Blog

Many people in a room paying attention to a Latina caucus leader during the Iowa Caucuses in 2020.
Behind the Films
October, 27, 2021

Going Inside the Family-Run Newspaper Keeping Local Journalism Alive

Independent Lens in Behind the Films

Beth Levison is no stranger to having her films on Independent Lens. Notable producing credits include Women in Blue and the Emmy-nominated Made in Boise. For her latest film, Storm Lake, she partnered with Jerry Risius, the much sought-after director…
From the Tacos of Texas docuseries, musicians from Brownsville Texas are seen in rear view mirror
Lists
September, 17, 2021

Road Trippin’, Part II: These Documentaries Will Show You All 50 States

Independent Lens in Lists

[related-link link="https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/road-trippin-part-1-documentaries-for-every-state/" link_title="Read Part I: Road Trippin' here >>"] [pictured at left, in the side mirror: a scene from Tacos of Texas (Brownsville)] We continue our epic journey across America through documentary film: Montana Sweetgrass: Unsentimental but beautiful film about…
Side mirror with image from Real Dirt on Farmer John in the mirror
Lists
September, 17, 2021

Road Trippin’ Part I: These Documentaries Will Show You All 50 States

Independent Lens in Lists

Rev up your virtual station wagon and pack your bags for a road trip across America through documentary film. No documentary or double feature will capture an entire state's essence, and not all these films will be featured by the…
Rebecca works as a Hotel Housekeeper
July, 27, 2021

Duty Free

Independent Lens

75-year-old Rebecca loses the only job she's even known. She has no savings, no 401K safety net, and no employment prospects. Rebecca teams up with son Sian-Pierre to take the trip of a lifetime, one bucket list adventure at a…
Children Figurines and teacher in classroom headed to panic room
July, 2, 2021

Bulletproof

Independent Lens

What is the cost of feeling safe? In an era of mass shootings, lockdown drills and teacher firearms training are as much a part of life as homecoming dances and basketball practice. Take a provocative look at fear, violence, and…
Black and white photograph of a man with dark skin tone helping a young boy use a drill while making a coffin.
Behind the Films
June, 7, 2021

Muslim Casket Maker’s Story Becomes Cinematic Portrait of Resilience and Redemption

Independent Lens in Behind the Films

The filmmaker brothers Zeshawn and Aman Ali are now based in New York City but originally hail from Columbus, Ohio. "Growing up right outside of Columbus, we were just two kids who didn’t really see people who looked like us…
A smiling Cambodian-American man in a suit offers a pink box of donuts through a drive-thru window.
Behind the Films
May, 21, 2021

From Cambodia to Southern California: Telling the Story of a King of Donut Shops

Independent Lens in Behind the Films

A Los Angeles native, Alice Gu began her career as a Director of Photography, working with renowned directors Werner Herzog (on his fascinating Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World) and Stacy Peralta. Take Every Wave: The Life of…
Fenell Doremus with kid on laptop and husband and dog in background
Interviews
October, 29, 2020

Parenting and Making Docs During a Pandemic? It’s a Juggling Act

Independent Lens in Interviews

By Ivonne Spinoza "Producing films often translates to putting out fires before they start, so I suppose this gets you ready for parenting in a pandemic, generally speaking, but did I feel prepared for the reality of 2020? That’s a…
Portrait of a young Latino man.
October, 28, 2020

The Graduates / Los Graduados

Independent Lens

The Graduates / Los Graduados explores pressing issues in education today through the eyes of six Latino and Latina students from across the United States. More than a survey of contemporary policy debates, the bilingual, two-part film offers first-hand perspectives…
Jamaican-American twins Ron and Don Brodie standing in middle of street in Jamaica
September, 15, 2020

Driver Radio: Jamaica

Independent Lens

Ron and Don Brodie, twin brothers and first-generation Jamericans raised in Washington, D.C., grew up making family visits to Jamaica. Driver Radio: Jamaica is inspired by the road trips they used to take there as children and captures the Brodies…
Black and white photograph of a man with dark skin tone helping a young boy use a drill while making a coffin.
July, 24, 2020

Two Gods

Independent Lens

An intimate documentary about faith, renewal, and healing, Two Gods follows a Muslim casket maker and ritual body washer in New Jersey, as he takes two young teenagers under his wing to teach them how to live better lives. Inside…
A skateboarder rides with an American flag flying behind them. A lens flare obscures the image slightly.
July, 24, 2020

A Day in the Life of America

Independent Lens

Director Jared Leto crafts a sweeping yet intimate cross-section of America shot on a single July 4th in 2017 with 92 film crews fanning out across each of the United States and Puerto Rico to capture A Day in the…