future

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
A man in a suit with medium-dark skin tone talks to reporters while a woman with medium-dark skin tone looks on.
Behind the Films
May, 3, 2022

A Path to Forgiveness Complicated by Race and Justice: A Conversation with Claude Motley and Brad Lichtenstein

Independent Lens in Behind the Films
Students walk outside the entrance to Lowell High School.
Beyond the Films
May, 2, 2022

A Wild Two Years Since ‘Try Harder’: What You Need to Know About Lowell High School

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
A scantron sheet from a standardized test with a yellow post-it stuck to it reading "Are you smarter than a high schooler?"
Test Your Knowledge
April, 28, 2022

A Hard “Try Harder!” Quiz: Are You Smarter than a High Schooler?

Independent Lens in Test Your Knowledge
An illustration of a young girl weighed down by a heavy red and yellow backpack.
Beyond the Films
April, 27, 2022

How Today’s High School Students Face High Pressure in a Grind Culture

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
An Asian American student smiles at graduation, wearing a burgundy cap and gown.
Behind the Films
April, 22, 2022

Telling Asian American Stories That Resonate: Filmmaker Explores Why These High School Students Are Stressed Out

Independent Lens in Behind the Films
A Mayan healer in a dark room looks up towards the sky with a single source of light shining on her face.
Behind the Films
April, 18, 2022

Investigating the Mysteries of Consciousness

Independent Lens in Behind the Films
A woman in a green and gold sari videotapes an interview with her smartphone. Another woman looks on behind her.
Beyond the Films
March, 28, 2022

Women Journalists Are Targeted Just for Reporting the Facts

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
Four Indian women reporters chat together while working on a project.
Interviews
March, 15, 2022

Oscar-Nominated “Writing With Fire” Goes Inside India’s Only All-Women Newspaper

Independent Lens in Interviews
A collage of items including a black t-shirt reading "Represent Justice" and four books including "Are Prisons Obsolete?" by Angela Davis and "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander.
Contests
March, 14, 2022

Win a Shirt and a Bundle of Books!

Independent Lens in Contests