YOUNG @ HEART
By Stephen Walker

Get ready to rock out with the most entertaining "golden oldies" you will ever meet, a fun-loving senior citizen's choir called Young@Heart. With a show only weeks away, these seniors must learn a slate of new songs—ranging from James Brown to Coldplay. The chorus’ tireless musical director leads the group through chaotic rehearsals, proving that hard rock can be hard work - especially when you’re hard of hearing! Climaxing in a triumphant performance, their inspiring story celebrates the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the life-affirming power of music.
 
  BETWEEN THE FOLDS

By Vanessa Gould

Between the Folds chronicles the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees - all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.
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Reactions to the Film
"jaw droppingly beautiful figures"
- anonymous

"I was most surprised by the diverse practical applications of origami"
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

"wonderful and nice exposure of the various aspects of origami"
- Mario, Kentwood

"Blown away. Absolutely fascinating."
- Eric, Grand Rapids

"Beautiful!! Such a lovely example of art and science."
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

"Love the imagery!! Amazing sculptures. Love to see the connection between paper & nature & science."
- Laura, Grand Rapids
  COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS
By Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod

Can you own a sound? It depends who you ask. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers--from Public Enemy to De La Soul--have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new and otherwise original compositions. But when record company lawyers got involved everything changed. What was once referred to as “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” Trace the rise of hip-hop form the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry.
 
  D TOUR
Pat Spurgeon had big dreams to make it as an indie rock musician. Just as his career was about to take off, he suffered from an incredible setback - his kidney begins to fail and he’s faced with throwing his dreams away. Follow Pat on his emotional search for a living organ donor and the challenges of finding a viable match. Pat’s choice to keep touring and working toward the band’s goals is put to the test as he performs dialysis on the road daily and makes his health a top priority.
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Reactions to the Film
"I loved it. Very well done. I think people will consider [organ] donation after this film."
- Sue, Grand Rapids

"Moving, gratifying, serenity, touching, great score. Thank you for presenting this film!"
- anonymous, Grand Rapids
 
  The Principal Story
This film tells two stories, painting a dramatic portrait of the challenges facing America's public schools - and of the great difference a dedicated principal can make
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Reactions to the Film
"Wow, very powerful & honest picture of the reality that schools & education face each day."
- anonymous, Wyoming

"Very instructive & interesting. I was most moved by the amount of personal involvement by the principals into the lives of the students."
- Amanda, Grand Rapids

"It was motivating to realize the heart for children these women have and motivating for me to think about my next step."
- Katie, Grand Rapids

"Awesome, this was an excellent film that shone a light on America's larger city school system."
- Michael, Grand Rapids
 
  March Point
Travis, Nick and Cody have been friends almost all their lives, growing up on the Swinomish Reservation in northwest Washington. When they find themselves in trouble with drugs and alcohol, the teens are offered an opportunity to participate in Native Lens, Longhouse Media's filmmaking program, making a documentary about the impact of two oil refineries on their tribal community.
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Reactions to the Film
"It was heartening to see the boys engage and become involved. having a purpose opened up their lives."
- Nancy, Grand Rapids

"Extremely exciting to see young natives taking a stand for their tribe and trying to get answers. They are an inspiration to other young people."
- Monique, Escondido, CA
 
  The Reckoning:
The Battle for the International Criminal Court
This film follows ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and his team for three years across four continents as he issues arrest warrants for Lord's Resistance Army leaders in Uganda, puts Congolese warlords on trial, shakes up the Colombian justice system, and charges Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir with genocide in Darfur.
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Reactions to the Film
"Film was very informative"
- Katelyn, Grand Rapids
 
 

Ask Not.

This is a rare and compelling exploration of the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The film exposes the tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law, and profiles charismatic activists determined to abolish it.

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Reactions to the Film
"Powerful. I felt torn: both admiring of those who are willing to fight for inclusion and despairing that they would choose to join at all."
- Matthew, Grand Rapids


"Great film. Reminded me of my time in the military and the discharge I almost went through."
- Renee, Grand Rapids
 
 

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

This is the first major nonfiction film to term the decades-long gang strife in South Central Los Angeles as a war on the scale of Kosovo, Mogadishu or Northern Ireland.
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Reactions to the Film
"Historical background was really intriguing & eye opening"
- anonymous, Grand Rapids


"It was a powerful film. I think it's about time we open our eyes and do something about this."
- Brittany, Muskegon


"Too many messages to count in this film. tears were brought to my eyes several times."
- Michelle, Sparta
 
 

Taking Root

This film tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy.

