Blog

Re-enactment screenshot of the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI planning their Media, PA burglary.

May 14, 2015

Nine Movies about American Radicals

Independent Lens in Lists

By Noel Murray There’s something deeply and inherently provocative in movies that tell stories about open rebellion against the United States government, because they force us to think harder about…...

Dancer bends over backwards on a spinning floor to keep his balance.

May 07, 2015

Art on the Edge: Extreme Dance, Performance, and More

Craig Phillips in Lists

Elizabeth Streb was once called the "Evel Knievel of dance," and our documentary Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity captures her life as an "extreme action architect." Her choreography, which she calls…...

Drawing representing Hawaiian mahu, or third gender.
Beyond the Films

April 30, 2015

Hawaiian Music: More Than Just Hula (But Also Hula)

Craig Phillips in Lists

[caption id="attachment_6841" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hina performing with some of her students, from Kumu Hina[/caption] In tandem with the PBS film Kumu Hina, we created this Spotify playlist compiling some of the greatest…...

Young Lacey Schwartz lies on her mother's lap in the woods.
Lists

March 19, 2015

9 Movies about Family Secrets

Independent Lens in Lists

By Noel Murray  When Lacey Schwartz applied to Georgetown at age 18, she left the “racial identity” box unchecked, but did submit a photograph, and not long after she was…...

Lists

March 05, 2015

Celebrate Women’s History Month with These Docs

Independent Lens in Lists

March is Women's History Month, and, like a lot of people, we feel like women should be honored and celebrated every day of the year, but the idea behind an…...

February 12, 2015

Black History Month: From the Independent Lens Archives

Craig Phillips in Lists

Our programming aims to celebrate black history more than just during the month February, but Black History Month is certainly a great time to pause and reflect on African American…...

Lists

January 19, 2015

Moral Dilemmas in 10 War Films

Craig Phillips in Lists

The central dilemma in Dan Krauss's Independent Lens documentary The Kill Team is grappled with by an American soldier in Afghanistan who found members of his platoon were committing immoral war crimes, and wanted…...

Decaying buildings face an empty street in small town Rich Hill
Lists

January 05, 2015

American Dreaming: Small Towns Through the Movies

Craig Phillips in Lists

Rich Hill is a new example of a realistic portrayal of a small American town, through the eyes of three young residents and their struggling families, but the fascination with (capital…...

December 18, 2014

Best Documentaries of 2014: Scanning the Critics’ Lists

Craig Phillips in Lists

The critics have spoken. And they're saying... a lot of different things, but when it comes to picking the best documentary films of the year there is plenty of common…...

November 11, 2014

5 Independent Lens Films for Veteran’s Day

Craig Phillips in Lists

In honor of our nation's veterans on Veteran's Day, we've compiled a list of a few Independent Lens films that centered around American soldiers. While the day was initially intended…...

Karess, Sam and volunteer on Election Day
Film History

June 10, 2014

LGBTQ Pride: Movies That Rocked Their World [Updated]

Craig Phillips in Film History

June is always LGBTQ Pride Month, and traditionally it's been both a time for reflection on gay history and struggles (originally created to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969), along with…...

Lists

April 14, 2014

Bill Siegel’s 12 Documentaries That Had Biggest Impact on Him

Craig Phillips in Lists

Documentary filmmaker Bill Siegel, whose previous film (co-directed with Sam Green) The Weather Underground was nominated for an Oscar, returned to the world of American political activism and history with The…...