In some ways, you’d think Jared Leto, Oscar-winning actor, movie star, and frontman for Platinum-selling band (with his brother Shannon) 30 Seconds to Mars, would not need much of an introduction. But now you can add another hat, with a new, heartfelt project for Leto, which is in some ways as ambitious as anything he’s …
Telling the Incredible True Story of a Dogsledding Legend
Filmmaker Catharine Axley seeks stories of empowerment through subjects that defy expectations, and the lesser-known but remarkable story of George Attla certainly qualifies. Axley’s film ATTLA, which won Best Feature Documentary at the American Indian Film Festival, looks at the charismatic Alaska Native dogsled racer who, with one good leg and fierce determination, became a legendary sports hero …
Filmmakers Turned Firefighters Venture Behind the Lines in “Wildland”
Filmmaker Alex Jablonski and his filmmaking partner Khalil Hudson had quite the arduous, smoke-filled journey to make the film Wildland. The documentary premieres on Independent Lens Monday, Oct. 29. Alex told us that Wildland started with a question: How do young men grow up? “We always wanted to tell a story about wildland firefighters but it was …
Paying Homage to UT Tower Mass Shooting Victims with Life Affirming Animation
Craig Staggs is the lead animator for the little animation studio that could, Minnow Mountain, based in Austin, Texas, also the home base of filmmaker Keith Maitland. Staggs’ company did the brilliantly layered animation for Maitland’s film TOWER. Of that film which tells the story of the heroes and victims who were on the University of …
The Unmaking of: Stories of the Greatest Films Never Made
The “making of” documentary has become a lively subgenre of nonfiction filmmaking, thanks in large part to the explosion of home video and the proliferation of cable channels in the past few decades. Once a purely promotional creation to run in theaters or on entertainment TV shows, the mix of behind-the-scene peeks, production footage, and …
1971 Followup: A Conversation with Laura Poitras and Betty Medsger
Watch this exclusive video chat with Laura Poitras (who won an Oscar for her documentary CitizenFour), journalist Betty Medsger and filmmaker Johanna Hamilton, talking about 1971, Edward Snowden, and protecting anonymous sources.
From RealScreen: Archive Masterclass on the Making of the Film
Super piece by Adam Benzine on Let the Fire Burn‘s extensive, exhaustive archival process, with insight from filmmaker Jason Osder: “Archive masterclass: Making Let the Fire Burn‘.” The film had its television premiere on Independent Lens in May.
Rest in Peace, Jimmy Scott
Jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott, the subject of the Independent Lens documentary (and 2004 IL Audience Award Winner) Jimmy Scott: If Only You Knew, passed away June 12 at the age of 88. Scott’s life and career was a real rollercoaster, which started with him singing in the 1940s with Lionel Hampton’s band, falling out of sight until the …
The MOVE Bombings 29 Years Later
It’s the 29th anniversary of the MOVE bombings, and for some the memories of those awful events still linger all these years later. After you watch Jason Osder’s film about the tragedy, Let the Fire Burn, read this overview of what became of some of the people (and places) involved.
Meet the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Enjoy this collection of additional videos and links from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who are the center of Reuben Atlas‘s new Independent Lens documentary Brothers Hypnotic. Follow this horn-playing family as play everywhere from New York subways to a rainy Belgian concert, bringing the funk wherever they go.
Reuben Atlas Gets Down to Brass Tacks with Brothers Hypnotic
New York-based producer, director, and “non-practicing lawyer” Reuben Atlas has filmmaking in the bloodlines and music frequently on his mind, so it’s no surprise he wanted to combine the two interests when running across the all-in-the-family Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The result is Brothers Hypnotic. Read our Q&A with Atlas about the film.
Filmmaker Cristina Ibarra Explores Unique Debutante Ball in Las Marthas
Filmmaker Cristina Ibarra talks about returning to her native Texas for her new film Las Marthas, where the Martha Washington Society debutante ball reflects Laredo’s unique demographics, history, and location on the U.S.-Mexico border.