The Eden Project
The Green Belt Movement
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Reactions to the Film
"The will to change does not come from gov. but from people."
- Mary, Muskegon


"The courage and conviction of the protagonist were awe inspiring."
- Linda, Muskegon


"Dr. Maathai is a profoundly brave woman who demonstrates what one woman can do - particularly with mothers who care."
- Ruth, Zeeland

"Awe, anger, admiration, enlightenment, empowerment (not necessarily in that order!). Re-learned the power of "one."
- Norman, Muskegon Heights
 
 

Arusi Persian Wedding

Iranian American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani chronicles her brother's return to Iran during the start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, as he travels with his American wife to have a traditional Persian wedding and explore his lost heritage.

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Reactions to the Film
"I learned so much. It truly opened my eyes for the best."
- anonymous, Allendale

"There are so many misconceptions on both sides of the table."
- Chanelle, Allendale

"Well done. Real to life. It makes you feel you are there! Very touching."
- Syed, Belmont
 
 

Tulia, Texas

In 1999 undercover narcotics agent Thomas Coleman executed one of the biggest drug stings in Texas history. This is the story of a small town's search for justice and the price Americans pay for the nation's war on drugs.
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Reactions to the Film
"Informative look on justice system and prejudice. I enjoyed and it was captivating."
- anonymous

"Disgust at the broken law enforcement/legal system that took 4 years of life away from innocents. Hope that it won't happen at all some day. An understanding that our law enforcement and legal systems were conceived by people who occasionally screw up. Should we take them less seriously? Maybe. Should we get rid of them? Probably not."
- anonymous
 
 

Helvetica

This is a film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives.
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Reactions to the Film
"It was surprisingly funny"
- Danielle, Grand Rapids

"Loved it."
- Steve, Grand Rapids

"Really enjoyed it. I want to go design something right now."
- anonymous, Grand Rapids
 
 

I.O.U.S.A.

This film boldly examines the rapidly growing national debt and its consequences for the United States and its citizens.

Review by Roger Ebert
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Reactions to the Film
"It was one of the most horrifying flicks I've seen in awhile."
- Dani, Allendale


"Very enlightening & informative"
- James, Grand Rapids

"It was strong and slightly depressing."
- Austin, Grand Rapids

"Holy s#@$! Is there any way out?"
- Emily, Grand Rapids

"It was very informative, yet very scary. It stimulated my curiosity."
- Laura, Grand Rapids
 
 

Lioness

They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks, and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did.
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Reactions to the Film
"Excellent look into the real war and what it actually means from people, removed from politics."
- Ryan

"Eye opening, very well made"
- Heather, Sparta

"A well made, powerful documentary detailing the lives of these historical women, who fought for their country and against gender roles."
- anonymous, Allendale

"Excellent film - very moving"
- Tom, Grand Rapids

"Great to get other perspectives and even the controversy that is a necessary part of our democratic culture."
- Jim, Grand Rapids

"This film was eye opening and scary. we do not usually see that kind of footage in American media."
- anonymous, Allendale

"It brought back many memories. Kind of hard to deal with. But it's the reality."
- anonymous, Kentwood

"Very accurate, detailed and informative. Brought back many emotions."
- anonymous, Comstock Park
 

 

Chicago 10

Mixing animation with archival footage, Director Brett Morgan explores the build-up to and unraveling the 1968 Chicago Conspiracy Trial.
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Reactions to the Film
"Very good information for events I remember a little"
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

"Wow."
- Veronica, Grand Rapids

"(I'm) shocked that a civilized nation can have such a violent history of conflict."
- anonymous, Muskegon

"A free people must always maintain the spirit and the will for revolution."
- Brian, Grand Rapids
 

 

Critical Condition

This film puts a human face on the nation's growing health care crisis by capturing the harrowing struggles of four critically ill Americans who discover that being uninsured can cost them their jobs, health, home, savings, even their lives.
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Reactions to the Film
"showed vividly the complexity of navigating the system"
- Austin, Grand Rapids

(the discussion was) "uplifting/heartening"
- George, Grand Rapids
 

 

Campaign

This is democracy - Japanese style. "Campaign" provides a startling insider's view of Japanese electoral politics in this portrait of a man plucked from obscurity by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to run for a critical seat on a suburban city council.
 

 

Election Day

This film combines 12 stories - shot simultaneously on November 2, 2004, from dawn until long past midnight - into one to create an entertaining, inspiring and sometimes unsettling tapestry of citizens determined on one fateful day to make their votes count.
 

