Before being employed by the Nazis in what remains the most deadly program of “racial purification”, Eugenics was a very popular concept among scientists in the US and Europe. The science of “good birth”, which aims to create the perfect human being, sets out to achieve this by preventing reproduction of those perceived as weak, sick, disabled, or otherwise “degenerate”. As early as 1907, the US applied the first eugenics laws, which continued to be in force until the 1970s. In Sweden, 63,000 people were sterilized, mostly after WWII. The film switches deftly between the explanation of historians and the testimony of victims who continue to struggle for recognition of the harm they have suffered, which has been erased from the collective memory. From North Carolina to Sweden and Germany, a terrifying journey into this quest for the “best of worlds”.
2012-04-01
0
The physician and professor Herman Lundborg headed the world’s first state racial biology institute in Uppsala, Sweden, from 1922 to ’35. He was obsessed by the threat of racial mixing between Sámi, Finns and Swedes in the north. On his travels, he is drawn to a woman of Finnish-Sámi descent, and has a child with her.
A look into the birth of the soul music scene on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Chronicles the rise of soul music, the creation of many iconic songs, and the effect that the genre would have on generations to come. Featuring interviews with B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Steve Copper, and many other legendary artists.
It's been seven years since the Wyoming Indian High School Chiefs have won a state championship in basketball. For most schools, this is a rather unremarkable statistic. But for the inhabitants of the Wind River Indian Reservation, who have experienced a century and a half of injustice, basketball is a form of empowerment, self-expression, and access to the world outside "the Rez." By using basketball as a vehicle, CHIEFS explores what it means to grow up Native American at the turn of the 21st century.
Dozens of stars--including Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Bob Hope, and more--demonstrate how the yuletide season is celebrated in the perpetually warm and sunny world of Hollywood, California.
This VH1 Rock Doc traces the highs and lows of Courtney Love's career.
July, 1944. As WWII raged on, a group of conspirators, led by Claus von Stauffenberg, plotted to assassinate Hitler and end his reign of terror. Using rare color footage, painstakingly recreated dramatizations, detailed CG reconstructions and exclusive interviews with leading historians, this thrilling documentary presents the definitive record of what happened before, during and after these pivotal events.
Plastic Galaxy explores the ground breaking and breathtaking world of 'Star Wars' toys. Through interviews with former Kenner employees, experts, authors, and collectors, the documentary looks at the toys' history, influence, and the passions they elicit today.
As war-ravaged South Sudan claims independence from North Sudan and its brutal President, Omar al-Bashir, a tiny, homemade prop plane wings in from France. It is piloted by eagle-eyed documentarian Hubert Sauper, who is mining for stories in a land trapped in the past but careening toward an apocalyptic future.
For more than one hundred years, the Swiss Social Democratic Party and the trade unions shaped Swiss working-class culture. In the seventies, this culture completely collapsed. The working class of yesteryear are called foreigners. An essay by an immigrant child from a former working class stronghold.
CBC News Newfoundland Labrador's documentary entitled “Trail of the Caribou” traces the journey of the brave men of the Newfoundland Regiment. Created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, the movie gives a detailed account of the role the Regiment played in the First World War, putting faces to the story. Since the War, Caribou statutes were constructed in Europe to memorialize the significant places the Newfoundland Regiment fought. Trail of the Caribou transports the viewers to these places to trace the footsteps of the Newfoundland soldiers.
After her miraculous birth in Korea, giant panda Fu Bao gained tremendous popularity and love from her fans worldwide. While her upcoming return to China is leaving fans in sorrow, her zookeepers continue their duty to make Fu Bao happy and solemnly start preparing her trip to China. As the expected day of farewell approaches, the zookeepers have to confront another unexpected farewell, and cannot but give in to the emotions they have been holding back. Knowing they must say goodbye soon, they cherish and treasure each day leading up to the farewell.
Documentary from the UK's Channel 4 investigating the death of INXS lead vocalist Michael Hutchence, which exclusively revealed information presented to the coroner in a police report which had not been made public at the official hearing - and explores the rumor which suggested that Hutchence died accidentally while engaged in a bizarre sex act. The documentary also features his last partner Paula Yates speaking on British television for the first time about what she believed led to the death of her lover. She talks candidly about their sex life, his passion for adventure and how the birth of their daughter turned the rock and roll wild man into a devoted father. Yates was not satisfied with the coroner's verdict and felt strongly that further investigation into the events of that night were crucial to both her and her daughter's future well-being.
More than a genre, salsa was a cultural movement that arose in a time of need for strengthening the Latino culture and spread across the world with such force that, 50 years later, is still moving the feet of dancers in the most inhospitable corners world. At the heart of the movement is the figure of Johnny Pacheco, know as one of the great musical legacies responsible for salsa music.
Documentary about the making of LA FEMME-OBJET, the landmark French adult movie.
The story of four-time World Champion Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán. A one man wrecking-ball who took on the world, transcended his sport and helped inspire a nation to rise up against its CIA funded dictator to achieve independence. From his days shining shoes on the street, to packing out arenas across the world, this is the story of modern Panama and its most celebrated child.
Behind the scenes documentary on the making of the film.
On the 25th of June 1983, the Lord’s Cricket Ground witnessed one of the biggest underdog stories in the history of sports. Fourteen inspired players - led by a man's self-belief and conviction - fought against all odds and orchestrated India’s greatest sporting triumph by beating the two-time World Champions West Indies.
Filmmaker Jia Zhangke chronicles his local literature festival in Shanxi, China which includes a multi-generational roster of the country's most esteemed writers.