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Documentaries
From actuality to direct cinema and the film essay, the documentary form is one of cinema’s pre-eminent mediums.
Places and people are the focus of this subscription collection, and filmmakers themselves come under the spotlight in our series of films about cinema.
100 Years of Japanese Cinema100 Years of Japanese Cinema
Documentary 1996 52 minsDirector: Nagisa Oshima
Archive propels argument in this fascinating exploration of the social and cultural importance of Japan's film heritage.
A Century of French CinemaA Century of French Cinema
Documentary 1995 50 minsDirector: Anne-Marie Miéville and Jean-Luc Godard
Six regions, six films appraised for cultural and historical meaning. Produced by Jean-Luc Godard.
Anger MeAnger Me
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2006 71 minsDirector: Elio Gelmini
Like all good magicians, the life and work of Kenneth Anger, the Magus of underground film, is crowded with mystery and myth.
Lotte Reiniger's ArtLotte Reiniger's Art
Documentary 1970 17 minsDirector: John Isaacs
The short documentary gives us a wonderful insight into the enchanting animated film world of Lotte Reiniger.
Before StonewallBefore Stonewall
Documentary 1984 84 minsDirector: Greta Schiller
Documenting the testimonies from those who dared to challenge the world and helped create the modern gay community.
FinisterreFinisterre
Documentary 2003 59 minsDirector: Kieran Evans and Paul Kelly
A journey from London’s suburbs to its heart, charting the influence of the city on indie pop band Saint Etienne.
From the Sea to the Land BeyondFrom the Sea to the Land Beyond
Documentary 2012 73 minsDirector: Penny Woolcock
This fascinating and moving film by award-winning director Penny Woolcock is a lyrical portrait of Britain's coastline which features a score by British Sea Power.
Heart of the AngelHeart of the Angel
Documentary 1989 40 minsDirector: Molly Dineen
Molly Dineen’s wry, humorous and sometimes touching look at the trials faced by the staff and passengers of London’s dishearteningly dilapidated Angel tube station, before its modernisation.
Hit So HardHit So Hard
Documentary 2011 103 minsDirector: P. David Ebersole
Patty Schemel, one-time drummer of grunge band Hole, recounts her turbulent years on tour with the band, piecing together a compelling tale of rock and roll excess, and the personal story of one woman’s survival.
I Am DivineI Am Divine
Documentary 2013 90 minsDirector: Jeffrey Schwarz
A unique documentary about a unique person – follow Divine’s life from humble Baltimore beginnings to superstar status as the Queen of Cult.
Les InvisiblesLes Invisibles
Documentary 2012 112 minsDirector: Sébastien Lifshitz
French gay men and women in their 60s and 70s talk about their lives in Sébastien Lifshitz’s documentary.
LondonLondon
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1994 85 minsDirector: Patrick Keiller
The first in Patrick Keiller’s highly imaginative trilogy of films is a photographic trip through London, recounted by our unseen narrator.
London the Modern BabylonLondon the Modern Babylon
Documentary 2012 128 minsDirector: Julien Temple
The story of London told through a century of popular music and film archive treasures.
Memories of JohnMemories of John
Documentary 2012 29 minsDirector: Doug Headline
A short documentary featuring some of John Cassavetes' key collaborators, actor Peter Falk and producer Al Ruban.
My Voyage to Italy (part one)My Voyage to Italy (part one)
Documentary 2001 120 minsDirector: Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’s two-part love letter to Italian cinema is epic and sprawling in scope but also a deeply personal and moving testament to his passion for film.
The Nine MusesThe Nine Muses
Documentary 2012 92 minsDirector: John Akomfrah
John Akomfrah mixes archive material, literary and musical quotations and newly shot silent footage in a wry, rapt meditation on memory and migration.
Of Time and the CityOf Time and the City
Documentary 2008 74 minsDirector: Terence Davies
Brilliantly mixing archive film and music, Liverpool-born director Terence Davies reflects with wit and wisdom on a times of change, for good or ill
A Personal Journey... Part 1A Personal Journey... Part 1
Documentary 1995 72 minsDirector: Martin Scorsese and Michael Henry Wilson
The first part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema.
A Personal Journey… Part 2A Personal Journey… Part 2
Documentary 1995 79 minsDirector: Martin Scorsese and Michael Henry Wilson
The second part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema.
A Personal Journey… Part 3A Personal Journey… Part 3
Documentary 1995 74 minsDirector: Martin Scorsese and Michael Henry Wilson
The third part of Martin Scorsese's 'personal journey' through American Cinema
Speaking of BuñuelSpeaking of Buñuel
Documentary 2000 99 minsDirector: José Luis López Linares and Javier Rioyo
José Luis López-Linares and Javier Rioyo’s incisive documentary about Luis Buñuel.
Sleep FuriouslySleep Furiously
Documentary 2007 90 minsDirector: Gideon Koppel
Gideon Koppel’s charming documentary about a small farming community in mid-Wales, observing the unalterable rhythms of country life and the monthly visits of a mobile library.
This Is TomorrowThis Is Tomorrow
2007 54 minsDirector: Paul Kelly
The final part of Saint Etienne and Paul Kelly’s London trilogy follows the renovation and reopening of the Royal Festival Hall through 2005-7.
Two in the WaveTwo in the Wave
Documentary 2009 92 minsDirector: Emmanuel Laurent
Jean Luc-Godard and Francois Truffaut: the story of a friendship, a break-up and the birth of a new cinematic movement that would sweep the world.
A Summer + 50A Summer + 50
Documentary 2011 75 minsDirector: Florence Dauman
Key participants discuss the making of influential cinéma vérite documentary Chronicle of a Summer. Includes unused footage from the film.
VitoVito
2011 93 minsDirector: Jeffrey Schwarz
A profile of LGBT activist, academic and author Vito Russo, the man who changed the face of queer film theory and brought us all out of the ‘Celluloid Closet’.
We Were HereWe Were Here
Documentary 2011 90 minsDirector: David Weissman
We Were Here is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in 1980s San Francisco.
Welcome to BritainWelcome to Britain
Documentary 1976 73 minsDirector: Ben Lewin
Ben Lewin’s 1976 film captures a moment in Britain's evergreen immigration debate, focusing on new arrivals at Heathrow as they wrestle with immigration law.
What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day?
Documentary 2005 45 minsDirector: Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly’s second collaboration with pop band Saint Etienne traces the hidden history of East London’s Lower Lea Valley before its Olympic makeover.