Straying home

Beyond the sensationalized stories dominating the news, real people share their unfiltered experiences of life in San Francisco, a city far more complex and human than any headline can capture.

In a leafy forest, a Galician sovereign who longs to attain wisdom meets a sorcerer, who tells him: “Go back to your country and study the Earth and the Stars in the sky; anywhere in the world reflects an image of it. You will ride on this arrow, which you must keep for a hundred years and a day. After this time, stick it in the widest valley of all those you possess, with the tip facing the sky. Then the Moon will come and, just as it exerts its action on the waters of the sea, it will act on the arrow, turning it into a holy mountain." - Legend about the Pico Sacro Inspired by Hokusai's views of Mount Fuji and Cézanne's paintings of Mont Sainte-Victoire, "Pico Sacro [The Holy Mountain]" aims to reveal the mystery and the magic that underlie reality.

A video essay on the history and morality of the Robin Hood legend.

In a world bedazzled by intractable images, do we need the essay film now more than ever? Kevin B. Lee weighs up this distinctively self-aware, searching form of cinema through both video and text.

About 30 ethnic groups live in the Republic of Dagestan, each with its own language and customs. The prevalence of the Muslim way of life is a distinctive feature of this republic. The number of men taking second and third wives has increased. However, according to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a man can only be married to one wife. So, being both a law-abiding citizen and a model Muslim is not yet possible.

"We Love You" is a documentary that captures the essence of the 2008 Rainbow Gathering in Wyoming. The film delves into the heart of this annual event, where thousands gather in the wilderness to practice anarchy and hippie spirituality. The main event is an elaborate prayer for peace on July 4th, which contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by the community when federal agents intervene, using pepper spray projectiles in the children's area. The documentary explores themes of peace, community, and resilience in the face of adversity, as participants frequently express their love and unity with chants of "we love you" and "we love you more." Through this lens, the film offers a glimpse into the Rainbow Family's unique culture and their pursuit of harmony with nature and each other.

Original documentary about the 1978 Rainbow Gathering in the Umpqua National Forest

Every year, thousands of Antarctica's emperor penguins make an astonishing journey to breed their young. They walk, marching day and night in single file 70 miles into the darkest, driest and coldest continent on Earth. This amazing, true-life tale is touched with humour and alive with thrills. Breathtaking photography captures the transcendent beauty and staggering drama of devoted parent penguins who, in the fierce polar winter, take turns guarding their egg and trekking to the ocean in search of food. Predators hunt them, storms lash them. But the safety of their adorable chicks makes it all worthwhile. So follow the leader... to adventure!!

Documentary depicting the lives of child prostitutes in the red light district of Songachi, Calcutta. Director Zana Briski went to photograph the prostitutes when she met and became friends with their children. Briski began giving photography lessons to the children and became aware that their photography might be a way for them to lead better lives.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is drawn at the border towns of Sderot and Gaza, neighboring towns separated by a wall and a few hundred yards. People on both sides hate each other; their governments interact only through bombs and wars.

An intimate look at the Woodstock Music & Art Festival held in Bethel, NY in 1969, from preparation through cleanup, with historic access to insiders, blistering concert footage, and portraits of the concertgoers; negative and positive aspects are shown, from drug use by performers to naked fans sliding in the mud, from the collapse of the fences by the unexpected hordes to the surreal arrival of National Guard helicopters with food and medical assistance for the impromptu city of 500,000.

Arturo Urbiola, independent singer/songwriter, talks about the influence music has had on his life, it's impact, and what's in store for his artistic career after becoming a father.

A cameraman wanders around with a camera slung over his shoulder, documenting urban life with dazzling inventiveness.

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A love letter to cinema and a personal reflection on loneliness. Segment from Fringe Hippo's anthology film "Elegy Apokalypto".

A documentary that carefully explores the sensitive topic of mental health among young people, challenging social stigmas and dispelling common misconceptions often linked to the issue.

The moving story of Milena Boeva, a passionate woman who finds a one-of-a-kind sanctuary where young people with disabilities can thrive through creativity, community, and meaningful work. As the garden blossoms into a place of hope and transformation, Milena faces growing challenges that threaten its very existence. Will her dream endure, or will the pressures of reality uproot the seeds of change she’s planted?

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.

A video essay on Edward Yang's 2000 film "Yi Yi: A One and a Two..."

A video essay made on S. Craig Zahler's 2015 film "Bone Tomahawk".