Documentary Movies

A portrait of the groundbreaking Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane, documenting a series of electrifying live performances in Tunisia, Morocco, and France; on the streets of Casablanca; and in intimate…

During 1977-1981 The Police went on a truly global tour which took them through more than a dozen countries, including many that most Rock bands of the period would fail…

An experimental film of the group Throbbing Gristle in concert.

A documentary profiling a Japanese taiko drumming group based in the remote Sado Island, Japan. The film blurs the line between real-life documentary footage of the troupe’s training and practice…

A visit with a master of the Oldest Art In The World: tattooing. Disabled by arthritis since the age of four, confined to a wheelchair, his growth stunted, Stoney St….

Today it’s a symbol of strength and vitality. 135 years ago, it was a source of controversy. This documentary examines the great problems and ingenious solutions that marked the construction…

Commissioned by the COI, Peter Greenaway made a biographical short film about fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.

Early Errol Morris documentary intersplices random chatter he captured on film of the genuinely eccentric residents of Vernon, Florida. A few examples? The preacher giving a sermon on the definition…

Stations of the Elevated exposes viewers to an underground art scene- that is, one found exclusively on the sides of subways and train cars. A moving portrait of late-70’s NYC,…

The film offers a comprehensive examination of the exploitation of animals in modern society.

A documentary of the decline of America. Featuring footage (most exclusive to this film) from race riots to serial killers and much, much more.

Documentary about the pornography industry and the apparent violent anti-woman slant much of it takes.

A tribute to the spirit and humanity of people who are physically different from the average: very tall and very large men and women, a bearded woman and her long-time…

The Arts Project of the Work Projects Administration (1935-1942) was a USA government agency established to support writers, theater people, painters, sculptors, and photographers.

The documentary follows Gene Scott, famous televangelist involved with constant fights against FCC, who tried to shut down his TV show during the 1970s and ’80s, and even argues with…

Brief scenes of death related material: mortuaries, accidents and police work are filmed by TV crews and home video cameras. Some of it is most likely fake, some not as…

Chronicles the history of Negro Leagues baseball by using rare historical footage and interviews with black baseball greats.

Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close…

A film based on a search undertaken by filmmaker Ron Peck into the life and work of the painter Edward Hopper.

Elem Klimov’s documentary ode to his wife, director Larisa Shepitko, who was killed in an auto wreck.

Director ‘Nicholas Ray’ is eager to complete a final film before his imminent death from cancer. Wim Wenders is working on his own film Hammett (1983) in Hollywood, but flies…

Divine Madness is a 1980 concert film directed by Michael Ritchie, and featuring Bette Midler during her 1979 concert at Pasadena’s Civic Auditorium. The 94-minute film features Midler’s stand-up comedy…

Documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.

A television reporter interviews fighters and promoters about Bruce Lee in preparation for a tournament to claim the title of “Successor to the Bruce Lee legacy”. Footage from Bruce Lee’s…

Rude Boy is a semi-documentary, part character study, part ‘rockumentary’, featuring a British punk band, The Clash. The script includes the story of a fictional fan juxtposed with actual public…

Documentary by Jean-Pierre Gorin about twin girls who spontaneously developed their own unique language as children.

This movie is a fun look back into a bygone era of motorcycling. More than the ubiquitous “history of Harley” type documentaries, this move looks at the entire culture of…

Produced and directed this documentary for BBC in the 1980’s, about David Gulpilil, acclaimed Australian Aboriginal actor, dancer and musician. The film shows how Gulpilil is always working to bridge…

A documentary about women in the punk rock scene in Europe.

Mondo Movie dealing with various sexual aberrations and perversions. The sources of inspiration include Freud, De Sade and Richard von Kraft-Ebing.

Rock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.

Documentary film about the anti-war movement in the Madison, Wisconsin area during the time of the Vietnam War. It combines archival footage and interviews with participants that explore the events…

This Academy Award-winning documentary short Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist, narrated by Sidney Poitier, traces the career of Paul Robeson through his activism and his socially charged performances of…

“Solidarity! All for One and One for All!” With that slogan, the Industrial Workers of the World, aka the Wobblies, took to organizing unskilled workers into one big union and…

Docu-drama about the earthquake in Romania, on March 4, 1977. The film was not broadcast in the country.

Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who. It captures their zany craziness and outrageous antics from the…

Canadian documentary film directed by Paul Cowan about the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

A feminist documentary about female relationships, especially between mother and daughter.

A documentary exploring the existence of extra-terrestrials.

A portrait of a family in Berlin in the late 1970s, this film focuses on the mother.