Weekly New Releases - History
Explores how distilling originated in Kentucky with its first settlers in 1775 and takes the viewer to the sites of Central Kentuckys earliest distilling operations. Magnificent portraits and landscapes adorn the production. Original documents relating to Kentuckys earliest distillers, and pages from Kentuckys earliest newspapers, such as the Lexington Kentucky Gazette and the Paris Western Citizen document on the screen the progression of whiskey-making to the stage where the best of it was old, smooth, amber in color and known as Bourbon. Bourbon and Kentucky illustrate clearly that Bourbon whiskey is, in fact inexorably intertwined with Kentucky and Americas history.
DVD / 2013
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Explores the crucial events of the Civil War west of the Appalachian Mountains from 1861 through to the Confederate invasion of Kentucky in the fall of 1862. It covers the collapse of the Confederate defenses in Kentucky in the Winter of 1862, the Battle of Shiloh and the movement of General Braggs Confederate Army from Tupelo to Chattanooga. It chronicles the advance of Braggs and General Kirby Smiths Armies into Kentucky and the interdiction of what had become a full fledged Confederate invasion of the State by General Buells Union Army. Lavishly illustrated with period photography, reenactments, animated battle maps and rare works of art, this documentary takes you onto the battlefields of Richmond, Munfordville and Perryville.
DVD / 2013
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Based upon the critically-acclaimed and award-winning book, Retreat From Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics & the Pennsylvania Campaign. This documentary takes the viewer on the very roads used by Lees Army and immense wagon trains, as well as the key sites along those roads where Lee established defenses that delayed or defeated advances by General Meade's Union forces. Magnificent aerial footage of the roads, mountain passes and Potomac River crossings make this documentary unforgettable.
DVD / 2013
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Presents the story of the millions of horses (and mules) that were used in all branches of both armies during the Civil War. It discusses how the horses were procured and trained for field use, how they were fed and maintained, and the toll taken on them due to service in the field. Millions of horses were utilized by the armies in all theaters of war. In large armies, anywhere from forty to sixty thousand horses (and mules) were used in the infantry, cavalry, artillery and quartermaster services. Regularly feeding, shoeing and maintaining the horses and mules was a near impossible task. As a result, thousands of horses were lost due to incapacity and malnutrition. Thousands more were lost on battlefields. Memoirs of soldiers are read, telling the stories of the horses they recalled and the incredible sacrifices of them. In the end, more than 1,500,000 horses (and mules) died during the War. Some of the War's most famous horses Cincinnati, Winchester, Old Baldy, Highfly, Little Sorrell, and Traveller, to name a few, are highlighted. The stories of each of them touched the heart. Hundreds of magnificent period photographs, drawings, illustrations, along with selected re-enactment scenes are employed to graphically illustrate the role of the horse. Filming of action scenes took place at the re-enactments of the battles of Richmond and Perryville in Kentucky, as well as Shaker Village at South Union, Kentucky and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
DVD / 2013
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The 1970s was a period of great social and political upheaval around the world, including the push for indigenous equality and land rights. The Maori protest movement was the result of a culmination of grievances dating back to the signing of the treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This documentary style program explores the reasons for the 1970s Maori protest movement, the 1975 Hikoi protest march, the Occupation of Bastion Point in 1977, and how Aotearoa-New Zealand has changed since the protests. Interviews with New Zealand historians Claudia Orange, Dr Benjamin Pittman and Mark Derby provide a great overview of the key protests and their enduring significance.
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DVD / 2013 / 27 minutes
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In the 80s, Central America was in crisis. Wracked by brutal civil wars, death squads and militia backed by the warring Superpowers of the Cold War. Yet one man at the center of this conflict decided to take action against the chaos. 'The Price of Kings: Oscar Arias' explores the legacy of this man: the former President of Costa Rica and lone leader without an army who had the courage to forge peace with his neighbors against the will of US President, at risk to his own life and the impoverishment of his people. Arias' diplomacy and leadership brought an end to the bloodshed, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize and the adoration of his people. Now his contraversial policy choices leave his reputation destroyed. Arias' pursuit of peace and prosperity for his people came at a significant personal cost, and his story reveals that even the best intentions can be held against you.
DVD / 2013 / (Senior High - College) / 62 minutes
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On Friday May 14th 1948 Shimon Peres was with the first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, as he declared Israeli independence. Watching the celebrations afterwards he turned to the young Shimon Peres, future Prime Minister and current President of Israel and predicted the Middle East conflict that followed. Shimon Peres has quite literally spent a lifetime at the seat of power since that very day and with a seven-decade-long career in politics at the heart of the Middle East conflict. The second in the series of documentary films reveals the price he paid for being a leader, helping us answer the question "What is Leadership?" As a nation builder it's hard to overestimate the achievements of Shimon Peres, but in the words of the President, "What we call experience the younger generation call a chain of mistakes". Despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his attempts to negotiate peace between Israel, the nation he helped to build, and it's neighbors; Israel remains at war.