 

New Year Baby

Born in a Thai refugee camp on Cambodian New Year, filmmaker Socheata Poeuv grew up in the United States never knowing that her family had survived the Khmer Rouge genocide. In New Year Baby, she embarks on a
journey to Cambodia in search of the truth and why her family's history had been buried in secrecy for so long.
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Reactions to the Film
"I was surprised and saddened. I knew nothing about this."
- Ryan, Grand Rapids

"Very compelling."
- Tom, Grand Rapids

"Sympathy for the victims, disgust at the atrocities, praise for the filmmaker's bravery."
- Melanie, Grand Rapids

"The strength and emotion on the faces of the family in the film was all too real."
- Kelly, Grand Rapids
 
 

A Dream in Doubt

America's first post-9/11 hate crime murder punctuated a growing wave of violence in retaliation for the terror attacks. Told through the eyes of the victims brother, the film travels to Phoenix to tell a personal story of national tragedy, murder, community and the American Dream.
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Reactions to the Film

“It brings to light the injustices of actions against those that we feel because of their race that they are part of those that are terrorists.”
- anonymous, Zeeland

“It was telling that the first 911 caller assumed the Sikh shooting victim was Arab-American. It was an interesting assumption and I wondered what meaning he attached to the assumption.”
- Stan, Grand Rapids
 
 

King Corn

Recent college grads Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis plant a single acre of the nation's most powerful crop - corn - and set out to follow it on its journey to America's tables.
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Reactions to the Film

“Horrified to learn the reality of the degradation of our food supply with implications and dire consequences to not only our health but rising health care costs, etc”
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

“Opened my eyes to question things.”
- Toni, Grand Rapids

“I am encouraged to hear that corn has as much potential as it does – I will look for corn products.”
- anonymous, Caledonia

“Creative, informative… important to know food facts on cheap food/fast food.”
anonymous, Grand Rapids


“I thought it was really interesting and there were many points/facts that I had not been aware of.”
- anonymous, Grand Rapids
February 5
  

Iron Ladies of Liberia

An intimate documentary that goes behind-the-scenes with Africa's first freely elected female head of state. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia.
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Reactions to the Film

“excellent, enlightening – the kind of info you can’t find anywhere else!”
- anonymous

“Very informative – hopefully, the new government can overcome some of the overwhelming problems.”
- Nancy, Grand Rapids

“This film was informative and touching.”
- anonymous

“I learned a lot about Liberia and the political situation there. President Sirleaf is an incredible woman. The film left me wanting to learn more, and I’m looking forward to it.”
- Jenny, Grand Rapids

“Enlightening to the true power of a dream.”
- Jessie, Grand Rapids

“Well worth watching.”
- Ken, Grand Rapids
January 8
  

Banished

The story of three counties that forcefully banished African-American families from their towns one hundred years ago - and the descendents that return to learn a shocking history.
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Reactions to the Film

“very informative about a subject that I knew nothing about”
- Rick, Grand Rapids

“stupefied at the imprint that racial tension has left on southern communities, that there are modern day, civilized, educated communities that are so bound to a history of ignorance and intolerance”
- Kendall, Allendale

“Horror and disappointment – it was eye-opening because something like this not publicized, instead it is hushed… It wasn’t something that I learned throughout middle school or high school – the entire documentary was new to me. I feel ignorant about the 20th century and black struggles and it makes me very sad.”
- Andrea, Allendale

“I was not aware of this phenomenon, so I am pleased that I have learned about it through this movie.”
- Mario, Kentwood

“sadness – felt like I could cry:
Christina, Wyoming

“Great film, indicative of ugliest aspects of white privilege.”
- Amy, Grand Rapids

 

Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita

A close-up look inside the life and laboratory of Dr. Jack Kessler - renowned stem cell expert, this film movingly depicts the high stakes involved in the quest to harness the full potential of stem cell medicine.
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Reactions to the Film

“very thought-provoking film everybody should see”
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

“good film – very touching”
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

 

 

An Unreasonable Man

This film takes an unsparing look at Ralph Nader, one of the most important and controversial political figures of our time.
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Reactions to the Film

“very interesting – gives good insight”
- anonymous, Muskegon

“I… saw a different side of American politics that is not often covered.”
- anonymous

“It made me wonder if/how things will change in the next and future elections”
- anonymous, Grand Rapids

“I appreciated that film showed so much art… criticism of Nader when it also seemed that the filmmakers admired the work of the man.”
- Steve, Grand Rapids

“Seemed fair representation, I appreciated the political analysis and the sentimental reaction to Nader.”
- Rebecca, Grand Rapids

“I found it interesting, informative and inspiring.”
- Jennifer, Grand Rapids

“Wow! It gave me a lot of new information about Democrats – about the voting system.”
- Karen, Spring Lake

 
 

49 Up

The seventh film in a series of landmark documentaries that began 42 years ago when UK-based Granada's World in Action team interviewed a diverse group of seven-year-old children from all over England.

