Subgenre Sampler

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Galapagos (2013): Feat. David Attenborough; David Attenborough explores the extreme and unique environment of the Galápagos islands in this latest documentary from the iconic naturalist.
Sound City (2013): Dir. Dave Grohl; Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl directs this passionate and engaging tribute to the obsolete world of analogue music production and LA's legendary…
This is Roller Derby (2013): Dir. Daniel Hayward; An entertaining ride that visits the pioneering Australian leagues of Roller Derby and meets the women who have kick–started the roller derby…
About Face: Supermodels, Then and Now (2012): Dir. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders; The likes of Jerry Hall, Jerry Hall, Isabella Rossellini, and Paulina Porizkova reflect on their time in the spotlight in this fascinating symposium…
Africa (TV Series) (2012): Feat. David Attenborough; A stunning natural history series – even by the BBC's high standards – which employs state of the art technology to offer a whole new…
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012): Dir. Alison Klayman; As he prepares for a new series of exhibitions, China's most famous contemporary artist and dissident is profiled in this superb documentary.
America Revealed (TV Series) (2012): Based on the BBC's "Britain From Above", this all–encompassing series examines the United States through its vast infrastructures, looking at…
Art of America (2012): Art critic Andrew Graham–Dixon guides us from the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts to the contemporary art scene in New York and LA in this…
Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild (2012): Feat. David Attenborough; A superb tribute to the life and times of the BBC's talismanic natural history host, who revisits the stories behind his award–winning shows…
Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012): Dir. Stacy Peralta; Skateboarding legend turned director Stacy Peralta turns his camera on himself and as well on the sensational titular skateboarding team, and traces…
Classic Albums - Peter Gabriel (So) (2012): Peter Gabriel's quintessential 80's album "So" is deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key…
Creative Minds (2012): Geoffrey Rush headlines this insightful series of interviews with Australia artists who speak openly about their influences, personal development,…
Crusades, The (2012): Medieval historian Thomas Asbridge re–examines the religious fanaticism and unspeakable brutality of the 'Holy War', first explored for the BBC…
Diamond Queen, The (2012): The Queen's forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations are prefaced by this definitive overview of the her lengthy reign.
Dirty Business - How Mining Made Australia (2012): An insight into the riches and turmoil behind Australia's nickname of "the lucky country", and how the mining of its vast natural resources has…
Dust Bowl, The (2012): Dir. Ken Burns; The Great Depression and the subsequent decade–long drought experienced by farmers during the 30s forms the basis of this latest historical…
First Crossings (TV Series) (2012): This rugged adventure series literally retraces the steps of New Zealand's pioneer explorers in the intrepid, no–holds–barred style of…
Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender (2012): Dir. Rhys Thomas; 'Queen' fans are in for a treat with this loving documentary that paints a portrait of a man very different to his flamboyant persona. Focused on his…
Gallipoli From Above (2012): An Australian–centred 'corrective' history of the Gallipoli landing, which focuses on the scale and achievement of the ANZAC's deployment of…
How to Cook like Heston (TV Series) (2012): Culinary wizard Heston Blumenthal gets practical with this hands–on series on how to perfect home cooking with everyday ingredients.
How to Grow a Planet (2012): A three–part 'unpacking' of the world's eco–system and evolutionary history by geologist Iain Stewart, whose agenda for a healthy planet…
Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer (2012): Dir. Gregor Jordan; A fascinating plunge into the mindset of Australia’s greatest and most polarizing Olympian, whose record five gold medal haul is challenged as he…
In Search of Haydn (2012): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Lucid, unpretentious biography of 'the father of the symphony' Joseph Haydn drawing on interviews with both musicians and historians. The third…
Intersexion (2012): Dir. Grant Lahood; New Zealand's first 'out' intersex person, Mani Bruce Mitchell, reaches out to other intersexuals around the world in this a frank exploration of the…
Jerusalem - The Making of a Holy City (2012): Simon Sebag Montefiore presents this balanced and edifying history of Jerusalem, from its 3,000 year old foundations, to its contentious present day…
Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012): Dir. Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz
Feat. Katy Perry; A suitably bubbly and inspirational fly–on–the–wall doco that intimately follows the candy–coloured pop chantreuse, Katy…
Kea: Mountain Parrot (2012): Wild South documentary takes a closer look at New Zealand's notorious native mountain bird, famous for its mischievous behaviour, but less known as a…
Kevin McCloud's Man Made Home (2012): The erudite Grand Designs host takes on his own self–build project in this short series following his attempt to construct a sustainable…
Kingdom of Plants (TV Series) (2012): Feat. David Attenborough; David Attenborough updates his previous botany series, THE PRIVATE LIFE OF PLANTS, with the help of new technology to gain further insight into the…
Last Ocean, The (2012): Dir. Peter Young; Sobering environmental documentary on the depletion of marine life in the Antarctic's Ross Sea, which factors as part of an international movement to…
Last Shop Standing (2012): With 2000 record shops having disappeared in the UK alone since the turn of the milennium, this engaging documentary charts the rise, fall and…
Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present (2012): Dir. Matthew Akers, Jeff Dupre; Mesmerising arts documentary that follows the Serbian–born veteran performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The…
Marley (2012): Dir. Kevin MacDonald; An exemplary music documentary on Rasta icon Bob Marley, produced and endorsed by the reggae legend’s family.
Metal Evolution (TV Series) (2012): Dir. Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn; The makers of METAL: A HEADBANGER'S JOURNEY delve into a the history of heavy metal and hard rock, using the “Heavy Metal Family Tree” as a launchpad…
Once Upon A Time In Cabramatta (TV Series) (2012): A powerful, engrossing docu–drama on Sydney suburb Cabramatta, an area know for its dense Vietnamese population, and more notoriously, racial…
Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey (2012): The planet's wild and varied weather is studied in relation to the earth's orbit in this spectacular BBC nature series.
Paul Kelly: Stories of Me (2012): Dir. Ian Darling; Prolific Aussie singer–songwriter Paul Kelly is afforded a generous, if honest personal portrait in this fine documentary mapping the artist's…
Pink Floyd - The Story of Wish You Were Here (2012): Dir. John Edginton; Pink Floyd reminisce about the making of their hugely successful album 'Wish You Were Here' and reflect upon it's enduring legacy.
Planet Ocean (2012): Dir. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Michael Pitiot; Photographer Yann Arthus–Bertrand takes us underwater to observe the ocean's greatest natural mysteries while advocating the need for…
Politically Incorrect Guide to Grown Ups, The (2012): Psychologist Nigel Latta's third installment in his popular 'politically incorrect' series turns the spotlight on the adults and the complexities of…
Produced By George Martin (2012): Dir. Francis Hanly; Long overdue and intimate profile of Britain’s most celebrated record producer and 'fifth Beatle’, Sir George Martin. Features interviews with Sir…
Queen of Versailles, The (2012): Dir. Lauren Greenfield; A billionaire couple who've made their fortune in real estate experience the harsh reality of the economic crisis in the midst of constructing the…
Raising the Curtain (2012): Australia's thespian greats contribute to the rich history of Australian theatre in this three part retrospective. Includes interviews with Cate…
Searching for Sugar Man (2012): Dir. Malik Bendjelloul; A unique, engaging music mystery that follows the late–60's Detroit based musician Sixto Rodriguez, who faded into obscurity in America amidst…
She-Wolves: England's Early Queens (2012): Dr Helen Castor explores the lives of seven queens who challenged male power during medieval and Tudor England in this proto–feminist history…
Shihad: Beautiful Machine (2012): Dir. Sam Peacocke; A dignified and highly satisfying chronicle of the iconic Kiwi rockers, brimming with revealing anecdotes about the band's fight with fame, the…
Side By Side (2012): Dir. Christopher Kenneally; An earnest Keanu Reeves fronts this broad but insightful overview of the rapidly changing landscape of movie production and exhibition from both an…
Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012): Feat. Ice-T; Ice–T rounds up a who's who of the hip–hop world for this expansive documentary on the trends, influences, and philosophies to emerge in…
Step Up to the Plate (Entre les Bras) (2012): Dir. Paul Lacoste; French chef Michel Bras, an eccentric three–star Michelin restaurant owner, looks to hand over the reins to his willing but individualistic son…
Story Of The Doobie Brothers, The (Let The Music Play) (2012): Dir. Barry Ehrmann; Generous official biography of the American music legends whose series of hit records dominated FM radio in the 1970s. Surviving and thriving…
Story Of Wales, The (TV Series) (2012): An ambitious, all–encompassing 30,000 year history of Wales, as told by the BBC's Huw Edwards. Covers everything from the Tudor Court, to the…
Survivors: Nature's Indestructible Creatures (2012): Professor Richard Fortey conducts this fascinating search across the globe for life forms which have survived the three biggest mass extinctions in…
Untold History of the United States, The (TV Series) (2012): Dir. Oliver Stone; Oliver Stone is the voice and reasoning behind this fascinating, if contentious revisionist Cold War history through American foreign…
West of Memphis (2012): Dir. Amy Berg; Documentarian Amy Berg, with crucial the backing of Peter Jackson, investigates the crime, arrest, and long legal campaign to free the ‘West Memphis…
Wildest Africa (TV Series) (2012): In–depth natural series celebrates both the continent's vibrant culture and incredible wildlife on a majestic scale. Nine episodes across…
Wildest Arctic (TV Series) (2012): A continuing, in–depth natural series celebrating the continent's incredible wildlife on a majestic scale.
Wildest Latin America (TV Series) (2012): A continuing, in–depth natural series celebrating both the continent's vibrant culture and incredible wildlife on a majestic scale.
Woody Allen - A Documentary (2012): Dir. Robert. B. Weide
Feat. Woody Allen; Candid look at the life and times of Woody Allen covers his career from fledgling comic writer to iconic director with a series of revealing…
A Life for Ballet (2011): Dir. Marlène Ionesco; Elite French dancer Pierre Lacotte's passion for ballet and his fellow ballerina Ghislaine Thesmar is lovingly explored in this documentary tribute…
America in Primetime (TV Series) (2011): A fascinating discussion of character archetypes throughout the history of American television, which doubles as a glimpse into the social and…
Arctic with Bruce Parry (2011): BBC documentarian Bruce Parry ventures to the Arctic to experience how people live in its spectacular wilderness, and how they're coping with the…
Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard (2011): Dir. Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn; The singular punk guitarist Rowland S. Howard, best known for his work in "The Birthday Party", is paid fitting tribute in this poignant doco of…
Bears of the Last Frontier (2011): Biologist and adventurer Chris Morgan uses his motorcycle to explore the resiliency and adaptability of bears through five dramatic Alaskan…
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011): Dir. Michael Rapaport; Actor Michael Rapaport directs this compelling documentary on maverick the American hip hop group revered for their innovative fusion of hip hop and…
Being Elmo (A Puppeteer's Journey) (2011): Dir. Constance Marks; The inspiring story of Kevin Clash, the man and voice behind Sesame Street's most popular character is uniquely documented in this delightful…
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 2011 Season, The (2011): Three masterful concert works from the 2011 season of the world's pre–eminent orchestra. EUROPA CONCERT – Featuring acclaimed Flamenco…
Best Of Palettes Collection, The (2011): Intriguing series using the latest in art investigation and video animation to explore the history, techniques and controversies behind some of the…
Bible, The - A History (2011): Enlightening, SBS–broadcast examination of the origins and ideas behind "the most influential book ever written."
Billy Connolly's Route 66 (2011): Feat. Billy Connolly; Billy Connolly goes all 'Easy Rider' in this breezy American travelogue by motorcycle, stretching some 2488 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.
Billy T - Te Movie (2011): Dir. Ian Mune
Feat. Billy T. James; Infectious, long overdue documentary celebration of comedy legend Billy T James' career in TV, sketch, and film, and his enduring influence on Kiwi…
Blakey (2011): The legacy of sailing legend and environmental crusader Peter Blake is celebrated in this quality commemorative TVNZ production.
Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011): Dir. Liz Garbus; Examining the fine line between genius and madness, this fascinating documentary magnifies the life and times of prodigious chess talent Bobby…
Brian Eno 1971-1977: The Man Who Fell to Earth (2011): Though "unauthorized", this is a thorough and serious appraisal of the 1970's–period career of artist/producer and "non–musician", Brian…
Buck (2011): Dir. Cindy Meehl; A soothing and ultimately inspiring portrait of legendary trainer Buck Brannama, whose compassionate approach to horse rearing inspired the film,…
Bully (2011): Dir. Lee Hirsch; A shattering documentary on the difficult social problem of bullying, which gives a voice to the victims who suffer repeated physical and verbal…
Chelsea Flower Show, The (2011): Feat. Carol Klein; Superb highlights from the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show from 2006 to 2010. Spread across 5 discs, divided by year, this covers…
Cinema Asia (2011): Excellent five–part overview of the key creative and industrial movements within the exciting, often groundbreaking Asian filmmaking…
Civilization: Is the West History? (2011): A compelling overview of the world as we know it, in which historian Niall Ferguson takes us through the ascendancy of Western civilisation via its…
Classical Destinations (TV Series) (2011): Welsh singer Aled Jones fronts this latest addition to the 'Classical Destinations' canon. Dubbed the "ultimate travel guide to classical music", the…
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (2011): Dir. Morgan Spurlock; Morgan Spurlock enthusiastically pays homage to the largest and most talked–about convention of its kind, Comic–Con, a mecca for 'geek'…
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011): Dir. Lisa Immordino Vreeland; Whirlwind portrait of fashion trailblazer Diana Vreeland, a force of nature as former editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Known for her…
Disappear in Light (2011): A distilled portrait of Wellington playwright and performer Jo Randerson, whose work towards the staging of her play "Good Night, The End" provides…
Dragonslayer (2011): Dir. Tristan Patterson; Languidly shot documentary aims to capture the aimlessness and indolence of youth in its portrait of one Josh Sandoval, a 19–year–old pro…
Dreams of a Life (2011): Dir. Carol Morley; The unknown life of Joyce Vincent is sensitively reconstructed and explored in this troubling documentary about the death of a woman whose body lay…
Eames: The Architect and the Painter (2011): Dir. Jason Cohn, Bill Jersey; A vital documentary on design power couple Charles and Ray Eames, whose enduring bond as both married partners and collaborators gave us numerous…
Earth Flight (TV Series) (2011): A continuation of the BBC's recent theme of documenting wildlife from their point–of–view, this takes in some of the world's greatest…
East to West (2011): An epic six part series which traces the birth of civilisation back to the Middle East, arguing that the influence of ancient Greece on world history…
El Bulli - Cooking in Progress (2011): Dir. Gereon Wetzel; A treat for culinary aficionados, this rigorous but appetizing fly–on–the–wall doco takes diners behind the scenes of (the now…
Fabric of the Cosmos, The (2011): Author of 'The Elegant Universe', physicist Brian Greene, seeks to charge our perceptions and conventional wisdom around the nature of the universe…
Fastest (2011): Dir. Mark Neale; Definitive account of biking madness follows Valentino Rossi's pursuit for a tenth world title, busted leg and all. Numerous spills are captured on…
Fightville (2011): Dir. Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker; A serviceable fight documentary on minor league mixed martial arts, a bloody and competitive world populated by working class rough necks and…
Finding Life Beyond Earth (2011): Science and speculation converge in this eye–opening look at the work of astrobiologists who have dedicated to lives to exploring the potential…
Flying Monsters (2011): David Attenborough presents this short, but captivating documentary on who ruled prehistoric skies. Explores the evolution and extinction of airborne…
Foo Fighters: Back and Forth (2011): Dir. James Moll; Chronicles the 16 year history of the Foo Fighters, from the band's first cassette demos – recorded when Dave Grohl was still Nirvana's…
Food Truck, The (TV Series) (2011): Outgoing Auckland chef Michael Van de Elzen takes on New Zealand's fast–food favourites in this enterprising local series aimed at…
Forks Over Knives (2011): Dir. Lee Fulkerson; Examines the profound (yet obvious) claim that many so–called "diseases of affluence" can be prevented, controlled or even reversed by…
Freedom Riders (2011): Dir. Stanley Nelson; A lesser noted, but equally important strain of the American Civil Rights Movement vis–a–vis Rosa Parks's famous bus boycott, this…
From the Ashes (2011): Dir. James Erskine; A gripping flashback to the summer of '81 where England's struggling cricket team – spearheaded by a swashbuckling Ian Botham – rallied…
From The Sky Down (2011): Dir. Davis Guggenheim, David Guggenheim
Feat. Bono , The Edge; Twenty years after it's making, U2 return to Hansa Studio in Berlin to discuss the making of the groundbreaking "Achtung Baby' with Academy Award…
Frozen Planet (TV Series) (2011): Another spectacular, seen–to–be–believed documentary from the BBC's natural history unit, this time focusing on life in the Arctic…
George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011): Dir. Martin Scorsese
Feat. George Harrison; Martin Scorsese argues for the greatness of The Beatles' unassuming lead guitarist in this full–bodied hagiography. As with his Bob Dylan…
Global Radar (TV Series) (2011): Te Radar seeks out environmental do–gooders both here and abroad in these further 'sustainable adventures' from the intrepid Kiwi comedian.
Go Back To Where You Came From (TV Series) (2011): Sure to touch a nerve, this provocative SBS series tackles the divisive asylum seeker issue by asking six ordinary Australians to board a leaky…
Godfathers Of Ganja (Square Grouper) (2011): Dir. Billy Corben
Feat. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mickey Rooney; Colourful portrait of the pot–smuggler's paradise that was 1970's Miami, populated with redneck pirates, a ganja–smoking church, and the…
Happy (2011): Dir. Roko Belic; Roko Belic (GENGHIS BLUES) tackles the lofty subject of happiness in this feel–good global documentary on self–improvement and…
Harry Belafonte: Sing Your Song (2011): Dir. Susanne Rostock
Feat. Harry Belafonte; Harry Belafonte's triumphant life and times as an entertainer and civil rights campaigner is movingly retold in the context of America's social…
Hell and Back Again (2011): Dir. Danfung Dennis; Photojournalist Danfung Dennis captures both the intensity of combat and the despair of life back home in this incredible insight into the realities…
Hiding Behind the Green Screen (2011): Dir. Paora Joseph; An empowering documentary on the negative impact of marijuana on New Zealand youth, as openly discussed by four young men who are mentored by two…
How Earth Made Us (2011): Epic series that reveals how the tumultuous forces of the planet have powerfully influenced mankind, and shaped in someway every aspect of our…
How to Start a Revolution (2011): Dir. Ruaridh Arrow; The remarkable story of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Gene Sharp, the elderly, softly spoken man whose writings concerning the way to wage a…
Human Planet (TV Series) (2011): A massive new undertaking by the BBC, this natural history series focuses on the human species in the relation to the natural world, and how humans…
If a Tree Falls (2011): Dir. Marshall Curry; Part coming–of–age tale, part cops–and–robbers thriller, this extraordinary documentary tells the story of Daniel McGowan,…
iGenius (How Steve Jobs Changed the World) (2011): Hurried Discovery Channel documentary produced in the aftermath of the Apple founder's untimely death pays homage to the 'Church of Jobs' through…
Inside Child Poverty (2011): Dir. Bryan Bruce; Wellington documentary maker Bryan Bruce investigates the appalling level of child poverty in New Zealand, and travels to Sweden to found out why…
Into the Abyss (Death Row Portraits) (2011): Dir. Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog sits down with the perpetrators of a triple homicide in this darkly lucid investigation into the paradoxes of human nature. Probing…
Italy: Love It or Leave It (2011): Dir. Gustav Hofer, Luca Ragazzi; This thoroughly engaging road trip throughout picturesque Italy doubles as a serious critique of a nation beset by various social, economic, and…
Jig (2011): Dir. Sue Bourne; Big–hearted backstage doco on the little known world of competitive Irish Dancing, centred on the sweat and tears behind the 2010 World…
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011): Dir. David Gelb; Mouth–watering profile of 85–year–old sushi grand–master Jiro Ono and his relentless pursuit of perfection, it features…
Julian Assange - A Modern Day Hero? (Inside the World of WikiLeaks) (2011): Fascinating, if patchy insight into the media whirlwind created when whistle–blowing website WikiLeaks published the Afghan War documents in…
Klitschko (2011): Dir. Sebastian Dehnhardt; Unmovable boxing brothers Vatali and Wladimir Klitschko are the subject of this hard–swinging documentary on the championship pedigree of the…
Knuckle (2011): Dir. Ian Palmer; The brutal sport of bare–knuckle fighting is framed against a larger backdrop of feuding Irish families in this harrowing 12–year…
Life In A Day (2011): Dir. Kevin MacDonald; A unique user–generated documentary that shows beautifully, humourously and honestly what it's like to be alive on earth today. Compiled from…
Life in Movement (2011): Dir. Bryan Mason, Sophie Hyde; Heartfelt portrait of young choreographer Tanja Liedtke who's undoubted talent was cut tragically short. Culled from hours of self–shot…
Long March to Freedom, The (2011): A brutal chapter towards of end of WWII is given its due in this harrowing documentary on the 'long march' of British, American and Commonwealth POWs…
Louis Theroux - The Odd, the Bad, and the Godly (2011): A second anthology of intrepid reporter Louis Theroux's eye–opening BBC Two specials. Disc One: America's Medicated Kids, Law and Disorder…
Magic Trip (2011): Dir. Alex Gibney, Alison Ellwood; Recovering 16mm footage shot during the maiden voyage of the the psychedelic 'Magic Bus', this documentary reassembles a visual snapshot of the…
March of the Dinosaurs (2011): Stephen Fry narrates this striking CGI docu–drama depicting the 1000–mile autumn migration of Edmontosaurus and Pachyrhinosaurus from…
Michael Jackson - The Life of an Icon (2011): Dir. Andrew Eastel; Produced and narrated by friend (and former Mr. Liza Minnelli) David Gest, this retrospective focuses on Jackson through the eyes of his mother and…
Mrs. Carey's Concert (2011): Dir. Bob Connolly, Sophie Raymond; Invigorating doco on the power of music. At a Sydney girl's school, Mrs Carey butts head with her obstinate students as they prepare for a…
My Kind of Place (TV Series) (2011): Kiwi celebrities swan around various Australian holiday hotspots for our entertainment in this thinly veiled tourism advertisement for the lucky…
Nature's Miracle Babies (2011): The 'cute quotient' is at an all time high in this heartwarming BBC series centred on the efforts of zoologists to ensure the survival of endangered…
Neil Young - Journeys (2011): Dir. Jonathan Demme; A superb new concert film combining Young's homecoming concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall with intimate glimpses into his travels throughout Canada.
North (TV Series) (2011): Feat. Marcus Lush; The ever–endearing Marcus Lush follows up his award–winning SOUTH with this typically offbeat traverse of New Zealand's far…
Ocean Giants (2011): Spectacular three–part ocean series focused on the secret lives of whales and dolphins, as captured by some award–winning underwater…
Operation 8: Deep in the Forest (2011): Dir. Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones; Cohesive and compelling documentary that gives credible voice to the Maori sovereignty and peace activists who were targeted in police raids and…
Origins of Us (2011): A fascinating anatomical insight into human evolution, particularly through our ancestors, and the edge they gained to survive over a 6 million year…
Page One: Inside the New York Times (2011): Dir. Andrew Rossi; Resonating well beyond the parameters of the news industry, this doco sends out a warning shot on behalf of its beleaguered iconic subject –…
Pina (2011): Dir. Wim Wenders; A dazzling celebration of the late German dance pioneer Pina Bausch, whose challenging and subversive choreography is performed by those who danced…
Planet Dinosaur (2011): The BBC return to the prehistoric ground first trodden with WALKING WITH DINOSAURS, here employing new state–of–the–art CGI to…
Planet Egypt (2011): Egypt's history as an empire and Pharaoh dynasty is explored from beginning to end in this comprehensive survey of the world's first great…
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (2011): Dir. Morgan Spurlock; SUPER SIZE ME's Morgan Spurlock takes us behind the scenes of product placement and strategic branding while pitching his film's naming rights to a…
Primeval New Zealand (TV Series) (2011): Excellent Kiwi–spun series adopts the WALKING WITH DINOSAURS model of prehistoric life reanimated with CGI effects to illuminate us on New…
Prohibition (2011): Dir. Ken Burns, Lynn Novick; Ken Burns focuses on a notorious chapter in American 20th century history – the Prohibition era – in this typically illuminating PBS…
Project Nim (2011): Dir. James Marsh; Moving, heartbreaking documentary on the life and times of 'Nim Chimpsky', a newborn chimpanzee who was deposited into a Manhattan family home in the…
Prophets of Science Fiction (TV Series) (2011): Somewhat exaggerated series produced and hosted by Ridley Scott that depicts numerous occasions when science fiction authors have predicted and…
Restoration Man (TV Series) (2011): A 'Grand Designs' spin–off with a distinct focus on historical 'doer uppers', this traces the progress of ambitious home restoration projects…
Rick Stein's Spain (2011): Utterly delightful cooking show 'laced with history, literature and stunning photography' from the highly personable Rick Stein, as he travels the…
Royal Wedding, The: William and Catherine (2011): Official recording of the wedding of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton includes the full ceremony, carriage procession and the traditional…
Rugby World Cup 2011 (2011): For the diehard All Blacks fan, an official review of the team's 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph. Includes highlight's from the side's epic…
Sarah Palin: You Betcha! (2011): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Renowned documentarian Nick Broomfield journeys to the devoutly evangelical, crystal meth capital of Alaska, in pursuit of Sarah Palin. Interviewing…
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (2011): Dir. Matthew Bate; The viral phenomenon of two aging, foul–mouthed room–mates at each others throats is explored in this wildly entertaining doco, centred…
Sound It Out (2011): Dir. Jeanie Finlay; Irresistible portrait of the very last surviving vinyl shop in North East England and the community of devoted music lovers who keep it alive. A…
Story of Film - An Odyssey, The (2011): Dir. Mark Cousins; An invigorating alternate film history from critic Mark Cousins, here adapting his own book into a 15–chapter exploration of cinema from its…
Tall Man, The (2011): Dir. Tony Krawitz; Compelling true crime documentary on a controversial chapter in Queensland’s history, where in 2004 a drunken Cameron Doomadgee was arrested for…
Taylor Swift - Just For You (2011): The teen queen of country pop shares with us details of her upbringing, songwriting insights, and formative musical influences in this swift…
Tents, The (2011): Dir. James Belzer; A delicious behind–the–scenes look at the prestigious New York Fashion Week, specifically around the iconic tents erected to house…
Test Your Brain (TV Series) (2011): From National Geographic, this interactive series reveals how our brains create the illusion of a seamless reality, and offers a challenge to viewers…
This is Not a Film (2011): Dir. Jafar Panahi, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb; Persecuted Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi turns the camera on himself in this galvanizing protest film about the physical and creative imprisonment of…
Town (TV Series) (2011): Geographer Nicholas Crane explores four iconic British towns (Ludlow, Scarborough, Perth, Totnes) in this compelling plea to reconsider and return to…
Triangle Wars (2011): Dir. Rosie Jones; Absorbing study of local politics as a community rallies together as developers threaten to convert a prime slice of land into 180 shops.
TT Closer to the Edge (TT3D Closer to the Edge) (2011): Dir. Richard De Aragues; Breakneck motor–racing documentary takes viewers inside the annual 'Tourist Trophy' Isle of Man event, the most prestigious – and…
Undefeated (2011): Dir. Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin; The perennial losing record of one Manassas High School is turned around by an inspirational football coach in this Academy Award–winning…
Urbanized (2011): Dir. Gary Hustwit; The final in Hustwit's documentary trilogy this time the focus is on the design of cities, looking at issues and strategies behind urban design and…
We Were Here (2011): Dir. David Weissman; Heartbreaking documentary that takes a deep and reflective look at the arrival and calamitous impact of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco.
When a City Falls (2011): Dir. Gerard Smyth; Heavy–hearted chronicle of the impact of Christchurch’s devastating earthquakes, and on the lives of its resilient citizens.
Where Were You? (Events That Changed The World) (2011): 26–episode series that takes some of the most shocking events of the 20th and early 21st century and analyzes how news of their occurrence…
Wild Coasts (TV Series) (Wild Coasts with Craig Potton) (2011): Photographer Craig Potton continues his exploration of New Zealand's celebrated landscape with this new series dedicated to the nation's rich and…
Wonders of the Universe (TV Series) (2011): Dense, but invigorating spin around the universe, with physicist Brian Cox explaining the fundamental principles governing the laws of nature and…
You've Been Trumped (2011): Dir. Anthony Baxter; Donald Trump is an easy target in this blunt–edged documentary on the David vs. Goliath battle between Aberdeen homeowners along a Scottish…
Young Ones, The (2011): The latest in a series of age and era–based social experiments, this BBC documentary asks six elderly celebrities – among them, cricket…
1 A Minute (2010): Dir. Namrata Singh Gujral
Feat. Kelly McGillis, Olivia Newton-John, Jaclyn Smith; Global docudrama follows a woman's journey through breast cancer, interwoven with celebrity survivor's recounting their own moving experiences of…
180º South - Conquerors of the Useless (2010): Dir. Chris Malloy; Inspiring, caution–to–the–wind travelogue has adventurer Jeff Johnson attempting to follow in the footsteps of Yvon Chouinard and…
2010 Fifa World Cup (New Zealand; Highlights; World Cup Final) (2010): The All Whites are All Right in this historic three–match replay (vs. Slovakia, Italy, Paraguay) of New Zealand’s courageous showing at the…
2010 Global Atheist Convention (2010): Filmed in Melbourne's Convention Center where over 2500 people gathered to hear discussions on global atheism. Speaking are some of the world’s most…
A Film Unfinished (2010): Dir. Yael Hersonski; Filmmaker Yael Hersonski interrogates the veracity of the Nazis' unfinished ghetto film project, with the surviving footage of the Warsaw…
Afterlife Experiments, The (2010): Sketchy 4–part series that investigates the possibility of an afterlife, and boldy claims to have the most "spectacular scientific evidence for…
Amazing World Of Automobiles, The (2010): An extensive look at the history of the motorcar, and what's in store for it next – if you've ever had a question concerning cars, this is the…
An Idiot Abroad (TV Series) (2010): Feat. Karl Pilkington, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant; The whinging round–headed Manc and unwitting star of 'The Ricky Gervais Show', Karl Pilkington, is sent on a journey around the world, partly…
Arbor, The (2010): Dir. Clio Barnard; A grimly compelling portrait of hard–living British playwright Andrea Dunbar, most celebrated for writing seminal kitchen sink comedy RITA,…
Armadillo (2010): Dir. Janus Metz; Dir. Janus Metz chronicles the changing personalities and life–altering experiences of a platoon of Danish soldiers fighting out of the…
Asylum Pieces (2010): Dir. Kathy Dudding; Local filmmaker Kathy Dudding charts New Zealand's cultural and medical attitudes towards mental health and institutionalization, with a movingly…
Babies (2010): Dir. Thomas Balmes; The first year ahead of four newly born infants from different parts of the world (Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and California) forms the irresistible…
Bhutto (2010): Dir. Duane Baughman; A riveting documentary about the recently assassinated Benazir Bhutto, who followed in her father's footsteps as a pillar for democracy, and became a…
Bill Cunningham New York (2010): Dir. Richard Press; A surprise sleeper hit on the arthouse box–office circuit, this is a poignant and gently humorous portrait of street fashion photographer Bill…
Blood Into Wine (2010): Dir. Ryan Page, Christopher Pomerenke; Documentary about the unexpected hobby of hard–rockin' "Tool" frontman Maynard James Keenan, who "with his unusual hands–on approach" has…
Bruce Springsteen - The Promise (The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town) (2010): Dir. Thom Zimny; Featuring a wealth of footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band in rehearsals and studio sessions, this exceptional music doco provides a vivid…
Buddha - The Story of Siddhartha (2010): Dir. David Grubin; Beautifully produced PBS documentary on the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Narrated by Richard Gere.
Candyman - The David Klein Story (2010): Dir. Costa Botes; The sweet–and–sour story of David Klein, the eccentric candy inventor behind "Jelly Belly" jelly beans, who through complex circumstance,…
Cane Toads: The Conquest (2010): Dir. Mark Lewis; Irreverent filmmaker Mark Lewis' second comically horrific take on the environmental devastation left in the wake of the giant toads' unstoppable…
Casino Jack and the United States of Money (2010): Dir. Alex Gibney; Another compelling take on high–level corruption from dir. Alex Gibney (ENRON, TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE), this time delivering a weighty account…
Catfish (2010): Dir. Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman; Astonishing documentary follows the interactions between a New York–based photographer and a young woman from rural Michigan who make contact…
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010): Dir. Werner Herzog; Although intended to be viewed in 3–D, this extraordinary trip inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France – home to the oldest known pictorial…
Chasing Madoff (2010): Dir. Jeff Prosserman; Infamous for the 'Ponzi scheme' that defrauded thousands of investors of billions of dollars, Bernie Madoff is put to the sword in this fascinating –…
Circo (2010): Dir. Aaron Schock; Rewarding documentary filmed in rural Mexico, within a century–old traveling circus, where the Ponce family are struggling with mounting debts,…
Citizen Architect (Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio) (2010): Dir. Sam Wainwright Douglas; Inspiring documentary about late architect Samuel Mockbee and his radical design/build program, the Rural Studio, where students create striking…
Classic Albums - Black Sabbath (Paranoid) (2010): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators. Generously…
Classic Albums - Rush (2112 / Moving Pictures) (2010): Rush's albums 2112 and Moving Pictures are deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists…
Classic Albums - Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers (Damn The Torpedoes) (2010): Dir. Matthew Longfellow
Feat. Tom Petty; Tom Petty And The Heartbreaker's "Damn The Torpedoes" deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by…
Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer (2010): Dir. Alex Gibney; Scandal–laden follow–up to dir. Gibney's excellent doco on Jack 'Casino Jack' Abramoff takes an in–depth look at former New York…
Coasters with Al Brown (TV Series) (2010): HUNGER FOR THE WILD's Al Brown circumnavigates New Zealand's rugged coastline in search of Kiwi characters and spectacular scenery while cooking up a…
Cool It (2010): Dir. Ondi Timoner; A head–scratching portrait of Danish academic Bjørn Lomborg, whose outspoken views against the conventional wisdom around global warming are…
Countdown to Zero (2010): Dir. Lucy Walker; Deeply disturbing history of the atomic bomb that shows the nuclear arms race is far from over. Pic sets out to be the INCONVENIENT TRUTH of nuclear…
Country Calendar - Goes Green (2010): Eleven selected 'Country Calendar' stories from throughout New Zealand which feature farmers who use organic and bio–dynamic methods, and are…
Dave Dobbyn - Beside You (30 Years of Hits) (2010): Still going strong after 30 years, New Zealand’s Dave Dobbyn reflects on a career spanning collaborations from Th' Dudes to Bic Runga, songwriting…
David Byrne: Ride, Rise, Roar (2010): Dir. Hillman Curtis
Feat. David Byrne; Offbeat concert film that blends onstage performances with illuminating interviews with both Byrne and Brian Eno.
David Suchet on the Orient Express (2010): Feat. David Suchet; David Suchet, in person, boards the Orient Express to experience the romance and history of the legendary train for himself – immortalised, of…
Disappearing London - Suggs and the City (2010): Madness front–man Graham McPherson presents this roving history of London’s unique character and charm via the city’s idiosyncratic districts,…
Draquila - Italy Trembles (2010): Dir. Sabina Guzzanti; Sabina Guzzanti returns once more to do battle with Silvio Berlusconi in this incendiary doc that examines his administration's handling of the…
Earth - The Power of the Planet (2010): Prof. Iain Stewart presents this five–part BBC series that traverses the globe in search of the incredible or catastrophic natural forces that…
Ecopolis (2010): Nobel Prize winner Professor Dan Kammen gives us a troubling glimpse of the city of 2050 – a place afflicted by famine, pollution, extreme…
Empire Of The Seas (How The Navy Forged The Modern World) (2010): 4–part BBC series hosted by Dan Snow, historian and avid sailor, who recounts the Royal Navy's intriguing metamorphosis from a "rabble of West…
Engineering An Empire (TV Series) (2010): Dir. Ted Poole
Feat. Peter Weller; The complete series hosted by Peter Weller (Robocop) examines history's greatest societies by reanimating the architectural and engineering feats…
Erasing David (2010): Dir. David Bond; Eerie investigation into the erosion of privacy. Documentarian Bond finds out how much private companies and government know about him by attempting…
Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010): Dir. Banksy
Feat. Banksy , Thierry Guetta; A would–be filmmaker's documentary on renegade street artist Banksy is turned on its head, becoming an expose of the contemporary art world and…
Expedition Antarctica (2010): A team of international marine scientists on board the research vessel PV Tangaroa head for the Ross Sea off the Antarctic Ice Shelf in this battle…
Faces of America (2010): Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the cultural and ethnic roots behind America today in this salient social documentary. Participants keen to share their…
Fire in Babylon (2010): Dir. Stevan Riley; The West Indies’ late rise from happy–go–lucky ‘calypso cricketers’ to world beaters in the late 70s is the subject of this exuberant…
First Life (TV Series) (2010): David Attenborough's latest natural wonder turns back the clock to the dawn of life, investigating the very first animals to roam the planet earth.
