April 1
  

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
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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.

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Please Vote for Me

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

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Made in LA

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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