 

Miss Navajo

Following contestants in their quest for the Miss Navajo Nation crown, and featuring personal stories of recent winners, this is a celebration of womanhood.
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Reactions to the Film

“very powerful message”
- Lauren, Ionia

“Very informative and interesting.”
- anonymous, Walker

“I liked this film very much and greatly respected the Miss Navajo pageant for incorporating the importance of culture and skills above those of twirling a baton and wearing a swimsuit like traditional pageants.”
- Heidie, Grandville

“Very interesting – I admired the values of the pageant.”
- Nancy, Grand Rapids


“Culturally, it was amazing to see how the Navajo live and are still strong today.”
- Jason, Grand Rapids

“A good representation of family values in the best sense.”
- Brian, Grand Rapids


“Very interesting and informative. I think it is very important to learn about different cultures. I believe learning leads to understanding, which leads to more respect and tolerance.”
- Kat, East Grand Rapids

 
 

Lumo

This is one woman's story, tragic for its cruelties but also inspiring for the struggle she wages and the dignity she displays.

Click here for reactions to the film

 

Please Vote for Me

Follow eight-year-old students in an elementary school in China as they campaign for school monitor.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

Made in LA

This is the intimate story of three Latina garment workers who join the growing struggle for better working conditions.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

The Chances of the World Changing

A decade ago, after an epiphany at a New York restaurant, Richard Ogust began dedicating his time and resources to rescuing endangered turtles. This film documents two years in the life of a man who finds himself struggling to save hundreds of lives, including his own.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

Knocking

Following two families who stand firm for their controversial and misunderstood Christian faith, Knocking reveals how Jehovah's Witnesses have helped shape history beyond the doorstep.
 

Standing Silent Nation

Alex White Plume and his Lakota family planted industrial hemp on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota after other crops had failed, putting their hopes for a sustainable economy in hemp's hardiness and a booming worldwide demand for its many products
 

Sentenced Home

Raised as Americans in inner-city projects near Seattle, three young Cambodian men are unwillingly deported back to Cambodia, caught between a tragic past and an uncertain future by a system that doesn't offer any second chances.
 

Black Gold

Tracing one man's fight for fair trade, Black Gold is an eye-opening expose of the eighty-billion-dollar coffee industry.
 

Race to Execution

Through compelling personal narratives and the often unexpected results of research on race, justice and the media, Race to Execution exposes the factors that influence who lives and who dies at the hands of the state.
 

Hip Hop:
Beyond Beats and Rhymes

An in-depth look at the sexism, violence and homophobia in rap music and hip-hop culture through the lens of a former college star athlete.
 

Twisted

Twisted tells the stories of people who live with dystonia, a neurological disorder that forces your muscles to twist into abnormal, often painful, movements or postures.
 

Shadya

Shadya Zoabi, a charismatic 17-year-old karate world champion, strives to succeed on her own terms within her traditional Muslim village in northern Israel.

Read an interview with the filmmakers and see an update on Shadya's life.

 

My Country,
My Country

Working alone in Iraq over eight months, filmmaker Laura Poitras creates an extraordinarily intimate portrait of Iraqis living under U.S. occupation.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

Democracy on Deadline:
The Global Struggle for an Independent Press

Democracy on Deadline shadows courageous journalists and champions of independent media as they work to make, and keep, their societies free.

 

  

The World According to Sesame Street

The World According to Sesame Street explores the drama and complexities behind producing the world's most popular children's television program.

 

The Boys of Baraka

The Boys of Baraka follows four boys as they travel with their classmates to rural Kenya in East Africa, where a teacher-student ratio of one to five, a strict disciplinary program and a comprehensive curriculum form the core of an extraordinary new journey in their transformation to men.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

Waging a Living

Waging a Living chronicles the day-to-day battles of four low-wage earners fighting to lift their families out of poverty.

Click here for reactions to the film
 

Al Otro Lado
(To the Other Side)

Al Otro Lado follows Magdiel, an aspiring corrido composer from the drug capital of Mexico, as he faces two difficult choices to better his life: to traffic drugs or to cross the border illegally into the United States.
 

The Tailenders

Filmed in the Solomon Islands, Mexico, India and the United States, "The Tailenders" is an unusual filmic essay that examines the missionaries’ strategic use of media and the intersection of missionary activity and global capitalism.

Click here for reactions to P.O.V.