Force Of Nature (2010): Dir. Sturla Gunnarsson; Passionate documentary portrait of iconic Canadian scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki, filmed as he delivers his 'legacy speech' stressing…
Freakonomics (2010): Dir. Alex Gibney, Eugene Jarecki, Heidi Ewing; The authors of 'Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist' pass on the baton to six documentarians in this diverse exploration of social phenomena through (and…
Free China Junk, The (2010): Dir. Robin Greenberg; Dir. Robin Greenberg follows her 2008 documentary HULOO with this toothy, humour–filled yarn, circa 1955, of five Taiwanese fishermen who set…
Gasland (2010): Dir. Josh Fox; Hydraulic fracturing – or ‘fracking’ – is the incendiary subject of this alarming expose of unsafe drilling practices in the U.S., whereby the…
Genius of Britain (2010): Fantastic science series that has, among others, Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking and David Attenborough, celebrating Britain's great inventors and…
Genius of Design, The (2010): A highly accessible overview of 20th century industrial design movements and revolutions, this surveys everything from the emergence of modernism in…
God in America (2010): Ambitious PBS series tackles more than 500 years of the American religious experience, from the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the 2008…
Gordon Crook: A Life in Art (2010): Dir. Clare O'Leary; Thoughtful, and enlightening portrait of ex–pat British artist Gordon Crook, who since 1972 has called Wellington – and Aro Valley…
Guilty Pleasures (2010): Dir. Julie Moggan; Ostensibly about the ubiquitous Harlequin Mills & Boon novel, this colourful and insightful documentary examines the role of fantasy in three avid…
Home By Christmas (2010): Dir. Gaylene Preston
Feat. Tony Barry, Martin Henderson, Chelsie Preston-Crayford; The director of WAR STORIES returns to the subject for this deeply personal yet affecting docu–drama focusing this time on a single story…
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster? (2010): Dir. Norberto López Amado, Carlos Carcas; Another towering tribute to an architect, this time chronicling the achievements of Britain's most famous building designer, Norman Foster, whose…
How to Build a Human (2010): Remarkable series that explores how humans are made and the ways we are shaped by our genes and hormones from cradle to grave. From human cloning to…
Human Instinct (2010): Another gem from the makers of THE HUMAN BODY, this time explaining those overwhelming drives within us, like love at first sight – and why we…
I Am (2010): Dir. Tom Shadyac; Disillusioned by Hollywood, the director of the ACE VENTURA movies takes stock, combining discussion with the likes of Noam Chomsky and Desmond Tutu…
I Need That Record! (The Death (or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store) (2010): Dir. Brendan Toller; A bittersweet symphony for vinyl–loving Gen–Xers and their rockin' forefathers, this would have further sated nostalgic pangs to hark…
I'm Still Here (2010): Dir. Casey Affleck
Feat. Joaquin Phoenix; Excruciating, morbidly humourous account of Joaquin Phoenix’s shock ‘retirement’ from acting to pursue a music career in rap, and the attention and…
In From The Cold? The World Of Richard Burton (2010): Dir. Tony Palmer
Feat. Richard Burton; Tony Palmer’s portrait of actor Richard Burton, featuring interviews with his family members and fellow acting legends Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren…
In the Footsteps of Famous Composers (2010): FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF: • Chopin • Tchaikovsky • Verdi • Beethoven • Vivaldi • Bizet • Puccini • Berlioz • Mahler • Offenbach
In Their Own Words - British Novelists (2010): A series of candid interviews and commentaries, many sourced from the BBC's archives, make up this illuminating documentary on the great British…
Inside Job (2010): Dir. Charles Ferguson; Enraging and comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose…
James Rhodes: The Piano Man (2010): With childhood abuse, drug addiction and suicide attempts behind him, James Rhodes is not your typical concert pianist. But with his passion and…
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010): Dir. Tamra Davis; A worthy and elegiac tribute to the neo–expressionist wunderkind, with dir. Davis deftly avoiding much of the usual bluster, instead focusing…
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010): Dir. Anne Sundberg, Ricki Stern
Feat. Joan Rivers; A ripely entertaining piece of work portraying the famously foul–mouthed, nip–tucked, seventy–something stand–up…
Joanna Lumley's Nile (2010): Feat. Joanna Lumley; A North African travelogue under the stewardship of AB FAB's Joanna Lumley, this likeable cultural and geographical series takes in the deserts,…
Just a Beginning (2010): Dir. Pierre Barougier, Jean-Pierre Pozzi; An interesting, if not particularly surprising outcome follows this classroom experiment where a group of French pre–schoolers are educated in…
Kim Newman's Guide to the Flipside of British Cinema (2010): Dir. Jake West; Cult film critic Kim Newman hosts this entertaining doco that looks at some British cinema's more esoteric films. Includes three short films:…
L'Amour Fou (2010): Dir. Pierre Thoretton; A moving document of the relationship between fashion designer Yves Saint–Laurent and his lover, Pierre Berge, remembered through their famed…
Lady Gaga - One Sequin At A Time (2010): Dir. Sonia Anderson; Behind the scenes style documentary about the rise of theatrical pop diva Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta – better known as Lady Gaga.
Landscape Man (TV Series) (2010): An offshoot of GRAND DESIGNS, taking the concept of visionary and unconventional house builds to the garden, where couples are followed through the…
Last Paradise (2010): Dir. Clive Neeson; Cinematographer Clive Neeson's poignant, free–spirited documentary on his pioneering adventures in extreme sports.
Le Quattro Volte (2010): Dir. Michelangelo Frammartino
Feat. Giuseppe Fuda; This mesmerizing blend of wordless narrative fiction and spontaneous nature documentary – about the 'cycle of life' in a rugged valley in Italy’s…
Lemmy (2010): Dir. Greg Olliver, Wes Orshoski; Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer of classic UK metal band 'Motorhead', is here deified as the "Godfather of Metal" and quintessential rock 'n' roll icon…
Lennon NYC (LennoNYC) (2010): Dir. Michael Epstein; Another documentary on John Lennon, but a good one, focusing on the singer–songwriter's period spent in New York (up until his assassination),…
Literary Landscapes (2010): Dir. Aaron Jones; Interesting insight into the places, events and people who inspired classic British authors, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, The Bronte sisters, Thomas…
Love Story (2010): Dir. Florian Habicht; Ebullient Kiwi filmmaker Florian Habicht turns his camera to a beautiful Russian model in New York and his own creative misdirection around the…
Machete Maidens Unleashed (2010): Dir. Mark Hartley; Eye–opening look at the exploitation film–making industry that thrived in the Philippines during the seventies as American producers took…
Martin Clunes - Horse Power (2010): Feat. Martin Clunes; THE ANIMAL – Explores why the horse evolved to be the way it is today, and it's connection with humans. THE SERVANT AND THE SYMBOL –…
Marwencol (2010): Dir. Jeff Malmberg; Impossible to summarize succinctly, this mesmerizingly strange documentary finds the mysteries of art and the art of survival meeting in the…
Matter of Taste, A (2010): Dir. Sally Rowe; Dubbed a "gastronomic thriller”, this involving culinary doco by expat Kiwi dir. Sally Rowe chronicles the challenges faced by English wunderkind…
Michael Smither - The Next Ten Years (2010): Dir. Tony Hiles; Intimate two–part documentary following New Zealand artist and musician Michael Smither, as he prepares for his final dealer exhibition and…
Michael Wood's Story of England (2010): Feat. Michael Wood; Michael Wood (STORY OF INDIA) embarks on an archeological profile of the village of Kibworth in Leicestershire in this fascinating,…
Money Wars (2010): Dir. Richard Houston, Dragana Kalezic; Scathing examination of the post–war U.S. financial system that chronicles the bail–outs, the corruption, the takeovers and the gradual…
Mother of Rock - Lillian Roxon (2010): Dir. Paul Clarke; Feisty Australian journalist Lillian Roxon is the subject of this rock time capsule, which frames the music revolution of the 60s and 70s against…
Murundak - Songs of Freedom (2010): The music of the the Black Arm Band rallies this on–the–road concert film, as they gather some of Australia’s finest Indigenous musicians…
My Perestroika (2010): Dir. Robin Hessman; A playful and positive sense of nostalgia permeates through this enthralling documentary on the lives of five Moscow youngsters who grew through the…
National Geographic - Great Migrations (2010): This National Geographic series collates years of scientific field work and high–definition photography into an awe–inspiring study of…
Nature Of Existence, The (2010): Dir. Roger Nygard; After exploring the phenomenon of TREKKIES, Dir. Roger Nygard takes on that age old question, why do we exist, by interviewing spiritual leaders,…
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010): Dir. Daniel Farrands, Andrew Kasch; Leaving no stone unturned, this four hour documentary on Freddie Krueger's reign of cinematic terror is a must–see retrospective for fans of…
Nostalgia for the Light (2010): Dir. Patricio Guzmán; Famed documentarian Patricio Guzmán directs this mesmerizing journey into Chile’s recent and faraway past through the annals of astronomy,…
Oil City Confidential (2010): Dir. Julien Temple; Completing a trilogy of sorts, renowned rock–documentor Julien Temple turns his retrospective eye and mash–up style to Canvey Island…
One Night in Turin (2010): Dir. James Erskine; English football's so–called watershed moment – their national team's run through the 1990 Football World Cup – is relived in this…
Paris: The Luminous Years (2010): Illuminating documentary takes an overarching look at the literature and art that flourished in Paris during the first three decades of the 20th…
People vs. George Lucas, The (2010): Dir. Alexandre O. Philippe; Rabid Star Wars devotees take umbrage to George Lucas's tainting of the classic sci–fi trilogy's legacy – namely, his much–maligned…
Picture Perfect Homes (TV Series) (2010): Noted architect Ptolemy Dean takes the viewer on a tour of some of Britain's finest period homes in this informative series that looks to the past to…
Pioneers Turned Millionaires (2010): Five documentaries using dramatic reconstruction, archive material and eye witness accounts to look into the lives of Levi Strauss, Henry J. Heinz,…
Pipe, The (2010): Dir. Risteard O'Domhnaill; This familiar tale of big business vs the little guy lacks the perspective of its corporate antagonist to make it a genuinely potent investigative…
Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice (2010): Employing ingenious spy cameras disguised as snow balls and glacial elements, this BBC Earth documentary gets up close and personal with the world's…
Politically Incorrect Guide to Teenagers, The (2010): The irreverent and provocative Nigel Latta returns with advice on how parents can navigate the pitfalls of raising teenagers.
Position Among The Stars (Stand van de Sterren) (2010): Dir. Leonard Retel Helmrich; Although the third part in a longing running trilogy, this engrossing documentary stands on its own as an eye–opening chapter in the life of…
Precious Life (2010): Dir. Shlomi Eldar; A Palestinian baby born in Gaza with a severe immune deficiency is treated by Israeli doctors in this loaded documentary that stirs the eternal…
Queen Of The Sun (What Are The Bees Telling Us?) (2010): Dir. Taggart Siegel; From the director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN, this documentary takes us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the…
Radar's Patch (TV Series) (2010): Resourceful comedian Te Radar attempts to create a green backyard both lush in life and sustainable in this amusing and enlightening series.
Real King's Speech, The (2010): Straight speaking documentary on the stammering King George VI and his Australian speech therapist – portrayed by Colin Firth and Geoffry Rush…
Restrepo (2010): Dir. Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger; A visceral and ground–breaking war documentary that gives us a frontline POV of the stand against the Taliban from a strategically placed…
Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds (2010): Feat. Richard Hammond; State–of–the–art technology is put to good use to examine three distinct invisible realms that lie beyond the limits of human…
Rivers (TV Series) (Rivers with Craig Potton) (2010): Striking documentary series follows renowned photographer and conservationist Craig Potton as he traverses along some of our most significant…
Rolling Stones - Stones in Exile (2010): Dir. Stephen Kijak
Feat. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts…; A vivid retrospective rock–doc that looks at the creation and impact of the Rolling Stones' 1972 epochal album "Exile on Main St", made largely…
Royal Upstairs Downstairs (TV Series) (2010): The secret lives of British servants and aristocrats are speculated on this prim history series which takes viewers on a tour of the houses and…
Sam Hunt: Purple Balloon and Other Stories (2010): Dir. Tim Rose, Jim Scott; A bluntly honest portrait of New Zealand's most recognisable poet, with conversation by Hunt – along with friends, relatives, and other talking…
Seduction in the City (2010): Intriguing doco charts the rise and rise of the department store, from its inception in 1852 Paris, to its mass popularization around the world, and…
Senna (2010): Dir. Asif Kapadia; A thrilling motor–racing documentary on the fast life and times of Formula One legend and Brazilian hero, Ayrton Senna. An exemplar of the…
Smash His Camera (2010): Dir. Leon Gast; An appropriately full–tilt portrait of 'original paparazzo' Ron Galella, whose belligerent pursuit of the celebrity photograph, targeting such…
Story of Science, The (2010): Passionate overview of the forces that came together to create scientific knowledge. Revealing how scientific ideas have shaped the modern world this…
Story of the Melbourne Cup, The (2010): The race that stops (two) nations is celebrated in this 150–year history of The Melbourne Cup. Features gushing interviews with legendary…
Sweetgrass (2010): Dir. Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Ilisa Barbash; An unsentimental elegy to the American West, this follows the last modern–day cowboys to lead their flocks of sheep up into Montana's…
Tabloid (2010): Dir. Errol Morris; Master documentarian Errol Morris tackles the extraordinarily bizarre story of Joyce McKinney, a former Miss Wyoming who was alleged to have abducted…
Teenage Paparazzo (2010): Dir. Adrian Grenier; Adrian Grenier, famous for playing a movie star in the spotlight on TV series ENTOURAGE, turns the camera on a precocious 13–year–old…
Tillman Story, The (2010): Dir. Amir Bar-Lev; Complex portrait of NFL defensive lineman Pat Tillman, who attracted both admiration and controversy by abandoning a professional football career to…
Turn Back Time (TV Series) (2010): Illuminating series that takes a group of modern shopkeepers and has them experience their occupations through differing periods of history beginning…
Under the Spell of Horses (2010): Wonderful, vivid documentary series on the ancient relationship between horse and man. Especially memorable: a spectacular, a five hundred strong…
Unexplained (2010): A fairly skeptical, though still open–minded exploration of paranormal activity throughout the ages. Tackling the historical spook stories are…
Upside Down: The Creation Records Story (2010): Dir. Danny O'Connor; The halcyon days of Brit pop are reminisced in this classy documentary on Alan McGee's cult independent record label, responsible for signing such…
Velvet Underground - Vanishing Point (2010): Dir. Tom Barber
Feat. Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, John Cale; Doco on the legendary art–rockers featuring a wealth of material, including evocative period footage of New York, obscure interviews and…
Victorian Pharmacy (2010): The various ills and ailments of Victorian medicine are explored in this four–part BBC documentary series which puts the common concoctions of…
Wagner and Me (Stephen Fry Wagner & Me) (2010): Dir. Patrick McGrady
Feat. Stephen Fry; A passionate documentary in which Stephen Fry explores his love for the world's most controversial composer, Richard Wagner – a passion that…
Waiting for Superman (2010): Dir. Davis Guggenheim; Disheartening look at the state of U.S. education follows several children as they navigate their way through the increasingly poor public school…
War You Don't See, The (2010): Dir. John Pilger; Famed journo–activist John Pilger traces the history of ‘embedded’ and independent reporting, from WWI through to Afghanistan and current…
Who is Harry Nilsson? (And Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010): Dir. John Scheinfeld; A heartfelt, long–overdue reappraisal of singer–songwriter Harry Nilsson's greatness, which also doubles as an exploration of his…
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010): Dir. Yony Leyser; Celebrities and acolytes gather for this heady hagiography of the legendary beat author and American icon, most famous for his controversial novel,…
Wonders of the Solar System (TV Series) (2010): Extraordinary 5–part series that takes the latest images beamed back from the fleet of probes, rovers and telescopes currently circulating in…
100 Years - 20th Century Almanac (2009): Witness the most significant events of the 20th Century, from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to the moon landing, from WWI to the end of the Cold…
9/11: Blueprint for Truth (The Te Papa Lecture) (2009): Dir. Colin Hodson; Speaking at Te Papa Museum in Wellington, late 2009, American architect Richard Gage presents further evidence (or complete bullshit, depending on…
A Good Man (2009): Dir. Safina Uberoi; A strange and surprisingly beautiful documentary about an Australian sheep farmer who decides to cover his quadriplegic wife's medical expenses by…
Afghan Star (2009): Dir. Havana Marking; Islamic fundamentalism and pop music commericalism make uneasy bedfellows in this vital, eye–opening documentary that follows the fortunes of…
Age Of Stupid (2009): Dir. Franny Armstrong
Feat. Pete Postlethwaite; Confronting and dynamic docodrama from the director of McLibel, has Pete Postlethwaite as an archivist in the devastated world of the future, looking…
All Tomorrow's Parties (2009): Dir. Jonathan Caouette; The cult music festival as viewed through a kaleidoscope of Super 8, camcorder and mobile phone footage taken by various filmmakers, fans and…
America Before Columbus (2009): Intriguing revisionist documentary considers America before Columbus stepped ashore in 1492 as an 'Old World', whose inhabitants had built a vast…
America's Hardest Prisons (TV Series) (2009): Four–part National Geographic series that takes the viewer into the middle of the hellish place that is prison life in America, where the…
American: The Bill Hicks Story (2009): Dir. Matt Harlock, Paul Thomas
Feat. Bill Hicks; The belligerent standup comedian is posthumously honored in this thorough, well–rounded portrait that, if a little too gushing in its…
Angels in New York (2009): Two perfectly successful Asian boys abandon careers in architecture and aeronautical engineering to pursue their dream of staging an original…
Antiques Roadshow (TV Series) (2009): Current Roadshow host Fiona Bruce presents 30 years of gems, appraisals, and priceless discoveries from the iconic antiques junket, in which everyday…
Apocalypse: The Second World War (2009): Brilliantly remastered footage (all in colour, often augmented with sound effects) and an exhaustive chronological of events make this…
Around the World in 90 Minutes (2009): Feat. David Mitchell; Narrated by David Mitchell, this documentary goes on a unique journey 200 miles above the earth, to show what happens below, in the time it takes to…
Art and Copy (2009): Dir. Doug Pray; A clear–headed, inspiring tribute to the 'creatives' behind some of the world’s most iconic advertising campaigns, slogans, and brands.…
Art Of The Steal, The (2009): Dir. Don Argott; Gripping art documentary gets behind the plight of art collector Dr. Albert Barnes, whose posthumous wish to have his fortune of…
Ascent of Money, The (2009): Dir. Adrian Pennick; An ambitious introduction to the history of money is presented by historian Niall Ferguson, an expert in the field and author of a book on the same…
At the Edge of the World (2009): Dir. Dan Stone; Highly topical film bears witness to the actions of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as they do their best to scupper the efforts of Japanese…
Barry Barclay - The Camera on the Shore (2009): Dir. Graeme Tuckett
Feat. Barry Barclay; Film critic Graeme Tuckett directs this sensitive tribute to the late Kiwi filmmaker Barry Barclay, who passed away during the production of the…
Becoming Human (2009): In–depth three–part doco investigates the origins of human beings from an evolutionary perspective while speculating on our primitive…
Best Worst Movie (2009): Dir. Michael Paul Stephenson; The child star of TROLL 2 steps behind the camera nearly two decades later to explore the cult phenomenon and real–life characters behind the…
Bicycle Dreams (2009): Dir. Stephen Auerbach; Intense look behind the scenes of one of the most punishing cycle races in the world, the 3000 mile Race Across America.
Big River Man (2009): Dir. John Maringouin; Another in the popular docu–genre of fearless frontierism, Slovenian celebrity figure and swim–a–holic Martin Strel attempts his…
Billy Connolly - Journey To The Edge Of The World (TV Series) (2009): Feat. Billy Connolly; Amiable travelogue follows comedian Billy Connolly as he takes his luscious locks on a 10–week voyage from the Atlantic through to the Pacific…
Birdland with Jeremy Wells (2009): Dir. Paul Casserly
Feat. Jeremy Wells; Offbeat ornithology with the typically droll Jeremy Wells taking the viewer on a tour of some of New Zealand's finest scenery in pursuit of our most…
Blue Gold: World Water Wars (2009): Dir. Sam Bozzo; This grave and compelling documentary deals with one of the vital issues of our times: the corporatisation and privatisation of water. No longer…
Budrus (2009): Dir. Julia Bacha; Inspiring account of a father and daughter who work to unite Fatah, Hamas and Israelis in an attempt to save their village from destruction.
Burma VJ (2009): Dir. Anders Ostergaard; Enterprising guerrilla documentary shows how members of the Democratic Voice of Burma are using miniature handycams to record and disseminate raw…
Capitalism - A Love Story (2009): Dir. Michael Moore; Doco legend Michael Moore comes full circle after detouring with US gun culture (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE), foreign policy (FAHRENHEIT 9/11), and health…
Chasing The Ghost: New Zealand's P Epidemic (2009): Feat. Paul Holmes; Relevant documentary sees Kiwi broadcaster Paul Holmes investigating New Zealand's 'P' – pure methamphetamine – epidemic, through the…
China Power - Art now after Mao (2009): Dir. Pia Getty; A fascinating glimpse into China's modern art market, reflecting the ironies and contradictions of making art in the country's oppressive political…
Christianity - A History (2009): Reasonably thorough and alternative overview of the origins and divergent paths of Christianity. Eight episodes.
Code, The (2009): Professor Marcus du Sautoy attempts to codify the numbers, shapes, and patterns that govern the world around us in this engrossing mathematical…
Collapse (2009): Dir. Chris Smith; At once infuriating and absorbing portrait of ex–cop turned conspiracy theorist Michael Ruppert, whose one–man rant spanning crises in…
Cove, The (2009): Dir. Louie Psihoyos; An unusually stylish and suspenseful eco–doc that exposes the gratuitous slaughter of thousands of dolphins in a National Park at Taiji,…
Crude - The Real Price of Oil (2009): Dir. Joe Berlinger; Dir. Joe Berlinger (PARADISE LOST) uncovers South American exploitation in this searing legal documentary on the damaging effects of oil drilling in…
David Hockney - A Bigger Picture (2009): Dir. Bruno Wollheim; Sound BBC–produced portrait of David Hockney, following the modernist art icon back to England after 25 years in Hollywood.
Eating Art (TV Series) (2009): Delicious fusion of art history and gastronomic mysteries as celebrated restaurateur and art boffin Oliver Peyton takes the viewer on a tour of some…
Empire of the Word (2009): Ambitious, page–turning companion piece to THE ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH chronicles the act of reading across five thousand years of history. Host…
End of America, The (2009): Dir. Anne Sundberg, Ricki Stern; A one–woman rally–cry based on the New York Times bestseller, this film embellishes author Naomi Wolf's live lectures around her book's…
End of the Line, The (2009): Dir. Rupert Murray; The ever–increasing threat to marine life and their ecological system is examined in this urgent documentary on our over–fishing of the…
Facing Ali (2009): Dir. Pete McCormack; Above the belt documentary takes a fresh shot at the Muhammad Ali legend examining his career through the eyes of his contemporaries.
Fashion in Film (2009): The history of costumes, couture and glamour icons are explored in this rags–to–riches story of fashion in film, and the influence that…
Fat Belly: Chopper Unchopped (2009): Feat. Mark 'Chopper' Read; Inspired by the popularity of gangland series UNDERBELLY, notorious Aussie criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read takes the opportunity to tell his own version…
Fly My Pretties - A Story (2009): Dir. Mikee Tucker; Represents the best takes from the 2009 New Zealand tour, performed, filmed and recorded across ten shows, and is a conceptual extension of the…
Fractals - Hunting the Hidden Dimension (2009): Fascinating documentary in which a group of pioneering mathematicians seek to decipher the rules governing fractals – those irregular,…
Gangs Of Oz (TV Series) (2009): Revealing documentary series looking at various types of organized crime in Australia, with each episode focusing on a particular 'type', from biker…
Gay Traveller (2009): Fabulous pilot guide that traces the evolution of gay pride celebrations from the late sixties to the modern day, and also provides insight into the…
Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould (2009): Dir. Peter Raymont, Michele Hozer; The definitive filmic account of the enigmatic Canadian–born pianist and cult figure that reveals a wealth of never–before–seen…
Good Hair (2009): Dir. Jeff Stilson
Feat. Chris Rock; Comedian Chris Rock explores cultural identity by way of black America's obsession with hair in this warm and witty social documentary. More…
Google Me (2009): Modest doco following struggling Los Angeles actor Jim Killeen as he travels the world to find the other Jim Killeens that turned up when he…
Grow Your Own Drugs (TV Series) (2009): Sorry Cheech, not those kind of drugs. Ethnobotanist James Wong demonstrates a number of natural remedies that can be derived from your garden and…
He Wawata Whaea: The Dream of an Elder (2009): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An insightful portrait of 87–year–old Maori teacher and artist Merimeri Penfold, whose lifelong struggle for Te Reo Maori provides…
Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno (2009): Dir. Serge Bromberg, Ruxandra Medrea; More than just a film about the making of a film, this glorious reconstruction of Clouzot's unfinished 'masterpiece' rescues incredible footage from…
Heston's Feast (TV Series) (2009): A gastronomes delight, this top–shelf British cooking show features master chef Heston Blumental creating a variety of dishes, while drawing…
His & Hers (2009): Dir. Ken Wardrop; A collection of straight–talking vignettes informs this sweet, affecting, often witty documentary in which Irish women of all ages talk about…
Hitler's Bodyguard (TV Series) (2009): 13–part documentary series offering a thorough, at times incredible, examination of the men who protected Adolf Hitler against numerous…
Hoarders (TV Series) (2009): Exploitative series tackles the obsessive compulsive disorders of various sad cases unable to part with their belongings. Taking its cues from…
Home (2009): Dir. Yann Arthus-Bertrand; World renowned photographer Yann Arthus–Bertrand directs this environmental call to action, presenting extraordinary unseen images of the Earth…
Horse Boy, The (2009): Dir. Michel O. Scott; Remarkable documentary focused on the parents of a young autistic boy who travel through Magnolia in search of a shaman they believe can heal him.…
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel (2009): Dir. Brigitte Berman; Entertaining documentary that purports to show the other side of flamboyant founder of the Playboy editor. Focusing on his philanthropic endeavours…
Hunting the Lost Symbol (2009): Dir. John Tindall; Dan Brown–inspired documentary uses the author's blockbusting 'Da Vinci Code' novel as a launching pad to shed light on, among other…
In Search of Beethoven (2009): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Dir. Grabsky's scrupulous follow–up to his IN SEARCH OF MOZART examines classical music's other pre–eminent composer, Beethoven, in…
Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking (2009): Fascinating look at the wonders of space with one of the sharpest minds on the planet. Definitive, provocative and exquisitely beautiful.
James May's Toy Stories (TV Series) (2009): A trip down memory lane with a modern twist: James May, disarming as ever, rediscovers the seminal toys of his childhood, then proceeds to…
Kevin McCloud's Grand Tour of Europe (2009): The personable Kevin McCloud takes the viewer on a grand tour of some of Europe's finest architecture and examines its continued legacy.
La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (2009): Dir. Frederick Wiseman; A captivating meditation on the arts from prolific documentarian Frederick Wiseman, whose decades observing the inner workings of American…
Lancaster at War (2009): WWII documentary extolling the 'Avro Lancaster' and its part in the controversial bombing campaign of Germany.
Land of the Long White Cloud (2009): Dir. Florian Habicht; Loveable loose sequel to Florian Habicht’s Kiwi classic KAIKOHE DEMOLITION finds the engaging filmmaker returning to Northland, where hundreds of…
Last Chance to See (TV Series) (Final Chance to Save) (2009): Feat. Stephen Fry; Scholar of wit, Stephen Fry, embarks on a round–the–world search for the rarest and most endangered animals on earth in honour of his…
Last Train Home (2009): Dir. Lixin Fan; A startling and vivid humanist documentary on China's ceaseless industrial growth, centred on one couple who make the annual migration from city to…
Life (TV Series) (2009): Feat. David Attenborough; Extraordinary and stunningly filmed even by usual BBC nature–doc standards, this truly epic journey to the frontiers of the natural world is…
Line of Fire (TV Series) (2009): In–depth documentary series delves deep inside the New Zealand police force's highly regarded Armed Offenders Squad, with interviews and…
Living With Coffee (2009): Dir. Diane Abad; Premiering at the 2009 NZ Human Rights Film Festival, this short yet concise doco highlights the importance of fair trade in an $80 billion industry…
Lost in Wonderland (2009): Dir. Zoe McIntosh; Wellington filmmaker Zoe McIntosh offers an insightful take on the Rob Moodie character: an eccentric, headline–grabbing lawyer (and former…
Louis Theroux - The Strange and the Dangerous (2009): More madness from Television's favourite faux–naif Louis Theroux, this time with our unfailing polite host coming face to face with some truly…
Love The Beast (2009): Dir. Eric Bana
Feat. Eric Bana, Jeremy Clarkson, Jay Leno…; Eric Bana directs and stars in this passion project tracing his ongoing love affair with his very first car – a Ford GT Falcon Coupe –…
Love, Lust & Lies (2009): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; The fifth film in the documentary series about the lives, hopes and dreams of three lively, working class Adelaide girls (now aged 47) since they…
Magic of Audrey Hepburn, The (2009): Feat. Audrey Hepburn; An unauthorised sprinkling of the iconic movie star’s feminine charms, this all–too–brief documentary looks at Hepburn’s career through…
Magnificent Tati, The (2009): Dir. Michael House
Feat. Jacques Tati; A fine, fun–filled tribute to the irrepressible French comic and filmmaker that is at once serious in its appraisal of Tati's artistry and…
Man In The Hat, The (2009): Dir. Luit Bieringa; Sam Neill narrates this intimate portrait of veteran art dealer Peter McLeavey, commemorating his 40 years in the business of running an independent…
Monty Python - Almost the Truth (2009): Feat. John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin…; An all–encompassing retrospective on those Monty Python scalawags, this six–part documentary chronicles the lives and careers of the…
Most Dangerous Man In America, The (Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers) (2009): Dir. Rick Goldsmith, Judith Ehrlich; Galvanizing portrait of whistle blower Daniel Ellsberg, a former military analyst and aide to Robert McNamara who leaked classified Pentagon papers…
Move On: Storming the Gate (The MoveOn.org Story) (2009): Dir. Scott Stevenson; Partisan documentary examines the revolutionary history and importance of one of the biggest progressive grass–roots movements in U.S.…
Music of the Brain (2009): Dir. Fiona Cochrane; A brief, but insightful investigation into the role music plays in human development, from the womb to the grave.
Ne Change Rien (2009): Dir. Pedro Costa
Feat. Jeanne Balibar; A smokey, high contrast insight into the artistic process from avant–garde filmmaker Pedro Costa, intensely focused on the methods of French…
Nightmares in Red, White and Blue (2009): Dir. Andrew Monument; An exploration of the appeal of horror films from an American angle, with interviews of many legendary directors in the genre (John Carpenter, George…
Objectified (2009): Dir. Gary Hustwit; Gary Hustwit’s follow–up to the superb typography documentary HELVETICA delves into the unseen world of industrial design, investigating and…
Oceans (2009): Dir. Jacques Perrin; A stunning exploration of the planet's seven seas and their wonders beneath. Aided by new digital technology, dir. Perrin (TRAVELLING BIRDS)…
Oh My God (2009): Dir. Peter Rodger; Globe–trotting exploration of religion as dir. Rodger sets out interviewing people about their varying faiths – ranging from druids to…
Once Upon a Time - French Cinema (2009): Dedicated SBS documentary series offering a retrospective look back on some of cinema's greatest films and directors. French Cinema episodes:…
Ours (2009): Dir. Emma Heke; Kiwi 'children's doco' informs kids of the creatures, environments and eco issues that are unique to New Zealand, based around an…
Paper Heart (2009): Dir. Nicholas Jasenovec
Feat. Michael Cera, Charlyne Yi, Martin Starr…; Cutesy indie combination of documentary and narrative as Charlyne Yi travels America interviewing couples about their relationships. Meanwhile,…
Peddler, The (2009): Dir. Lucas Marcheggiano; Charming artisan doco focuses on the itinerant, 70–something Daniel Burmeister as he travels between sleepy Argentinean villages with the aim…
Pete Seeger - Live In Australia 1963 (2009): Live, full–concert footage of legendary – and controversial –folk–singer Seeger's 1963 tour of Australia, where he traveled…
Pianomania (2009): Dir. Robert Cibis, Lilian Franck; Something of an unofficial sequel to the Steinway documentary NOTE BY NOTE, this fascinating insight gives us a close–up look at the difficult…
Picture Me: A Model's Diary (2009): Dir. Ole Schell, Sarah Ziff; Catwalk and billboard model Sara Ziff presents herself "with and without makeup" in this first–hand insight into the pleasures and pitfalls of…
Politically Incorrect Parenting Show, The (2009): Feat. Nigel Latta; Straight–shooting Clinical Psychologist Nigel Latta presents this series that teaches parents parenting tips in a hilariously frank manner…
Quantum Activist, The (2009): Dir. Ri Stewart, Renee Slade; Seeking to bridge the insurmountable gap between science and religion, Dr. Amit Goswami uses principles of quantum mechanics to support his theory of…
Rudolf Nureyev - A Brilliant Life (2009): The life of trailblazing Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev is chronicled in this short, illuminating doco.
September Issue, The (2009): Dir. R.J. Cutler; An unprecedented peek into the world of Anna Wintour, legendary editor–in–chief of fashion magazine "Vogue", as she and her team put…
Shadow Play: The Making of Anton Corbijn (2009): Dir. Josh Whiteman; Behind the defining look of Joy Division, U2, Depeche Mode and Simple Minds (curiously absent here), Dutch rock photographer turned filmmaker Anton…
Shintaro! (2009): Feat. Koichi Ose; Glowing, nostalgia–heavy documentary casting an eye back to THE SAMURAI phenomenon, and the fondness Australians had for the…
Shock Doctrine, The (2009): Dir. Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross; A fast and loose overview of Naomi Klein's contentious "alternate history" of Western economics, which argues how "disaster capitalism", in feeding…
Sisters from Siberia (2009): Dir. Russell Campbell; Wellington City Councillor Stephanie Cook is the subject of this insightful documentary on her successful adoption of sisters Katya and Nadia, who…
Snow White (2009): Angelin Preljocaj choreographs this racy, contemporary ballet rendition of the classic Grimm Brothers. With costumes by Jean–Paul Gaultier.
Snowman, The (2009): Dir. Juliet Lamont; Disquieting portrait of the director's father, a man whose work training astronauts in Antarctica resulted in a deep–seated paranoia that…
Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009): Dir. Bill Guttentag, Dan Sturman; Joss Stone, John Legend, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots, among others, perform tribute covers of freedom songs from the American Civil Rights movement in…
South (TV Series) (2009): Feat. Marcus Lush; Another "love story" from intrepid broadcaster Marcus Lush, who this time explores the South Island of New Zealand, an area he fell in love with…
Stephen Fry and the Gutenberg Press (2009): Feat. Stephen Fry; Stephen Fry, spectacles donned, investigates the intriguing backstory of Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the world changing printing press.
Sunshine Boy, The (A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism) (2009): Dir. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson; An open–book study on autism and its affect on families caring for children afflicted with the misunderstood neurological disorder. Though…
Tell Them Anything You Want - A Portrait of Maurice Sendak (2009): Dir. Spike Jonze, Lance Bangs; These frank and insightful conversations with Maurice Sendak (and dir. Spike Jonze) paint a surprising portrait of the WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE…
This Is It (Michael Jackson's This Is It) (2009): Dir. Kenny Ortega
Feat. Michael Jackson; Striking rehearsal footage of Michael Jackson's highly anticipated world tour is gathered for this fitting concert film, a grand eulogy to the late,…
This is War (Severe Clear) (2009): Dir. Kristian Fraga; Grungy self–portrait of life shot on mini–dv by a marine in Iraq that captures with visceral immediacy life in the front line.
This Way of Life (2009): Dir. Tom and Barbara Burstyn; Evocative, moving Kiwi doco which treats the viewer to an intimate glimpse of a family who reject modernity and live wild with six kids and fifty…
Through Rainbow Coloured Glasses (2009): Grassroots documentary that explores how the Queer community have survived and thrived in Christchurch over the past five decades. Part documentary,…
Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009): Dir. Leanne Pooley
Feat. Jools Topp, Lynda Topp; An adorable, "Kiwi–as" portrait of NZ's beloved folk–singing comedy duo, Jools and Lynda Topp, which also resonates as a ripely…
Trouble is My Business (2009): Dir. Juliette Veber; Keenly observational documentary about an empathetic assistant principal (Gary Peach) who battles to keep his students in school and out of trouble…
Turn It Loose (2009): Dir. Alastair Siddons; Documentary follows sixteen of the world's premier B–boys as they battle to become world champion in a disused Soweto factory.