DVD / 2013 / (Senior High - College) / 62 minutes
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Yasser Arafat's political legacy is one marred by controversy. To some, he was a heroic revolutionary who fought for the freedom of Palestine and the rights of his people; to others he was a terrorist and leader of a corrupt state. Yet regardless of the dichotomy, Yasser Arafat's position at the heart of the Middle East conflict for over forty years makes him a character of incredible significance. With groundbreaking access to the people who knew Yasser Arafat best; his wife, Suha Arafat, his political allies and his adversaries, the film delves into Yasser Arafat's history, the personal struggles he faced and sacrifices he made seeking to establish peace with Israel, whilst at the same time trying to build a Palestinian nation for his people.
DVD / 2013 / (Senior High - College) / 62 minutes
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Reaching agreement on the meaning and 'spirit' of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, has led to fierce debate and violent conflict between European settlers and Maoris since its signing in 1840 until the present day. This program examines the events leading up the signing, consequences of the signing, the key points of difference in the two versions of the treaty, the treaty in the twentieth century, and the founding of the Waitangi Tribunal. This program is an excellent resource for students of New Zealand history, culture related and indigenous rights studies.
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DVD / 2013 / 23 minutes
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For over 200 years, migration has been intrinsic to Australia's national identity. In the first of three migration programs, the colonisation of Australia from 1788-1900 is explored. A range of storytelling methods are used to recreate the often scary and exciting atmosphere of these early times. The final two segments look specifically at the migrant experiences of the British and Chinese, especially during the Gold Rush period. Recreations tell their stories in an accessible and authentic way, providing audiences with a dramatic first-hand account of Australia's turbulent beginnings. This is an ideal resource which shows how, in less than a century, the country went from an outback penal colony to a nation striving for independence.
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Note : The above titles may have some territorial restrictions. Please feel free to send us an enquiry.
DVD / 2012 / 13 minutes
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The second of three programs the federation and development of Australia between 1901 and 1945 is examined. New laws, such as the Immigration Restriction Act, and the 'types' of migrants allowed into Australia are highlighted, helping viewers understand how this affected people's lives, especially as the country dealt with two world wars. The final two segments look specifically at the migrant experiences of the German and Irish during the period, with a range of archival footage accompanying their first-person stories. This is a detailed and vibrant account of Australia's struggle for unity during a time of global upheaval.
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Note : The above titles may have some territorial restrictions. Please feel free to send us an enquiry.
DVD / 2012 / 14 minutes
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For over 200 years, migration has been an integral part of Australia's national identity. In the final instalment of this three-part series, the period between World War Two and present day is examined. Using a combination of archival footage and dramatic sequences, the program focuses on the rise of multiculturalism throughout the 1950's and 1960's, and the many nationalities which are present in modern Australia. The final two segments look at the Italian and Vietnamese migrant experiences and how their respective cultures influence Australia today. Together with the first two programs, these resources encapsulate the diverse and sometimes cruel history of migration in Australia.
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Note : The above titles may have some territorial restrictions. Please feel free to send us an enquiry.
DVD / 2012 / 14 minutes
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By Luisa Riley
On February 14th, 1974, 19-year-old Deni Prieto Stock was killed by the Mexican army in the town of Nepantla, along with four of her comrades in the Fuerzas de Liberacion Nacional (National Liberation Forces), a forerunner to the Zapatistas.
FLOWER IN OTOMI depicts Prieto Stock's short, but very full life and the trajectory that brought her to Nepantla and the FLN.
Her sister and other family members recount a cozy childhood spent between New York and Mexico City with parents who raised them to support leftist causes. A cousin shares letters that detail her radicalization, and former lovers describe her growing conviction, particularly following the killing of student protestors in the Tlatelolco massacre, that armed revolution was the only path to economic and social justice in Mexico.
In October 1973, Prieto Stock stood up at the family dinner table and said she was going out for a little while. Instead, she left for Nepantla, where should would be killed just four months later. Elisa, an FLN comrade, tells of her close friendship with "Maria Luisa" (Prieto Stock's nom de guerre), and describes life in the FLN safe house, and the group's activities. The film also reconstructs the Mexican Army and secret police's joint siege on the house during which Prieto Stock was killed, using state documents and accounts from area residents.
A moving tribute to a young woman who died for her convictions and a window into the Mexican social movements of the late 60s and early 70s, FLOWER IN OTOMI is an essential historical supplement.
