Blog

Archival family photo from the Digital Diaspora Family Roadshow
Uncategorized
February, 16, 2015

Black Family History Through a Lens

Independent Lens in Uncategorized

Archival family photo from the Digital Diaspora Family Roadshow A wonderful companion piece to Thomas Allen Harris's film Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People is his Digital Diaspora Family Reunion project — a roadshow connecting communities and history through…
February, 16, 2015

Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People

Independent Lens

The first documentary to explore the role of photography in shaping the identity, aspirations, and social emergence of African Americans from slavery to the present, Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People probes the recesses…
Three people, all with dark skin tone, stand together on Election Day wearing voting stickers. One holds a sign that says "Vote for... marriage equality."
Film History
June, 10, 2014

LGBTQ Pride: Movies That Rocked Their World [Updated]

Independent Lens in Film History

June is always LGBTQ Pride Month, and traditionally it's been both a time for reflection on gay history and struggles (originally created to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969), along with a colorful, pride-ful celebration of many important achievements and milestones. Since Independent…
May, 5, 2014

A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at The New York Times

Independent Lens

A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at The New York Times tells the shocking story of Jayson Blair, the most infamous serial plagiarist of our time, and how he unleashed the scandal that rocked The New York Times and the…
Headshot of A Fragile Trust filmmaker Samantha Grant.
May, 2, 2014

Filmmaker Samantha Grant on the Saga of Jayson Blair

Independent Lens

In A Fragile Trust, Samantha Grant explores one of the most infamous scandals in recent media history, the complicated but disturbing story of Jayson Blair, wunderkind reporter who disgraced himself and one of the world's greatest newspapers, The New York Times,…
Rick Hall and Clarence Carter at work in the FAME studio at Muscle Shoals.
April, 21, 2014

Muscle Shoals

Independent Lens

Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama is the unlikely breeding ground for some of the most creative and defiant music in American history. (more…)
Clarence Carter sings into mic at Muscle Shoals studios.
Uncategorized
April, 18, 2014

A Musical Journey Through Muscle Shoals

Independent Lens in Uncategorized

The word “magic” is mentioned a lot in Muscle Shoals, a mesmerizing documentary that tries to explain, or at least place in context, the extraordinary success of FAME (founded by producer Rick Hall in the late 1950s) and Muscle Shoals…
Lists
April, 14, 2014

Bill Siegel’s 12 Documentaries That Had Biggest Impact on Him

Independent Lens in Lists

Documentary filmmaker Bill Siegel, whose previous film (co-directed with Sam Green) The Weather Underground was nominated for an Oscar, returned to the world of American political activism and history with The Trials of Muhammad Ali. "Bill Siegel’s audacious documentary puts new…
April, 7, 2014

Brothers Hypnotic

Independent Lens

The eight young men who make up the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are all sons of Phil Cohran, a legendary Chicago trumpeter who turned his back on commercial music to pursue astral jazz (with the “cosmic philosopher” of jazz, Sun Ra),…
UC Berkeley campus with the Campanile (Sather Tower) in the background.
January, 13, 2014

At Berkeley

Independent Lens

“[At Berkeley] is a state-of-the-nation masterwork, a vitally important piece of work, and should be seen by as many people as possible.” – Oliver Lyttleton, The Playlist Renowned documentarian Frederick Wiseman has long been considered the “most democratic of great…
Film History
January, 9, 2014

A Look Back at the Films of Frederick Wiseman

Independent Lens in Film History

The television premiere of Frederick Wiseman's At Berkeley, his 42nd film, seemed an especially apt time to introduce viewers who may not be as familiar with the prolific documentarian's previous work. In a career that has spanned more than five…
December, 23, 2013

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Independent Lens

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station.…