Two in the Wave (2009): Dir. Emmanuel Laurent
Feat. Jean-Luc Godard, Francois Truffaut, Jean-Pierre Leaud; Taking us back to the inception of the French New Wave and the emergence of its two heavyweights, Jean–Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut, this…
Universe, The (TV Series) (2009): Ambitious, beautifully presented doco series that takes us into the outer regions of space through a combination of scientific theory and computer…
Vanishing of the Bees (2009): Dir. George Langworthy, Maryam Henein; Preachy but fascinating eco–documentary on the potential hazards for the earth if the world population of bees continues to mysteriously…
Video Killed the Radio Star (2009): A 3–part seminal music documentary series looking at the inspirational work of trail–blazing 80's music video directors Russell Mulcahy,…
Visual Acoustics (2009): Dir. Eric Bricker; Fans of modernist architecture will savour this docu–tribute to the life and career of Southern California architectural photographer, Julius…
We Live in Public (2009): Dir. Ondi Timoner; Armed to the teeth with dot–com millions, mad prophet–cum–performance artist Josh Harris goes off the deep end in this startling…
What Darwin Never Knew - The Science Behind Evolution (2009): Dir. John Rubin; Documentary exploring breakthroughs in "evo devo" – a new science claiming to explain exactly how Darwin's theory works by linking the enigmas…
Whatever! The Science Of Teens (2009): Dir. Anne Delaney; Enlightening doco series examining teenagers and their odd behaviour through observation and scientific testing. Often hilarious, this requires you…
When You're Strange: A Film About the Doors (2009): Dir. Tom DiCillo; This burning tribute to The Doors and their late frontman Jim Morrison delves deep into the vaults to furnish the all–too–compelling…
Who Killed Nancy? (2009): Dir. Alan G. Parker; Under Sid Vicious' mother's posthumous request, rock author Alan Parker directs this intensive documentary in order to re–examine the supposed…
Wild Caribbean (TV Mini-series) (2009): Picturesque doco that looks beyond the Carribean's friendly, sun–soaked surface to the more hostile features rarely portrayed on postcards,…
Wild Russia (2009): Russia's expansive, unseen wilderness is spectacularly documented in this nature series with a particular focus on the natural wonders and flora and…
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe (2009): Filmmakers Emily and Sarah Kunstler explore the life of their father, the late radical civil rights lawyer. In the 1960s and 70s, William Kunstler…
Winnebago Man (2009): Dir. Ben Steinbauer; Ostensibly about a gag reel gone viral, this hugely likeable documentary uses Jack Rebney's hilarious (and some might say, cathartic)…
Wolf's Mouth, The (Mouth of the Wolf; La bocca del lupo) (2009): Dir. Pietro Marcello; Impressive hybrid of documentary and actuality chronicles the unlikely romance between a macho ex–con and a transsexual former…
Woman With the Five Elephants, The (2009): Dir. Vadim Jendreyko; Intimate portrait of the enchanting Svetlana Geier – the hunched, wizened translator of Dostoevsky's novels, still bubbling well into her…
World War II in Colour (TV Series) (World War 2 in Colour) (2009): Featuring rare and previously unseen colourized archive footage, this 13–part series is one of the most comprehensive documentaries ever made…
Yellowstone (2009): Filmed over the course of a year in Yellowstone, this documentary tracks the area's wildlife as they grapple with life and death within one of…
Yes Men Fix the World, The (2009): Dir. Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno; The activist pranksters of documentary THE YES MEN direct and star in their own follow–up, which chronicles their continuing adventures as…
10 Conditions Of Love, The (2008): Dir. Jeff Daniels; Controversial documentary slammed by the Chinese government focused on Rebiya Kadeer, a tireless campaigner for human rights who has been punished at…
A Wall in Berlin (2008): Illuminating documentary on the history of the Berlin Wall with biggest attraction being the sheer wealth of interviews and footage never seen…
A Year in Tibet (TV Series) (2008): A momentous and timely series filmed inside the mountainous region of Tibet focusing on the Tibetan people and how they manage to live under imposed…
Allan Wilson - Evolutionary (2008): Dir. George Andrews; Pithy and practical documentary on Kiwi ‘evolutionary’ Allan Wilson, whose humble, can–do–anything beginnings thrust him from Pukekohe to…
American Future - A History by Simon Schama (2008): Resonant look at the superpower filmed during the run up to the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama with popular historian Simon Schama turning his…
American Swing (2008): Dir. Jon Hart; Documentary charting the rise and fall of the iconic 'Plato's Retreat', New York's first–ever swingers club in the sexually revolutionised…
American Teen (2008): Dir. Nanette Burstein
Feat. Hannah Bailey, Colin Clemens, Geoff Haase…; An intimate and often hilarious doco that was a surprise Sundance Festival hit that follows four high school seniors – 'the jock', 'the arsty…
Andy Warhol's Factory People (2008): Dir. Catherine Schorr O'Sullivan
Feat. Andy Warhol; Nicely self–contained document of Andy Warhol's Factory and its workers, which does a great job of tracking down many of the hipsters and…
Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2008): Dir. Sacha Gervasi; Not a mock–umentary as you might suspect, but just as amusing and vital as the iconic parody SPINAL TAP, this tells the…
Around The World In 20 Years (2008): Feat. Michael Palin; Retrospective one–hour sequel to AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, where Palin seeks out the crew of a dhow which took him and his crew on an…
Art Star and the Sudanese Twins, The (2008): Dir. Pietra Brettkelly; With a ghastly, genuinely compelling subject to draw confession from, this oddly–topical documentary – on the increasingly common adoption of…
Back To Normandy (2008): Dir. Nicolas Philibert; Thirty years after working on a film in Normandy, about a 19th century triple murder committed in the area, Nicolas Philibert returns to find the…
Bananaz (2008): Dir. Ceri Levy; Direct–to–the–source music doco offers a behind–the–scenes reveal of popular ‘animated’ band Gorillaz, and its four…
Barack Obama: His Story (2008): Topical documentary tracking the life of the newly elected president of the United States Barack Obama, from meagre beginnings to his steady rise…
Barack Obama: Yes We Can (2008): Significant documentary outlining the incredible story of Barack Hussein Obama, a man with an American mother and Kenyan father who became a national…
Barefoot Cinema (The Art and Life of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger) (2008): Dir. Gerard Smyth; The camera work of veteran Kiwi cinematographer Alun Bollinger is appraised in this documentary which includes tributes from Peter Jackson, Vincent…
BBC Natural World, The - Collection (TV Series) (2008): Feat. David Attenborough; 2–disc collection including 6 brand new episodes from the award–winning nature series 'The Natural World' originally conceived by…
Beaches of Agnes, The (2008): Dir. Agnes Varda; A wonderfully light–footed collection of memories and monologues in documentary essay form from the queen of the French New Wave, Agnes…
Beautiful Losers (2008): Dir. Aaron Rose; A doco for the slacker generation, this early–nineties overview tenuously gathers such hipster artists as Harmony Korine (film), Ed Templeton…
Between the Folds (2008): Dir. Vanessa Gould; Charming (and potentially inspiring) doco from America's PBS channel exploring the ancient but perennially fascinating subject of…
Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008): Dir. Chris Bell; Wannabe ironman Chris Bell spins his lack of conviction and self–doubt into an eye–opening documentary on America’s pervading culture of…
Blair (2008): Dir. Richard Sanders; A revealing post–Labour confessional from Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair, focused on world crises during his tenure, and…
Bob Marley - Freedom Road (2008): Intimate and revealing Bob Marley doco narrated by Bob's long time girlfriend and Oscar nominated actress Esther Anderson that delves into the world…
Boogie Man - The Lee Atwater Story (2008): Dir. Stefan Forbes; Gripping political documentary revealing the life of ruthless right–wing political strategist and musician Lee Atwater, who was instrumental in…
Bulletproof Salesman (2008): Dir. Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker; This documentary provides a different slant on the business of war as it introduces us to Fidelis Cloer – a German armoured vehicle salesman…
Burning Season, The (2008): Dir. Cathy Henkel; Ever–urgent documentary on the climate–change problem tracks “environmental entrepreneur” Dorjee Sun’s efforts to seal a major carbon…
Bush's War (2008): Dir. Michael Kirk; Extensive two–part documentary chronicling the Iraq War from the post 9/11 murmurings and "Weapons of Mass Destruction" allegations through to…
Bustin' Down The Door (2008): Dir. Jeremy Gosch; Engaging surfing documentary telling the story of a group of Australian and South African surfers who in 1975 revolutionised the sport and the…
By Any Means (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Charley Boorman; Globe–trotting adventurer and Ewan McGregor's best mate – Charley Boorman, from LONG WAY DOWN & LONG WAY ROUND fame, is back with a solo…
Cafe De Los Maestros (2008): Dir. Miguel Kohan; Tailor–made for tango aficionados, this stylish documentary follows a group of legendary Argentinean musicians gathering to perform a concert…
Captain Beefheart - Under Review (2008): Independent, critical doco looking at provocative musician Captain Beefheart, featuring rare performances, intensive commentary from his rotating…
Carrier, The (TV Mini-series) (2008): Immersive 10–part miniseries following the deployment of a United States Navy aircraft carrier in 2005, from the USA to the Middle East and…
Chevolution (2008): Dir. Luis Lopez, Trisha Ziff; Cuban revolutionary history is examined through photographer Alberto Korda’s iconic portrait of Che Guevara – now a ubiquitous and exploited image…
Classic Albums - Duran Duran (Rio) (2008): Duran Duran's "Rio" is deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators. Generously…
Classic Albums - The Doors (2008): The Door's self–titled debut album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key…
Cocaine Cowboys 2 - Hustlin' with the Godmother (2008): Dir. Billy Corben; Unglamourous documentary sequel to COCAINE COWBOYS' Miami blow expose tackles the Oakland crack epidemic and its big–time dealer, Colombian…
Complete History of My Sexual Failures, A (2008): Dir. Chris Waitt; Taking self–absorbed, cinema–as–confessional to excruciating extremes, film–maker Chris Waitt turns the camera on himself to…
Concrete Canvas (TV Series) (2008): Ten part documentary series focused around renowned 3D pavement artist Julian Beever, who travels through ten different cities creating new…
Cool School - Story Of Ferus Art Gallery, The (2008): Dir. Morgan Neville; Los Angeles’ unheralded contemporary art scene is given the celebrity treatment in this uncharted history of the American pop art movement (chiefly,…
Cracking The Colour Code (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Hugh Piper; Stimulating series journeying across six continents to investigate how humans from different cultures and backgrounds view, make and take meaning…
Crips and Bloods: Made in America (2008): Dir. Stacy Peralta
Feat. Forest Whitaker; Incisive documentary examining the shared histories and violent rivalries of Los Angeles' most notorious street gangs. Tracing the roots of the…
Crossing the Ditch (2008): Surprisingly captivating story of two young Australians, James Castrission and Justin Jones, who were the first people to cross the Tasman by kayak.…
Dan Cruickshank's Adventures in Architecture (TV Series) (2008): In this natural progression from AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TREASURES, BBC historian Dan Cruickshank globe trots in search of astonishing buildings, both…
Dance of the Instant (2008): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Documentary exploring the history of the New Dance Group, who pioneered contemporary dance in post–WWII New Zealand. The film draws on an…
Dear Zachary (A Letter to a Son about his Father) (2008): Dir. Kurt Kuenne; Nothing will quite prepare you for the devastating impact of this beyond–belief crime story that escalates after the murder of a…
Dickens' Secret Lover (2008): Dir. Sarah Aspinall
Feat. Charles Dance, David Haig, Amy Shiels; Intelligent docu–drama that uncovers the torrid love life of Charles Dickens, who embarked on a clandestine affair with an actress young enough…
e2 Transport (TV Series) (2008): Documentary series looking at solutions to environmental problems that face the Earth today. e2: Transport: Focused less around design areas and…
Engineering Connections (TV Series) (Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections) (2008): Feat. Richard Hammond; TOP GEAR pin–up boy Richard Hammond presents this series in which he looks at the engineering connections behind the world's most impressive…
Erotic Star (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Dave Kelly; Risqué reality show that pits ten ambitious Aussie sheilas against each other to become the next Australian Erotic Star. Clearly profiting from the…
Every Little Step (2008): Dir. Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern; Dreams are realised and shattered in this incisive, nail–biting showbiz doco that sits the audience on the casting couch of the 2006 revival of…
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008): Dir. Nathan Frankowski
Feat. Ben Stein; ...and none shown either in this intellectually bankrupt sleazefest fronted by Ben Stein which examines the supposed 'persecution' of 'scientists'…
Eyewitness (TV Series) (2008): Comprehensive Emmy Award winning nature and science series, based on the book series, that educates and entertains with its investigations of…
Fabulous Flag Sisters, The (Le Sorelle Bandiera) (2008): Candid documentary following the career of The Fabulous Flag Sisters–three drag queens that inspired, offended and entertained the people of…
Fantastic World Of Michael Crawford, The (2008): Dir. Tony Palmer
Feat. Michael Crawford; Tony Palmer's intimate portrait of one of the funniest and most versatile of actors, whose roles famously ranged from "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" to…
First Australians (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Rachel Perkins, Beck Cole; Landmark Australian series produced by top Aboriginal filmmakers tracking the history of Aboriginal culture and the fraught culture clashes between…
Flow: For Love Of Water (2008): Dir. Irena Salina; Imperative documentary investigating the impending World Water Crisis due to the privatization of water supplies and greed of major corporations.…
Food, Inc. (2008): Dir. Robert Kenner; Crystallising FAST FOOD NATION’s dramatic expose into hard–hitting documentary form, author Eric Scholosser (and other muckrackers) turn the…
Four Eyed Monsters (2008): Dir. Susan Buice, Arin Crumley; A product of the online generation, this low–budget indie videography charts the relationship between Arin Crumley and Susan Buice, two angsty…
Global Metal (2008): Intriguing music doco, presented by metaller and anthropologist Sam Dunn, delving into the sub–culture of metal heads around the world and the…
Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008): Dir. Alex Gibney
Feat. Hunter S. Thompson; Excellent portrait of the late Hunter S. Thompson, the revolutionary writer who pioneered 'Gonzo', a freewheeling style of subjective journalism.…
Great Australian Albums: Hunters & Collectors - Human Frailty (2008): In–depth story behind Hunters and Collector's hit album 'Human Frailty,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band.…
Great Australian Albums: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads (2008): In–depth story behind Nick Cave & the Bad Seed's hit album 'Murder Ballads,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band.…
Great Australian Albums: Powderfinger - Odyssey #5 (2008): In–depth story behind Powderfinger's hit album 'Odyssey #5,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band. Featured as…
Great Australian Albums: The Go-Betweens - 16 Lover's Lane (2008): In–depth story behind The Go–Between's 1988 album '16 Lover's Lane,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band.…
Greatest Cities of the World (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Griff Rhys-Jones; Griff Rhys Jones gets under the skin of six of the world’s great cities. Dedicating an episode to each, Jones explores a…
Growing Up Online (2008): From the American public affairs series FRONTLINE comes this doco probing into the world of cyber–savvy teens, and the pressures that accompany…
Gruen Transfer, The (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Wil Anderson; Hosted by comedian Wil Anderson, this is a revealing and humorous look at the advertising industry with a selection of well qualified panellists.…
Gunnin' For That #1 Spot (2008): Dir. Adam Yauch; Beat–bopping doco, directed by Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch, following the fortunes of eight top highschool basketball players…
Herb and Dorothy (2008): Dir. Megumi Sasaki; Devotional New York art patrons Herb and Dorothy Vogel are the subject of this delightful portrait, taking us inside the couple’s modest one bedroom…
Hobbit Enigma, The (2008): Dir. Annamaria Talas; In 2003 scientists uncovered the tiny, human–like skeleton of a strange creature, on the Indonesian island of Flores. Since the discovery was…
Hollow Men, The (2008): Dir. Alister Barry; Seasoned documentarian Alister Barry distills Nicky Hager's hot potato expose of National Party leader Don Brash into a confronting, election year…
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History (2008): Toe–tapping documentary, presented by actress Shirley Jones, exploring the timeless genre of Hollywood Musical from Busby Berkeley's…
Hope (2008): Dir. Steve Thomas; Tragic account of people–smuggling gone wrong when a boatload of refugees arriving from Indonesia sinks on its way to Australia killing than…
Huloo (2008): Dir. Robin Greenberg; Delightful documentary about the remarkable and diverse life of T’ai Chi master Loo–Chi Hu, nicknamed Huloo, who despite being well into his…
Humpbacks: From Fire to Ice (2008): Feat. David Attenborough; David Attenborough narrates this up close and personal journey following the first year of a humpback whale calf's life as she journeys with her…
I Am Because We Are (2008): Dir. Nathan Rissman; Madonna wields her global celebrity in fronting this concerned documentary about the millions of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS in Malawi. A…
I.O.U.S.A. (2008): Dir. Patrick Creadon; Cogent, accessible doco on the nightmare of US fiscal irresponsibility that lets the expert heads and engaging graphics do the talking. It…
India Reborn (2008): Fascinating and disturbing doco series that looks at India as the next superpower, and the juxtapositions to its mighty wealth that cloud its future…
Indonesia - A Reporter's Journey (2008): Feat. Mike Carlton; The complex relationship between Australia and its oft–misunderstood Northern neighbour is explored by journalist and radio broadcaster Mike…
Investigator, The (TV Series) (2008): Probing Kiwi crime doco series investigating six unsolved New–Zealand crimes by delving into the pitfalls of the justice system in our country…
It Might Get Loud (2008): Dir. Davis Guggenheim
Feat. The Edge, Jack White, Jimmy Page; Euphonic examination of rock guitaring with three of its most distinctive practitioners, Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White. Sure to enrapture…
James May's Big Ideas (TV Series) (2008): The most cerebral of TOP GEAR's presenters, James May, wraps his head around sci–fi concepts in today's modern world, including new frontiers…
Jihad for Love, A (2008): Dir. Parvez Sharma; Revealing documentary on homosexuality and the Islamic faith, filmed in secret over 5 and a half years under the Muslim government radar. Although…
John Pilger's Australia (Documentaries that Changed the World Vol. 2) (2008): Feat. John Pilger; Across 3 discs, seasoned political commentator John Pilger turns the focus to Australia, providing a detailed critical analysis of Australian…
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison (2008): Feat. Johnny Cash; Indispensable documentary film chronicling the fateful day in 1968 that Johnny Cash performed at California's Folsom State Prison, the recordings of…
Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution (2008): Essential, exhaustive (3hr!) exploration into German electronic music centering on the pioneers of the genre, Kraftwerk. The first hour…
Ladies or Gentlemen (2008): This brief exploratory retrospective of Hollywood's fascination with cross–dressing includes comment from the likes of Tony Curtis and Tim…
Life After People (TV Series) (2008): Dir. David de Vries; Thought–provoking doco focused on the hypothetical state of the planet were humans to be wiped out. This treads the line between intelligent…
Lionel (2008): Dir. Eddie Martin; Absorbing documentary investigating the life of Lionel Rose – the first Aboriginal world champion boxer who challenged Australia's racial…
Living With the Enemy (2008): Thorough and absorbing History Channel series examines the five year period after the end of World War II, accounting for the events and decisions…
Louise Bourgeois - The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine (2008): Dir. Marion Cajori, Amei Wallach; At the ripe of age of 98, evergreen French artist and sculptor Louise Bourgeois continues to astound in this portrait of her captivating life's…
Mafia, The (The True Story from the Inside) (2008): Dir. Neil Rawles, Charlie Smith; Balanced hard–hitting crime doco from inside the world of the modern Mafia. Designed for those with a good knowledge of Mafia history keen on…
Man Made Marvels (TV Series) (2008): Produced by Natural History New Zealand for the Discovery Channel, this fascinating doco series looking at some of the Earth's biggest man–made…
Man On Wire (2008): Dir. James Marsh
Feat. Phillipe Petit; Oscar–winning doco about a truly remarkable, one–of–a–kind subject; a cavalier French daredevil called Phillipe Petit who in…
Maradona (Maradona by Kusturica) (2008): Dir. Emir Kusturica; Celebrated filmmaker Emir Kusturica (BLACK CAT, WHITE CAT) directs this wayward love letter to the revolutionary – and troubled –…
Margaret Mahy: A Tall Long Faced Tale (2008): Dir. Yvonne MacKay; An invaluable documentary on New Zealand's greatest children's writer, which combines a fascinating conversation between Mahy and Elizabeth Knox with…
Matador, The (2008): Dir. Nina Gilden Seavey, Stephen Higgins; Stirring and dramatic portrait of matador David 'El Fandi' Fandila and his quest to become the top–ranked bullfighter in the world. Focusing…
Metal Mania (2008): Music doco that takes the microphone backstage to some of the greatest metal acts of the last fifty years, including Kiss, Angus Young, Motley Crue,…
Modern Life (La vie moderne) (2008): Dir. Raymond Depardon; A winding, mournful documentary on the stoicism and fading way of life of several generations of farmers and farmer families in contemporary rural…
Mondovino (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Jonathan Nossiter; Eye–opening documentary spin–off series from the well–received film MONDOVINO, investigating the impact of globalization on…
National Parks, The - America's Best Idea (2008): Dir. Ken Burns; Ken Burns offers another weighty tome on American history, this time surveying the country’s 58 majestic, awe–inspiring national parks. Locales…
Nazi Number One: Herman Göring (2008): Dir. Guido Knopp; German director Guido Knopp continues his straightforward, biography–centric investigations into all things Nazi with this documentary on…
Obama: All Access (2008): A two–year compendium of landmark CBS News coverage, chronicling Barack Obama’s historic road to the White House and beyond. Includes…
Of Time and the City (2008): Dir. Terence Davies; Terence Davies (DISTANT VOICES, STILL LIVES) launches a broadside on the transformation of his beloved, bricks–and–mortar Liverpool, in…
Off The Radar (TV Series) (2008): Home–grown TV series featuring Te Radar – comedian, presenter and self–confessed latte drinking city boy attempting to become…
Once Upon a Time - American Cinema (2008): Dedicated SBS documentary series offering a retrospective look back on some of cinema's greatest films and directors. American Cinema episodes:…
Palin on Art (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Michael Palin; Art–aficionado Michael Palin explores the works and history of some of the lesser–known artists that he holds dear to his heart. The…
Patti Smith: Dream of Life (2008): Dir. Steven Sebring; Narrated by the rock icon herself, this intimate, lyrical observation of Patti Smith's art and philosophy plays rather like a sitting through one of…
Powerful Noise, A (2008): AIDS, peacekeeping, and the rights of the disenfranchised are front and centre of this inspirational portrait of three women making a difference in…
Radiohead - The Best Of (2008): Chronological collection of 21 inventive music videos and optical collages of rare singles from the slinking talents of Brit indie–rock kings,…
Religulous (2008): Dir. Larry Charles
Feat. Bill Maher; 'Good' and 'Evil' are turned on their head (and in their graves) in this provocative docu–comedy following comedian and commentator Bill Maher…
Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect (2008): Dir. Markus Heidingsfelder; Detailed portrait of Rem Koolhaas, the visionary Dutch architect and writer whose striking modernist creations include the Dutch Embassy in Berlin,…
Richard Dawkins Presents - The Genius of Charles Darwin (TV Series) (2008): Dir. Russell Barnes; Richard Dawkins finally gets to wax lyrical for a few hours about the love of his life – Charles Darwin in this one–sided documentary…
Rip! A Remix Manifesto (2008): Dir. Brett Gaylor; A exuberant celebration of remix culture which also introduces the debate over intellectual property rights with the help of featured guests,…
Rodney's Robot Revolution (2008): Dir. Andrea Ulbrick; Wondrous journey inside one of the world's greatest minds, that of Australian–born scientist Rodney Brooks. A pioneer in the field of…
Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired (2008): Dir. Marina Zenovich; Comprehensive documentary examining the public scandal that led to the controversial departure of director Roman Polanski from the United States.…
Rubbings From A Live Man (2008): Dir. Florian Habicht; Film–maker Florian Habicht finds the perfect portrait subject in Warwick Broadhead, a fiercely independent, 40–year veteran of performing…
Salute (2008): Dir. Matt Norman; Compelling documentary investigating the untold story of Australian runner – Peter Norman who placed second in the 200m sprint at the 1968…
Second Skin (2008): Dir. Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza; Compulsive insight into video game addiction, focused on a cross–section of young people who obsessively engage in what are known as MMOs (Mass…
Ships That Changed the World (2008): Compelling three–part series looks back at the engineering, building, sailing, and subsequent fate of three history–making ships…
Simone Young - To Hamburg From Downunder (2008): Dir. Ralf Pleger; Perceptive documentary following renowned Australian conductor and Sydney Opera House Director Simone Young on her return journey from Europe to…
Sir Edmund Hillary 1919 - 2008 (2008): Towering tribute to the late, great Sir Ed. Includes the documentary ‘Remembering Sir Ed: A Tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary’, an overview of the…
Sleep Furiously (2008): Dir. Gideon Koppel; Blissfully composed shots of rugged landscape and rural life make for an elusive, yet meaningful documentary on the quotidian existence of a Welsh…
Solo (2008): Dir. Jennifer Peedom, David Michod; Tragic true story of Sydney adventurer Andrew McAuley who set out to cross the stretch of the Tasman between Australia and New Zealand in a kayak but…
Soul Power (2008): Dir. Jeffrey Levy-Hinte; This "Rumble in the Jungle" prequel joyfully relives the legendary three–day concert that preceded the Ali–Foreman bout in…
Sounds Like Teen Spirit (2008): Dir. Jamie Jay Johnson; Offering a worldly antidote to the show–biz reality TV norm, this "pop–umentary" chronicles four contrasting sets of hopefuls (from…
Standard Operating Procedure (2008): Dir. Errol Morris; To see or not to see: that is the question posed by acclaimed director Errol Morris as he attempts to understand what took place inside the walls of…
Stephen Fry In America (TV Series) (2008): Feat. Stephen Fry; Over ambitious – yet highly amusing – doco series sees beloved Brit comic Fry travel around all 50 states of the USA in a black cab, in…
Story of Maths, The (2008): Ambitious BBC Open University series that presents pivotal episodes in the lives of the great mathematicians, whilst offering clear and accessible…
Story of the Costume Drama, The (2008): Boasting fantastic footage and behind–the–scenes stories, this 5 part series revels in some of the best television costume dramas of the…
Super Comet, The (Super Comet: After the Impact) (2008): Dir. Stefan Schneider; This Discovery Channel special uses plenty of amazing FX and the helter–skelter tropes of docu–drama to explore the likely…
Technicolor Dream, A (2008): Lavish chronicle of the Technicolor Dream movement, through to its 14–hour all–night musical event at Alexandra Palace in 1967. Includes…
Third Richard, The (2008): Dir. Danny Mulheron, Sarah Stretton; A labour of love for actor–director Danny Mulheron, this explores the life and music of his unheralded grandfather, Richard Fuchs, a gifted…
Thriller in Manila (2008): Dir. John Dower; This seemingly straightforward account of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s third and final confrontation surreptitiously reveals the deep–seated…
Tim Minchin - Rock 'N' Roll Nerd (2008): Dir. Rhian Skirving
Feat. Tim Minchin; Intimate doco about gifted musical comedian Minchin charting his rise from obscurity in Melbourne to breakthrough at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival,…
Tube Tales - TV's Real Stories (TV Series) (2008): Edifying series investigating the people, places and events behind a number of hit TV series including THE WEST WING, SEINFELD, SIX FEET UNDER, SEX…
Tyson (2008): Dir. James Toback; A full–frontal portrait of Mike Tyson, the notorious, often disgraced former heavyweight champion whose brutality and villainy was witnessed…
Universe of Keith Haring, The (2008): Dir. Christina Clausen
Feat. Keith Haring; Celebratory portrait of the darling of the 80s New York art scene Haring revels in the accessibility of the artist as a public figure, more than…
Unmistaken Child (2008): Dir. Nati Baratz; A fascinating glimpse into the culture and belief systems of Tibetan Buddhism, this film follows devoted disciple Tenzin Zopa on a four year quest to…
Unwinking Gaze, The (2008): Dir. Joshua Dugdale; A rare fly–on–the–wall glimpse into the Dalai Lama's tireless struggle for Tibet, with the Buddist God King balancing his role in…
Valentino - The Last Emperor (2008): Dir. Matt Tyrnauer; Surveying the final two years of Italian fashion great Valentino Garavani's career before retirement, this head–turning doco celebrates his…
Wahine Disaster, The (2008): Commemorative documentary to mark forty years since the Wahine passenger ferry struck Barrett Reef in Wellington Harbour, killing 51 people.…
Walk Like A Man (2008): Worthy documentary focused on the preparation of two top rugga teams from Sydney and San Francisco for the World Cup of gay rugby – the Bingham Cup,…
Waltz With Bashir (Vals Im Bashir) (2008): Dir. Ari Folman; This striking hybrid animation is an audacious attempt to recall, through anecdote, dream, and documentary, the 1982 Israeli–Lebanon war.…
What About Me? (2008): Dir. Duncan Bridgeman, Jamie Catto; A guide to better 21st Century living from the duo behind 1 GIANT LEAP, this kaleidoscope of philosophical and musical clips features contributions…
When Borat Came to Town (2008): Dir. Mercedes Stalenhoef; Touching Underdog vs. The Man doco which looks at the aftermath of Sascha Baron Cohen's visit (and by proxy 20th Century Fox's) to the Romanian…
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? (2008): Dir. Morgan Spurlock
Feat. Morgan Spurlock; With his first baby on the way, SUPER SIZE ME’s Morgan Spurlock decides to go off in search of the world’s most wanted criminal, learning more about…
Wild China (TV Mini-Series) (2008): Mesmerising travel doco series that takes you on a splendid wander through the often veiled and overlooked countryside of China by way of striking…
Wild Combination - A Portrait of Arthur Russell (2008): Dir. Matt Wolf; The enigma of Arthur Russell – singular avant–garde musician and improbable matchmaker of discotheque and modern composition – is profiled in…
Winning World War 1 (The Western Front Diaries) (2008): Crucial documentary telling the story of the Australian battalion's influence and impact on winning World War 1 on the Western Front, based on the…
World According to Miley Cyrus, The (2008): Feat. Miley Cyrus; Unauthorised documentary tracking the super fast rise of button–nosed performer and tween idol Miley Cyrus and her overnight success in the…
World's Greenest Homes (TV Series) (2008): Cracking design series takes you all over the globe for a lengthy look inside some of the very best and very greenest digs. Features insight from…
Yes Madam, Sir (2008): Dir. Megan Doneman; An illuminating, warts and all portrait of India's first elite policewoman, Kiran Bedi, who controversially joined the Indian Police Service after a…
Yes That's Me - Dave Murphy Plays the Blues (2008): Dir. Costa Botes; Intimate Wellington–based biopic following Kiwi blues performer Dave Murphy as he is given the opportunity to record at Braeburn Recording…
Youssou N’Dour - I Bring What I Love (2008): Dir. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi; Gifted Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour performs a series of concerts in this excellent documentary, which also gets to heart of the musician’s…
11th Hour, The (The Eleventh Hour) (2007): Dir. Leila Conners Petersen, Nadia Conners
Feat. Leonardo DiCaprio; Actor Leonardo DiCaprio fronts this environmental call to action, imploring viewers to adopt sustainable ways of living as the planet's '11th hour'…
21 Up South Africa - Mandela's Children (2007): Dir. Angus Gibson; The enduring UP Series moves to South Africa, where six 21–year–olds, first filmed in 1992, reflect on their lives to date. By…
4 (Vivaldi - The Four Seasons) (2007): Dir. Tim Slade; In this remarkably unique and poetic documentary, a performance of each season of Vivaldi’s masterpiece is delegated to four prodigious violinists…
A Civilised Society (2007): Dir. Alister Barry; Documentarian Alister Barry concludes his loose trilogy on New Right economic policies with this impassioned plea for the standards of public…
A Very British Gangster (2007): Dir. Donal MacIntyre; Gay Manchester mob kingpin/community lynchpin Dominic Noonan is the main subject of this fly–on–the–wall look at his criminal…
Alice Neel (2007): Dir. Andrew Neel; Documentary looking at the life and art of great American portrait painter Alice Neel, made by her grandson. Accomplished examination of the great…
Amazing Journey - The Story of The Who (2007): Dir. Murray Lerner, Paul Crowder; An ‘authorized and definitive’ anthology of The Who, this covers all the bases in the band’s legend–making, four–decade music career,…
American Hardcore (2007): Dir. Paul Rachman; Rugged, warts and all restrospective of America’s British punk spinoff looks back on the warpath of bands such as Minor Threat, Black Flag and Dead…
Amy Winehouse - I Told You I Was Trouble & Live in London (2007): The hip swaggering rehab music rebel presents her 2007 17–song set live from 'Shepherd's Bush Empire' London town, along with a 50 minute doco…
Ancient Megastructures (2007): National Geographic series extolling mankind's greatest architectural landmarks and their extraordinary feats of construction. Vol 1: The…
Anita O'Day - The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007): Dir. Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden; Thorough portrait of jazz extraordinaire Anita O'Day, from her emergence amongst luminaries Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday in the 40s, to…
Antonello and the Architect (2007): Dir. Tony Hiles; A fitting tribute to Wellington architect Bill Toomath (whose associations include the likes of I.M. Pei), dir. Tony Hiles backdrops the…
Arcade Fire: Miroir Noir (2007): Fly–on–the–wall doco follows Canadian indie act "Arcade Fire" during the recording of their sophomore record, "Neon Bible". The…
Arctic Tale (2007): Dir. Adam Ravetch, Sarah Robertson
Feat. Queen Latifah; Something of a cross between AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH for kids and MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, this heartwarming, educational documentary spins a similarly…
Atheist Alliance International: Understanding Atheism (2007): Professor Richard Dawkins and his skeptical writing mates return as speech–makers in this 4–disc set covering the 2007 Atheist Alliance…
Atlantic Records - The House That Amet Built (2007): Feat. Bette Midler; Follows Ahmet Ertegun's remarkable career as head of Atlantic Records, from its formation in 1947 through to his recent passing in 2007. Features…
Audience of One (2007): Dir. Mike Jacobs; Stranger–than–fiction documentary in which a Pentecostal minister in San Francisco receives "word from God" that he attempt to write and…
Autopsy - Life and Death (2007): An advanced course in human schematics sees anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens and pathologist Prof. John Lee make further bodily incisions to…
Axe in the Attic, The (2007): Dir. Ed Pincus, Lucia Small; Two British filmmakers, horrified by the devastation to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, embark on a 60–day pilgrimage from…
Ballerina (2007): Dir. Bertrand Normand; Documentary following the lives of five female dancers of the Kirov Ballet in Saint–Petersburg, providing us with rare insight into the…
Battle of the Little Bighorn, The (2007): Ideal introduction to the famous battle where General Custer made his last stand, featuring expert commentary and skillful re–enactments.