Reviews
"With political clarity and simplicity of means ... decrypts the excitement and experience of Deni/Maria Luisa." - La Jornada
"FLOWER IN OTOMI is a necessary documentary, needed to save the national "memory." The achievement of the documentary is also in the sense that it focuses our view on the women who participated in these subversive movements, often ignored in the movements' own histories." -CINE3
"An unforgettable film." - Excelsior
DVD (Color) / 2012 / 78 minutes
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Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union explores the turbulent forty years leading up to the Civil War; it is the first documentary ever produced on Henry Clay of Kentucky, the most dominant public figure in the formulation of compromises in 1820, 1833 and 1850 that narrowly avoided disunion and civil war. This program examines the impact of slavery on the expansion of the Nation westward and how conflict between North and South, free States and slave States, was, in the end, irrepressible. Lavishly illustrated with stunning period photographs and art, footage of the Old Senate Chamber in the Nation's Capitol, dramatic scenes of Clay and his senate colleagues played by skilled professional actors and enhanced by brilliant maps, Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union brings the history of the years before the Civil War alive on the screen. Students Will Learn: What triggered the need for compromise in 1850? What compromise measures did Henry Clay propose? Besides Henry Clay, what other senators played key roles in the Compromises of 1820 and 1833, and what roles did they play with respect to the Compromise of 1850? What United States senator saved Clay's compromise? What events, after the Compromise of 1850, helped Plunge the Nation into civil war? Where did the first hostile act of the Civil War occur?
DVD / 2012
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Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union explores the turbulent forty years leading up to the Civil War; it is the first documentary ever produced on Henry Clay of Kentucky, the most dominant public figure in the formulation of compromises in 1820, 1833 and 1850 that narrowly avoided disunion and civil war. This program examines the impact of slavery on the expansion of the Nation westward and how conflict between North and South, free States and slave States, was, in the end, irrepressible. Lavishly illustrated with stunning period photographs and art, footage of the Old Senate Chamber in the Nation's Capitol, dramatic scenes of Clay and his senate colleagues played by skilled professional actors and enhanced by brilliant maps, Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union brings the history of the years before the Civil War alive on the screen. Students Will Learn: What was the first Constitution of the United States and why did it not last? What was the Union Henry Clay struggled to maintain? Why was there a need to keep the number of slave States and free States equal? Why was there a struggle for the Union? Where was the first threat by States to secede from the Union and how was it avoided?
DVD / 2012
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Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union explores the turbulent forty years leading up to the Civil War; it is the first documentary ever produced on Henry Clay of Kentucky, the most dominant public figure in the formulation of compromises in 1820, 1833 and 1850 that narrowly avoided disunion and civil war. This program examines the impact of slavery on the expansion of the Nation westward and how conflict between North and South, free States and slave States, was, in the end, irrepressible. Lavishly illustrated with stunning period photographs and art, footage of the Old Senate Chamber in the Nation's Capitol, dramatic scenes of Clay and his senate colleagues played by skilled professional actors and enhanced by brilliant maps, Henry Clay and the Struggle for the Union brings the history of the years before the Civil War alive on the screen. Students Will Learn: What event triggered the need for compromise in 1819? What other event in 1820 saved the nation from splitting apart? What was the final compromise of 1820? After a compromise was reached admitting Missouri and Maine as States, what caused a second crisis over Missouri's admission to the Union? What act of Henry Clay's nearly ruined his political career? What events triggered the need for compromise in 1833? What kept South Carolina from seceding and plunging the Nation into civil war?
DVD / 2012
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By Remi Laine and Jean Reynaud
An unusual hybrid court established by the United Nations and the government of Cambodia, the ECCC is tasked with investigating and bringing to trial surviving Khmer Rouge officials charged with human rights abuses.
Working within the framework of international human rights law, but against the backdrop of a complex political arrangement with the government of Cambodia, the prosecution not only must prove the guilt of former high-ranking officials, but show that their crimes meet the judicial standards for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide.
The film follows Co-Investigating Judges Marcel Lemonde, from France, and You Bunleng, from Cambodia, as they investigate the first case, that of "Comrade Duch" (Kang Kek Iew), who oversaw the notorious Tuol Sleng (S-21) prison, where thousands of Cambodians were tortured and killed.
Working partly from information provided by Duch, the judges move to indict the four less cooperative, higher-ranking officials tried by the ECCC: Nuon Chea, "Brother Number Two" to Pol Pot; Khieu Samphan, President of the State Presidium; Ieng Sary, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; and Ieng Thirith, Minister of Social Affairs.
We see the court's dogged efforts to prove these former officials' culpability in the brutality that characterized the regime. The filmmakers also show us the sometimes tense dynamic between the Cambodian and European judges as they discuss the question of bringing charges for genocide: You expresses the Cambodian people's desire for the officials to be charged with that crime in particular, and Lemonde suggests that their actions may not meet the judicial standards for doing so.
