A Summer in the Cage is filmmaker Ben Selkows feature-length documentary chronicling his friend Sam's battle with bipolar disorder. The film follows Sam pre-diagnosis, and then for seven years as he suffers delusional manic episodes, battles paralyzing depressions, and tries to escape the legacy of his bipolar father who committed suicide when Sam was eight years old. By showing the difficult emotional impact of being bipolar on Sam, his family, all those who care about him and the filmmaker, A Summer in the Cage hopes to put a human face on an illness that affects millions of families without regard to race, nationality or class. But as this dramatic story unfolds and heads to an explosive standoff, it also becomes a unique tale about friendship and the ethical responsibilities of a documentary filmmaker.
Ultimately, the film asks the question, When do you turn off the camera?
Premiere broadcast on The Sundance Channel (USA), 2007/08
FORGIVENESS - STORIES FOR OUR TIME (1x60' HD) CANCON
human interest documentary
There are crimes so unspeakably horrendous they seem unforgivable.
And yet, some people do manage to forgive.
Forgiveness: Stories for Our Time focuses on four individuals who have lived through events so painful and horrific they are unimaginable to most of us.
Lesley Parrotts young daughter was stalked, raped and strangled. Anne Marie Hagans father was murdered by the next-door neighbour. Alan McBrides wife and eight others were killed in an IRA bombing in Belfast. Reverend Julie Nicholsons daughter was killed on the London underground in the terrorist bombing in 2004.
Through heartfelt interviews, archival footage and stunning cinematography, filmmaker Johanna Lunn tells the stories of these characters as they absorb, cope with and attempt to move beyond brutal events in their lives.
In a world wracked by increasing violence and horror, Forgiveness: Stories for Our Time brings hope that there are other possibilities beyond blind revenge and that in forgiving others we can set ourselves free.
**Winner Best Mid-Length Documentary, Hot Docs 2007
After 25 years of cultural obscurity, a rare breed of brainiacs who can solve the Rubiks Cube in less than 30 seconds finally have an opportunity to be crowned World Rubiks Cube Champion.
CUBERS follows the journey of six international speedcubers as they make their way through the bizarre and surprisingly cut throat world of the Rubik's Cube in their quest to be the fastest in the World. It is a universal story about the need to belong and the drive of the human spirit to overcome great obstacles while achieving the seemingly impossible.
Battling to win. Battling to fit in. CUBERS isnt just a game.
Premiere broadcast CBC/The Lens (Canada) 2008 2nd windows (Canada): CHUM (CLT/Access); Rogers Media (Biography/G4 Tech TV); SCN
Worldwide rights available outside of Canada. All media.
What would happen if you took three idealistic teenagers out of school for a year, and offered them the chance to help save the world? Find out in A Year On Earth, as the students embark on a groundbreaking journey of global exploration and self-discovery.
This documentary is a stunning adventure in science, a round-the-world discovery of some of the worlds wildest places and most endangered creatures, spotlighting critical environmental problems. From global warming to deforestation, coral reef degradation to species extinction, it makes these problems real for a new generation. Produced in collaboration with the Earthwatch Institute.
*Daytime Emmy nominee for Outstanding Children/Youth/Family Special (2007)
Worldwide rights available outside of the U.S. All media excluding educational.
When Viktor Yushchenko finally accepted the Presidency of the Ukraine, it looked like a massive spontaneous movement had swept him to power. This so-called 'Orange Revolution' shocked the world. And it shocked Russia the most the traditional power center of Eastern Europe.
This film takes the viewer to Kyivs Independence Square and shows where the massive, citizen-led energy came from. It then crosses the border to Russia and Belarus, where the tremendous hope of the Orange Revolution inspires democracy activists preparing to topple Presidents Vladimir Putin and 'Europe's Last Dictator', Aleksandr Lukashenka.
This documentary takes an unprecedented journey behind the scenes of a worldwide cultural phenomenon. In 20 years, the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock, Nevada has evolved from a fringe counter-culture into a global celebration of artistic expression and social revolution.
For the first time, this film goes behind the scenes to explore the philosophy that fuels it and the tireless efforts that drive it, documenting the journey of the Burning Man organizers as they conceive, plan and create a city unlike any in the world.
WETBACK: THE UNDOCUMENTED DOCUMENTARY (1x90') CANCON
human interest / current affairs documentary
Wetback is an eye-opening look at the plight of immigrants from Central America and Mexico who go in search of the 'American Dream'. This award winning film follows several migrants on an extraordinary and extremely dangerous journey to North America. Their motivation is a life with dignity. Their disadvantage is that none of them have legal traveling documents.
*Winner Best Documentary Cinequest Film Festival 2005, *Winner Best Script Festival Pamplona Punto de Vista *Winner Spectrum Award Full Frame *Winner Audience Award Chicago Film Festival *Official Selection Artivist *Winner Top Ten Favorites Hot Docs Toronto
The remote village of Passabe lies on the precarious border between East and West Timor. It is a battle-scarred community with a horrific past. Prior to the vote for independence in 1999 it was a base for hundreds of pro Indonesia militia who participated in a rampage of violence that climaxed in a bloody massacre. Five years later, one man decides to publicly own up to his role in the massacre.
This film documents a quest for redemption and forgiveness, an intimate look into the lives of people struggling to rebuild their lives after a war, and an exploration into the universal themes of justice & reconciliation.
The Turtle Creek Chorale is a gay organization that refuses to live on the fringes. For 25 years they have claimed their place on stage right in the heart of the Bible Belt: Dallas, Texas, USA.
This film takes an intimate look at controversial issues of the day: HIV, gay marriage, and religious views on homosexuality through the personal stories of men who have transformed the painful experiences of their struggles into a powerful voice for compassion and equality.
WOMAN DRIVER:
THE KATHERINE LEGGE STORY (1x60 HD)
sport / biography documentary
This is the first in-depth look at Katherine Legge, a young UK-born superstar who has captured the hearts and minds of Grand Prix racing fans world-wide. The story is told in her own words, from her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise in the male-dominated world of motor sports, culminating with her debut in the Champ Car World Series.
With passion and an iron will to succeed balanced with charm, humor and humility, Legge is poised to become a legend ~ setting records and breaking down barriers in the highly competitive world of World Class Racing.
King For A Day is an Elvis inspired 'doc/rock' mocumentary' that follows the hilarious and obsessive quest of one man on a mission to win the prestigious and highly competitive Orillia Elvis Impersonator contest.
This is a great program for those commemorating the anniversary of the King's grand entrance on January 8th, or the memorable date when he made his final exit, August 17th.