Beckoning Silence (2007): Dir. Louise Osmond; Fearless mountaineer Joe Simpson (of TOUCHING THE VOID fame) journeys to the north face of the Eiger mountain in the Swiss Alps to re–trace the…
Beyond Our Ken (2007): Disquieting documentary exploring the inner workings of Australian spiritual group 'Kenya,' based on the principle of "energy conversion," accused of…
Big Ideas For A Small Planet (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson, Daryl Hannah…; Pro–active eco series taking a look at modern green inventions and alternative lifestyle choices that have potential to lesson human impact on…
Big Picture, The (TV Series) (2007): Commentator Hamish Keith brings New Zealand’s imposing arts history down to earth in this appealing, highly accessible reappraisal of everything from…
Billy the Kid (2007): Dir. Jennifer Venditti; Genuinely disarming verite–style doco records the daily doings of awkwardly lovable Billy, a straight–shooting small–town teenager…
Black, White and Gray (2007): Dir. James Crump; Stilted documentary investigating the relationship between controversial photographers Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe and their influence on…
Blindsight (2007): Dir. Lucy Walker; Riveting doco follows the travails of six blind Tibetan teenagers in their attempt to scale the 23,000–foot Lhakpa Ri – neighbour to Mt…
Bossa Nova - The Sound that Seduced the World (2007): Rio–based doco tracing the rise of the sultry 'bossa nova' sound, featuring interviews with influential musos from the time and rare music…
Bra Boys (2007): Dir. Sunny Abberton; Potent documentary that concerns itself with the cultural evolution and social struggle of a group of surfers from the Sydney suburb of Maroubra.…
Cat Dancers (2007): Dir. Harris Fishman; Strangely compelling portrait of a pre–Siegfried and Roy act, who tragically added wild cats to their routine. Somewhat in the tradition of…
Changing Climates (Changing Climates, Changing Times) (2007): Dir. Marion Milne; Docu–drama predicting how global warming will impact different social groups around the world in the year 2100. Although visually striking,…
Chicago 10 (2007): Dir. Brett Morgen; Unique documentary that splices together archival footage and motion–capture animation to recreate the infamous trial of anti–war…
Choir, The (2007): Dir. Michael Davie; Johannesburg's largest and most notorious prison is the setting for this inspiring documentary, which follows the fortunes of a convict choir who…
Chris and Don - A Love Story (2007): Dir. Guido Santi, Tina Mascara; Love–letter–as–documentary recounting the poignant 33–year relationship between novelist Christopher Isherwood (author of ‘A…
Chuck Close (2007): Dir. Marion Cajori; The revered New York portraitist, famous for his giant photorealist heads (typically well over two metres in height), is the subject of this…
Classic Albums - Jay-Z (2007): Jay–Z's Reasonable Doubt deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artist himself and…
Climate Change (2007): Dir. Nicolas Brown
Feat. David Attenborough; Investigating the damning evidence for global warming over this two part documentary, Sir David Attenborough bears witness to the alarming speed at…
Coping With Babylon - The Proper Rastology (2007): Dir. Oliver Hill; Authentic documentary revealing the contemporary world view of Rastafarianism as interpreted by prominent "Imperial Majesty" Haile Selassie 1.…
Cowboys and Communists (Cowboys & Communists) (2007): Dir. Jess Feast; Engaging culture documentary centred on a risque East Berlin bar and eatery (known as White Trash Fast Food), operated by an ex–pat 'cowboy'…
Crazy Love (2007): Dir. Dan Klores, Fisher Stevens; Stranger–than–fiction story of the obsessive love of Burt and Linda Pugach, whose personal tragedy made international headlines during…
Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story (2007): Dir. Julian Shaw; Moving doco focused on the litigious cross–dressing South African satirist Pieter–Dirk Uys, whose life's work included stirring…
Dengue Fever - Sleepwalking Through the Mekong (2007): Dir. John Pirozzi; Political rockumentary follows LA–based band Dengue Fever on their recent journey to Cambodia to perform 60s and 70s Cambodian rock n' roll in…
Devil Came on Horseback, The (2007): Dir. Anne Sundberg, Ricki Stern; Urgent, eye–opening documentary on the Darfur genocide, which follows US Marine Captain Brian Steidle's assignment as a neutral observer of the…
Dirty Three, The (2007): Documentary on Australian instrumental rockers The Dirty Three, charting their discography and musical evolution (from emotionally aggressive numbers…
Discussions with Richard Dawkins - The Four Horsemen (2007): Number one in a brand new series of searching discussions from the notorious Professor Richard Dawkins as he gathers together three of his fellow top…
Dylan: Busy Being Born Again (2007): Dir. Joel Gilbert
Feat. Bob Dylan; Bob Dylan's 'Jesus Years' are the subject matter for this in–depth doco, pieced together through interviews, live footage and a recently…
Earth (2007): Dir. Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield; Impressive feature–length spin–off of the PLANET EARTH series largely follows the migration of three different species – the polar…
Eco House Challenge (2007): Dir. Russell Vines; An eco variation on the self–improvement Reality TV craze, this pits two suburban families against each other in a challenge to reform their…
Encounters at the End of the World (2007): Dir. Werner Herzog
Feat. Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog ventures forth to Antarctica, hounding a team of scientists based at McMurdo Station in this stunning, eccentric nature…
Enemies of Reason (2007): Dir. Russell Barnes; The divisive Richard Dawkins staunchly argues that faith and superstition is irrational, versus science and logic as the voice of reason. Everything…
English Surgeon, The (2007): Dir. Geoffrey Smith; Remarkable documentary focused on Dr. Henry Marsh – a UK–based neurosurgeon who makes an annual trip to Ukraine to offer free surgery to…
Equator (Power of the Sun, Challenge of the Cold) (2007): Stunning NHNZ production exploring six areas of the planet that exist along the equator and the effect this location has on the flora and fauna of…
Escape From Suburbia (Beyond the American Dream) (2007): Dir. Gregory Greene; Practical sequel to THE END OF SUBURBIA moves forward from the apocalyptic visions with a series of case studies on individuals making changes in…
First Cry, The (2007): Dir. Gilles de Maistre; A beautifully observed documentary that portrays the miracle of child birth from varying perspectives around the globe. Shot over a 24 hour period,…
First Saturday in May, The (2007): Exhilarating documentary following the fate of six trainers as they attempt to gain a place in the most esteemed horse race in the world 'The…
Flightless: Bill Hammond's Cure for Being Kiwi (2007): Dir. Alan D'Arcy Erson
Feat. Ian Hughes; An intriguing blend of drama and documentary are used to tell the story of an everyman who's life is falling apart at the seams when he is…
Fog City Mavericks - The Filmmakers of San Francisco (2007): Dir. Gary Leva
Feat. George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood…; Unevenly pitched, if nonetheless fascinating account of San Francisco’s filmmaking legacy, from Francis Ford Coppola to Pixar maestro John…
For the Bible Tells Me So (2007): Dir. Daniel G Karslake; Heartfelt doco exploring the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the USA. Director Karslake takes an evenhanded approach to the…
Forbidden Lie$ (Forbidden Lies) (2007): Dir. Anna Broinowski; Thoroughly engrossing docudrama investigates the truth behind disgraced bestselling author Norma Khouri, who claimed to be a Jordanian campaigner…
Forever Vespa (2007): Dir. Pippo Cappellano, Marina Cappabianca; Engaging study of the well loved scooter doubles as a social study of post–war Italy and Europe. There's also some priceless archival footage…
Francesco's Venice (TV Series) (2007): Italian architect and TV presenter Count Francesco da Mosto goes on a journey back through the history of Venice and discovers how the city came to…
Galapagos - The Islands That Changed The World (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Tilda Swinton; Grand nature series, narrated by actress Tilda Swinton, revealing the unique fauna, flora and history of the fragile eco–system of the…
Gallipoli: Brothers In Arms (2007): Dir. Andrew Denton; Andrew Denton filmed this as part of his ENOUGH ROPE series to find out what draws so many Australians to the shores of Gallipoli each year, painting…
Gangland (TV Series) (2007): Hard hitting expose of today's nastiest gangs provides the viewer with both historical context and unprecedented access. Some of the stories are now…
Garbage Warrior (2007): Dir. Oliver Hodge; Revealing documentary featuring eco architect Michael Reynolds who has spent the past three decades creating sustainable housing in the New Mexico…
Genius of Photography (TV Series) (2007): Stunningly comprehensive six–part series that looks at the world's most influential art form, from the pioneering days of daguerreotypes right…
Girls Rock! (2007): Dir. Arne Johnson; Lightweight doco centered around the Portland–based Rock & Roll Camp for Girls, where girls from 8–18 participate in a therapeutic week…
Glass: A Portrait Of Philip In Twelve Parts (2007): Dir. Scott Hicks
Feat. Philip Glass; Epic doco of seminal composer Glass covers his life, influences, and his working process. Filmed over 3 continents in 18 months, this is hugely…
Glastonbury: The Movie (2007): Just–like–being–there collection focused on that mud–drenched modern day music fest (and Britain's answer to Woodstock)…
Great Australian Albums: Silverchair - Diorama (2007): In–depth story behind Silverchair's hit album 'Diorama,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band. Featured as part of…
Great Australian Albums: The Saints - (I'm) Stranded (2007): In–depth story behind The Saint's hit album '(I'm) Stranded,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band. Featured as…
Great Australian Albums: The Triffids - Born Sandy Devotional (2007): In–depth story behind The Triffids' album 'Born Sandy Devotional,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band. Featured…
Great Global Warming Swindle, The (2007): Topical documentary proposing that global warming is a myth simply used for political gain. Provides a necessary counterbalance to the glut of scare…
Heart Of An Empire (2007): Dir. Jay Thompson; Engaging doco taking a look into the lives of an ever–expanding network of Star Wars fanatics, known as 'Fighting 501st Legion,' who get their…
Heckler (2007): Feat. Jamie Kennedy, Andrew Dice Clay, David Cross…; Surprisingly cogent assessment of behaviour known as 'heckling', which extends beyond its normal definition as unsolicited feedback from…
Heima - Sigur Ros (2007): Dir. Dean Deblois; Celebrated Icelanders Sigur Ros get reacquainted with the sights and sounds of their Scandinavian homeland in this introspective documentary…
Hell On Wheels (2007): Dir. Bob Ray; Bruising introduction to the world of Roller Derby combines a short history of the sport with a fly–on–the–wall document of the…
Here is What Is (2007): Dir. Daniel Lanois
Feat. Daniel Lanois; Unique producer–performer Daniel Lanois casually documents his creative process in–studio, with glimpses of U2, Brian Eno, Sinead…
Here to Stay (TV Series) (2007): An enlightening, culturally pertinent reference point for the current make up of New Zealand society, this six part series revisits a number of key…
Heritage of Maori Song (2007): Comprehensive collection of 15 Maori song and dance performances, including 3 poi dances, stick games, haka and a number of well–known songs…
History of the Devil (2007): Historical doco charting the changing role and face of the devil throughout history by way of factual information and academic interview.
How the Earth Was Made (2007): Epic History Channel series charting the geological making of our planet through various, often violent natural phenomena. Season One: 13 episodes…
How to Cook Your Life (2007): Dir. Doris Dorrie
Feat. Doris Dorrie; An enlightening documentary weaving cooking techniques and Buddhist teachings together as a guide to self fulfillment.
How To Save The World (2007): Dir. Tom and Barbara Burstyn; Touting globalization as an environmental and human disaster, this inspiring eco–doc looks to India as a provider of possible solutions in the…
How We Built Britain (TV Series) (2007): Long–standing BBC presenter David Dimbleby presents this engaging doco series focusing on Britain's architectural heritage in both a historical…
Humanimal (2007): Thorough, five part science documentary examining the ever–eroding line between animals and human beings, with special consideration given to…
I Have Never Forgotten You (The Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal) (2007): Dir. Richard Trank; Confronting documentary tracing the life of Jewish man Simon Wiesenthal who embarked on a personal crusade to track down Nazi war criminals and…
I Think We're Alone Now (2007): Dir. Sean Donnelly; This portrait of two 'stalkers' of 80s teen pop one–hit–wonder Tiffany is at times uncomfortably voyeuristic, yet it provides raw insight…
Ice (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Marcus Lush; Radio and TV Personality Marcus Lush goes well and truly off the rails, here embarking on a month–long sojourn in the below–zero…
Ice Road Truckers (TV Series) (2007): Gritty reality show focusing on a group of hardened truckers attempting to make mega bucks by transporting loads of supplies across the treacherous…
In the Company of Actors (2007): Dir. Ian Darling
Feat. Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Aden Young…; A peek behind the curtain reveals the magic and struggle of creating theatre in this insightful documentary. From a rehearsal room in Sydney…
In the Hands of the Gods (2007): Dir. Benjamin Turner, Gabe Turner; Uplifting documentary following five soccer fanatics who take up street busking in order to travel to Buenos Aires and meet their hero Diego…
In the Shadow of the Moon (2007): Stellar doco reflects on the true story of American astronauts' expeditions into space and the truly remarkable historic achievement of landing on…
India with Sanjeev Bhaskar (TV Mini-series) (2007): Dir. Deep Sehgal
Feat. Sanjeev Bhaskar; Actor and comedian Bhaskar takes a personal journey through modern India on a quest to re–discover his ancestral homeland. An epic…
Indie Sex (2007): Dir. Lesli Klainberg; Proudly explicit, this racy review of sex in independent cinema compiles a hot and heavy survey of clips, qualified by insightful, sometimes…
Inside China (2007): Dir. Jonathan Lewis; Surprisingly candid portrait of live inside the increasingly influential super–power. Dir. Lewis makes the most of the unprecedented access…
Inside the Smiths (2007): Raw music doco with former band members Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce candidly revealing what it was like to be a part of groundbreaking 80's…
James May's 20th Century (TV Series) (2007): TV presenter James May presents a candid look at the creations of the 20th century; ranging from weaponry to medical breakthroughs and the…
Joe Strummer - The Future is Unwritten (2007): Dir. Julien Temple
Feat. Joe Strummer; Renowned musical documentarian Julien Temple (THE FILTH & THE FURY) draws a superbly detailed, multi–dimensional life portrait of late Clash…
Joseph Campbell - Mythos I (2007): Dir. Robert Walter
Feat. Susan Sarandon; This series comprises the lectures of mythologist Joseph Campbell, filmed shortly before his death and presented here by Susan Sarandon. The five…
Joy Division (2007): Dir. Grant Gee; Dynamic, satisfyingly comprehensive music doco chronologically tracks the career of influential British post–punk band Joy Division. All…
King Corn (2007): Dir. Aaron Woolf; Two friends embark on a corn–growing odyssey in this highly digestible expose of America's modern food system. Less muckracking than other…
King of Kong, The (A Fistful of Quarters) (2007): Dir. Seth Gordon; Hilarious insight into the rarefied world of competitive video gaming, and a showdown (of sorts) for the crown of achieving the world's highest score…
La Verdad? (The Truth?) (2007): Dir. Helen Smyth; Whilst in Cuba, Kiwi journalist and mother–of–two Helen Smyth and husband Tim Rose (of Havana Coffee Works) inadvertently delve into its…
Lagerfeld Confidential (2007): Dir. Rodolphe Marconi
Feat. Nicole Kidman; Fleeting documentary revealing the enigmatic life of iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld through his creative livelihood and personal philosophy.…
Last Continent, The (2007): Dir. Jean Lemire; Troubling companion piece to THE WHITE PLANET follows a cadre of scientists as they sail the Antarctic waters evaluating the damage to the…
Last Western Heretic, The (2007): Dir. Monique Oomen; Riveting documentary presenting the life and ideologies of New Zealand's leading theologian – 89–year–old Lloyd Geering. A key…
Les Paul: Chasing Sound! The Les Paul Story (2007): Dir. John Paulson; Authorized biography of electric guitar pioneer Les Paul with narration and interviews from the man himself, still going strong at the age of 90.…
Let's Say (On dirait que... ) (2007): Dir. Françoise Marie; A sweetly humble documentary in the vein of ETRE ET AVOIR, involving a group of French kids aged 8–13 asked to portray their parents’ jobs and…
Long Way Down (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman; The movie star (Ewan McGregor) and best mate (Charley Boorman) return for round two of their play–it–by–ear motorcycle detour, this…
Lou Reed's Berlin (2007): Dir. Julian Schnabel
Feat. Lou Reed; Live recording of Lou Reed's 2006 performance of his underrated 1973 album 'Berlin,' brought resplendently back to life by a commanding Reed…
Lovely Rita - A Painter's Life (2007): Dir. Gaylene Preston
Feat. Loren Horsley; Evocative, celebratory remembrance of New Zealand’s Rita Angus, told primarily through a collection of over 300 letters the artist wrote to composer…
Man Who Souled the World, The (2007): Dir. Mike Hill; Jittery, but engagingly–made profile of World Industries founder Steve Rocco, whose innovation and imagination as a skateboard entrepreneur in…
Manufactured Landscapes (2007): Dir. Jennifer Baichwal; Astounding 'environmental' documentary centering on the landscape photography of Edward Burtynsky, whose large–scale images of…
Manufacturing Dissent (2007): Dir. Debbie Melnyck, Rick Caine; Not just another debunking of Michael Moore, this thoughtful, well–considered essay on the left winger’s political documentaries exposes…
Meat Loaf - In Search of Paradise (2007): Dir. Bruce David Klein
Feat. Meatloaf; Captures rocker Meat Loaf as he rehearses for and takes to the road with his 2007 World Tour, battling ongoing health concerns as he goes.
Michael Palin's New Europe (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Michael Palin; Seasoned globetrotter Michael Palin embarks on the undiscovered eastern bloc and its adjacent territories, revealing a fascinating cache of people,…
Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work (TV Series) (2007): Dir. Matt Reid; In–depth television series spanning a year in the life of the British Royal Family and the myriad of employees that keep the Royal Machine…
Mr. Untouchable (2007): Dir. Marc Levin; Sensational true story of Nicky Barnes, the most powerful New York kingpin in the 1970's drug world, covering his incredible rise from junkie…
Music in Me, The (2007): Enriching documentary following an inspirational group of intellectually and physically disabled performers called 'The Merry Makers' as they prepare…
My Brilliant Brain (TV Series) (2007): First–rate National Geographic series exploring the inner workings of the human brain, and in particular the origins of genius, questioning…
My Chemical Romance - Things That Make you Go mmm... (2007): Music doco delving into the world of angst ridden EMO idolised goth band My Chemical Romance by charting their rise to international stardom.…
My Kid Could Paint That (2007): Dir. Amir Bar-Lev; The story of a 4–year–old art "prodigy" turns into a controversial debate when it becomes apparent that her abstract brushwork may well…
New Orleans: Music in Exile (2007): Dir. Robert Mugge; On–the–ground documentary that follows New Orleans musicians as they try to piece their lives and careers back together after the…
Nick Drake - Under Review (2007): This critical review of enigmatic singer–songwriter Drake attempts to uncover some of the mysteries surrounding the man, as well as offer an…
Night (2007): Dir. Lawrence Johnston; Thought–provoking cine–visual essay about how humans perceive night–time through striking cinematography of Australian city and…
No End in Sight (2007): Dir. Charles Ferguson; Devastating documentary that comprehensively examines the negligence and political mis–steps that led to the Iraq war. "Traces the…
Not Quite Hollywood (2007): Dir. Mark Hartley; Informative and bloody amusing exploration of the dubious ocker 'Ozploitation' films of the 1970's and 80's, celebrating the joyously cheap and nasty…
Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (2007): Dir. Ben Niles; A ‘making of’ documentary in the most literal sense, this follows the production process of a hand–crafted grand piano, as it passes down the…
NZSAS: First Among Equals (TV Series) (2007): Eye–opening insider’s guide to the SAS offers a unique tour of duty in recruitment and training for the elite special forces, through to…
Oswald's Ghost (2007): Dir. Robert Stone; This intelligent investigative doco focusing on the chain of events leading up to John F. Kennedy's assassination and the impact it had on America is…
Our Future - His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2007): The Dalai Lama imparts his wisdom on spiritual wellbeing, current affairs and the global condition. Taken from conversations and public forums during…
Passion and Power: Technology of Orgasm, The (2007): Dir. Emiko Omori, Wendy Blair Slick; Ticklish documentary on the history of the vibrator, tracing its humble origins as a thinly–veiled 'invigorating massage tool' in women's…
Pete Seeger - The Power of Song (2007): Dir. Jim Brown; A generous tribute to American singer, songwriter and activist Pete Seeger, this gathers the usual array of performance footage, archival material,…
Peter Green Story, The - Man of the World (2007): There was life before Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" and those expecting the like will be disappointed, however the original Fleetwood Mac was an amazing…
Planet B-Boy (2007): Dir. Benson Lee; Energetic doco follows five B–Boy crews from around the world vying to be top dog at the 2005 Battle of the Year break–dance competition…
Powder and the Glory, The (2007): A welcome insight into two of America's greatest female entrepreneurs – Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein; two immigrants with limited…
Punk's Not Dead (2007): Dir. Susan Dynner; Covering familiar territory, this 30–year overview of punk rounds the usual cultural and musical bases via archival footage and talking head…
Quest For the Real Middle Earth, The (2007): Feat. Ian Holm; In–depth doco narrated by Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo in LORD OF THE RINGS) investigating the British locations and European languages that inspired…
Rain of the Children (2007): Dir. Vincent Ward
Feat. Vincent Ward, Rena Owen; Vincent Ward's masterful docu–drama – in which he investigates the 'cursed life' of an elderly Maori woman – is a deeply personal…
Rebirth of a Nation (2007): Dir. Paul D. Miller; 'Remix' of D.W. Griffith's landmark original by dir. Miller – aka 'DJ Spooky' – turns cinema into a club track, deconstructed and put…
Respect Yourself - The Stax Records Story (2007): Dir. Robert Gordon, Morgan Neville; Affecting documentary that traces the astonishing history of Stax Records, from it's humble beginnings as a neighborhood hangout in Memphis, to…
Return to Gorée (2007): Dir. Pierre-Yves Borgeaud; Insightful 'road' documentary follows Youssou N’Dour's musical tour via Atlanta, New Orleans, New York City, Luxembourg, and Dakar; the Senegalese…
Robbie Coltrane's Incredible Britain (TV Series) (2007-2008): Feat. Robbie Coltrane; Cherished British actor Robbie Coltrane takes a journey through the back–blocks of Britain in his Jag roadster to uncover the weird and…
Senator Obama Goes to Africa (2007): Dir. Bob Hercules; Succinct documentary following Barak Obama's emotional journey with his family to Africa in 2006 in the wake of becoming the newly elected U.S.…
Send A Bullet (Manda Bala) (2007): Dir. Jason Kohn; Unsettling doco exposing the corrupted underbelly of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where abduction, political fraud and torture runs rife. A protege of…
Sicko (2007): Dir. Michael Moore; Documentary icon Michael Moore's latest broadside utilizes his tried–and–true one–man approach to expose the inherent 'malpractice'…
Slacker Uprising (Captain Mike Across America) (2007): Dir. Michael Moore; Footage from Michael Moore's political crusade in 2004 to convince the masses of young non–voters – aka slackers – to give voting a…
Spirit of the Marathon (2007): Dir. Jon Dunham; Inspiring documentary following a group of amateurs and professionals from all walks of life as they prepare for the 2007 Chicago Marathon. Dir.…
Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Michael Wood; Acclaimed historian Wood takes to the destination du–jour – India – in order to acknowledge its history and research its…
Story of Ned Kelly, The (2007): Feat. Charles Tingwell, Ian Jones; Historically accurate doco tracking the life of the ultimate Aussie rogue Ned Kelly. Aptly led by distinguished Kelly historian / author Ian Jones…
Stranded - The Andes Plane Crash Survivors (2007): Inspiring first–hand account of the devastating ordeal suffered by members of a Uruguayan rugby team whose plane famously crashed in the Andes…
Strange Culture (2007): Dir. Lynn Hershman-Leeson
Feat. Thomas Jay Ryan, Tilda Swinton, Peter Coyote; Topical and important docu–drama focusing on the charges of bio–terrorism brought against acclaimed artist Steve Kurtz after his wife's…
Suicide Killers (2007): Dir. Pierre Rehov; Based on interviews, this documentary examines the psychopathology of suicide bombers, with particular focus on the Israeli/Palestine conflict. The…
Super High Me (2007): Dir. Michael Blieden; Stand–up comedian Doug Benson decides to smoke (and eat) marijuana for 30 days straight and chronicle the side effects in this SUPER SIZE ME…
Surfwise (2007): Dir. Doug Pray; Surprisingly confronting documentary following the ultimate surfer dude dad – Dorian Paskowitz – and his suffering family who forsake…
Taxi to the Dark Side (2007): Dir. Alex Gibney; Academy Award–winning documentary from the dir. of ENRON exposing the darker impulses of the US forces through the true story of an Afghani…
Th' Dudes Live - Th' 2006 Reunion Tour (2007): One–time reunion tour sees Th’Dudes reunite after 26 years in celebration of Radio Hauraki’s 40th anniversary. Includes live concert footage,…
Tim Marlow On...Henry Moore at Kew (2007): Feat. Tim Marlow; Tim Marlow ventures outdoors this time to present the highlights from Henry Moore's exhibition at Kew Gardens. Marlow gracefully explains the themes…
Tim Marlow On...The National Gallery's Grand Tour (2007): Feat. Tim Marlow; A fresh look at some of the world's greatest paintings displayed for a short time at a temporary gallery – the streets of London. Art critic…
Time of Our Lives, The (2007): Dir. Gaylene Preston; Kiwi documentarian Gaylene Preston joins 32 war veterans en route to London, selected to inaugurate the erection of a New Zealand War Memorial in…
Tom Waits - Under Review 1971-1982 (2007): Feat. Tom Waits; Music doco chronicling the career of singer–songwriter Tom Waits, containing rarely seen interviews with the man himself, hit songs and rare…
Tori and Dean Inn Love (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott; Z–List "actress" Tori Spelling and hubby Dean McDermott leave behind their silver spoon–fed lives to run a quaint little "Bed and…
Trap, The (The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom?) (2007): Dir. Adam Curtis; Ambitious treatise on the concept of freedom sees Curtis overreaching somewhat, and a certain arbitrary focus tends to lend this one a conspiratorial…
Trumbo (2007): Dir. Peter Askin
Feat. Joan Allen, Michael Douglas, Donald Sutherland…; Prominent blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo – the most famed of the alleged Communist sympathising ‘Hollywood 10’ – is the honoree of this…
Union, The (2007): Dir. Brett Harvey; Convincingly argued case study for the legalization of cannabis, centred on British Columbia’s thriving – and seemingly legitimate – marijuana…
Unlikely Travellers (2007): Dir. Michael Noonan; A refreshingly open doco framing a group of intellectually disabled travellers on a once–in–a–lifetime holiday to Egypt, following…
Up The Yangtze (2007): Dir. Yung Chang; The large–scale transformation of the Yangtze River through the construction of the Three Gorges Dam is examined intimately through the eyes of…
Victoria's Empire (TV Series) (2007): Feat. Victoria Wood; Brit comedienne Victoria Wood tours the Commenwealth on behalf of her royal namesake, taking in such old Empire territories as Hong Kong, Borneo,…
Walk Into The Sea, A (Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory) (2007): Dir. Esther Robinson; Peripheral Factory filmmaker and one–time Warhol lover Danny Williams is the subject of this intriguing doco directed by his niece, which…
War / Dance (War Dance) (2007): Life–affirming Oscar–nominated doco investigates the lives of a group of war–torn Ugandan child refugees on their path towards…
War on Democracy, The (2007): Dir. John Pilger, Chris Martin; John Pilger continues his crusade against U.S foreign policy with this informative, persuasively polemical documentary about the manipulation and…
War, The (2007): Dir. Ken Burns; Seven–part documentary series, directed by respected filmmaker Ken Burns, addressing the horrors of WW2 from the perspective of American…
Warlords (TV Series) (Untold Stories of World War II) (2007): Well–reviewed UK documentary series analyses WWII's big players from a psychological perspective: Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt and…
We Are Together (2007): Dir. Paul Taylor; This remarkable, uplifting documentary showcases the choir of the South African Agape Orphanage, comprised of talented youngsters whose families have…
What Would Jesus Buy? (2007): Dir. Rob Van Alkemade; Comedic activist doco tails the self–styled Reverend Billy and his faithful 'Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir' on a cross–country…
Words from the City (2007): Dir. Natasha Gadd, Rhys Graham; Documentary on contemporary Australian hip–hop, exploring fresh ground through its focus on the poetics of the art–form and its place in…
Young @ Heart (Young at Heart) (2007): Dir. Stephen Walker; A stirring, crowd–pleasing music doco for ages 9 to 99 that introduces a spritely senior citizen choir known as 'Young @ Heart' who are…
10 Questions for the Dalai Lama (2006): Dir. Rick Ray; A hopeful and intimate doco of the history and life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama; includes archival footage of a young Dalai Lama, the…
1st & Hope (2006): Mellow skatie homage set in the mean streets of smoggy LA pitch perfectly accompanied by alt tunes from the vibrant musician 'Beck.' Like a super…
9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions (2006): Dir. Sofia Shafquat; Another inflammatory conspiracy documentary on the ‘truth’ behind 9/11, this time purporting that the Twin Towers were in fact leveled by secret…
9/11: The Falling Man (2006): Dir. Henry Singer; Acclaimed documentary searches for the identity of one of the victims of the 9/11 attacks, whose desperate jump/fall from one of the Twin Towers was…
Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story (2006): Dir. Patty Kim, Chris Sheridan; This startling, blow–by–blow account of a notorious Japanese abduction reveals a staggering conspiracy at the heart of a…
Absolute Wilson (2006): Dir. Katharina Otto; Detailed, digestible documentary about the life and times of renowned experimental theatre director, Robert Wilson. Charting Wilson’s…
Agatha Christie's Garden (2006): The life of Britain’s grande dame of mystery is explored in this breezy documentary, taking in Christie's grandson, biographer, and fellow…
Air Guitar Nation (2006): Dir. Alexandra Lipsitz; Sublime documentary on a ridiculous subject, this follows the fortunes of two Americans at the World "Air Guitar" Championships in Finland, in which…
American Cannibal (2006): Dir. Michael Nigro, Perry Grebin; On the surface an expose of America’s insidious entertainment industry, this compulsive video diary of a failed Reality TV series challenges the…
An Inconvenient Truth (2006): Dir. Davis Guggenheim
Feat. Al Gore; Stark and compelling warning about the imminent effects of climate change – largely being stoked by carbon emissions from human activities…
Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens (2006): Dir. Barbara Leibovitz; Gratifying portrait of the life and career of trail–blazing superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz, directed by her sister who exposes select…
Ans Westra - Private Journeys/Public Signposts (2006): Dir. Luit Bieringa; Photographer laureate Ans Westra takes to the other side of the camera in this insightful, contemplative retrospective of her photography, and…
B4MD - Before the Music Dies (2006): Dir. Andrew Shapter; Slight but worthy documentary probing the music industry in order to find out why 'video killed the radio star': what has happened to nurturing new…
Bacon's Arena (2006): Dir. Adam Low; Truly 'definitive' portrait of 20th Century painter Francis Bacon, commissioned by his Estate to mark the centenary of his birth. Dir. Low takes…
Battle Of Long Tan / He's Coming South (2006): Dir. Damien Lay; Two insightful documentaries that each explore particular episodes in Australasia's war history. THE BATTLE OF LONG TAN tells the incredible story…
Battleplan (TV Series) (2006): A comprehensive history and analysis of military strategies, combat tactics, and the art of modern warfare. Across eighteen episodes, historical…
Beales of Grey Gardens, The (2006): Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles; Comprised of new footage and fresh hindsight, the Maysles brothers revisit the iconic Beales immortalised in their 1976 verite classic GREY GARDENS.…
Besieged Fortress (2006): Dir. Phillipe Calderon; French–produced documentary examines the struggle for survival of a colony of African termites threatened by a massive storm and marauding…
Beyond Hatred (Au Dela de la Haine) (2006): Sensitive documentary following the aftermath of a hate crime in which a 30–year old gay man was beaten to death by a trio of skinheads in a…
Black Gold (2006): Dir. Marc Francis; Urgent, surprisingly constructive expose of world coffee trade, tackling the exploitation of third world bean farmers by corporations, middlemen, and…
Bob Dylan - Rolling Thunder and The Gospel Years (2006): Feat. Bob Dylan; Chronicles the years between 1975 and 1981 when Dylan hit the road with a rag–tag band of folk troubadours in 1975's Rolling Thunder Revue, and…
Buddha Wild - The Monk in a Hut (2006): Dir. Anna Wilding; Modest documentary following the lives of a group of Thai and Sri Lankan monks as they reveal their unique way of life and dedicated faith. Narrated…
Buddha's Lost Children (2006): Dir. Mark Verkerk; Engrossing, beautifully shot story about a Thai boxer–turned–monk's mission to revitalise the lives of impoverished young boys in the…
Bullrider (2006): Dir. Josh Aronson; Rough and tumble guide to the world of professional bullriding follows three top ranked cowboys as they embark on winning the sport’s lucrative world…
Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride (2006): Dir. Tom Thurman
Feat. Gary Busey, John Cusack, Benicio Del Toro…; Definitive documentary about the life and death of the late, great gonzo himself, Hunter S. Thompson. Visuals draw heavily on clips, including…
Cats of Mirikitani, The (2006): Dir. Linda Hattendorf; Tenderly constructed documentary revealing the compelling life of a homeless artist living on the streets of NYC who survived an internment camp,…
Cinematographer Style (2006): Dir. Jon Fauer; 110 of the world's most celebrated cinematographers give in–depth interviews about their craft, painting a fascinating portrait of the process…
Civilisations (2006): Purporting new insight, this series chronicles four of the most influential ancient civilizations to lay foundations for the world we know today.…
Classic Artists: Cream (2006): Feat. Eric Clapton; Part of the excellent Classic Artist Series, this fully authorized doco is an intensive examination of the rise of pop supergroup Cream, and the…
Classic Artists: Jethro Tull (2006): Part of the excellent Classic Artist Series, this fully authorized doco is an intensive examination of the rise of rock group Jethro Tull and their…
Classic Artists: Moody Blues (2006): Part of the excellent Classic Artist Series, this fully authorized doco is an intensive examination of the 40 year history of 'art rock' group The…
Classic Artists: Yes (2006): Part of the excellent Classic Artist Series, this fully authorized doco is an intensive examination of the progressive rock band Yes, tracing their…
Closet Tales of Australian Fashion, The (TV Series) (2006): Art and commerce collide in this first–hand insight into the creative process of four of Australia's top fashion designers. Across four…
Cocaine Cowboys (2006): Dir. Billy Corben; True story of Miami's heady drug trade in the late 70s / early 80s, chronicling at an Amphetamine pace the highs and lows of smugglers and…
Colossal Youth (2006): Dir. Pedro Costa; A major work of contemporary art cinema, this mesmerizing sleepwalk throughout the demolished slums of Lisbon, Portugal is seen through the eyes of…
Crossing the Line (2006): Dir. Daniel Gordon; Documentary on the extraordinary defection of James Dresnok, an American military deserter to North Korea in 1962, who now resides permanently in the…
Crude Awakening, A (Oil Crash) (2006): Dir. Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack; Impending doom in the form of ‘peak oil’ is the subject of this bleak environmental documentary, designed to scare industry and consumers alike into…
Cuba - A Lifetime Of Passion (2006): Dir. Glenn Gebhard; With unprecedented access on either side of the Florida Straits, this comprehensive, and beautifully shot documentary highlights the complexity of…
Death of a President (2006): Dir. Gabriel Range; An audacious faux–documentary that contrives an utterly convincing scenario around the fictional assassination of President George W.…
Deep Water (2006): Dir. Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell; Superbly crafted documentary that charts an astounding human story that took place within the world's first solo, non–stop…
Deliver Us From Evil (2006): Dir. Amy Berg; A hard–hitting expose of pedophilia and abuse in the Catholic Church, this gathers powerful testimony from victims of priest Oliver O’Grady,…
Detour de France (2006): Dir. Dan Jones; Further insight into the world’s most grueling sporting event, the Tour de France, this follows three irreverent Australian reporters covering the…
Doctor, the Tornado and the Kentucky Kid, The (2006): Dir. Mark Neale; An energetic, visually immersive chronicle of the biggest motorcycle race in American history, the 2005 US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, California.…
Earthquake (2006): Dir. Gaylene Preston; Staple filmmaker and documentarian Gaylene Preston chronicles the devastating Hawkes Bay earthquake of 1931 through a series of vivid and moving…
Edge of Outside (2006): Dir. Shannon Davis; A succinct overview of the history of independent cinema, this overlaps ground covered in the likes of EASY RIDERS, RAGING BULLS and DECADE UNDER THE…
Ever Again (2006): Dir. Richard Trank; Disturbing documentary on the re–emergence of anti–semitism paying particular attention to the politicization of Europe's Neo–Nazi…
Everest: Beyond the Limit (TV Mini-Series) (2006): A gruelling Discovery Channel mini–series following a group of ambitious mountaineers, led by Kiwi climber Russell Brice, on their quest to…
Everyone Stares - The Police Inside Out (2006): Dir. Stewart Copeland; Drummer–turned–film composer Stewart Copeland digs up an archive of Super 8 footage in this homebrew documentary of The Police’s rise to…
Exodus Decoded, The (2006): Dir. Simcha Jacobovici; Speculative historical documentary in the wake of the 'Da Vinci Code' phenomenon that attempts to find a factual basis behind the biblical story of…
Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006): Dir. Lisa Ades, Lesli Klainberg; Scintillating sequel to the dirs. 1995 CELLULOID CLOSET, here discussing the history of 'out' gay cinema in the twentieth century from Kenneth…
Figure 8000 (2006): Dir. Lindon Puffin; Former glam rock front man of The Puffins, Lindon Puffin, takes to the road as an under–resourced solo act, touring with a single roadie in a…
Flock of Dodos (2006): Dir. Randy Olson; A humourous take on the great American evolution vs 'intelligent design' debate, this doco pits talking heads from both sides against each other to…
Freedom's Fury (2006): Dir. Colin K. Gray, Megan Raney; Sport and politics mix in this gripping account of a hotly contested water polo semifinal between Hungary and the Soviet Union during the 1956…
Glastonbury (2006): Dir. Julien Temple; Down and dirty documentary of that sodden, world famous Scottish music festival Glastonbury, sloshing together hours of submitted footage, archival…
Global Haywire (2006): Dir. Bruce Petty; Unruly political doco by celebrated Australian cartoonist and moviemaker Bruce Petty, that seeks to answer why the East and West have reached crisis…
God On My Side (2006): Dir. Andrew Denton; Aussie doco maker Andrew Denton infiltrates the National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention in Texas, striking upon the hilarious, serious, sometimes…
Going Bush (2006): Dir. David Batty, Tony Jackson; Cathy Freeman and actor Luke Carroll travel beyond the outer reaches of indigenous Australia in this eye–opening road trip that takes in such…
Great Australian Albums: Crowded House - Woodface (2006): In–depth story behind Crowded House's hit album 'Woodface,' including the creative process and personal struggles of the band. Featured as part…
Grumpy Old Holidays (2006): More whining and whinging from an new queue of dissatisfied old grumps, this time on the nightmare subject of holidays and holidaying.