In showing the work of the ECCC, KHMER ROUGE: A SIMPLE MATTER OF JUSTICE sheds light on the still shadowy inner workings of the Khmer Rouge while illustrating the complex process of international human rights law.
Review
"Thanks to exceptional access, Remi Laine and Jean Raynaud managed to dive into the heart of the investigation implementing this historic trial and they allow us to understand all its political and judicial twists and turns." - Toute la culture
DVD (Color) / 2012 / 79 minutes
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By Tinatin Gurchiani
A filmmaker puts out a casting call for young adults, aged 15- to 23. The director wants to make a film about growing up in her home country, Georgia, and find commonalities across social and ethnic lines. She travels through cities and villages interviewing the candidates who responded and filming their daily lives.
The boys and girls who responded to the call are radically different from one another, as are their personal reasons for auditioning. Some want be movie stars and see the film as a means to that end; others want to tell their personal story. One girl wants to call to account the mother who abandoned her; one boy wants to share the experience of caring for his handicapped family members; another wants to clear the name of a brother, currently serving a jail sentence.
Together, their tales weave a kaleidoscopic tapestry of war and love, wealth and poverty, creating an extraordinarily complex vision of a modern society that still echoes with its Soviet past.
Reviews
"Mixing metanarrative with heightened visual aesthetics, THE MACHINE WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING DISAPPEAR intuitively penetrates individual lives to conjure a richly layered, indelible portrait of a society, brilliantly becoming more than the sum of its parts." - Sundance Film Festival
"Tinatin Gurchiani's accomplished first feature THE MACHINE WHICH MAKES EVERYTHING DISAPPEAR offers an impressionistic, somewhat poetical view of current life in her native former Soviet territory...ample human interest and handsome lensing." - Dennis Harvey, Variety
"Director Tinatin Gurchiani opens a window into the lives of common folk in her native Georgia, where the post-Soviet era has been plagued by strife, using the premise of a casting call to pull confessions of hopes and dreams from her subjects." - Steve Dollar, The Wall Street Journal
Awards
Best Director, World Cinema Documentary, 2013 Sundance Film Festival
Best Georgian Film, 2012 Tblisi International Film Festival
DVD (Color) / 2012 / 101 minutes
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Shedding light on one of the most brazen criminal enterprises to be uncovered in the E.U. in the past two decades, this film tells the story of approximately 2,000 workers-mostly from Southeast Asia, but also from Romania, the Slovak Republic, and other European countries-who were systematically exploited in the Czech Republic between 2009 and 2010. Viewers follow the efforts of lawyers and NGO members who have joined forces to investigate cases of foreign laborers being lured into menial, abusive forestry jobs. One of the workers concerned is Pham Hung Long, who, like many of his fellow Vietnamese, entered the Czech forests expecting decent pay and working conditions, only to fall into circumstances amounting to slavery. Detailed interviews with Pham, his attorneys, investigative journalists, and others are included.
DVD (Portions with English subtitles) / 2012 / 52 minutes
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Northern Ireland has had a violent history stemming from the early 1600's when large numbers British Protestants settled in the north and ousted large numbers of Irish Catholics. In this interview of based program we explore the causes of the Irish troubles from early settlement, the Easter Uprising, The Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the rise of the IRA. We examine the conflicts between the Protestants and Catholics, the Unionists and the Republicans and what lies ahead for the future. This program features a wide range of interviews with politics lecturers and politicians from both sides of politics.
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Note : The above titles may have some territorial restrictions. Please feel free to send us an enquiry.
DVD / 2012 / 30 minutes
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Lewis and Clark's Expedition 1804-1806 Perhaps the greatest and most famous transcontinental adventure in American history, the expedition of Lewis and Clark from 1804-1806 is encapsulated in this document featuring a map, the photographs and signatures of the venture's leaders, and explanatory text. Inspired by Thomas Jefferson and carried out by these two brave men and their crew, the Lewis and Clark Expedition opened up the west for America.
DVD (Color) / 32 minutes
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Heritage - Civilization and the Jews is the monumental nine-part series spanning five millennia of Jewish history and culture. The series is hosted by former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Abba Eban, who describes it as "a celebration of our common humanistic and moral heritage, explored through the mysteries of preservation, renewal, and resonance of the Jewish people." From the stony heights of Sinai to the shores of the Dead Sea, from a Greek amphitheater in Delphi to the Forum of ancient Rome, out of the ashes of concentration camps to the rebuilt cities and villages of Israel, Heritage brings to life the long and complex history of the Jews and their centuries-old interaction with the rest of Western civilization.
DVD
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