Blog

John Coltrane in concert; credit: Don Schlitten
Interviews
October, 31, 2017

Filmmaker John Scheinfeld Chases Coltrane’s Legacy

Independent Lens in Interviews

Filmmaker John Scheinfeld is no stranger to taking on challenging subjects for documentaries. The Emmy®, Grammy® and Writers Guild Award nominee and writer/director/producer's other films include The U.S. vs. John Lennon, Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About…
an abstract shot of John Coltrane playing sax, as if through water
Beyond the Films
October, 31, 2017

Chasing Trane Playlist: Coltrane and His Disciples

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Nick Dedina, Guest Contributor Drop a needle on a John Coltrane record, hit play on one of his digital playlists, or watch Chasing Trane and it’s easy to understand why the saxophonist is universally revered as a musical giant. The…
Anti-War March Chicago, 1968 (public domain)
Lists
September, 13, 2017

12 Documentaries About the Vietnam War on the American Homefront

Noel Murray in Lists

On Sunday, September 17th, PBS will debut the latest project from Ken Burns and his frequent collaborator Lynn Novick: the ten-part, 18-hour series The Vietnam War. Just like Burns and Novick’s previous films The War (about WWII) and Prohibition (about…
From Poster Art for Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
August, 30, 2017

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin

Independent Lens

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin examines the life and work of one of the world's most beloved storytellers, following his evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels have inspired millions…
From Paul Fierlinger's Still Life with Animated Dogs, his dog Spinnaker
Lists
August, 24, 2017

Dogumentary Now: 7 Docs About Urban Dogs

Sharon Knolle in Lists

Just like the human population, dogs in the city can live a life of luxury or — sadly — roam the streets looking for food, shelter and the occasional kind touch. In honor of National Dog Day (Aug. 26) and…
Montage of images from each of 20 films from Independent Lens 2016-17 season
Announcements
June, 30, 2017

2016-17 Independent Lens Audience Award Poll! The Winner Is…

Independent Lens in Announcements

It's time to vote for your own personal favorite from the just-concluded 2016-2017 season of Independent Lens. The voting period will run through 5 pm PT Friday, July 21. There were 20 films in this season that lasted from October through…
John Coltrane in concert at Newport Jazz Festival 1966
June, 28, 2017

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary

Independent Lens

Season premiere! Set against the social, political and cultural landscape of the times, Chasing Trane brings saxophone great John Coltrane to life, as a man and an artist. The film is the definitive look at the boundary-shattering musician whose influence continues…
Jiro and son Takashi, in Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Lists
June, 17, 2017

12 Father’s Day Docs:  Stepping Out of Dad’s Shadow

Independent Lens in Lists

Relationships with our dads can be complicated, as reflected in a collection of diverse, very worthy documentary films we've selected for Father's Day viewing consideration. All of the dads depicted here had a major impact on the lives of their…
Joe Stevens and his band Coyote Grace, on stage (courtesy the film Real Boy)
Beyond the Films
June, 9, 2017

Trans Musicians Carving Their Own Identities [Updated June 2022]

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Craig Phillips and Independent Lens Staff ​​Real Boy is the portrait of Bennett, who is undergoing gender reassignment surgery, and his mom's struggle to process the change. But it's also the portrait of Bennett as a young musician mentored…
From The Negro Soldier, 1944. USA. Directed by Stuart Heisler
Lists
May, 26, 2017

Memorial Day: Docs That Capture the Human Experience of War

Sean Axmaker in Lists

There is no shortage of documentaries on war. The subject fascinates us as history, as sociology, and as drama. Some documentaries chronicle history in great detail, some grapple with the issues and forces behind the conflicts, and some flat-out propagandize.…
Beyond the Films
May, 17, 2017

Teachers Beat the “Macho Culture” in Prisons through Art Programs

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

In the early 2000s, Hollywood invested in the urban fairy tale where a teacher is called into the principal’s office of a school in a low-income, broken part of town and is requested to help “build character and morale.” (Think…
Bricks and a Mic at a comedy club (From "Overload the Machine", a monthly comedy show at The People's Improv Theater.) Image courtesy Benjamin Ragheb on Flickr Commons
Beyond the Films
April, 21, 2017

Comedians Talk About Pushing Boundaries and Crossing Lines

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

Defining what is taboo in comedy is the central question of The Last Laugh: What is out of bounds to talk about in comedy? The film features performers who are no strangers to pushing the limits, including Sarah Silverman and Jeffrey Ross…