Gunther's ER (2006): A follow on from the best–selling biology docos AUTOPSY: LIFE AND DEATH and ANATOMY FOR BEGINNERS. This time round Dr. Gunther von Hagens, made…
Hacking Democracy (2006): Dir. Simon Ardizzone; Alarming expose of America’s electronic voting system, which was disastrously shown–up in the 2000 US Presidential election. Casting its…
Helvetica (2006): Dir. Gary Hustwit; Treading unique, uncharted documentary territory is this lively case study on the ubiquitous typeface Helvetica, loved and loathed in equal parts for…
Herbie Hancock - Possibilities (2006): Dir. Doug Biro
Feat. Herbie Hancock; Uber–keyboardist Herbie Hancock collaborates with a roll call of admirers – Sting, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox and Christina Aguilera, among…
Hero's Journey, A (2006): President Xanana Gusmao presides over this documentary portrait of East Timor, its Resistance war against Indonesian occupation, and its current…
Hills, The (TV Series) (2006-2008): Heavy–handed Reality TV series focused on Laguna Beach It girl Lauren Conrad and her sassy friends trying to gain careers, a great tan and the…
History Of The British Police Force, The (2006): Feat. Brian Cox; Fairly detailed and illuminating history of the British bobby, from the days of Sir Robert Peel's first 'peeler' through to the large–scale…
Hunger for the Wild (TV Series) (2006-2007): Wellington restauranteurs Steve Logan and Al Brown (of 'Logan Brown') travel the wilds of New Zealand looking for fresh food to turn into…
In Search of Mozart (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky; Thoughtful and well–orchestrated documentary about 18th century classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which aims to not only put across…
Jesus Camp (2006): Dir. Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady; A disturbing guided tour of extremist 'Jesus Camps' in the US, run by politically–aligned Evangelical Christian groups intent on indoctrinating…
Joan Sutherland - The Reluctant Prima Donna (2006): Dir. Steve Cole; Spotlight on Australian opera diva Joan ‘La Stupenda’ Sutherland, from her modest early years, through to international stardom via two…
John Osborne and the Gift of Friendship (2006): Dir. Tony Palmer
Feat. John Osborne, Tony Richardson, Laurence Olivier…; Exemplary presentation traces the life and works of groundbreaking British playwright John Osborne, whose 1956 play 'Look Back in Anger' changed the…
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006): Dir. Stanley Nelson; The enigma of cultist Jim Jones is investigated in chilling detail as this documentary outlays the infamous ‘Peoples Temple’ cult and its disciples’…
Joy Division - Under Review (2006): Dir. Christian Davies; Unauthorised analysis of respected post–punk band, Joy Division. Through various interviews, photos and music clips, the history of the band is…
Kanyini (2006): Dir. Michelle Hogan; Concise, if a little one–sided, documentary on Aboriginal spirituality, centered around the life of an elderly Aborigine who looks at the…
Kiwi Kitchen (TV Series) (2006): A wee beauty of a TV series has gastronome Richard Till investigate the roots of Kiwi cuisine and serve up some iconic recipes and dinner…
Kurt Cobain - About a Son (2006): Dir. AJ Schnack; Elegiac, moving documentary on Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain takes an appositely nonconformist approach to his unusual life and times. Based on…
Lake of Fire (2006): Dir. Tony Kaye; From the ashes of AMERICAN HISTORY X, dir. Tony Kaye reconciles 15 years of groundwork and personal investment into this definitive documentary on…
Last Resort, The (2006): Dir. Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones; A modest coastal campground is the site of much dispute and debate in this thorny documentary casting light on New Zealand’s ceaseless ‘land wars’,…
Lesbian Sex and Sexuality (2006): Dir. Katherine Linton; A smart, inquisitive six–part series examining the various facets of lesbianism and sex in media, entertainment, and everyday life. Episodes…
Life in Loops (2006): Dir. Timo Novotny; This audio–visual companion piece to MEGACITIES remixes the documentary’s existing footage of global degradation with a throbbing electronic…
Life Under Napoleon (TV Series) (2006): Dir. Georg Schiemann; Broad, challenging historical overview of late 18th/early 19th century Europe, informed by the legacy and reign of French Emperor Napoleon.…
Lion in the House, A (2006): Dir. Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert; This powerful, heart–wrenching testimonial clocks in at almost four miraculous hours, chronicling the cancer treatment of five Cincinnati…
Loose Change - Second Edition (2006): Dir. Dylan Avery; Using an array of disconcerting "facts" and "expert" witnesses, this rapid–fire documentary purports to tell the 'truth' about the 9/11 attacks…
loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies (Loud Quiet Loud) (2006): Dir. Steven Cantor, Matthew Galkin; Document on lauded alt–rockers The Pixies which revisits the band ten years after their split, through to their 2004 'Sell Out' Reunion Tour.…
Love Story (2006): Dir. Chris Hall; Belated but worth–the–wait tragi–profile of overlooked cult band Love, whose magnetic black frontman Arthur Lee passed away shortly…
Magical World of Misery, The (2006): A short documentary on the creations and career of New Zealander Tanya Thompson (a.k.a. 'Misery'), who began as a hip graffiti artist and has gone to…
Man vs Wild (TV Series) (2006): Feat. Bear Grylls; Macho malarkey with modern day Macgyver and master masochist Bear Grylls running round extreme terrains tormenting himself for the benefit of couch…
Maori Queen, The: 1931-2006 (Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu) (2006): Televised tribute to the 'Maori Queen', Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, on the occasion of her funeral in August 2006, edited down from…
Marcello, A Sweet Life (Marcello, una vita dolce) (2006): Dir. Mario Canale, Annarosa Morri; Sincere Italian documentary exploring the life of great Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni through archival footage and testimonials from his…
Marie Antoinette (2006): Dir. David Grubin; A detailed PBS documentary about the strange and tragic life of Marie Antoinette who wed Louis XVI to become Queen of France. Subsequently, she…
Maxed Out (2006): Dir. James D. Scurlock; Exposing further blemishes (or is that crevices?) in the American capitalist model, this is a necessary indictment of America's credit card industry…
Meanies, The (2006): The history and music of punkish Australian band The Meanies is chronicled in this watchable documentary, which covers much of the Melbourne…
Meth Epidemic, The (2006): Timely documentary tackles the alarming ‘Meth Epidemic’, its increasing effects on American society, and the possible solutions to the…
Most Beautiful Women in Paris 2007, The (2006): Dir. Herve Lewis; Fashion industry guru Herve Lewis revives his love of black–and–white photograpy in this sensuous homage to the beauty of women. Lewis'…
MTV Barrio 19 (2006): Excellent compilation of amazing demonstrations by street performers from around the globe – Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Britain... –…
Naked on the Inside (2006): Dir. Kim Farrant; Affecting documentary narrated by Australian filmmaker Kim Farrant as she investigates the issue of 'body image' through the lives of an amputee…
New Oceania, The (2006): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Dir. Shirley Horrocks continues her excellent series on local artists and literary figures with an enthralling study of 'South Pacific' writer Albert…
Nigella Feasts (TV Series) (2006): Feat. Nigella Lawson; Foodie seductress Lawson invites us to her living room as she prepares feasts for every occasion. Never one to shy away from overt sensuality, the…
Noam Chomsky: Imperial Grand Strategy (The Conquest of Iraq and the Assault on Democracy) (2006): Feat. Noam Chomsky; Excellent compendium of Noam Chomsky lectures, with the elder activist contesting America's occupation of Iraq, 'Patriot Acts', dubious…
On Life And Enlightenment - Principles Of Buddhism With His Holiness The Dalai Lama (2006): Dir. Kaushik Ray; Comprehensive exploration of the practices of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, ranging from imparted wisdom care of his Holiness, through to a tour of the…
One Giant Leap (50 Years of Space Exploration) (2006): Historical doco covering 50 years of humans being propelled into space. Includes remastered footage from Sputnik all the way through to Apollo and…
Perfect Disaster (TV Series) (2006): SFX–heavy mini–series that looks at what would happen if a natural disaster – under 'perfect' conditions – were to hit…
Plan, The / Planet, The (2006-2010): Dir. Johan Söderberg, Michael Stenberg , Linus Torell; Two Scandinavian–produced eco documentaries which consider the plight of the earth from different perspectives: THE PLAN, a collection of…
Planet Earth (TV Series) (2006): Feat. David Attenborough; One of the most expensive and ambitious nature documentary series ever attempted, the reliable grave tones of Sir David Attenborough guide this…
Power of Art (TV Series) (2006): A scholarly, and indeed powerful, roam through art history’s seminal figures, with knowledge imparted by the revered Simon Schama. Disc 1 –…
Prehistoric Park (TV Series) (2006): Interesting documentary speculation pitched to children has naturalist Nigel Marvin 'rescue' dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, hypothetically…
Radiant City (2006): Dir. Gary Burns, Jim Brown; This account of a ‘typical’ nuclear family ensconced in America’s suburban wasteland doubles as a serious expose of consumption, sprawl, and the…
Rampage (2006): Dir. George Gittoes; Australian war reporter George Gittoes turns his attention to urban combat in Brownsville, Miami, where four brothers – one having just returned from…
Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (2006): Splendid swag of early short films from special f/x pioneer Ray Harryhausen, many using the mature stop–motion style of his work in features…
Red Chapel, The (2006): Dir. Mads Brügger; Award winning documentary that gives 'a rare glimpse into a totalitarian nightmare' when a Danish–Korean theater group travel to North Korea…
Road to Guantanamo, The (2006): Dir. Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross; A searing, politically pertinent docu–drama from the prolific Michael Winterbottom (w/ co–dir. Whitecross), reenacting with…
Rock the Bells (2006): Dir. Denis Hennelly, Casey Suchan; Fly–on–the–wall document of the magic of the ‘Rock The Bells’ hip–hop festival, and the panic that ensues when…
Running with Arnold (2006): Feat. Arnold Schwarzenegger; One–sided political doco following the ascent of muscle–head actor Arnie through the ranks of right–wing government to become the…
Salzburg Festival, The (2006): Dir. Tony Palmer; An epic and detailed look at the world's most revered classical music festival, which takes place annually in Mozart's birthplace, the Austrian town…
Sci-Fi Boys, The (2006): Dir. Paul Davids
Feat. Peter Jackson; Charming doco that charts the evolution of science fiction films from stop motion B movies to blockbusters, and the influence that the pioneers of…
Scott Walker - 30 Century Man (2006): Dir. Steven Kijak; Brilliant music documentary about enigmatic soundmaker and musical genius, Scott Walker, who enjoyed pop stardom in the 60's as half of The Walker…
Secret History of 9/11, The (2006): Dir. Terrence McKenna; A serious–minded Canadian television documentary which details the lead–up to the 9/11 attacks on the NYC World Trade Centre, including…
Secret, The (2006): Dir. Drew Heriot; In repackaging the ‘Law of Attraction’ theory for a New Age audience, Abraham (aka Esther Hicks) affirms the power of positive thinking, reviving…
Shackleton and Scott - Rivals for the Pole (2006): The intense 'polar' rivalry of Shackleton and Scott is relived in this documentary of the two explorers’ fatal trajectory towards the South Pole.…
Sharkwater (2006): Dir. Rob Stewart; Worthwhile documentary filmed in the shark rich waters of the world that aims to dispel human's inherent fear of sharks and demonstrate the important…
Shut Up and Sing (2006): Dir. Barbara Kopple, Cecilia Peck; Politics ("shut up") and music ("sing") find themselves reluctantly linked in this portrait of country superstars, "The Dixie Chicks", and the…
Sign of the Times (2006): Dir. Victoria Manning, Paul Wolffram; In April 2006 the New Zealand Parliament recognised New Zealand Sign Language as the third official language of New Zealand. This short 'insider'…
Silent Britain (2006): An intriguing journey into the 'Lost Atlantis' of the British silent film industry, which prior to 1929 generated thousands of films, as much through…
Squeegee Bandit (2006): Dir. Sandor Lau; The hard–luck story of a charismatic street window–washer who works the intersections of South Auckland is documented with warmth and…
Steal This Film (2006): The inside scoop on the world's most notorious (and popular) piracy website and its Swedish operators that also examines how file sharing / internet…
Struggle No More (2006): Dir. Costa Botes; Affectionate tribute to veteran Wellington band 'The Windy City Strugglers' who formed in 1968 to play a mix of blues, soul and jug–band music…
Surfing the Menu - New Zealand (2006): Adventure–bound Australian food show which here features surf–mad Kiwi chef Mark Gardner and host Ben O'Donoghue on an exciting food…
Swing Guitar - The Genius of Django Reinhardt (2006): Short but informative documentary about the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who rose from obscurity as a European gypsy to become perhaps…
Tell Me Do You Miss Me (2006): Dir. Matthew Buzzell; Both melancholic and humorous, the dissolution of celebrated New York band Luna is chronicled as they embark on their final world tour, and confront…
This Film is Not Yet Rated (2006): Dir. Kirby Dick; A film that is close to our hearts, this is a good–humoured yet scathing attack on the American Film Industry and the hush of its censorship…
This Filthy World (2006): Dir. Jeff Garlin
Feat. John Waters; Scholar of bad taste, John Waters, extols the virtues of filth in this stand–up routine–meets–film lecture dedicated largely to his…
Tim Marlow On...The Highlights of the New Tate Modern (2006): Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow; Art critic Tim Marlow presents a guided tour of the highlights of the New Tate Modern. In his accessible and intelligent style, Marlow dissects…
Too Tough to Die: A Tribute to Johnny Ramone (2006): Dir. Mandy Stein; Documentation of the concert held three days before Johnny Ramone's death where a group of musicians including Henry Rollins, Eddie Vedder and the…
Tough Act (TV Series) (2006): Dir. Stuart McKenzie; Compelling 'reality TV' show follows a class of aspiring actors in their first year at Toi Whakaari – New Zealand Drama School in Wellington,…
Trials of Darryl Hunt, The (2006): Dir. Ricki Stern, Anne Sundberg; Another infuriating indictment of the US legal system, this shockingly reveals beyond reasonable doubt in the case and conviction of Darryl Hunt,…
TV Junkie (2006): Dir. Matt Radecki; An excruciating, warts–and–all video confession exposing Rick Kirkam’s decade–long cocaine addiction from behind the face of a…
Unfolding Florence (The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst) (2006): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; Profiling eccentric Sydney personality Florence Broadhurst, dir. Gillian Armstrong reveals the lives less ordinary of Australia’s leading interior…
US vs. John Lennon, The (2006): Dir. David Leaf, John Scheinfeld; Compelling exposition of the political persecution of outspoken, anti–war Beatle, John Lennon by the Nixon–led US government. While…
War of the World: The New History of the 20th Century (2006): Eye–opening historical documentary, presented by acclaimed historian Professor Niall Ferguson, challenging how we view and assess the arch of…
War Years, The - 1939-1945 (2006): Five part documentary series made with unique and previously unseen archive film and photographs, tells the story of World War ll in the European…
Waves (2006): Dir. Li Tao; Shot with empathy and an open heart, this fine documentary on the arrival of four Chinese high school students to New Zealand offers rare insight…
What Lies Beneath (TV Series) (2006): Feat. Simon Dallow; An eight–part series about New Zealand's archaeological heritage, presenting a series of intriguing site studies, with Simon Dallow asking the…
What the Bleep!? - Down the Rabbit Hole (2006): Dir. William Arntz, Betsy Chasse
Feat. Marlee Matlin; A sequel–recut of WHAT THE BLEEP? which again presents an New Age spread of provocative comparisons between the theories of quantum physics and…
When the Levees Broke - A Requiem in Four Acts (2006): Dir. Spike Lee; Powerful, enraging chronicle of this century’s first great natural disaster, and the man–made catastrophe that unfolded post–Hurricane…
When the Road Bends - Tales Of A Gypsy Caravan (2006): Dir. Jasmine Dellal; An exuberant celebration of Romani culture and Rom (Gypsies) that doubles as a high–end concert film, this follows the "Gypsy Caravan" tour…
White Planet, The (2006): Dir. Jean Lemire; Stunning, big–screen nature treatise turns its attention to the inhospitable glaciers of the Artic, where polar bears and other unique fauna…
Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock? (Who the Fuck is Jackson Pollock?) (2006): Dir. Harry Moses; Good–natured yet revealing art–world expose concerning 73–year–old trucker Teri Horton’s acquisition of a $5 thrift store…
Who the Hell is Pete Doherty? (2006): Dir. Roger Pomphrey; Revealing if somewhat flawed look at the chequered career of Pete Doherty – co–leader of British group 'The Libertines' plus leader of…
Wordplay (2006): Dir. Patrick Creadon; Seldom short on drama, this latest documentary to pay homage to the grammatically dexterous taps into the competitive and obsessive drive of…
Zidane - A 21st Century Portrait (2006): Dir. Douglas Gordon, Philippe Parreno; Hypnotic, enigmatic video art–cum–feature film fetishises the football prowess of one Zinedine Zidane during a Spanish soccer league…
49 Up (2005): Dir. Michael Apted; The seventh part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britons of different…
51 Birch Street (2005): Dir. Doug Block; Filmmaker Doug Block goes looking for skeletons in his parents’ closet following the sudden death of his mother, and the unexpected remarriage of his…
Aerosol Crimes (Chemtrails) (2005): Dir. Clifford Carnicom; Interesting account of the possible conspiracies lurking behind the increasing presence of 'chemtrails' in our skies. These are the polluting trails…
Agatha Christie Code, The (2005): Covertly analytical doco, narrated by Joanna Lumley, investigating exactly what made Agatha Christie the world's second best selling author (after…
Al Qaeda (2005): Alarming documentary investigating different facets of high–profile terrorist cell Al–Qaeda. Divided into three parts; Al–Qaeda…
Aliens of the Deep (2005): Dir. James Cameron; The dir. of TITANIC and THE ABYSS renews his fascination with the mysteries of the deep ocean, choreographing the crews of various submersibles for a…
All Apologies: Kurt Cobain (2005): An informative peer into the life and final days of cult rock star Kurt Cobain, lead singer for the band Nirvana, who committed suicide in 1994.…
American Jobs (2005): Dir. Greg Spotts; An exploration into the effects of three million job losses across USA and consequentially into the impact of low–wage foreign competition on…
Anatomy for Beginners (2005): Grotesque but rather fascinating documentary series in which anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens and pathologist Prof. John Lee systematically dissect…
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Anthony Bourdain; Dubbed the "Indiana Jones of world cuisine", best–selling author Anthony Bourdain uses his distinct reputation as a worldwide gourmet…
Arktos: The Inner Journey of Mike Horn (2005): Dir. Raphael Blanc; A documentary about South African–born adventurer Mike Horn, who in 2002 set out to circumnavigate the Arctic Circle – mostly against the…
Around the World in 80 Treasures (2005): A fascinating world tour through civilisation's lasting imprint, with historian Dan Cruickshank globetrotting the planet in search of the eighty…
Ballets Russes (2005): Dir. Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine; Splendidly absorbing and intimate look at the legacy of the famous Ballets Russes dance comapny, initially founded by Serge Diaghilev in 1909, then…
Banana in a Nutshell (2005): Dir. Roseanne Liang
Feat. Roseanne Liang; Having fallen in love with a white New Zealand boy, 27–year–old Liang turns the camera on herself in this thoroughly intimate…
Billy Connolly - World Tour of New Zealand (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Billy Connolly; The special New Zealand segment of comedian Billy Connolly's 2004 world tour, which has the crazed Scot covering the length of the country over eight…
Black Coffee (2005): Dir. Irene Lilienheim Angelico; Caffeine addicts with a bent for history will savour this three–part documentary series tracing the unique and volatile history of…
Black Sun (2005): Dir. Gary Tarn; French artist Hughes de Montalembert’s remarkable and resiliant recovery from a devastating act of violence marks this spirited documentary of one…
Blood of My Brother (2005): Dir. Andrew Berends; A revealing, often eye–opening Iraqi War perspective, shot through director Berends’ unprecedented access to the Mehdi Army and citizens caught…
Brasileirinho (2005): Dir. Mika Kaurismaki; Choro is often seen as the Brazilian equivalent of improvisatory jazz, and serves as the foundation for such unique styles like samba and bossa nova…
Bridezillas (TV Series) (2005): Take–no–prisoners 'Reality TV' series captures on camera the fascinating behaviour of some of New York's most stressed,…
Broad Horizons (2005): Dir. Various; Ten galvanizing short films by women tackling issues such as globalisation, spirituality, lesbianism and more, across multiple mediums. Released to…
Building the Gherkin (2005): Dir. Miriam Von Arx; In deconstructing London’s Gherkin Building – a 590–foot skyscraper in the heart of the CBD – dir. Von Arx reveals the opposing forces that…
Catherine the Great (2005): Dir. John Burgess, John-Paul Davidson; Made with the help of newly–available documentation from the former Soviet archives, this impressive biopic about the life and times of…
Champion (2005): Dir. Joe Eckardt
Feat. Danny Trejo; Gravel–faced Danny Trejo, mildly famous for playing felons and criminal hard–men on the side (and most recently, the title role in…
Churchill's Bodyguard (2005): Imposing, unprecedented memoir of the life and times of Winston Churchill, adapted from the diaries of his stoic bodyguard, Walter H.…
Coast (TV Series) (2005): BAFTA award–winning series explores the secrets and stories behind the unique character of the British Isles and its coastal communities.
Coffee Crazy (2005): The humourous, caffeine–fueled quest of "Australia's top barista", Paul Bassett, to find the perfect cup of coffee across Italy, France and…
Criss Angel - Mindfreak (TV Series) (2005): The stage illusionist reinvented as a glam–rock showman, magician and escapologist Criss Angel performs a series mind tricks and death defying…
Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul (2005): Dir. Fatih Akin; Turkish dir. Fatih Akin unveils Istanbul’s rich and uninhabited music scene, listening in on the capital’s many sonic threads: a soundscape ranging…
Crufts (2005-2008): The pedigree gathering for dog owners and their canine competitors, this documentary compiles BBC footage from the past three years of the…
Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005): Dir. Michel Gondry
Feat. Dave Chappelle; Dynamite concert film follows comedian Chappelle, in cahoots with an all–star roll–call of R&B and hip–hop acts, during the leadup…
Derailroaded (2005): Dir. Josh Rubin; Eye–opening documentary of tortured musical genius, with Larry ‘Wild Man’ Fischer the journeyman of this rock odyssey into mental illness and…
Devil and Daniel Johnston, The (2005): Dir. Jeff Feuerzeig; Shadowy and sympathetic look at cult American songwriter Daniel Johnston, whose quirky pop gems – covered by the likes of Sonic Youth, Beck,…
Devil's Miner, The (2005): Dir. Kief Davidson, Richard Ladkani; A 14–year–old Bolivian teenager works the perilous silver mines of Cerro Rico to support his siblings and widowed mother in this…
Drive - Notes from the Wilderness (TV Series) (2005): Dir. Mike Vallely; Cult skateboarder Mike Vallely travels the world on four small wheels to try and understand the meaning of skateboarding culture around the…
Dust to Glory (2005): Dir. Dana Brown; Eyecatching documentary about the Baja 1000, a notorious off–on–road race on the Mexican Baja peninsula, in which competitors drive a…
Egypt - Rediscovering a Lost World (2005): Unique, edifying six–part BBC series dramatizing the discovery and archeology of Egypt's ancient history.
Elvis by the Presleys (2005): Feat. Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley; A comprehensive biographical portrait of 'The King', compiled by family and friends, that features special home movies, interviews and live footage…
Emperor's Journey, The (March of the Penguins) (2005): Dir. Luc Jacquet; This original French language version of MARCH OF THE PENGUINS is ostensibly the same film in appearance, but forgoes the paternal narration of…
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005): Dir. Alex Gibney; Cautionary documentary about the stellar rise and unseemly 2001 collapse of one of America's largest corporations – Enron – which…
Entrepreneurs, The (TV Series) (2005): A magazine–style series profiling a range of Australian business people and the successful empires they have each built from…
Escape to the Legion (2005): Feat. Bear Grylls; Action man Bear Grylls (MAN VS WILD) tackles the grueling assault courses and brutal training regime of the French Foreign Legion in this rare…
Excellent Cadavers (2005): Dir. Marco Turco; The hush–hush war between Sicily’s mafia and the prosecutors who slept with the fishes is recounted in this fascinating documentary, an ideal…
F Word, The (TV Series) (2005-2008): Feat. Gordon Ramsay; The love–him–or–hate–him Gordon Ramsay is back, this time opening up the doors of his restaurant and home to demonstrate…
F*ck (Fuck - A Documentary) (2005): Dir. Steve Anderson; It’s a word we’ve all heard and many have said – more and more so it seems in this contemporary age – this doco takes a looks at the significance and…
Favela Rising (2005): Dir. Matt Mochary, Jeff Zimbalist; Rousing documentary traces the transformation of a violent slum in Rio de Janeiro by former drug–dealer Anderson Sa, who was so shocked by a…
Film School (TV Series) (2005): IFC, fly–on–the–wall series shadows four ambitious Graduate students in the midst of completing their thesis films. Offering…
First Descent (2005): Dir. Kemp Curly, Kevin Harrison; Exhilarating documentary trails five of the best snowboarders in the world (Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Shawn Farmer, Terje Haakonsen, Nick Perata)…
Five Days in September: The Rebirth of an Orchestra (2005): Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete; A supreme classical music doco, this intimate look behind the scenes of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra delves candidly into the artistic process of…
Flaming Lips - The Fearless Freaks (2005): Dir. Bradley Beesley; A sprawling fan's–eye–view of the innovative alternative rock band from Oklahoma, The Flaming Lips, who went from 1980s cowpunk obscurity…
Gallipoli: The Frontline Experience (2005): Dir. Tolga Ornek; Devastating documentary which revises traditional treatments of the notorious WW1 Gallipoli Campaign, to present the experience from the perspective…
Gay Sex in the 70's (2005): Dir. Joseph F. Lovett; An honest look at gay sex in Manhatten during the 70s, this captures a moment in time between two historical benchmarks: when homosexuality was…
Geldof in Africa (TV Series) (2005): Dir. John Maguire
Feat. Bob Geldof; A six–part series in which Irish rock star–humanitarian Bob Geldof traverses the luminous continent of Africa exploring its natural…
Ginga: The Soul of Brasilian Football (2005): Dir. Fernando Mierelles; A documentary about soccer in Brazil, where perhaps the finest players in the world learn, develop and excel, partly by developing the national…
Girl in a Mirror (2005): Dir. Kathy Drayton; An acclaimed tribute to the life and times of Australian Carol Jerrems, who from the late–1960s onwards rose to fame as a gifted photographer…
God Who Wasn't There, The (2005): Dir. Brian Flemming; A ballsy, reasonably well–argued debunking of Christianity, attempting to definitively expunge God’s existence through historical fact…
Grizzly Man (2005): Dir. Werner Herzog; One of dir. Herzog's (AGUIRRE) true classics, this is a devastating glimpse into the life of a self–styled naturalist, whose obsession with…
Grumpy Old Women (TV Series) (2005): A range of female celebrities gripe about everything from their husbands to drunkenness in this forthright – and often amusing – homage…
Guns, Germs and Steel (2005): National Geographic TV series in which innovative thinker Jared Diamond outlines his groundbreaking theory of history, which tries to account for the…
H. H. Dalai Lama : The Six Paramitas (TV Series) (2005): A detailed examination of the practice of the Buddhist philosophy, as outlined by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Disc 1: Buddhism, Central…
Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde (2005): A unique celebration of the life and work of Ireland's adored literary genius, Oscar Wilde, on his 150th birthday, in which 150 celebrities trade…
Heart of the Game, The (2005): Dir. Ward Serrill; Often–rousing documentary about a Seattle girls’ high school basketball team and their unconventional coach. Darnelia, a socially deprived…
Heavy Metal: Louder Than Life (2005): Dir. Dick Carruthers; Definitely the most complete document to date on the musical phenomenon of 'heavy metal', in which dir. Carruthers marshalls an unrivalled lineup of…
Helen of Troy (2005): Bettany Hughes based this investigation on her own acclaimed book, which continues the historian’s pursuit of the ‘real’ Helen of Troy. Her cogent…
Hell's Kitchen USA (TV Series) (2005-2008): Feat. Gordon Ramsay; High–tension reality show headlined by the unrelenting Gordon Ramsay as he pits a group of wannabe American chefs against each other until a…
Hidden History of Homosexual Australia, The (2005): Dir. Con Anemogiannis; A panoramic look at the history of gays and lesbians in Australia, from settlement convict days through to the present.
How Art Made the World (2005): Flying in the face of Simon Schama's higher, learned arts emporium, this illuminating and invigorating study of human nature through art considers…
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) (2005): Dir. Joe Angio
Feat. Melvin Van Peebles; Blaxploitation pioneer Melvin Van Peebles’ SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG is honoured in this high appreciation of the filmmaker and musician’s…
How William Shatner Changed the World (2005): Dir. Julian Jones
Feat. William Shatner; In his goofy middle age, William Shatner hosts this irreverent yet informational documentary on the continuing influence of STAR TREK’s fictional…
I Am A Sex Addict (2005): Dir. Caveh Zahedi
Feat. Caveh Zahedi; A clever – and we'd have to say quite unforgettable – confessional self–exhibit of filmmaker Caveh Zahedi’s hunger for sleeping…
I for India (2005): Dir. Sandhya Suri; When Yash Pal Suri left India in 1965 the first thing he did upon his arrival in England was buy two complete sets of film equipment – one for…
I Know I'm Not Alone (2005): Dir. Michael Franti
Feat. Michael Franti; Michael Franti, the African–American songwriter of politically–charged American band Spearhead (and formerly the Disposable Heroes of…
I Shouldn't Be Alive (TV Series) (2005): The makers of TOUCHING THE VOID seek out more remarkable stories of human resilience, dramatising ten harrowing tales of near–death through…
In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Michael Woods; BBC presenter Michael Wood explores four of the most famous myths in the world – Shangri–la, the Golden Fleece, the Queen of Sheba, and…
Inside Deep Throat (2005): Dir. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Feat. Linda Lovelace; Thoroughly eye–popping expose of the sordid and ridiculous tale of super–successful 1970s porno film DEEP THROAT: funded by the Mob,…
Intervention (TV Series) (2005): An Emmy–winning series that pairs qualified professionals with families and friends attempting to help their loved ones recover from their…
Into Great Silence (2005): Dir. Philip Gröning; An austere, one–of–a–kind mediation on the lives of Roman Catholic monks in a remote French monastery, conceived as an almost…
Jamie's School Dinners (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Jamie Oliver; A heartening example of celebrity do–gooding, this sees the famous blonde chef Jamie Oliver engage in a campaign to transform the school…
Jisoe (2005): Dir. Eddie Martin; Through the expression of graffiti art, Justin Hughes’ (aka Jisoe) daily plight is explored in this social commentary on Australia’s…
Kim Cattrall - Sexual Intelligence (2005): Dir. Catherine Annau
Feat. Kim Cattrall; Minx of SEX AND THE CITY, Kim Cattrall, educates us on the cerebral side of intercourse, combining talking head theorizing with scientific and…
King Kong: Peter Jackson Production Diaries (2005): Presenting a close–to–the–ground account of the forging of Peter Jackson's KING KONG (2005), this shows the filming with all its…
Kinks, The - 1964-1978 (2005): Independent critical review of The Kinks, revisiting every major release from the band's inception, through to the Pye and RCA years, and beyond.
Ladette To Lady (TV Series) (2005): Trashy reality show that places a group of rough–and–ready "tom boys" in a finishing school to try and turn them into proper ladies who…
Last Mogul, The (The Life and Times of Lew Wasserman) (2005): Dir. Barry Avrich, Nat Brecia, Jeff Sackman; Fairly thorough look at the life of behind–the–scenes Hollywood legend Lew Wasserman, who built the MCA talent agency into a force to be…
Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man (2005): Dir. Lian Lunson
Feat. Leonard Cohen; A fittingly sublime homage documentary to the stately Leonard Cohen, based around the tribute concert held in his honour at the Sydney Opera House in…
Life in the Undergrowth (TV Series) (2005): Feat. David Attenborough; The indefatigable David Attenborough here brings a fresh universe of ecology to our attention, the lives of the invertebrates: insects, spiders...…
Looking for a Thrill: An Anthology of Inspiration (2005): Dir. Braden King; 112 musicians of the 'alternative' bent were asked by the director to identify moments of musical inspiration, whether through an experience, record,…
Loop Select 007 (We Are Here) (2005): The third of the hugely popular "showcase" for New Zealand music, music videos and short filmmaking. This edition also includes motion graphics…
Love, Speed and Loss (2005): Dir. Justin Pemberton; Skilfully interweaving home movies and and present day interviews, this presents a heartfelt tale of a couple's journey through grand prix racing in…
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005): Dir. Marilyn Agrelo; A fetching and occasionally poignant documentary which follows the efforts of pre–teenage students from three multiracial NYC elementary…
Make It Funky (2005): Dir. Michael Murphy; A worthy documentary about the teeming musical traditions of New Orleans (made before Hurricane Katrina), which displays a firm understanding of the…
March of the Penguins (2005): Dir. Luc Jacquet; An engrossing and naturally spectacular documentary epic, which 'dramatises' the perils and hardship of the Emperor Penguin's annual migration…
Margot (2005): Dir. Tony Palmer; Dir. Palmer continues his classic treatments of notable figures of modern ballet and classical music with a lengthy look at the extraordinary life of…
Matthew Barney - No Restraint (2005): Dir. Alison Chernick
Feat. Matthew Barney, Bjork; Uber–conceptual artist Matthew Barney boarded a Japanese whaling ship, replete with 45,000 pounds of petroleum jelly, in this documentary…
Meerkat Manor (TV Series) (2005): In the tradition of ANIMALS ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, this cheeky Animal Planet series follows a commune of Meerkats living in the Kalahari Desert in…
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005): Dir. Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise; Sharply humorous look at the world of Heavy Metal, treating the musical subject as a subculture of its own, transcending the stereotypes and clichés…
Miami Ink (TV Series) (2005): Tattoo–obsessed reality series chronicling the day–to–day custom of a parlour on Miami Beach, its creative and entrepreneurial…
Michelangelo Superstar (2005): Dir. Wolfgang Ebert, Martin Papirowski; The agony and ecstasy of Michaelangelo’s twin passions – life and art – are examinedin this study of his artistic legacy and sometimes–tragic,…
Midnight Movies - From The Margin To The Mainstream (Incl. Night of the Living Dead and Reefer Madness) (2005): Dir. Stuart Samuels; Entrenched in the counter–cultural fertility of the seventies, this documentary profiles six seminal underground flicks that transformed the…
Modify (2005): Dir. Jason Gary, Greg Jacobson; Revealing study of body modification and mutilation, with over 50 "procedures" documented, from the innocuous and commonplace (tanning, waxing,…
National Geographic - Inside 9/11 (2005): Cogent, well–considered, and remarkably balanced overview of the key events before, during and after September 11’s infamous terror…
National Geographic - Strange Days on Planet Earth (2005): Foreboding eco documentary hosted by actor and keen environmental campaigner Edward Norton (AMERICAN HISTORY X) uncovering the connections between…
New York Doll (2005): Dir. Greg Whiteley; Affecting yet hilarious documentary about the bass–player of influential glam–punk band The New York Dolls, Arthur 'Killer' Kane, whose…
New York Dolls: All Dolled Up (2005): Dir. Bob Gruen, Nadya Beck; Fascinating – if roughly hewn – documentary about the legendary NYC glam–punk music group, compiled from archival footage shot by…
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005): Dir. Martin Scorsese; Scorsese's comprehensive biography focuses on Bob Dylan's life and music from 1961–66, includes never–seen performance footage and…
Off the Rails - A Love Story (TV Series) (2005): Feat. Marcus Lush; Quality TV series that journeys with presenter and train buff Marcus Lush from Bluff in the South to Opua in the North on a variety of railways…
Old Men of the Point (2005): Dir. Evan Booth; A quasi–experimental documentary which covers the surfing scene on the West Auckland coast including Piha. Includes some tasty archival footage…
Once in a Lifetime (2005): Dir. John Dower; An explosive, tabloid–juicy account of the rise and fall of the New York Cosmos, a fledging team in the American Soccer League who, within the…
Our Daily Bread (2005): Dir. Nikolaus Geyrhalter; This surreal, highly formalised expose of industrial food practices visually documents the machinery and mass production of Europe’s modern food…
Overcoming (2005): Dir. Tómas Gislason; An insightful glimpse into the process of cycling team Danish CSC being primed for the 2004 Tour De France, directed with kinetic and emotional force…
Palm World Voices: Africa (2005): An enjoyable journey through the landscapes and varied human spectacles of the African continent – with an undercurrent of music providing a…
Palm World Voices: Vedic Path (2005): A splendid audiovisual journey through the spiritual, cultural, musical and geographic realms of India. Musically, this combines traditional Indian…
Paper Clips (2005): Dir. Elliot Berlin, Joe Fab; Straightforward and rather touching documentary about a schoolroom project in the backwoods Tennessee town of Whitwell which aimed to raise awareness…
Project Runway (TV Series) (2005): Mega–hit reality show presented by supermodel Heidi Klum sees fifteen designers compete against each other in order to win enough cash to start…
Protocols of Zion (2005): Dir. Marc Levin; An alarming examination of the widespread post–9/11 rumour that Jewish workers at the World Trade Centre, New York City, were forewarned of the…
Punk: Attitude (2005): Dir. Don Letts; The politics, fashion, attitudes and music of the punk pop culture trend are examined in this expansive doco from influential insider, starting with…
Real Dirt on Farmer John, The (2005): Rousing doco depicting the hardships of American farming through the eccentric and inspirational cultivator Farmer John. An affectionate exposé of…
Rediscovering Intrepid Journeys (TV Series) (2005): Generally enlightening TV series in which New Zealand celebrities journey to various exotic climes and give a running version of their…
Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005): Dir. Carlene Cordova; A passionately reverential treatment of 'Lord of the Rings' culture and Tolkien mania, dissecting the varied influences of the now–ubiquitous…
Rize (2005): Dir. David LaChapelle; An infectious documentary about a growing dance phenomenon in the United States, dubbed Krumping, which has emerged from the hip–hop movement…
Rock School (2005): Dir. Don Argott; From the 'is this for real?' school of documentary, dir. Argott investigates the "Paul Green School of Rock Music", where 9 to 17 year–olds in…
Route 66 Marathon Tour - Chicago to LA (2005): America's hallowed Route 66 is traversed from east to west in this epic 2500 mile roadtrip. A nostalgic and lively journey through the small towns,…
Rufus Wainwright - All I Want (2005): Music doco about Canadian–American singer–songwriter Rufus Wainwright, includes jamming sessions, music vids and interviews with…
Save Your Legs! (2005): Dir. Boyd Hicklin; Genial documentary follows a group of amateur Australian cricketers – the Abbotsford Anglers Cricket Club – on a 'tour' to India.…
Screaming Masterpiece (Gargandi snilld) (2005): Dir. Ari Alexander Ergis Magnusson; A loud and proud showcase for Iceland’s eclectic, burgeoning music scene, headlined by the incomparable Bjork and a bevy of unclassifiable…
Search for the Northwest Passage (2005): Dir. Louise Osmond; A partially dramatised documentary examines the two most famous expeditions which attempted to find a passage around the northern–most…
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus (2005): Dir. Andrew Douglas; A soulful meander through the streets, scrapyards, swamps, mines, churches and bars of the American South under the guidance of alt–country…
Sedition (2005): Dir. Russell Campbell; Thorough and fascinating doco about the experiences of conscientious objectors in New Zealand during WW2 – particularly the social ostracism…
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005): Dir. Hank Rogerson, Jilann Spitzmiller; Issues of redemption and reform underlie this strangely moving account of a troupe of male convicts in a Kentucky correctional facility who, over the…
Sisters in Law (2005): Dir. Kim Longinotto, Florence Ayisi; Spirited portrait of two women working in the Cameroonian Judiciary – a State Prosecutor and a judge in the magistrate’s court, respectively –…
Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005): Dir. Sydney Pollack; Heaping praise on acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, Hollywood filmmaker Sydney Pollack crafts a loving, unashamed ode to his close friend and mentor…
Space Race - Superpowers, Secrets And Soaring Ambition (2005): A compelling, if slightly undercut chronicle of the exhilarating Cold War Space Race between Russia and America that captured the imagination of…
Speer And Hitler: The Devil's Architect (2005): Dir. Heinrich Breloer
Feat. Sebastian Koch, Tobias Moretti; Painstaking docu–drama attempts to reevaluate the war crimes of one Albert Speer, Third Reich celebrity and Hilter’s personal architect…
Spooked: The Ghosts of Waverly Hills Sanatorium (2005): Dir. Christopher Saint Booth, Shane Dax Taylor; A 'haunting' documentary, made during a horror film shoot, about a Kentucky hospital built in the 1910s to combat the growing numbers of deaths due…
Story of 1, The (The Story of One) (2005): Dir. Nick Murphy
Feat. Terry Jones; Truly fascinating BBC documentary that sees Ex–Python Terry Jones traverse the globe in search of the history of numbers, and in particular,…
Super Flu: Race Against A Killer (2005): Dir. Stefan Moore; A straightforward summary of the progress of the current 'bird flu' pandemic – the H5N1 avian influenza virus – which is gradually…
Supervolcano (TV Series) (2005): Dir. Tony Mitchell
Feat. Michael Riley, Gary Lewis; Sci–fi/ doco hybrid from the BBC presents a possible case scenario for the cataclysmic eruption of the volcano under Yellowstone Park. comes…
Ten Days To Victory (2005): Dir. Tim Conrad; Two–part TV documentary depicting the final days of WWII, from the perspective of ten individual storylines. Combines occasionally violent…
This Divided State (2005): Dir. Steven Greenstreet; Ground–hugging documentary follows the alarmingly extreme response in conservative Utah when filmmmaker Michael Moore (FARENHEIT 9/11) is…
Tim Marlow On...The Museum of Modern Art (2005): Dir. Phil Grabsky
Feat. Tim Marlow; This 2–part series provides an introduction to the highlights of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Art critic Tim Marlow takes us on a…
Time to go John - The Awful Truth About John Howard (2005): A collage of left–wing animations, comedies, dramas and documentary fragments compiled before the re–election of Australian PM John…
Townes Van Zandt - Be Here to Love Me (2005): Dir. Margaret Brown; Evenhanded, tenderly–puzzled documentary about the country songwriter Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), creator of a canon of forlorn, quirky…
Unknown White Male (2005): Dir. Robert Murray; Suitably amazed documentary tracks the true story of British stockbroker Doug Bruce, who regained consciousness one day on a Coney Island train,…
Viva Zapatero (2005): Dir. Sabina Guzzanti; Confronting Italian documentary made by comedian Sabina Guzzanti in response to her satirical TV show being axed after her scathing imitation of…
Wal-Mart - The High Cost of Low Price (2005): Dir. Robert Greenwald; Although rough around the edges, this documentary expose of the business, employment and environmental practices of giant American retail corporation…
Who Do You Think You Are? (TV Series) (2005): Celebrated BBC series which explains the 'ins and outs' of researching your own family genealogy through a featured celebrity. Each episode touches…
Who Killed the Electric Car? (2005): Dir. Chris Paine; The promise of electric–powered transport and its subsequent demise is playfully detailed as a faux ‘murder mystery’ in this engaging…
Who Laughs Last? (2005): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Short but informative documentary about New Zealand's most successful playwright, Roger Hall. Covers his long career writing for both the stage and…
Why We Fight (2005): Dir. Eugene Jarecki; Matching THE FOG OF WAR in terms of impact and cogency, this Sundance–winning doco investigates the long history of American involvement in…
Wild Blue Yonder, The (2005): Dir. Werner Herzog
Feat. Brad Dourif; Moody 'science fiction fantasy' depicting an alternate reality where an alien species try to colonise a now inhospitable Earth. Dir. Herzog…
Wild South America (TV Series) (2005): Another entry in the BBC documentary series charting the natural history of the Earth's continents, this time the varied ecology and life of South…
Woody Guthrie - This Machine Kills Fascists (2005): Dir. Stephen Gammond; A lengthy tribute documentary to legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie who penned such American classics as 'This Land is Your Land' and was equally…
Work of Director Anton Corbijn, The (2005): Dir. Anton Corbijn; A celebrated photographer, particularly in his association with Depeche Mode and U2 (he shot the iconic album cover for Joshua Tree), Anton Corbijn's…
Workingman's Death (2005): Dir. Michael Glawogger; Astonishing depiction of six of the most gruelling jobs known to man that soberingly conveys the extremes that certain members of the global…
You're Gonna Miss Me (2005): Dir. Keven McAlester; The tormented artist is extolled in dir. Keven McAlester’s tragi–documentary of psychedelic rock enigma Roky Erickson, whose success as lead…
Zizek! (2005): Dir. Astra Taylor; Colourful, candid exclusive on Slovenian cultural philosopher Slavoj Zizek, filmed inquisitively by dir. Astra Taylor in various states of rant,…
(Inside) Out: Warren Zevon (2004): A rewarding documentary about the making of Warren Zevon's final album 'The Wind', completed shortly before the singer's death. Adding a cerebral,…
A Day in the Life... (2004): Dir. Matty Gye; An unusually impressionistic surf documentary which travels the world in search of the life stories of various wave–riders, not all famous, but…
Adventures of Errol Flynn, The (2004): Dir. David Heeley
Feat. Errol Flynn; The derring–do, glamour and controversy of Australian–born actor Errol Flynn's phenomenal Hollywood career is covered in considered…
Allie Eagle and Me (2004): Dir. Briar March; A portrait of an artist, dir. Briar March's highly personalised dedication to Allie Eagle confronts the painter's staunch feminist and lesbian…
Andy Goldsworthy - Rivers and Tides (2004): Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer; Visually beautiful, though essentially straightforward documentary on the Scottish landscape sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, who creates his work out of…
Beyond The Gates Of Splendor (2004): Dir. Jim Hanon; Documentary with a Christian bent, based around the Operation Auca incident where five Christian missionaries were killed when trying to make contact…
Bill Gates - Sultan Of Software (2004): Informative doco on Microsoft King Of The World Bill Gates, featuring a detailed biography of his early life, rise to fame and success at the top.…
Born Into Brothels (Calcutta's Red Light Kids) (2004): Dir. Zana Briski, Ross Kaufmann; Heartbreaking examination of the lives of children born into the world of prostitution in Calcutta's red light district, but given a ray of hope…
Boy Who Plays On The Buddhas of Bamiyan, The (2004): Dir. Phil Grabsky; A picturesque and moving documentary which follows in the footsteps of an impoverished family living in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, where a gigantic stone…
British Isles: A Natural History (TV Mini-series) (2004): Dir. Mary Colwell; Utilising the latest scientific evidence and cinematic f/x, this 8–part series guides us through the aeons of geological time, as they relate…
Broadway: The American Musical (2004): Dir. Michael Kantor; A 6–part PBS documentary series on the history and development of the Broadway musical from Florenz Ziegfield and his fantastical Follies…
Century of Flight, The (TV Series) (2004): All the accidents and achievements of man’s quest for flight are documented in this unprecedented history of taking to the skies. 26 episodes…
Citizen King (2004): Dir. Orlando Bagwell; A tale told in compellingly objective style, this PBS documentary covers 5 years in the life of Martin Luther King from his iconic "I have a…
Classic Albums - Nirvana (Nevermind) (2004): Dir. Bob Smeaton; Grunge–rock group Nirvana's iconic 'Nevermind' album is deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative…
Colin McCahon: I Am (2004): Dir. Paul Swadel
Feat. Sam Neill; A sterling examination of the life and work of New Zealand's most renowned modern artist, Colin McCahon, who was born in 1919 and blossomed into a…
Colour of War: The ANZACs (2004): Dir. Paul Rudd, Ben Ulm
Feat. Russell Crowe; Russell Crowe hosts this documentary TV series about the Australian and New Zealand military experience from the 1930s to Vietnam, utilising colour…
Control Room (2004): Dir. Jehane Noujaim; An important documentary that tunes in to the other side of the Iraq War through the "Control Rooms" of both the leading Arab TV station, 'Al…
Cowboy Junkies - Long Journey Home (2004): Live Liverpool gig from Canadian country / alternative band 'Cowboy Junkies,' performing all their past hits together with more recent songs and…
Cracking the Da Vinci Code (2004): Cash–in documentary about the coded message supposedly hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, popularly explored by author Dan Brown in his…
Czech Dream (Ceský sen) (2004): Dir. Vit Klusak, Filip Remunda; A document of two young filmmaker's satirical stunt to promote a gigantic supermarket (hypermarket) to be supposedly constructed on the outskirts of…
Darwin's Nightmare (2004): Dir. Hubert Sauper; A chilling expose of ecological disaster and Western exploitation in Tanzania, Africa – centred around the foolish introduction of Nile perch…
Death in Gaza (2004): Dir. James Miller; A powerful, if not devastating, study of two children and a teenager growing up in the fractious and perilous Gaza Strip, where attacks by Israel and…
Deep Blue (2004): A luminous feature documentary from the makers of THE BLUE PLANET series, that utilises ground–breaking technology to explore and photograph…
Derek Jarman: Life as Art (2004): Dir. Andy Kimpton-Nye
Feat. Tilda Swinton, Nigel Terry; Maddeningly conventional portrait of the iconoclastic director is lacking Jarman's own formal audaciousness, and is too often a clunky mix of talking…
Dig! (2004): Dir. Ondi Timoner; Arguably the best and most illuminating of the recent wave of 'rock docs', this intimately charts the polarising fortunes of two buddy rock bands,…
Dogora (2004): Dir. Patrice Leconte; A filmic mediatation on Cambodia, loosely in the style of BARAKA, for which dir. Leconte travelled to the formerly wartorn country to capture the…
Double Dare (2004): Dir. Amanda Micheli
Feat. Zoe Bell, Jeannie Epper; Stunt double Zoe Bell steps into the spotlight as the infectious, rough–and–tumble subject of a documentary on her rise to (almost)…
Dragon's World - A Fantasy Made Real (2004): Dir. Justin Hardy; Interesting TV hybrid, poses the question "what if dragons were real?", and unfolds the story of a group of hikers who stumble upon the frozen…
Duke Ellington - The Classic Hollywood Years (2004): The legendary jazz composer, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington featured in various Hollywood films during his career and this DVD compiles short…
Earth From Above (Terre vue du ciel, La) (2004): Dir. Renaud Delourme; Awe–inspiring documentary of French photographer Yann Arthus–Bertrand’s ‘Earth From Above’ series – exhibited in New Zealand as part of…
Edgeplay - A Film about The Runaways (2004): Dir. Victory Tischler-Blue; Minus the input of Joan Jett (who denied the filmmakers access to her songs), this rough–and–ready retrospective of The Runaways' heady…
End of Suburbia, The (Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream) (2004): Dir. Gregory Greene; Boldly spelled out in its full title, this provocative (and possibly profound) documentary convincingly mounts a thesis around the issue of "Peak…
End of the Century - The Story of the Ramones (2004): Dir. Michael Gramaglia, Jim Fields; A compulsive portrait of NYC punk pioneers The Ramones, who fused pop melodies, ironic lyrics and brash guitar sonics in the mid–1970s and…
Europe in the Middle Ages (2004): Comprehensive, revisionist history documentary attempts to change perception of the Middle Ages as an era of ‘dark times’, largely through insight…
Executioners, The (2004): A three–part TV series detailing the grueling history of mankind's ultimate form of punishment: the death penalty. Examines the early…
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004): Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore; In his gravest comedy yet, the fearless Michael Moore dissects the credibility of the Bush administration since the election controversy of 2000 and…
Fahrenhype 9/11 (2004): An interesting riposte from the political right to the incendiary documentary FAHRENHEIT 9/11, that makes credible (if not ultimately convincing)…
Fallen Angel - Gram Parsons (2004): Dir. Gandulf Hennig; Ragged–edged but thorough look at the life of cultural pioneer Gram Parsons, who came from a priviledged Southern family to forge a unique…
Five Obstructions, The (5 Obstructions) (2004): Dir. Lars Von Trier, Jorgen Leth
Feat. Claus Nissen, Jorgen Leth; Arthouse big–shot Lars Von Trier pays off another gambit with what turns out to be a stimulating rumination on the process of film–making…
Frank Hurley - The Man Who Made History (2004): Dir. Simon Nasht; A probing documentary about the renowned pioneer of cinema documentary who specialised in extreme environments or ethnographic subjects, most…
Funny Kinda Guy (2004): Dir. Travis Reeves; Heartfelt documentary of trans–gendered singer–songwriter Simon de Voil, whose desire to become a man is complicated by various…
Future of Food, The (2004): Dir. Deborah Koons Garcia; An informative, at times frightening, investigation into how multinationals companies – often supported by government subsidies – have…
Genesis (2004): Dir. Claude Nuridsany, Marie Perrenou; A meticulous nature–documentary, complete with venerably–scientific narration, which scrutinises some of the more unusual, compelling and…
George W. Bushisms (2004): Dir. Elizabeth Reeder
Feat. Brian Unger; A smirkingly hilarious compilation of some of US President George W. Bush's worst manglings of the English language during speeches and…
Gladiators Of World War Two - The Anzacs (2004): A special look at the contributions of the Australian and New Zealand ANZAC troops during WWII, covering the Greek, African, Italian and Pacific…
Going Upriver - The Long War for John Kerry (2004): Dir. George Butler; Potent, if late–in–the–day study of unsuccessful 2004 US Presidential nominee John Kerry and his Vietnam War experiences. A…
Great Moments of the 20th Century (2004): A newsreel journey through the momentous 20th century, told in three separate parts and narrated by Laura McKenzie. An essential resource for…
Guerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst (Neverland: The Rise and Fall of the Symbionese Liberation Army) (2004): Dir. Robert Stone; An indepth examination of the Californian 'hippie–terrorists', the SLA, who rose to prominence in the 1970s attempting to change America with…
Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues (2004): Dir. Morgan Neville; Concise TV documentary on the great cowboy singer–songwriter whose life encompassed musical super–talent, financial success, public…
Hawking (2004): Dir. Philip Martin
Feat. Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Firth; BBC Miniseries interposes the fictionalised story of Stephen Hawking's overcoming motor neuron disease with a 1978 interview with Nobel Prize winning…
Hell on Wheels (Hollentour) (2004): Dir. Pepe Danquart; A densely–constructed, insider's account of the world's greatest cycle race, the Tour de France, here caught in the midst of the 2003 struggles…
How Arnie Won the West (2004): Dir. Alex Cooke
Feat. Arnold Schwarzenegger; A beguiling account of Arnold Schwarzenegger's transformation from Hollywood star into Republican Governor of California, through a 2004 state recall…
How We Ruined the Italian Movie Business (Come inguaiammo il cinema italiano) (2004): Sprawling Italian documentary telling the story of Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, a treasured comedy duo from Sicily who began their careers as…
Hunting Of The President, The (2004): Dir. Nikolas Perry; The amazing story of an attempted political lynching by rich right–wing supporters who never forgave the democrat's for their part in bringing…
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004): Dir. Jessica Yu; The art of Henry Darger is brought to life in this absorbing document of closeted genius, rediscovering the work of an elderly recluse who, upon his…
Jamie's Kitchen (2004): Feat. Jamie Oliver; Highly watchable "reality TV" show that follows the attempts of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to knead a series of young trainees into shape for his…
Jazz Memories - The Incomparable Lena Horne (2004): Feat. Lena Horne; Comprehensive documentary detailing the life and work of singer, actress and cultural icon Lena Horne, who began as a dancer in 'The Cotton Club' in…
Jazz Memories - The Legendary Nat King Cole (2004): Feat. Nat King Cole; A straight–forward account of the life of the charismatic Black–American performer Nat 'King' Cole, who made significant inroads into the…
Jeff Koons Show, The (2004): The life and work of polarising contemporary artist Jeff Koons is examined in this insightful, if uncritical documentary portrait. Curators,…
John Pilger's Stealing a Nation (2004): Dir. John Pilger; Activist journalist John Pilger relates the alarming story of the deportation of all natives from Diego Garcia – a small island in the Indian…
John Safran vs God (TV Series) (2004): Feat. John Safran; Ozzie media–satirist John Safran explores religion in the modern world with high irreverance, low humour and agnostic scepticism. Among the…
Kaikohe Demolition (2004): Dir. Florian Habicht; A glimpse into the mirth, mayhem and pathos of provincial New Zealand, this concerns a group of unkempt Northland residents who relish their…
Land Mines - A Love Story (2004): Dir. Dennis O'Rourke; Articulate documentary from the director of CUNNAMULLA , presenting the realities of life for Afghani people living with the effects and threat of…
Last Trapper, The (2004): Dir. Nicholas Vanier
Feat. Norman Winther; Doco–drama covers a year in the life of real, live fur trapper Norman Winter who lives at one with nature, his Native American partner…
Letters to Ali (2004): Dir. Clara Law; Devastating story of a 15–yr old Afghani boy refugee, 'detained' for several years in Australia under its harsh immigrant regime in a remote…
Long Way Round (TV Series) (2004): Feat. Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman; An engrossing 'reality' show which tags along with actor Ewan McGregor (TRAINSPOTTING) and his best friend Charley Boorman on an improvised…
Looking for Fidel (2004): Dir. Oliver Stone; Oliver Stone revisits Fidel Castro – the subject of his 2003 documentary COMMANDANTE – in an effort to address some of more questionable social…
Looking for Sophia (2004): Dir. Roberto Olla, Danila Satta; The fairytale story of iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren, who escaped her impoverished origins in the Fascist era to become a truly global star, is…
Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon, The (2004): The recent discovery of 800 rolls of early nitrate film on a building site proved a rare cinematic find – turning out to be documentary footage…
Map Makers, The (TV Series) (2004): Dir. Stuart Clarke, Ali McGrath; An SBS – 'History Channel' documentary series which describes the intriguing history of cartography and the efforts of Western civilization to…
Marti - The Passionate Eye (2004): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A celebratory savour of the life and times of New Zealand photographer Marti Friedlander, who arrived from England in 1958 and proceeded to document…
Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (2004): Dir. Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky; A compulsive documentary spectacle concerning the years of crisis (2001–2003) for Heavy Metal group "Metallica" as they grappled with internal…
Michael Hutchence - The Loved One (2004): Feat. Michael Hutchence; Heartfelt music doco tracking the life and career of INXS' charismatic former front man Michael Hutchence whose suspected suicide robbed a nation of…
Michael King - History Man (2004): Feat. Colin Hogg; A balanced television documentary on acclaimed NZ historian Michael King, made shortly after his untimely death in 2004. Presenter/writer Colin Hogg…
Michael Moore Hates America (2004): Dir. Mike Wilson; Skeptical backlash to the polemical documentaries of Michael Moore seeks to 'out' Moore as a grandstanding shyster who manipulates facts and…
Michael Palin: Himalaya (TV Series) (2004): Dir. Roger Mills, John-Paul Davidson
Feat. Michael Palin; Michael Palin continues his globe–trotting in this 6–part series in which he travels to the wild places of the Himalayan region. Filled…
Miracle of Candeal (2004): Dir. Fernando Trueba; A nicely–crafted documentary – if a little inconsequential – about the journey of an aging Cuban jazz pianist, Bebo Valdés, through…
Monarchy (TV Series) (2004): Historical TV Series presented by Dr David Starkey tracing the blood–stained history of the English monarchy covering all the epic battles and…
Mondovino (2004): Dir. Jonathan Nossiter; A sobering documentary about the effects of globalisation on the wine industry, which travels to various vineyards, villages and offices to quaff a…
Monster Road (2004): Dir. Brett Ingram; A revealing peek into the strange world of Bruce Bickford, a reclusive self–taught animator, most famous for his collaborations with Frank…
Moog (2004): Dir. Hans Fjellestad; An informative tribute to Robert Moog, the American boffin who in 1964 invented the world's first commercially available sound synthesizer, which…
Murderball (2004): Dir. Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro; Uplifting, intensely competitive document of quadriplegic rugby's rivalry between the US and Canadian Paralympic teams, headed by charismatic…
Murders Of Hollywood (2004): An informative trawl through the homicide files of Tinseltown, covering in quick succession the untimely cases of Johnny Stompanato, Sal Mineo, Bob…
Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism (2004): Dir. Robert Greenwald; Hot off the press, and of scorching topicality in the run up to the 2004 American Elections, this cogent piece of agit–prop convincingly argues…
Persona Non Grata (2004): Dir. Oliver Stone; Dir. Stone's second documentary in a proposed trilogy about world leaders (after COMMANDANTE) has the frazzled American attempt to gain an interview…
Persuaders, The (2004): Incisive doco from American public affairs series FRONTLINE takes a penetrating look at the multi–billion dollar American advertising industry…
Peter Sellers Story... As He Filmed It (2004): BBC documentary on the career of enigmatic comic genius Peter Sellers, using footage which Sellers, a compulsive amateur film–maker, shot…
Power of Nightmares, The (2004): Dir. Adam Curtis; Another provocative documentary from dir. Curtis, this time out he examines how political parties have created and used fears in order to maintain…
Power Shift: Energy and Sustainability (2004): Dir. Kirk Bergstrom
Feat. Cameron Diaz; A brief study of how energy is produced and used in Western society, and how we might create more aware and efficient means of using it in the era of…
President Versus David Hicks, The (2004): Dir. Curtis Levy; Timely, if 'difficult' documentary which follows the efforts of the father of 'Australian Taliban' fighter David Hicks, to free his son from US…
Ramones - Raw (2004): Dir. John Cafiero; The definitive document of NYC punk icons The Ramones, who crossed bubblegum pop melodies with raw guitar and hilarious trash lyricism. This DVD…
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (TV Series) (2004-2005): Feat. Gordon Ramsay; Potty–mouthed chef and reality TV mogul Mr Gordon Ramsay visits some of the scummiest and most incompetent restaurants and gives them a swift…
Rhythm Is It! (2004): Dir. Thomas Grube; The Berlin Philharmonic’s ambitious and dramatic undertaking – to school 250 children in a staging of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" – is captured in…
Riding Giants (2004): Dir. Stacy Peralta; Perhaps the definitive cinematic fan–letter to the sport of surfing, in particular its "big wave" subcult, with the dir. of DOGTOWN AND…
Roman Empire (2004): Overarching three–part documentary series anatomising the rise and spectacular fall of the Roman Empire.
Root of All Evil?, The (2004): Dir. Russell Barnes; Divisive, religion–debunking documentary from staunch atheist Richard Dawkins (author of 'The God Delusion') attempts to dismantle Islam,…
Scared Sacred (2004): Dir. Velcrow Ripper; Visiting sites of some of the world’s most horrible stories doesn’t seem like a relaxed night’s viewing, but this doco by the interestingly named…
Seconds From Disaster (TV Series) (2004): Compellingly constructed doco series covering some of the most devastating disasters of modern history, each episode opening with a dramatic…
Seven Wonders of the Industrial World (2004): Using the propulsive docu–drama style of the BEYOND IMAGINATION series, this illuminates the stories behind seven great achievements of the…
Shake Hands With the Devil (The Journey of Roméo Dallaire) (2004): Dir. Peter Raymont; Arresting account of the deplorable Rwandan genocide, told through the eyes of one of the most controversial figures surrounding the 1994 massacre,…
Sheilas: 28 Years On (2004): Dir. Annie Goldson, Dawn Hutchesson; Utilising the approach of Michael Apted's 7–UP films, this features encounters with the participants of the 1976 New Zealand TV series 'Women'…
Slasher (2004): Dir. John Landis; Documents a frenzied working weekend in the life of Michael "The Slasher" Bennett, a travelling used car salesman – the worst of his breed…
Slaves to the Rhythm (2004): Music producer extraordinaire Trevor Horn celebrates 25 years of producing chart busting pop acts with this Wembley Stadium spectacular. A diverse…
Soundtrack to War (2004): Dir. George Gittoes; A decidedly oblique, ground–level view of the war in Iraq (post –9/11) which takes the musical listening habits and creations of US…
Staircase, The (TV Mini-series) (Soupcons) (2004): Dir. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade; Fascinating and ambiguous documentary mini–series tracks in detail the trial of a North Carolina man accused of murdering his wife, who was…
Star Portraits with Rolf Harris (TV Series) (2004): Under Rolf Harris’ artistic guidance, this unique art show commissions three professional artists to paint a portrait of a guest celebrity – he/she…
State of Mind, A (2004): Dir. Daniel Gordon; An astonishing effort from British dir. Gordon, who documents life in the closed society of North Korea from the perspective of two young girls…
Status Anxiety (TV Series) (2004): Writer and presenter Alain De Botton explores the myth that our level of material wealth and career success has a bearing on our happiness and…
Take, The (2004): Dir. Avi Lewis, Naomi Klein; A feisty documentary about the aftermath of Argentina's disastrous economic 'crash' in 2001 and how a group of unemployed workers attempt to occupy…
Tales From A Golden Age: Bob Dylan 1941-1966 (2004): Dir. Tom O'Dell; An unauthorised documentary about the iconic singer made in association with the Dylan fanzine ISIS, which despite featuring none of his music,…
Tell Them Who You Are (2004): Dir. Mark Wexler; An intimate, prickly, and ultimately moving portrait of famed American cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who lensed seminal films such as ONE FLEW OVER…
Thin (2004): Dir. Lauren Greenfield; A sobering chronicle of the lives of four young women afflicted by eating behaviour disorders, this documents with uncharted depth the ebb and flow…
Touch the Sound (2004): Dir. Thomas Riedelsheimer; Classical percussionist Evelyn Glennie is the subject of this inspiring, award–winning documentary. Profoundly deaf since childhood,…
Toward the Unknown Region - Malcolm Arnold (2004): Dir. Tony Palmer; An in–depth exploration and celebration of the life and music of Britain's foremost 20th century composer – Malcolm Arnold – who…
Trekkies 2 (2004): Dir. Roger Nygard; A surprisingly compelling followup to the documentary TREKKIES, which peered into the strange world of American STAR TREK fandom. A tad upset by…
Tying the Knot (2004): Dir. Jim de Seve; An acclaimed look at the 'same–sex marriage' debate in the United States, beginning with footage of 1970s protests and current political…
Unconstitutional: The War on our Civil Liberties (2004): Dir. Nonny de la Pena, Robert Greenwald; The third in a series of Robert Greenwald–produced 'public interest' docos – this one examines American civil liberties and what became…
Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War (2004): Dir. Robert Greenwald; Born out of a personal "rage" against the Bush administration's justification for the pre–emptive war in Iraq, film–maker Robert…
Une Visite au Louvre (2004): Dir. Jean-Marie Straub, Daniele Huillet; A rigorous, if oddly illuminating art film about art, with Cézanne's own personal critiques of art narrated over a series of Louvre artworks, shot in…
Unforgivable Blackness (2004): Dir. Ken Burns; Engrossing and provocative look at the greatest black American boxer of the early 20th century, Jack Johnson, renowned equally for his physical…
Vincent: The Full Story (2004): Dir. Mark James; Expertly assembled documentary of the great artist drawing on his early life –including previously untold accounts – and following…
Voices of Iraq (2004): In January 2004 over 100 digital video cameras were distributed to people in Iraq with the request to film themselves, with the aim of gaining an…
Wall (Mur) (2004): Dir. Simone Bitton; A visual and aural rumination on the physical divide between Israel in Palestine, this observant documentary never motions to take sides, meditating…
What the Bleep do we Know!? (What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?) (2004): Dir. William Arntz, Betsy Chasse, Mark Vicente
Feat. Marlee Matlin; A unique and certainly popular piece of 'New Age intellectualism", this follows the travails of a deaf photographer (Matlin) through life and…
White Diamond, The (2004): Dir. Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog finds another slightly insane alter–ego for himself in Dr Graham Dorrington, here documenting the engineer's wild ambition to…
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, The (2004): Dir. Judy Irving; The unlikely tale of a homeless street musician in San Francisco, Mark Bittner, and his longtime attachment to a flock of wild parrots…
WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception (2004): Dir. Danny Schechter; Media–commentator Schechter presents an angry analysis of the narrative of Western media complicity in the official 'line' on the US invasion…
Word Wars (2004): Dir. Eric Chaikin, Julian Petrillo; A chastening, though lightly toned chronicle of a year on the US scrabble circuit for four top players, each hoping to win the US$25000 top prize at…
World According to Bush, The (2004): Dir. William Karel; A familiar, if bracingly emotive European broadside on the presidency of George W. Bush, covering the 1000 days of from the 9/11 attacks to the midst…
Worst Jobs in History (TV Series) (2004): Dir. Brendan Hughes
Feat. Tony Robinson; BLACKADDER’s Tony Robinson (aka Baldrick) takes us through the hardship of British history via the most unenviable jobs imaginable. A tour of…
Wrestling With The Angel - Janet Frame (2004): An unique insight into Janet Frame's private world, accurately framing her childhood years, psychiatric institutionalisation, and eventual freedom…
Year of the Yao, The (2004): Dir. Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern; Thoroughly entertaining documentary about towering Chinese basketballer Yao Ming's (7' 6") rookie season playing for the Houston Rockets in the 2002…
Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession (2004): Dir. Xan Cassavetes; Relevant to any movie buff, this documentary charts the 1970s rise of one of America's first cable TV stations – Channel Z – and its…
A Decade Under the Influence (2003): Dir. Ted Demme, Richard LaGravenese; Tantalizing doco for film–buffs examining the decade of the 1970s, a turning point in American cinema that saw the director given unprecedented…
Agronomist, The (2003): Dir. Jonathan Demme; A heartfelt documentary about the life and murder of prominent creole journalist Jean Dominique, who for many years ran a dissident radio station in…
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003): Dir. Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill; A compelling 'sequel' to the renowned documentary on the case of Aileen Wuornos, once touted as the world's first 'female serial killer'. Ten…
American Misfits (2003): A unique mix of skateboarding, prankery, skits and interviews – hosted by JACKASS star Wee Man and fellow misfit Laban Phiedas. Much stuntwork…
Art: 21 (TV Series) (Art in the 21st Century) (2003): A PBS documentary series looking at visual art in America in the 21st century, eliciting some fascinating insights from various creative types.…
Australian Idol (TV Series) (2003): The Australian version of the globally popular talent show which looks to narrow down and groom a selection of young candidates for a career as a pop…
Backyard Science (2003): A likeable demonstration of the basic principles of science, with four Australian kids finding all they need in the kitchen, garage, and the garden…
Basque Ball (2003): Dir. Julio Medem; A dizzying documentary journey through the history and politics of the troubled Basque region of northern Spain, which for centuries has been…
Battlefield Britain (TV Series) (2003): Dir. Mary Cranitch; Father–and–son team Peter and Dan Snow explore the history of Britain through a detailed investigation into 8 epoch–making battles…
Beatles, The - Anthology (2003): Feat. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison…; Epic 4–disc, 8–episode collection presenting the story of the fab four from their early days in Liverpool to worldwide superstardom.…
Behaviours of the Backpacker (2003): Dir. Sandor Lau; Chinese/Hungarian–American film student, Sándor Lau, walked 500km alone from Auckland to Cape Reinga – New Zealand's geographic and…
Billabong Odyssey (2003): Dir. Philip Boston; Surf documentary with a difference – this chronicles the search by a group of top wave–riders (Shawn Barron, Layne Beachley, Ken…
Bright Leaves (2003): Dir. Ross McElwee; One of dir. McElwee's best features, in which he traces his own family history in the tobacco business in typically divergent, distracted and…
Broadway: The Golden Age (2003): Dir. Rick McKay
Feat. Bob Fosse, Carol Channing, Carol Burnett…; Comprehensive documentary about America's most celebrated indigenous art form, Broadway theatre, covering an entire century of New York theatre, and…
Bukowski - Born Into This (2003): Dir. John Dullaghan; Hailed as the "definitive" documentary on the cult novelist and poet Charles Bukowski, whose insights into skidrow Los Angeles in the 1950s and 60s…
Bullshit (TV Series) (Penn & Teller: Bullshit!) (2003): Abrasive and profanely cogent, partners in crime Penn & Teller (better known as a gross–out magic duo) turn to their BS–detectors in…
Can DVD (2003): The definitive DVD 'document' on influential German Krautrock band Can, who combined rock and funk rhythms, with intriguing instrumental textures and…
Capturing the Friedmans (2003): Dir. Andrew Jarecki; Not an easy watch but as compelling as they come, this is a uniquely close–up portrait of a middle–class Jewish family who are ripped…
Chlorine (2003): Commended documentary covers the hardcore pool–skating scene in the USA, in which emptied swimming pools are transformed into adhoc…
Cirque du Soleil - La Nouba (2003): Dir. David Mallet; Another astounding stageshow from Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil, here performing a celebration of hedonism (the title means "to party") at Disney…
Classic Albums - Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon) (2003): Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Commandante (2003): Dir. Oliver Stone; A unique, if rather–too–adoring, portrait of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro by political maverick dir. Oliver Stone (JFK,…
Corporation, The (2003): Dir. Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott; In a modern world where corporate power has come to exceed political power, this in–depth documentary defines a growing popular concern about…
Countdown to Wednesday (2003): Insider's documentary provides a thorough "fan" schematic of the comic book industry, its behind–the–scenes mechanics, and how to break…
Days That Shook The World (TV Series) (2003): A monumental overview of the world’s most profound and history–defining events, this tome to humankind's great achievements and failures is as…
Desperate Man Blues (2003): Dir. Edward Gillan; Record collector Joe Bussard has been tracking down and preserving rare 'roots' 78rpm discs from his Maryland home for over 40 years. Amassing a…
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls (2003): Dir. Kenneth Bowser; Based on the infamous 'tell–all' book by Peter Biskind, this in–depth documentary that details Hollywood's fertile creative period of the…
Edith Piaf - A Life of Passion (2003): Full–length documentary on 'the little sparrow', French singer Edith Piaf. Features historic footage and interviews about this iconic 20th…
Educational Archives - Sex and Drugs (2003): An interesting and amusing assortment of educational films for the young, dating from the 1940s through to the 1970s, dealing with the dread perils…
Faster (2003): Dir. Mark Neale; Ewan McGregor–narrated documentary takes viewers deep inside the world of MotoGP racing. Revolving predominantly around Valentino Rossi, the…
Festival Express (2003): Dir. Bob Smeaton; Vivid filmed account of a legendary travelling rock festival, which crossed Canada by train in June 1970 and reached realisation in a series of…
Finisterre (Saint Etienne Presents Finisterre) (2003): Dir. Kieran Evans, Paul Kelly; Latter day 'City Symphony' about London, which uses the music of English group Saint Etienne to underscore its enigmatic montage of streets,…
Five Sides of a Coin (2003): Dir. Paul Kell; A thorough exploration of the five sides of hip–hop culture: rap, turntablism, break–dancing, human beat–boxing and…
Flight From Death: The Quest for Immortality (2003): Dir. Patrick Shen; A thought–provoking TV essay – based on the theories of Ernest Becker and explained by various high–powered academics – about…
Fog of War, The (2003): Dir. Errol Morris; A perfectly–formed, Oscar–winning documentary about the life and career of Robert S McNamara, who served as Secretary of Defense under…
Frazetta - Painting With Fire (2003): Dir. Lance Laspina; Trail–blazing illustrator and comic artist Frank Frazetta is under the spotlight in this documentary on his life and work, showcasing his…
Full Frame Documentary Shorts Volume I (2003): Dir. Mira Nair, Roger Weisberg, Eva Saks; Inaugural selection of titles from the Full Frame Documentary Festival held annually in Durham, North Carolina, which screens over 100 docos each…
Game Over (Kasparov and the Machine) (2003): Dir. Vikram Jayanti; Interesting examination of the 1997 chessmatch between world champion Gary Kasparov and IBM's 'Deep Blue' supercomputer, which ended in a…
Ghosts of the Abyss (2003): Dir. James Cameron
Feat. Bill Paxton; Armed with IMAX cameras, dir. James Cameron dives deep to the mid–Atlantic wreck of the 'Titanic' to take a leisurely float through the…
Give it a Whirl (2003): An in–depth visual and musical exploration of New Zealand rock 'n' roll stories, from the fledgling sounds of the 1950s to today's…
Go Further (2003): Dir. Ron Mann
Feat. Woody Harrelson; A quirky, semi–stoned travelogue that gets on the bus with activist–actor Woody Harrelson and his entourage on a 'consciousness raising'…
Grumpy Old Men (TV Series) (2003-2004): An impressive array of British male celebrities take their turn to chew the fat on all manner of irksome annoyances especially concerning the modern…
Haunting Douglas (2003): Dir. Leanne Pooley; Mesmerising exploration of renowned New Zealand contemporary dance performer and choreographer Douglas Wright, featuring generous excerpts of his…
Holy War, Inc. (2003): National Geographic's TV 'special' on Osama Bin Laden and his 'al–Qaeda' organisation, that presents a straight–forward account till…
In Search of Shakespeare (2003): Presenter Michael Wood and award–winning director Greg Doran investigate the world of William Shakespeare. Using backstage recreations of…
In Search of the Afghan Girl (2003): Renowned TV documentary follows the attempts to find out what has happened to the Afghani refugee whose startling features graced the cover of…
Jandek on Corwood (2003): Dir. Chad Freidrichs; An admirable effort to pin down that most enigmatic of "unknown" musicians, the Texan–based Jandek, whose atonal guitar meanders and even…
Jim Rose Circus Sideshow, The (2003): A circus fit for the new millenium, 'The Jim Rose Circus' features various self–described freaks such as Torture King, Mr Lifto, The Enigma and…
Journey to Planet Earth - A Delicate Balance (TV Series) (2003): Feat. Matt Damon, Kelly McGillis; Matt–Damon–hosted global eco series divided into four episodes; 'On the Brink' investigates links between environmental issues and…
Joy of Madness (Lezate divanegi) (2003): Dir. Hana Makhmalbaf; An unusual and invigorating self–reflexive documentary created by the teenage sister of acclaimed filmmaker Samira Makhmalbaf, during the…
Killing Hitler (TV Mini-series) (2003): Dir. Jeremy Lovering
Feat. Peter McDonald, Kate Ashfield, Kenneth Cranham…; Accurate docu–drama merging archival footage with recreations and educated interview to portray and dissect 'Operation Foxley' – a secret…
Last Post, The (2003): Dir. Dan Cleary, James Hollings; A documentary of local significance, yet universal application, charting the last week of operations for the long–running Wellington newspaper…
Life and Music of Dizzy Gillespie, The (2003): Feat. Dizzy Gillespie; A musical double–bill featuring legendary jazz trumpet–player Dizzy Gillespie, one of the key bebop musicians of the 1940s and…
Life of Mammals, The (TV Series) (2003): David Attenborough coordinates another mammoth natural history series, here focusing on the mammal life of the planet (that includes us…
Love is in the Air (TV Series) (2003): A popular history of Australian pop music in all its kitsch glory, as represented by Air Supply, The Bee Gees, Olivia Newton–John, Kylie…
Mandela - The Living Legend (2003): Feat. Nelson Mandela; Notable BBC documentary on the former South African President who was imprisoned in the 1960s under the Apartheid regime and survived decades behind…
Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003): Dir. George Hickenlooper; A portrait of the unlikely yet legendary radio rock DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, whose star connections and influential broadcasts on Los Angeles…
My Architect - A Son's Journey (2003): Dir. Nathaniel Kahn; A thoroughly intriguing documentary about the Jewish American architect Louis Kahn (born in Estonia) who struggling for years to be recognised,…
My Date with Drew (2003): Dir. Brian Herzlinger, Jon Gunn, Brett Winn
Feat. Brian Herzlinger; Taking the showbiz reality genre to its logical nadir, 'regular Joe' and amateur film–maker Brian Herzlinger documents his quest to, er, get a…
My Flesh and Blood (2003): Dir. Jonathan Karsh; A raw and perceptive documentary set around 53–year old Californian woman Susan Tom and her life caring for eleven adopted children – all…
Mythbusters (TV Series) (2003): A series which attempts to test and debunk various 'urban myths', by having two special f/x experts devise (often highly destructive) experiments to…
Ngatahi - Know the Links (2003): Dir. Dean Hapeta
Feat. Dean Hapeta; An extended voyage by Upper Hutt Posse–founder Dean Hapeta through the self–determining cultures of many of the world’s indigenous…
Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without a Pause (2003): Dir. Will Pascoe
Feat. Noam Chomsky; A modest, though vitalising portrait of intellectual activist Noam Chomsky made following 9/11, but before the US invasion of Iraq. Captures…
Nomi Song, The (2003): Dir. Andrew Horn
Feat. Klaus Nomi; Satisfying exploration of the life, music and 'alternate reality' of Klaus Nomi, a late–1970s underground music legend who combined opera…
Overnight (2003): Dir. Mark Brian Smith, Tony Montana; One–time screenwriter Troy Duffy's Hollywood career trainwreck is excruciatingly detailed in this documentary that lays bare how the scribe of…
Peter Blake - Death on the Amazon (2003): Investigative documentary about the death of famed New Zealand yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, who was sailing up the Amazon River in 2001 before being…
Petula Clark - This Is My Song (2003): A fascinating look into the life and career of Petula Clark, from childhood stardom to the present. Using archive footage and interviews with famous…
Photography As Told By Life Magazine (Photography Life) (2003): Dir. David Hoffman; Life Magazine's 50th Anniversary is celebrated with this passionate documentary, which showcases the the work of 15 of the magazine's greatest…
Piaf: Her Story... Her Songs (2003): Dir. George Elder
Feat. Raquel Bitton; A film version of a stageshow celebrating the life and art of French singer Edith Piaf. In the lead role, Raquel Bitton does a sterling job of…
Plan Colombia - Cashing-In on the Drug War Failure (2003): Dir. Gerard Ungerman, Audrey Brohy
Feat. Noam Chomsky; A punchy expose of the US Government's 'Plan Colombia', which was purportedly designed to fight drug cartels in the South American country. However,…
Plaster Caster (2003): Dir. Jessica Villines; Groovy "cockumentary" tracing the colourful career of artist and super–groupie Cynthia Albritton, who became infamous for making commemorative…
Power Trip (2003): Dir. Paul Devlin; This edge–of–your–seat documentary tells the real–life story of the devastating impact a huge American power company has had…
Private Life of a Masterpiece, The (TV Series) (2003): Expansive, all–encompassing art history as tackled by the BBC, canvassing masterpieces from the Renaissance era through to 20th Century works…
Pyramid - Beyond Imagination (2003): Dir. Jonathan Stamp
Feat. Omar Sharif; Short study concerning the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the largest manmade structures on the planet. Inside the dramatic framework of one worker's…
Real Middle Earth, The (2003): Jim Hickey embarks on a journey into the making the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, touring the NZ countryside and talking with Peter Jackson (and many…
Riding in Vans With Boys (2003): Dir. Matthew Beauchesne; Spirited rock–u–mentary that follows second–generation punk–pop bands Blink 182, Green Day, and Jimmy Eat World with support…
Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe (2003): Dir. Michael Raeburn; A cogent reference point on the plight of Zimbabwe, dir. Raeburn documents his personal experiences as a former Rhodesia once in support of Robert…
Salif Keita (2003): Feat. Salif Keita; Music doco journeying back to Mali with renowned African performer Salif Keita to reveal the life and career of this multi–talented artist.…
Secrets of Middle-Earth: Inside Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (2003): Dir. Chris Gormlie; An extensive documentary on J R R Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings', in which various experts comment on the story, its composition and themes, throwing…
Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003): Feat. Anthony Quinn, Hilary Swank, Ang Lee…; Presented by Playboy magazine, this documentary treads interestingly through the history of sex in Hollywood movies. Featuring excerpts of dozens…
Shane MacGowan - If I Should Fall From Grace (2003): Dir. Sarah Share; The leader of Irish band The Pogues is worthily portrayed in loose, documentary fashion. Reveals something of the inspiration, demons and incessant…
Simple Life, The (TV Series) (2003): Feat. Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie; One of the more gratuitous 'Reality TV' shows puts famously inane heiress Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie (daughter of Lionel), into farm clothes to…
Speedo - A Demolition Derby Love Story (2003): Dir. Jesse Moss; An entertaining look 'under the hood' with lovable demolition driver–mechanic Ed 'Speedo' Jager, one of the best practitioners of the craft in…
Spellbound (2003): Dir. Jeffrey Blitz; Surprise hit documentary that struck a universal chord in following eight high–school hopefuls in their bid to succeed at the American National…
Step Into Liquid (2003): Dir. Dana Brown; Various top surfers travel the world's best and biggest waves in this stylish assembled documentary. Interviews pepper and exotic travelogues pepper…
Steve Earle - Just an American Boy (2003): Dir. Amos Poe
Feat. Steve Earle; Made on the cusp of country–rock singer Steve Earle's leap into notoriety in 2003, this modestly styled documentary presents live footage,…
Stoked (The Rise and Fall of Gator) (2003): Dir. Helen Stickler; A questioning and provocative look at the rise and fall of 1980s skateboarding star Mark 'Gator" Rogowski and the Southern California 'scene' which…
Super Size Me (2003): Dir. Morgan Spurlock
Feat. Morgan Spurlock; Entertaining expose of the evils of 'fast food', in which the filmmaker uses himself as a human guinea–pig by embarking on a 30–day,…
Surreal Life, The (TV Series) (2003-2006): Feat. Corey Feldman, Gabrielle Carteris; Tacky reality show that places washed–up actors and ex–reality stars in a LA mansion and watches the sparks fly as these has–been…
Tarnation (2003): Dir. Jonathan Caouette; Famously stitched–together documentary of one Jonathan Caouette’s troubled life, where 19 years of home movie footage was edited for pennies on…
Test, The (2003): Television documentary celebrating 100 years of rugby with New Zealand's All Blacks. Includes interviews with various legends of the game –…
The Blues: Feel Like Going Home (2003): Dir. Martin Scorsese
Feat. Taj Mahal; The opening part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". In this…
The Blues: Godfathers and Sons (2003): Dir. Marc Levin; The fifth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". A interesting…
The Blues: Piano Blues (2003): Dir. Clint Eastwood; The seventh and final part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One…
The Blues: Red White and Blues (2003): Dir. Mike Figgis; The sixth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". Another of the…
The Blues: The Road to Memphis (2003): Dir. Richard Pearce, Robert Kenner; The third part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". This episode…
The Blues: The Soul of a Man (2003): Dir. Wim Wenders; The second part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One of the…
The Blues: Warming by the Devil's Fire (2003): Dir. Charles Burnett; The fourth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One of the…
Three Days - Jane's Addiction (2003): Dir. Kevin Ford, Carter Smith; A look at the career of influential rock–band Jane's Addiction, with particular focus on their 'Relapse' reunion tour in 1997. Packed with…
Tibet - Cry of the Snow Lion (2003): Dir. Tom Piozet; Slanted, but extremely powerful documentary about the 'occupation' of Tibet by China, where the world's last Buddhist state was invaded by the new…
Tintin et Moi (Tintin and Me) (2003): Dir. Anders Ostergaard; Fascinating and probably definitive look at the life and work of Hergé, the Belgian comicbook artist who from the 1930s onwards created the graphic…
Touching the Void (2003): Dir. Kevin MacDonald; A documentary spectacle that recreates a mountaineering disaster in the Peruvian Andes and the heart–pounding, agonizing bid for survival…
UK/DK + Holidays in the Sun (2003): Dir. Christopher Collins, Ken Lawrence; Two films covering the hardcore punk scene in Britain. UK/DK – A collection of live footage, interviews and video clips from the heyday of…
Union Square (2003): Dir. Stephen J Szklarski; Powerful and absorbing documentary about the worlds of seven heroin addicts who 'hang out' in Union Square, New York City, and testify and…
Unlikely Heroes (2003): Dir. Richard Trank; Inspirational documentary tracing the little–known stories of Jewish men and women who displayed acts of extraordinary courage during the…
Vietnam War with Walter Cronkite (2003): Collection of CBS Documentaries narrated by broadcaster Walter Cronkite revealing the graphic inside story of the Vietnam War through the medium of…
Walking With Cavemen (2003): Dir. Richard Dale; Continues the series of BBC documentaries begun by WALKING WITH THE DINOSAURS into the era of early mankind. Uses dramatisations and CGI to…
Way Things Work, The (2003): Set on the fantastical Mammoth Island, this animated series seeks to dramatise the great, groundbreaking inventions of history. Guided by The…
Weeping Camel, The (Story of the Weeping Camel, The) (2003): Dir. Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni; A lovingly filmed and touchingly simple excursion into the lives of a family of nomadic shepherds in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, which blurs the line…
Wesley Willis: The Daddy of Rock 'n' Roll (2003): Dir. Daniel Bitton; Fittingly lo–fi portrait of the infamous and frighteningly prolific outsider artist Wesley Willis, a morbidly obese schizophrenic whose crude…
Wheel of Time (2003): Dir. Werner Herzog; Completing Werner Herzog's recent documentary trinity (together with THE WHITE DIAMOND and GRIZZLY MAN), the German iconoclast lucidly absorbs the…
Wild Weather (TV Series) (2003): Dir. John Maguire, Ben Fox; Intrepid presenter Donal MacIntyre braves the most extreme elements on planet Earth, by travelling to corners of the planet where it doesn’t get any…
Wings of Nature (2003): Dir. Jacques Cluzaud; This visually stunning documentary from the film–makers that brought you Travelling Birds is a rare chance to gain insight into the migration…
Work of Director Michel Gondry, The (2003): Dir. Michel Gondry; A comprehensive compilation of music videos, art experiments and short films from the fiercely creative French director Michel Gondry, whose visual…
Work of Director Spike Jonze, The (2003): Dir. Spike Jonze; Before his successful foray into feature films, director Spike Jonze made his name as the pre–eminent music video director of the 1990s. He…
World War 1 In Colour (2003): Dir. Jonathan Martin; Documentary using computer colourised archive footage from worldwide sources including Russia, Germany, France, Italy, the USA and Britain’s own…
Yes Men, The (2003): Dir. Chris Smith, Sarah Price, Dan Ollman; Riding a wave of highly successful feature docos from the political left, this one has the honour of being the funniest and perhaps most…
1 Giant Leap (2002): Dir. Duncan Bridgeman, Jamie Catto
Feat. Dennis Hopper, Brian Eno; A unique audiovisual collaboration between writers, musicians, scientists and actors – celebrating the diversity of the globalised world.…
7 Days in September (2002): Dir. Steven Rosenbaum; A collage of images and events shot during the events of September 11th 2001, this is actually one of the most impressive filmic memorials made thus…
9/11 (2002): Dir. Jules Naudet, Gedeon Naudet, James Hanlon; What started out as an amateur documentary by two French brothers about the New York Fire Department turns into a vital, ground’s–eye view of…
A History of Britain (TV Series) (2002): The complete series of Simon Schama's accessible, but provocative look at British history from 3000 BC to 2000 AD. Disc 1 – Beginnings,…
Adventure of English, The (2002): Dir. Robert Bee, David Thomas; An involving lesson in linguistics, presenter Melvyn Bragg takes us back to the roots of the English language – which found its genesis in…
Amandla! (A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony) (2002): Dir. Lee Hirsch; A moving tribute to the role of protest music in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa from 1948 to 1994 – slowly put together by dir.…
An Evening With Kevin Smith, Parts I & II (Too Fat for 40) (2002): Dir. J.M Kenny
Feat. Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes; Thorough and unvarnished compilation of indie director Kevin Smith's (CLERKS, DOGMA) infamous Q & A sessions, with crude humour and bad taste abound…
Andy Warhol - The Complete Picture (2002): Dir. Chris Rodley; Commendable TV documentary on the multi–talented Warhol, provides updated information and fresh interviews from various associates.…
Australia: Land Beyond Time (2002): Dir. David Flatman; Striking documentary that follows Australia from its earliest beginnings up to present day. Originally shot for IMAX theatres, visually this is…
BaadAsssss Cinema (2002): Dir. Isaac Julien
Feat. Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Quentin Tarantino…; A fan's–eye–view of 1970s Blaxploitation cinema, featuring juicy interviews with players, directors, critics and aficionados. Although…
Backyard, The (2002): Dir. Paul Hough; A cringe–inducing glimpse into the American subculture of backyard amateur wrestling, in which contestants up the ante with barbed wire,…
Berlusconi's Mousetrap (2002): Dir. Aaron Rip; Eye–witness, partisan account of the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy, which led to serious clashes between police and protesters (leaving one dead…
Beyond Imagination (Pyramid, Colosseum, Pompeii) (2002-2003): This set comprises three excellent BBC documentary–dramas which deal with two monuments and one disaster of the ancient world. Contains…
Biggie and Tupac (2002): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Plucky British journalist and one–man controversy machine Nick Broomfield embarks on his most dangerous documentary enquiry yet – the…
Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey (2002): Feat. Bill Wyman; Founding Rolling Stones member Bill Wyman (now fronting The Rhythm Kings) acknowledges the blues inspiration behind his bass guitar career. In…
Blue Vinyl (2002): Dir. Judith Helfand, Daniel B Gold; Filmmaker Judith Helfand and award–winning cinematographer Daniel B Gold collaborate on this blatantly honest and surprising look at the…
Bobby Moore: Hero (2002): Dir. Tony Palmer; Loving portrait of one of soccer's greatest icons and players who famously lead during their victorious 1966 World Cup campaign. While there's plenty…
Bookshelf on Top of the Sky, A (12 Stories About John Zorn) (2002): Dir. Claudia Heuermann; A fittingly unconventional look at the background and achievements of postmodern musician/composer John Zorn, made by longtime fan, Claudia…
Bowling For Columbine (2002): Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore, Charlton Heston; Essential viewing from the dir. of ROGER AND ME, constructing another entertaining and devastating critique of the contradictions of the US of A,…
Broken Silence (2002): Dir. Andrzej Wajda, Pavel Chukhrai, Luis Puenzo; Five 55–minute films concerning the Holocaust, and its role in the history of five respective countries. 'Some Who Lived' (dir. Puenzo)…
Bus 174 (2002): Dir. José Padilha; A riveting analysis of an incident in Rio de Janeiro in June 2000 in which a lone, desperate gunman held hostage the passengers of a bus, while the…
Captain's Log (2002): Feat. Peter Elliot; Peter Elliot sails around New Zealand retracing Captain Cook's voyage of discovery in 1769. Travelling on 20 different boats, this television series…
Century of the Self, The (2002): Dir. Adam Curtis; An expertly assembled wealth of archival footage helps tell the complex story of the growth of the mass–consumer society and the role played by…
Children of Gallipoli (2002): Dir. Anna Cottrell; Interesting documentary interviews the grandchildren of four combatants in the ANZAC Gallipoli campaign of WWI – involving Turkish and New…
Cinemania (2002): Dir. Stephen Kijak, Angela Christlieb; An enthralling must–see for movie–buffs of any degree, this documents the daily rituals of five New York eccentrics whose lives are…
Cirque du Soleil - Fire Within (TV Series) (2002): A 13–part documentary series which showcases the creative processes of the 'Cirque du Soleil' dance–theatre troupe who specialise in a…
Classic Albums - Deep Purple (Machine Head) (2002): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; Deep Purple's 'Machine Head' deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Classic Albums - Def Leppard (Hysteria) (2002): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; Def Leppard's "Hysteria" album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Classic Albums - Elvis Presley (2002): Dir. Jeremy Marre
Feat. Elvis Presley; Elvis Presley's self–titled album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key…
Classic Albums - Sex Pistols (2002): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; The Sex Pistol's 'Never Mind the Bollocks' deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key…
Cockettes, The (2002): Dir. Bruce Weber, David Weissman
Feat. Divine; A grandly entertaining chronicle of the lives of a zany troupe of drag vaudeville performers from 1969–1972: from their early days in San…
Coffee, Tea or Me? (2002): Dir. Brita McVeigh; An engaging lowkey look at the experiences of seven woman who worked as air hostesses in the 1960s and 70s. Similiar in tone to the documentaries…
Comedian (2002): Dir. Christian Charles
Feat. Jerry Seinfeld, Orny Adams; A thoroughly absorbing insight into the profession of stand–up comedy that contrasts the careers of former king–of–comedy Jerry…
Daughter from Danang (2002): Dir. Gail Dolgin, Vicente Franco; A moving and troubling documentary about Heidi Bub, the daughter of an American serviceman and a poor Vietnamese woman, born in Danang and raised in…
David Attenborough: Life on Air (2002): Feat. David Attenborough, Michael Palin; Intriguing look at the television career of the charismatic naturalist draws on a wealth of archival material and Attenborough's own keen memory.…
Decasia: The State of Decay (2002): Dir. Bill Morrison; Highly original experimental film that achieves a stunning aesthetic and haunting visual poetry by compiling an array of found archival film footage…
Derrida (2002): Dir. Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering Kofman; A fittingly self–reflexive and experimental biography of iconoclastic French theorist Jacques Derrida. Known for his playful and subversive…
Drowned Out (2002): Dir. Franny Armstrong; A forerunner, and now excellent companion piece to the much vaunted UP THE YANGTZE, this captures in sobering close–up the plight of an Indian…
Edge of the Universe (2002): Feat. John Hurt; Sequel to the TV series' THE PLANETS and UNIVERSE, which goes beyond the 'known universe' to outline the attempts and successes of astrophysicists to…
ESPN's Ultimate X - The Movie (2002): A plethora of 'extreme sport' footage from the 2001 Summer X Games in Philidelphia – encompassing BMX riding (downhill, dirt stunts),…
Etre et Avoir (To Be and to Have) (2002): Dir. Nicolas Philibert; Acclaimed internationally for its inspirational power and transcendence of the documentary form, this non–fiction film observes the simple,…
Family Fundamentals (2002): Dir. Arthur Dong; Balanced insight from documentarian Arthur Dong into the lives of Christian fundamentalist parents and their gay children. If less probing into…
Fellini's Magic (2002): Dir. Carmen Piccini; Essential viewing for Fellini fans, this vivid if humble homage to the Italian ringmaster–cum–filmmaker brings together a useful mixture…
Finest Hour (2002): Dir. Nick Read; In–depth and atmospheric study of the ‘Battle of Britain’, the crucial air war of WWII fought over England in 1940. Gripping…
Georgie Girl (2002): Dir. Annie Goldson; The unique and quite remarkable life story of Georgina Beyer, born George, a Maori transsexual and former sex–worker, who recently was elected…
Gulpilil: One Red Blood (2002): Dir. Darlene Johnson
Feat. David Gulpilil; Candid and intimate portrait of Australia talisman David Gulpilil, the Aboriginal actor plucked from obscurity as a teenager to star in Nicholas…
Hoover Street Revival (2002): Dir. Sophie Fiennes; An eye–opening journey into the world of the Greater Bethany Community Church and its inspiring leader, Bishop Noel Jones. Situated in a…
Horns and Halos (2002): Dir. Michael Galinsky, Suki Hawley; A fascinating sidebar to the controversial American Presidency of George W. Bush, involving the struggle for author J.H. Hatfield to publish an…
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (2002): Dir. Sam Jones
Feat. Jeff Tweedy; Solidly realised account of the making of ‘alt country’ band Wilco’s acclaimed “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” album and near–unmaking of the band…
I Don't Know Jack (2002): Dir. Chris Leavens
Feat. Jack Nance; Concerning the life, work and death of Jack Nance, star of ERASERHEAD and eccentric of other David Lynch films, whose self–destructive…
In a Land of Plenty (2002): Dir. Alister Barry; Described as ‘the story of unemployment in New Zealand,’ this serves as a strong companion piece for SOMEONE ELSE'S COUNTRY, dir. Barry’s popular…
Inner Tour, The (2002): Dir. Ra'anan Alexandrowicz; An Isreali documentary that sparked controversy in the Israeli press for its sympathetic portrayal of Palestinians, this is simply a portrait of…
James Bond Gadgets (2002): James Bond experts, production designers and collectors provide their learned insight on some of 007's most famous and desirable gadgets, including…
Kid Stays in the Picture, The (2002): Dir. Brett Morgen, Nanette Burstein
Feat. Robert Evans; Unique auto–documentary about Hollywood 'super–producer' Robert Evans who put together pictures like THE GODFATHER and…
Kings and Queens (TV Series) (2002): A solid TV documentary series tracing lives and reigns of 12 of England's most influential monarchs. Historian Dr Nigel Spivey draws from an array of…
La Tropical (2002): Dir. David Turnley; A sultry black and white tribute to Havana’s legendary dancehall ‘La Tropical’, with Pulitzer–Prize–winning photographer Turnley focusing…
Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan, The (I Told You I Was Ill) (2002): Dir. Dominic Brigstocke
Feat. Kathy Burke, Harry Enfield, Eddie Izzard…; A live tribute to the genius of British comedian Spike Milligan, devised by the BBC 6 months after his death. Features performances and readings of…
Live Forever (2002): Dir. John Dower; A self–congratulatory, and often hilarious, documentary on the 1990s rock–pop 'movement' Britpop, which encompassed acts such as Oasis,…
Living Room, The (TV Series) (2002-2006): Nicely quirky and unpretentious TV series about different (mostly young) local artists living in New Zealand and overseas. Each episode is presented…
Lord of the Rings - Beyond the Movie (2002): Dir. Kathleen Phelan; Made for the National Geographic TV–channel, this documentary explores the background to Peter Jackson’s monumental adaptation, as well as J R…
Lost Dinosaurs, The (2002): Dir. Bryan Bruce; The true story of Joan Wiffen who in 1975 discovered dinosaur bones in the remote Mangahuanga Stream (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand). Returning to the…
Lost in La Mancha (2002): Dir. Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe
Feat. Terry Gilliam, Johnny Depp, Jean Rochefort; A cautionary fable of filmmaking in the mould of HEARTS OF DARKNESS, concerning director Terry Gilliam’s (BRAZIL) attempt to film a version of ‘Don…
Manapouri - The Toughest Tunnel (2002): New Zealand's specialist documentarians 'Natural History NZ' tell the heroic story of how a team of a thousand men laboured in the 1960s to complete…
Mark Twain (2002): Dir. Ken Burns; A popular humorist, philosopher and social satirist, Mark Twain was the well–known nom–de–plume of writer Samuel Clemens, the…
Marshall McLuhan - McLuhan's Wake (2002): Dir. Kevin McMahon; Illuminating documentary on one of the 20th century's most famous intellectuals, Marshall McLuhan, who was one of the first to fully realise the…
Moro no Brasil (2002): Dir. Mika Kaurismaki; A toe–tapping delve into the ferment of Brazil's popular musical traditions, with dir. Kaurismaki zeroing in to explore the hidden roots of the…
Muhammad Ali - The Whole Story (2002): An extensive biographical record of boxer Ali on two DVDs. This features original footage of many of his most–famous fights.
Naqoyqatsi (2002): Dir. Godfrey Reggio; Dir. Reggio follows up KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI, with another spectacular and mesmerising montage of global imagery, with Philip Glass again…
Nick Frost's Danger! 50,000 Volts (TV Series) (2002): Feat. Nick Frost, Simon Pegg; Amusing TV series that provides practical advice on surviving the many pitfalls of our perilous world, while also managing to find humour in its…
Noam Chomsky: Power and Terror In Our Times (2002): Dir. John Junkerman
Feat. Noam Chomsky; A no–frills TV documentary (made in Japan) in which arch–media critic and philosopher Noam Chomsky, examines the post–9’11 world,…
Okie Noodling (2002): Dir. Bradley Beesley; An amiable glimpse into the American tradition of "noodling", whereby giant catfish in Oklahoma are lured and captured bare–handed. This…
Only the Strong Survive (2002): Dir. Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker; Warm and intelligent appreciation of several of the soul–music legends of the 1960s and 70s by a veteran documentary team. Based around a…
Osbournes, The (TV Series) (2002): Feat. Ozzy Osbourne; A smash hit of the ‘Reality TV’ genre, this follows the antics of wealthy heavy metaller Ozzy Osbourne, wife/manager Sharon and two of their children…
Phil Collins - A Life Less Ordinary (2002): Intimate portrait of the MOR titan and drummer extraordinairre. Featuring performance his monster hits: In the Air Tonight, Easy Lover, Groovy Kind…
Prisoner of Paradise (2002): Dir. Malcolm Clarke, Stuart Sender; Justly acclaimed examination of an unusual chapter in the Holocaust, in which the Dutch–Jewish comic actor Kurt Gerron was forced to make a…
Project Greenlight (TV Series) - Season 2 (2002): The second season of the excellent HBO series in which the winners of a film–making competition are followed through the production process of…
Sahara (TV Series) (2002): Dir. John Paul Davidson, Roger Mills
Feat. Michael Palin; Michael Palin takes his most celebrated journey into the vastness and strangeness of our world, here circling through the western and central Sahara…
Sex with Strangers (2002): Dir. Joe Gantz, Harry Gantz; Notorious 'documentary' on swinging couples in America, following three couples on their exploration of open sexuality. Though issues of…
Shipwreck: Deadly Harbour (2002): Dir. Christopher Rowley; Short but vivid documentary account of the disastrous voyage of the Interisland ferry 'Wahine' in April 1968, in New Zealand's worst recorded storm.…
Smashing Machine, The (The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr) (2002): Dir. John Hyams; Intense and strangely moving look at the life of Mark Kerr, the most successful and celebrated combatant in the (now banned) Ultimate Fighting…
Spy in the... Collection, The (TV Series) (2002-2004): Feat. David Attenborough; Overtly sneaky wildlife doco series where cameras are hidden in the environments of a den of lions, a herd of elephants, a clan of bears and a pride…
Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters and Marvels (2002): Dir. Scott Zakarin; Two documentaries on one DVD, concerning Marvel Comics maestro Stan Lee, the creator of ‘The Fantastic Four’, ‘The Incredible Hulk’, ‘The…
Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002): Dir. Paul Justman; A treat for soul–music lovers, this uncovers the hidden history of Motown's seminal, wildly successful and yet almost completely unknown…
Steve-O - Don't Try This at Home (2002): Feat. Steve-O; A collection of special moments featuring Steve–O, one of the wilder stars of MTV's JACKASS show. Lacking the imaginative wit of the movie,…
Stevie (2002): Dir. Steve James; A provocative, uniquely intimate doco in which the director reknews his acquaintance with a troubled adoptee, now facing prison, whom he once…
Stone Reader (2002): Dir. Mark Moskowitz; A treat for devotees of reading, this unique literary quest concerns the dir.'s obsession with an obscure American novel and quest to find its…
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (2002): A four–hour special on the opening of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington, New Zealand. This monument was planned to commerate the…
Travelling Birds (Winged Migration) (2002): Dir. Jacques Perrin, Michel Debats, Jacques Cluzaud; Anyone with an appreciation of natural beauty will be transfixed, and possibly transported, by this superlative documentary from the makers of…
Trials of Henry Kissinger, The (2002): Dir. Alex Gibney, Eugene Jarecki; A corrosive yet robust investigation that alleges a misuse of power amounting to 'war crimes' by controversial US diplomat Henry Kissinger –…
True Meaning of Pictures, The (Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia) (2002): Dir. Jennifer Baichwal; A provocative look at the work of American photographer Shelby Lee Adams, whose images of impoverished Appalachian life have earned him a reputation…
Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election (2002): Dir. Richard R. Perez, Joan Sekler, Robert Greenwald; Astute examination of the controversial battle for the presidency in Florida from an unabashed pro–Democrat viewpoint that asserts that the…
Vietnam's Unseen War - Pictures from the Other Side (2002): National Geographic documentary focuses on the unusual perspective of North Vietnamese photojournalists who covered the Vietnam War from the…
Walking with Beasts (2002): Further CGI–enhanced recreations of the prehistoric era, here the post–dinosaur age of sabre–toothed tigers, mastadons and woolly…
Weather Underground, The (2002): Dir. Sam Green, Bill Siegel; A stimulating, incisive look back at the angry workings of "The Weathermen", a radical splinter faction of the protest movement who were responsible…
You See Me Laughin' (2002): Dir. Mandy Stein; Doco about the latterday backwoods blues musicians clustered around the Fat Possum label. Includes R L Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Cedell Davis,…
American Mullet (2001): Dir. Jennifer Arnold; Less hair–raising than affectionate documentary about that most controversial of hairstyles; the mullet. Going on the road in her "mullet…
Architecture (TV Series) (2001-2005): Dir. Stan Neumann, Richard Copans, Frederic Compain; Inspiring series devoted to the most ambitious creations of the 19th and 20th century. Featuring a wealth of archival material, scale–models…
Bee Gees - The Official Story (2001): Released as a tie–in with the 2001 Greatest Hits this collection sweetly summarizes the Gibb brothers extraordinary career, plenty of home…
Big Brother (TV Series) (2001-2003): 'Unseen, Uncut, Unreel' – A three part compilation of selected 'highlights' from the Australian version of the ultimate Reality TV…
Billy Connolly - World Tour of... (TV Series) (2001): Feat. Billy Connolly; TV series following comedian Billy Connolly on tour throughout the world. "World Tour of England, Scotland and Wales" (available to rent):…
Blerta - The Return Trip... (Blerta Revisited) (2001): Dir. Geoff Murphy
Feat. Bruno Lawrence, John Clarke, Martyn Sanderson…; Less a nostalgia 'trip' than a brilliant compendium of manic moments from New Zealand's 1970's travelling roadshow of anarchic performance –…
Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary (2001): Dir. Othmar Schmiderer, Andre Heller; The astonishing true story of Hitler's private secretary, Traudl Junge, who at the age of 80 comes to terms with working alongside unspeakable evil…
Blue Planet, The (2001): Dir. Alastair Fothergill; Breathtaking footage of our planet’s largest feature – the ocean – reveals wondrous worlds within this still almost completely…
Bound for Pleasure (2001): Dir. David Blyth; Non–sensational delve into the Auckland B&D scene from horror dir. Blyth (DEATH WARMED UP), that throws up some bizarre (and disturbing) scenes…
Chop Suey (2001): Dir. Bruce Weber; Free–form homage to Bruce Weber's favourite things and an exploration of the lives of his subjects, including the beautiful 16 year old…
Classic Albums - Elton John (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road) (2001): Dir. Bob Smeaton; Elton’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Classic Albums - Iron Maiden (2001): Dir. Tim Kirkby; Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key…
Classic Albums - Judas Priest (British Steel) (2001): Dir. Tim Kirkby; Judas Priest's "British Steel" (1980) deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Classic Albums - Lou Reed (Transformer) (2001): Dir. Bob Smeaton; Lou Reed's "Transformer" deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators. Generously…
Classic Albums - Metallica (2001): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; Metallica's 'Metallica' album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators.…
Cool and Crazy (Heftig og Begeistret) (2001): Dir. Knut Erik Jensen; A laconic, ultimately touching documentary on the male choir of Berlevag, a remote Norwegian village that was the setting for BABETTE’S…
Devil's Playground (2001): Dir. Lucy Walker; An extremely rare glimpse into Amish culture, with focus on a rite of passage known as "Rumspringa", during which their 16–year–olds…
Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky, The (2001): Dir. Paul Cox
Feat. Derek Jacobi, Chris Haywood; Loosely based on the published diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky, one of the great male ballet dancers, this experimental biopic is impressionistic and…
Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001): Dir. Stacy Peralta; Celebrated beyond its niche audience of surf–and–skaters, this documentary recounts the origins and rise to fame (and mixed fortune) of a…
Down from the Mountain (2001): Dir. Nick Doob, Chris Hegedus, D A Pennebaker; Concert film of the much–admired bluegrass soundtrack from the Coen Bros O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?, that was a surprise winner of the Grammy…
Early Days Yet (2001): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A quietly thoughtful and engaging look at the life and work of New Zealand poet Allen Curnow, filmed when Curnow was in his late–80s and still…
Earth, Wind and Fire - Shining Stars (2001): Pretty comprehensive look at the long career of US funksters 'Earth, Wind and Fire', including interviews with band members, music clips and live…
Educational Archives - Social Engineering 101 (2001): A delightful mixture of government American educational films from the 1940–70 period which were shown in schools to tutor children in the ways…
Epitaph (TV Series) (2001): Feat. Paul Gittens; TV series that scours the cemeteries of New Zealand for the intriguing, weird and worthy tales of our ancestor's demises. Paul Gittens is the…
Evolution (TV Series) (2001): Thorough and rigorous seven–part PBS series extols – and not without wading into the science vs. religion debate – the virtues of Charles…
Facing the Music (2001): Dir. Bob Connolly, Robin Anderson; Art and commerce clash in corridors of academia at Sydney University, as budget cuts compromise the integrity and possible viability of the music…
Flight 703 - The Survivors (2001): Individual stories of miraculous survival, heroism and tragedy emerge through the telling of this gripping story of the 15–hour rescue…
Grand Designs (TV Series) (2001-2008): Kevin McCloud presents this inspiring design series investigating the architectural aspirations of a selection of British homeowners keen on pushing…
Great Composers - Volume 1 (Bach, Mozart) (2001): Dir. James Runcie, Francesca Kemp; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 2 (Beethoven, Wagner) (2001): Dir. Jill Marshall, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Great Composers - Volume 3 (Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Mahler) (2001): Dir. Simon Broughton, Chris Hunt, Kriss Rusmanis; Excellent BBC series gives a substantial insight into its selected classical composers, combining biographical narrative with musical–analysis…
Happy Days - Biography (2001): Feat. Ron Howard, Henry Winkler; The 1970s US TV–Series ‘Happy Days’, set in suburban 1950s Milwaukee, is revisited with the crew and cast.
Hell House (2001): Dir. George Ratliff; Behind–the–scenes account of a small fundamentalist church in Texas whose "Hell House" serves as a tool to literally "scare the hell out…
Hip-Hop Nation: Notes from the Underground (TV Series) (2001): A comprehensive, but suitably casual tour of the contemporary hip–hop movement and all its various facets: the history, the luminaries, the…
Hotere (2001): Dir. Merata Mita; Noted documentary on New Zealand's reclusive artist Ralph Hotere, constructed in non–linear, impressionistic style. Seven years in the making,…
Impressionists, The (2001): Dir. Bruce Alfred; A two–part examination of the French Impressionist movement, in which painters like Monet, Degas and Renoir captured visual reality in a…
In Shifting Sands (2001): Dir. Scott Ritter
Feat. Scott Ritter; A pertinent, compelling though rather schizophrenic film–diary directed by the former Chief UN weapons inspector in Iraq. Exploring the…
Jazz (2001): Dir. Ken Burns; Sprawling and absorbing documentary series from the maker of THE CIVIL WAR, charting the rising star of jazz during the 20th century, with an…
Krays, The (The Final Word) (2001): Dir. Aubrey Powell; Although probably not the 'final word' on the notorious East End gangsters who ruled London in the 1950s–60s, this is still an impressively…
Legend of Leigh Bowery, The (2001): Dir. Charles Atlas; An out and proud exponent of 'wearable art', Leigh Bowery's outlandish conceptual fashions brought him to London (from the 'cultural wasteland' of…
Life and Debt (2001): Dir. Stephanie Black; A scathingly political look at the "new world order" from the point of view of Jamaican workers and farmers, as well as government and policy…
Long Way to the Top (TV Series) (2001): A seven–hour extravaganza tracing the evolution of Australian (and New Zealand) rock ‘n’ roll, from the fledgling sounds of the 50's to the…
Made in Sheffield (2001): Dir. Eve Wood; Sturdy documentary, obviously crafted by a real fan, which narrates the rise of the electronic music scene in Sheffield in the 1980s aftermath of the…
Magical World of J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) (2001): The creator of the kidult ‘Harry Potter’ books is documented in this made–for–TV study.
Miles Davis Story, The (2001): Dir. Mike Dibb
Feat. Miles Davis; A Channel 4 documentary on the life and times of trumpeter, composer and jazz music legend Miles Davis. The only authorised film of Miles' life…
My Voyage to Italy (Il Mio Viaggio in Italia) (2001): Dir. Martin Scorsese; Martin Scorsese’s personal journey through Italian cinema is an epic appreciation, less an overview than a guide to the films and filmmakers who've…
Nine Hundred Nights - Big Brother and the Holding Company (2001): A documentary survey of the career of Janis Joplin and her backing band 'The Holding Company', including rare live footage. Narrated by Rip…
Party's Over, The (Last Party 2000) (2001): Dir. Philip Seymour Hoffman
Feat. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore; A pre–9/11 political doco that still resonates loudly in the George W. Bush era, actor and “concerned citizen” Phillip Seymour Hoffman takes to…
Pink Floyd and the Syd Barrett Story (2001): Dir. John Edginton; A look at the early days of rock band Pink Floyd and their madcap lead singer, Syd Barrett. Staunchly reclusive for over three decades, it is…
Porn Star - The Legend of Ron Jeremy (2001): Dir. Scott J. Gill
Feat. Ron Jeremy; Ron Jeremy, an overweight, unappealing slab of middle–American, also happens to be the single most popular male ‘actor’ in the history of porn…
Project Greenlight (TV Series) (2001): This outstanding documentary series about the making of a low–budget feature film is mandatory for anyone interested in film and the…
Property Ladder (TV Series) (2001): Fiendishly addictive series follows the ups and downs of first time house buyers as they renovate dilapidated homes in the hope of turning a…
Ram Dass Fierce Grace (2001): Dir. Mickey Lemle
Feat. Ram Dass; A remarkable documentary portrait of one–time Harvard professor Richard Alpert, who in the 1960s began an epic spiritual voyage through LSD and…
Raw Deal: A Question of Consent (2001): Dir. Billy Corben; Testing the boundaries of what is permissable in documentary, this tries the case of several frat–boys in Florida who were accused of gang…
Rebel Music - The Bob Marley Story (2001): Dir. Jeremy Marr; Documentary on the reggae superstar, notable for featuring many previously unreleased songs and pieces of live footage. Also unique for its…
Savage Planet (2001): Dir. Chris Malone, Emma Hawley, Tony Coldwell; Various extreme ‘acts of God’ are showcased in this visually compelling nature odyssey. Stray asteroids, storms, volcanos, avalanches, baking deserts…
Schlock! - The Secret History of American Movies (2001): Dir. Ray Greene; A suitably low–rent survey of 50s and 60s B–grade movies, with insights courtesy of Roger Corman, Peter Bogdanovich, David F. Friedman,…
Scratch (2001): Dir. Doug Pray; Comprehensive coverage of the evolution of DJing as an artform, from its formative years in the early 80s to its establishment as a movement known as…
Searching for Debra Winger (2001): Dir. Rosanna Arquette; Hollywood actress Roseanna Arquette analyzes the pressures and rewards of her profession in this loosely–formed patchwork of interviews with…
Son of God (TV Series) (2001): Three–part documentary series utilising scientific and historical research to uncover the truth behind who Jesus of Nazareth really was and the…
Stanley Kubrick - A Life in Pictures (2001): Dir. Jan Harlan
Feat. Malcolm McDowell, Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson…; Authorised by his family, a 'biography' of the great, reclusive, obsessive film–maker, whose genius is attested by the likes of…
Startup.com (2001): Dir. Jehane Noujaim, Chris Hegedus
Feat. Kaleil Tuzman, Tom Herman; A supremely timely, as–it–happens recording of the boom–and–bust story of two naively ambitious internet entrepreneurs – from…
Stripped (2001): Dir. Jill Morley; Directed by a former stripper, this gritty, though at times amateurish delve into the lives of six American strippers delivers some real shocks,…
Sweetest Sound, The (2001): Dir. Alan Berliner; Wry, speculative documentary on identity and genealogy finds dir. Alain Berliner turning the camera on himself – and twelve other ‘Alan Berliners’…
Titless Wonders (2001): Dir. Gaylene Preston; “An upfront exploration of the emotional discoveries of women with breast cancer”, this bravely and valuably documents a subject most people would…
Trembling Before G-D (Trembling Before God) (2001): Dir. Sandi Simcha Dubowski; Contemplative and personal filmmaking that intimately captures the personal stories of Orthodox and Hasidic Jews coming to terms with their…
Trio at the Top (2001): Dir. John Milligan; Playful Kiwi doco telling the story of the 'golden age' of New Zealand motor sport in the 60s, when Bruce McLauren, Denny Hulme and Chris Amon were…
Walt - The Man Behind the Myth (2001): Dir. Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Feat. Walt Disney, Dick Van Dyke; A television documentary on the life of the extraordinary Walt Disney, whose animated characters and overall vision conquered the public imagination…
War Photographer (2001): Dir. Christian Frei; A clear–minded documentary on acclaimed war–photographer James Nachtwey, who began his career in 1980s on the battlefields of the Third…
Westway to the World - The Clash (2001): Dir. Don Letts
Feat. Joe Strummer; An informative flashback through the history of punk–rock group The Clash, made by London–colleague Don Letts. Includes snippets of…
Wild Africa (TV Series) (2001): Typically thorough BBC doco series charts the natural history of the African continent, which is unique in its flourishing biodiversity. Comprising…
Wine Lovers Guide to Australia (TV Series) (2001): Acclaimed TV Series hosted by wine expert Grant van Every and wine–maker Maryann Egan, documents everything from the history of…
Wingspan (2001): Feat. Paul McCartney; Doco tracing 9 years in the history of the Paul McCartney driven 70's rock band 'Wings' that emerged post Beatles mania. Tends to skim over murky…
Woodstock - The Music (2001): They say if you can remember it, you weren't there – that rainy weekend in 1969, when half a million people converged for one of the greatest…
A Constant Forge (2000): Dir. Charles Kiselyak; A lengthy examination of the life and work of renowned American filmmaker John Cassavetes, who pioneered the use of improvisation in film…
A Moment of Innocence (2000): Dir. Mohsen Makhmalbaf; A slowly unfolding tale of the dir.'s own involvement in the stabbing of a policeman when he was an Islamic radical in the 1970s. Subsequently…
Adolf and Eva (2000): A reasonably informative account of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's private life, in particular his relationship to Eva Braun. Includes much colour…
American Nightmare, The (2000): Dir. Adam Simon
Feat. Wes Craven, David Cronenberg, John Carpenter…; A searching examination of the American horror films of the late 1960s and 1970s, in which the paranoia of the times was reflected in some intense…
Beefcake (2000): Dir. Thom Fitzgerald
Feat. Daniel MacIvor, Carroll Godsman, Jack Griffin Mazeika…; The director of THE HANGING GARDEN blends archival footage and dramatic action to reveal the secret world behind the well–oiled muscles and…
Better Living Through Circuitry (2000): Dir. Jon Reiss; A cinematic valentine to underground dance culture in documentary form, this intersperses interviews with Genesis P–Orridge, Wolfgang Flur, DJ…
Bouncer: Behind the Velvet Rope (2000): Dir. Steven Cantor; Those guardians of bars and nightclubs describe the perils and perks of their profession (and why for some there’s no difference between them).…
Calle 54 (2000): Dir. Fernando Trueba; A luxurious and overdue tribute to the charms of Latin jazz, dir. Tueba’s (BELLE EPOQUE) musical passion. Interviews with greats like Tito…
Celtic Britain (TV Series) (2000): Visually splendid three–part series that examines the history of the Celtic lands of Britain, using a mixture of dramatisation and sweeping…
Children Underground (2000): Dir. Edet Belzberg; Disturbing and unanswerable documentation of a group of deperate homeless children (aged between 10 and 16) who call a dirty corner of a…
Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens (2000): Dir. Margaret Selby
Feat. Chuck Jones; An in–depth look at the life and work of Warner Bros' visionary animator Chuck Jones, who began work as a low–level minion and rose to…
Cunnamulla (2000): Dir. Dennis O'Rourke; The provocative director of GOOD WOMAN OF BANGKOK turns his lense onto the Australian community of the title, a rag–tag small–town in…
Dark Days (2000): Dir. Marc Singer; A remarkable, compassionate document of homeless people condemned to living in underground shelters in the New York subway…
Diplomat, The (2000): Dir. Tom Zubrycki; Panorama of East Timor’s struggle to regain independence from Indonesia following the 1975 invasion, expressed through the 24 year exile of former…
Endless Harmony: The Beach Boys Story (2000): Dir. Alan Boyd; An accessible tour through the history of California’s pop success story – The Beach Boys – featuring archival footage from the…
Eyes of Tammy Faye, The (2000): Dir. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato; The heavily–mascaraed eyes of Tammy Faye Bakker shed a lot of tears as she recounts her experiences before and since the scandals that…
Fastpitch (2000): Dir. Jeremy Spear; Satisfying personal story of the director’s experiences as a pitcher on the US fast–pitch softball tour, encountering the expected patches of…
Feathers of Peace, The (2000): Dir. Barry Barclay; Acclaimed study of the curious history of the Chatham Islands, originally occupied by the Moriori people before conquest by Maori tribes and…
Fighter (2000): Dir. Amir Bar-Lev
Feat. Arnost Lustig, Jan Wiener; A powerfully affecting documentary that juxtaposes two compelling stories: Jan Wiener’s thrilling escape from Nazi–occupied Czechoslovakia to…
Filth and the Fury, The (2000): Dir. Julien Temple; Film–maker Julien Temple gives an angry and commanding voice to 'The Sex Pistols' (incl. the late Sid Vicious), who tell their story 'like it…
First Person (TV Series) (2000): Dir. Errol Morris; Errol Morris, the renowned cinematic observer of human testimony, nuance and eccentricity, here extends his patented "Interrotron" interview…
Freestyle - The Art of Rhyme (2000): Dir. Kevin Fitzgerald
Feat. Eminem, Tupac Shakur; An acclaimed history of rap performance from the early 1980s up till recent years, with emphasis on the art of improvisation. Includes a plethora…
From a Whisper to a Scream (2000): Dir. David Heffernan; Three part chronicle on the extraordinary rise of Irish popular music from the 1950s onwards, starting from the ‘showband’ era, through Van Morrison,…
Gendernauts (2000): Dir. Monika Treut; Prolific lesbian director Monika Treut takes a tour of San Francisco’s transgender community. Aided by the likes of queer luminaries Annie…
Gleaners and I, The (2000): Dir. Agnes Varda; A widely–admired work by the godmother of French film, which essays the wastefulness of western society through a clutch of interviews with…
Gospel According to Philip K. Dick, The (2000): Dir. Mark Steensland; A loosely–assembled scan through the unusual life and mind of influential sci–fi writer Philip K. Dick, whose twisting literary…
History Lessons (2000): Dir. Barbara Hammer; A "revisionist" archival doco from militant experimentalist, Barbara Hammer, that montages (and modifies) esoteric lesbiana as a clarion call for…
Howard Goodall's Big Bangs (TV Series) (2000): Feat. Howard Goodall; Presented by affable Brit maestro, Howard Goodall (whose own notable works include the theme tunes to Blackadder and Mr. Bean), this enlightening,…
Iron Ladies, The (2000): Dir. Yongyooth Thongkonthun
Feat. Jesdaporn Pholdee, Sahaphap Tor, Ekachai Buranapanit; The true story of a volleyball team in the Thai national champs composed of gay men, transsexuals and transvestites, never really clears the net of…
JFK's Women (2000): Revealing, if tabloid–esque expose of philandering in the White House: not Bill Clinton, but John F. Kennedy, whose affairs with four women may…
John Pilger's No Middle Ground in the Middle East (Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq; Palenstine is Still the Issue; Breaking the Silence: Truth and Lies in the War on Terror) (2000-2003): Dir. John Pilger, Alan Lowery
Feat. John Pilger; Three of journalist John Pilger’s most recent and cogent illustrations of the plight of the Middle East, with Iraq, foreign policy, Israel and…
Johnny Cash - The Man, His World, His Music (2000): Feat. Johnny Cash; A loosely constructed documentary that follows country folksinger Johnny Cash on tour and at home in the late 1960s. Though the quality of footage…
Keep the River On Your Right (2000): Dir. David Shapiro, Laurie Shapiro
Feat. Tobias Schneebaum; Pursues the bizarre experiences of one Tobias Schneebaum, a gay NYC artist, who in the 1950s sought to ‘find himself’ in the jungles of the Amazon.…
Kurosawa (2000): Dir. Adam Low
Feat. James Coburn, Clint Eastwood, Kon Ichikawa; Solid, though roughly tailored journey through the life of the Japanese film director of THE SEVEN SAMURAI and YOJIMBO. Composed mostly of interview…
Mario Bava - Maestro of the Macabre (2000): Dir. Garry S Grant; Find out where Dario Argento (and others) stole their licks from in this rare glimpse into the life and work of the Godfather of modern horror, whose…
Mark of Cain, The (2000): Dir. Alix Lambert; Instructive documentary on an esoteric subject: the disappearing art of the Russian prison tattoo. Journeying the penal system of the Russian…
Metallica - S & M (2000): Dir. Wayne Isham; Michael Kamen directs the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in an epic accompaniment for heavy–metal gods Metallica. Songs include: The Ecstasy…
Murder on a Sunday Morning (2000): Dir. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade; Winner of the 2002 Oscar for Best Documentary, this riveting coverage of the murder of a tourist in Florida and the inept (even vindictive)…
Mysterious Object at Noon (Dokfa nai Meuman) (2000): Dir. Apichatpong Weerasethakul; Unique "exquisite corpse"* documentary follows a multi– faceted (to say the least) story constructed on the fly by rural Thailanders, and shot…
Naked States (2000): Dir. Arlene Donnelly; American concept–artist Spencer Tunick’s particular concept is to persuade ordinary folk to disrobe and pose in public places, often in…
Natural History of the Chicken (2000): Dir. Mark Lewis; The dir. of CANE TOADS here uses the odd behaviour of the humble chook as a wryly comic springboard for examining the equally odd behaviour of their…
North Korea (Three Documentaries on the Despotic Regime of Kim Jong-Il) (2000-2003): Topical and timely companion of three documentaries on the ostracised state of North Korea: ‘Nuclear Nightmare: Understanding North…
Notes from a Small Island (2000): The observant, ironic travel–writer Bill Bryson ambles through the United Kingdom making consistently amusing note of the oddities he discovers.
One Day in September (2000): Dir. Kevin MacDonald; Compelling reconstruction of events surrounding the terrorist siege that took centre–stage at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, where eleven…
Oracle of Omaha (2000): Dir. Lisa D Gildehaus; The second–richest man in America, investor Warren Buffett, is the subject of this study, whose investment success and ethics have made him a…
Our People Our Century (2000): Major, award–winning series tells the story of New Zealand and its people throughout the 20th century. Six episodes across three…
Paradise Lost 2 - Revelations (2000): Dir. Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky; Essential sequel to the brilliant documentary of the now infamous Robin Hills Murder trial that saw three small boys savagely murdered and three…
Paragraph 175 (2000): Dir. Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman; An uneasy delve into past atrocities, this bitter–tasting but necessary document of Nazi war crimes goes beyond the oft–told persecution…
Phandom Menace, The (2000): Dir. Craig E Tonkin, Warwick Holt; A vivid look into the 'realities' of various obsessive STAR WARS fans in Australia, on the eve of THE PHANTOM MENACE being released in 1999. The…
Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness (TV Series) (2000): Feat. Alain de Botton; Presented by respected modern–day philosopher Alain de Botton, this six part series features six historical thinkers and their theories on how…
Pie in the Sky - The Brigid Berlin Story (2000): Dir. Vincent Freemont, Shelly Dunn Freemont
Feat. Brigid Berlin; The true story of Brigid Polk, real name Brigid Berlin, a blueblood socialite who rebelled to become an Andy Warhol bad–girl, and starred in…
Pilot Guides (TV Series) (2000): Travel series inspired by the LONELY PLANET backpacker books and hosted by enthusiastic intrepid travellers as they explore the four corners of the…
Rapmania (2000): A transcontinental coming–together of US rappers and hiphoppers with twin concerts at New York’s Apollo Theatre and L.A.’s Palace…
Real New Zealand, The (2000): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An interesting 'backpack' across New Zealand, as seen from the perspective of tourists who choose to get off the beaten trail and spend their…
Rebels with a Cause (2000): Dir. Helen Garvy; Straight–up look at the 'Students for a Democratic Society', the student group that began as pro–civil rights organization concerned with…
Scooterz (2000): Dir. Todd Grossman
Feat. John Wilkening, Ali Kermani; Pro–riders like John Wilkening, Ali Kermani, and Kevin Keehl demonstrate the most cutting–edge tricks (or ways to put yourself in…
Songs for Cassavetes (2000): Dir. Justin Mitchell; Documentary homage to the idealistic, participatory spirit of the latter–day US punk bands of the 1990s. Featuring interviews and…
Sound and Fury (2000): Dir. Josh Aronson; An intimate, thought–provoking documentary that uses one extended family to explore the controversy surrounding a revolutionary procedure that…
Southern Comfort (2000): Dir. Kate Davis; A fascinating and compassionate portrait of two transsexuals – a craggy cowboy (born a woman) and a vivacious siren (born a man) – who…
Space (TV Series) (2000): Feat. Sam Neill; Sam Neill conducts a tour of Outer Space and some of the phenomenon of this vast (indeed possibly infinite) region. Broadly examines galactic and…
State of the Planet (TV Mini Series) (2000): A three–part series in which BBC documentarian David Attenborough investigates the various environmental crises besetting Earth at the present…
Superhuman (2000): The makers of THE HUMAN BODY plumb the latest developments in bodily research and medical development, again utilising their cogent,…
They Filmed the War in Colour: France is Free! (Ils ont filmé la guerre en couleur) (2000): Dir. Rene-Jean Bouyer; Rewarding TV documentary (made in France) which combines rediscovered colour footage of the German occupation of France during WW2, with interviews…
Todd McFarlane - The Devil You Know (2000): Dir. Kenton Vaughan; A straightforward look at the life of comicbook 'wunderkind' Todd McFarlane, who got his start at Marvel comics drawing Spider–Man, and later…
Universal Horror (2000): Dir. Kevin Brownlow; Reeling back to the horror films produced by Universal Studios in the 1930s, this Kevin Brownlow documentary is a lovingly–made reminder of the…
Universe (TV Series) (2000): Dir. Mark Everest; Channel 4's acclaimed sequel to THE PLANETS, moves out of the solar system to investigate what else is going on in the cosmos. Again distinguished by…
Whirling Man, The (2000): Dir. Gretchin Mornin, James Hollings
Feat. Arnold Brooker; Brief compelling whirl through the world of Arnold Brooker, an eccentric fixture on the streets of Wellington who campaigns for the rights of the…
World War 2 In Colour (2000): Two part series that presents previously unseen global footage, from pre–war Germany to the end of the war in Africa, and the atomic bomb.
20 Dates (1999): Dir. Myles Berkowitz; Queasily, both a documentary and 'mockumentary'; the director set out to make a movie and find himself a girlfriend at the same time, organising 20…
42 Up (1999): Dir. Michael Apted; The sixth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
American Movie (1999): Dir. Chris Smith
Feat. Mark Borchardt; Touching a particular nerve in wannabe film–makers and struggling artists, this wonderful documentary finds a central character in aspiring…
American Pimp (1999): Dir. Hughes Brothers; Provocative documentary on that classic black socio–cultural archetype – The Pimp. Although the makers tend to be out–manipulated by…
Art of Piano, The (1999): Dir. Donald Sturrock; Survey of 20th century classical pianists that starts with Hofman and ends with Arrau, taking in such diverse talents of the keyboard as Rachmaninov,…
Awful Truth, The (TV Series) (1999): Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore; Find out what's really going on in America with merciless media activist Michael Moore, fighting for the common man against the evil–doers of…
Beyond the Mat (1999): Dir. Barry W. Blaustein; Lifelong wrestling fan Barry Blaustein explores the myth and machine of pro–wrestling, focusing on the men behind the public image. WWF…
Brakhage (1999): Dir. Jim Shedden; Conventional, though enlightening portrait of experimental film maverick Stan Brakhage, whose work consistently pushed the boundaries of the medium…
Buena Vista Social Club (1999): Dir. Wim Wenders; A handful of sprightly elderly Cuban musicians assembled in 1996 by guitarist Ry Cooder produced, with their soulful, melodic jazz sound, the biggest…
Campaign (1999): Dir. Tony Sutorius; Close–up account of the cracking political contest for the marginal seat of Wellington Central during the 1996 general election, given a…
Cinema Europe - The Other Hollywood (1999): Dir. Various.; Kevin Brownlow and David Gill continue their extended homage to all things cinema with an in–depth series on early cinema in Europe leading up…
Cinema Verite - Defining the Moment (1999): Dir. Peter Wintonick; Unique "documentary of documentaries" from the dir. of MANUFACTURING CONSENT that chronicles "Cinema Verite", a film–making movement bound by a…
CKY Trilogy (1999-2003): Feat. Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo; Sampling scenes from the 'Camp Kill Yourself' videos and documentary, this is an excellent compilation of skate–boarding and twisted stuntwork.…
Close to You - Remembering the Carpenters (1999): A documentary celebration of Karen and Richard Carpenter's rise to pop stardom. Features extensive interviews with Richard, videos, live…
Curse of the Blair Witch (1999): Expose of the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT back–story, keeping up the pretence of 'fact' and wringing more than a modicum of new twists out of the…
Destination Disaster - The Sinking of the Mikhail Lermontov (1999): Compelling document of the 1986 sinking of Soviet cruise ship Mikhail Lermontov in the Marlborough Sounds. Delves into the controversial aftermath of…
Ella Fitzgerald - Something to Live For (1999): Dir. Charlotte Zwerin; A modest and carefully selected musical 'album' of jazz singer Fitzgerald's greatest years. Not really biographical in its focus, this…
Faith Of The Century - A History Of Communism (1999): Using fascinating, never–before–seen footage from the national archives of many countries including Russia and France, this documentary…
Federation (1999): Well–written doco that brings to life the events, personalities and experiences that lead up to the federation of the Australian colonies in…
Frank Lloyd Wright (1999): Dir. Ken Burns; Epic biography of America's most esteemed architect (notably of the Guggenheim Museum and the 'Prairie'–style ranch–house), whose…
Fugazi - Instrument (1999): Dir. Jem Cohen, Fugazi; Culled from concert, interview and home footage, this portrayal of fiercely independent rock–bank Fugazi transcends the…
Funny by George (The George Wallace Story) (1999): Dir. Don Percy; Celebrates the life and times of unashamedly Australian vaudeville comedian and movie star, George Wallace.
Genghis Blues (1999): Dir. Roko Belic; Absorbing, stranger–than–fiction tale of San Francisco singer Paul Pena’s passion for Tuvan ‘Throat–singing’…
Getting to Our Place (1999): Dir. Gaylene Preston, Anna Cotrell; The creation of NZ’s national museum, Te Papa, was an exciting, self–conscious and fraught journey in defining the nation’s identity, this…
Girl Next Door, The (1999): Dir. Christine Fugate
Feat. Stacy Valentine; Worldly, even–handed and fascinating documentary details the life–style and life–story (not to mention plastic surgery history) of…
Grass (1999): Dir. Ron Mann
Feat. Woody Harrelson; A kaleidoscopic assemblage of newsreel, anti– and pro–drug films and interviews that traces the chequered history of marijuana in 20th…
Hands on a Hard Body (1999): Dir. S.R. Bindler; Low–budget but enthralling chronicle of the annual ‘Hands on a Hard Body’ competition run by a local Texas radio station, in which 23…
Hitman Hart - Wrestling with Shadows (1999): Dir. Paul Jay; A must for wrestling fans and detractors alike, this is the hugely compelling real–life story of Brett 'The Hitman' Hart, five times WWF…
Last Days, The (1999): Dir. James Moll; Accompanied by return visits to their homeland and the Nazi death camps, five Hungarian survivors of the Holocaust recount their remarkable stories…
Life and Art - Maria Callas (1999): Dir. Alan Lewens, Alistair Mitchell
Feat. Maria Callas; Sympathetic documentary concerning the life and art of famed opera singer Maria Callas. Features extracts from 'Tosca', "Norma', 'Barber of Seville',…
Life of Python, The (1999): Feat. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam…; The BBC celebrates 30 years of Monty Python with new sketches and a plethora of guest appearances. Volume One: "Pythonland" – Journey with…
Louis Theroux's - The Collection (Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met....) (1999): Four disc set compiling the best of the affable Louis Theroux, drawing from his three series to date. More disarming than Borat, Theroux’s…
Millennium (1999): Dir. Various; Exhaustive history of the last thousand years, taken from the book by Felipe Fernandez–Armesto and presented by CNN. Refreshingly deals not…
Mr Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr (1999): Dir. Errol Morris; Another wholly idiosyncratic and remarkable work from documentarian Errol Morris, this time with the human oddity factor turned up to a…
My Best Fiend (Mein Liebster Feind) (1999): Dir. Werner Herzog
Feat. Klaus Kinski, Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog’s personal portrait of his friend and famous ‘alter ego’, the late Klaus Kinski, threads together just some of the bizarre incidents…
New York: A Documentary Film (1999-2003): Dir. Ric Burns; Grand and compelling PBS portrait of New York City in the vein of Ken Burns's fulsome documentaries (incidentally, directed by younger brother Ric)…
New Zealand Wars, The (1999): Dir. James Belich
Feat. James Belich; Praised, yet inevitably controversial documentary series on New Zealand's 19th century history, in particular the various land–wars between…
Planets, The (1999): Suitably ambitious 8–part TV series on the planets and other aspects of our solar system, including its history, space explorations and the sun…
Pop and Me (1999): Dir. Chris Roe; A 'real life' documentary with a distinctive twist – would–be film–maker Chris Roe convinces his affluent divorcee father to not…
Punitive Damage (1999): Dir. Annie Goldson; Emotive documentary about the ordeal of an ordinary New Zealand mother, Helen Todd, who ultimately sued an Indonesian general for punitive damages…
Roy Orbison - In Dreams (1999): Comprehensive documentary claiming to be the only authorised Roy Orbison doco, includes performances of his greatest hits, home video footage and…
Second World War in Colour, The (TV Mini Series) (1999): The first of the various TV specials which replayed the events of WW2 utilising newly discovered colour film footage, lending an added new dimension…
Sex - The Annabel Chong Story (1999): Dir. Gough Lewis; A sensational yet even–handed insight into the performer (and sicko subculture) behind a famously transgressive sexual act – Ms. Chong’s…
Source, The (1999): Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Dennis Hopper; Superb chronicle of the ‘Beat’ movement and the work of its founding fathers – Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs – and their influence…
To The Moon (1999): A 30th anniversary documentary to mark the 1969 Apollo moon landing, this two–hour special reminiscences with the astronauts, and more…
Trekkies (1999): Dir. Roger Nygard; Comprehensive, eye–opening tour of the STAR TREK phenomenon and the lives of some of its more ardent devotees. Chuckle and gasp as Denise…
Two Fat Ladies (TV Series) (1999): Feat. Jennifer Paterson, Clarissa Wright; The commanding humour, presence and culinary skills of Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Wright are served up in this cuddly cooking series.
UB40 - The Story Of Reggae (1999): Dir. Bob Smeaton; Essentially a South Bank Show Special Edition that tells the story of British reggae–rockers UB40, from their formation in 70's Birmingham…
Walking with Dinosaurs (1999): Dir. Tim Haines
Feat. Kenneth Branagh; In tracing the 160 million year history of the big lizards, this comprehensive BBC doco slavishly recreates the flora, fauna and geography of the age…
Wisconsin Death Trip (1999): Dir. James Marsh; A deadpan, quietly unsettling documentary that charts 10 years of creeping misfortune at the end of the 19th century in the small Midwest town of…
Zoo, The (TV Series) (1999-2006): Selected highlights from New Zealand's own animal documentary series, which looks at the goings–on at the Auckland Zoo among the various animal…
1968: The Year That Shaped a Generation (1998): Dir. Steve Talbot; Stolid examination of the watershed year filled with familiar images and oft heard soundbites. Key people and events featured include: the…
Barry Humphries - Flashbacks (TV Series) (1998): Feat. Barry Humphries; Iconic Aussie entertainer Barry Humphries and his alter–ego's Dame Edna, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone take us on a journey through a slice…
Cold War (1998): Dir. Various; With encyclopedia–like detail, this lengthy documentary series analyses every aspect of the Cold War, from the onset of frosty relations…
Dancemaker (1998): Dir. Matthew Diamond
Feat. Paul Taylor; Exemplary biography of American choreographer Paul Taylor, whose vivid, unconventional works are a high–point in modern dance. Made by an…
David Oistrakh - Artist of the People? (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; The life of the renowned 20th century Russian violinist, who at times locked horns with the Soviet state, is told through interviews with family and…
Destroy All Rational Thought (1998): An eclectic patchwork of material to do with William Burroughs and Brion Gysin, including footage from Burroughs films and home–movies, and…
Dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y (1998): Dir. Johan Grimonprez; An exploration into the history of airline hijacking, from media spectacle in the 1960's to the present terrorist mainstay. Shot before the 9/11,…
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau - Autumn Journey (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; Interviewed on his 70th birthday the German baritone recollects his life and art in fascinating detail. Tape includes an 85–min concert recital…
Divine Trash (1998): Dir. Steve Yeager; A divine treat for fans of the film–maker John Waters’, this supplements contemporary and archival interviews with rare footage of the ‘Pope of…
Endurance (1998): Dir. Leslie Woodhead; Quietly profound docu–drama on the life of the 1996 Olympic 10,000 metre champion, Haile Gebrselassie, gives unique insight into the man behind…
Everest (1998): The most commercially successful documentary of all time is an astonishing technical achievement, filmed in the giant IMAX format for exhibition in…
Frank Sinatra - His Life and Times (1998): Feat. Frank Sinatra; Comprehensive look at Frank's legendary 50–year career, including phases as radio star, Academy Award–winning actor, and quintessential…
Full Tilt Boogie (1998): Dir. Sarah Kelly; Little more than a 'making of' FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, edited to feature–length to cash in on Tarantino–mania. Without dramatic meat or…
Gathering, The (1998): Dir. Kylie Plunkett; Document of the popular New Years Eve celebrations at Takaka Hill 1997–8, featuring a variety of dance–music, local DJs and of course,…
Great Day in Harlem, A (1998): Dir. Jean Bach; Featuring a panorama of interviews on the 1950s heydays of Harlem jazz, this Oscar–nominated doco centres round a famous photograph of 50 odd…
Henry Rollins - You Saw Me There (1998): Dir. Modi; Spoken–word performance from the beefy, former–Black Flag singer, displaying his talent for combining humour with cringe–worthy…
Hey Hey We're The Monkees (1998): Celebratory doco featuring rare concert footage, interviews, outtakes and TV commercials of the actors–turned–'musicians', The Monkees.
Hillary - A View From the Top (1998): Feat. Edmund Hillary; A straightforward, populist documentary about New Zealand’s most famous individual, mountaineer and philanthropist Sir Edmund…
Human Body, The (1998): Extraordinary, unique overview of human physiology from conception to death. Scrupulously researched and entertainingly presented by the slightly…
Life of Birds, The (TV Mini Series) (1998): Feat. David Attenborough; Naturalist Sir David Attenborough presents this 10–part series looking at all aspects of the winged creatures of Earth. As would be expected…
Lou Reed - Rock and Roll Heart (1998): Dir. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Feat. Lou Reed; Filmic biography tracing the life and career of iconic musician Lou Reed, from his seminal work with The Velvet Underground in the late 60s through…
McLibel (1998): Dir. Franny Armstrong; The true story of England's most protracted court case that witnessed the all–powerful McDonalds hamburger empire file a libel suit against two…
Megacities (1998): Dir. Michael Glawogger; The dir. of WORKINGMAN'S DEATH reveals a global underclass with portraits of poverty and neglect, from Bombay to Moscow to Mexico City. Some may…
Modulations (1998): Dir. Iara Lee; Sub–captioned "Cinema for the Ear", this is an enlightening exposition of electronic music – a marginalised yet broadly significant music…
Party Monster - The Shockumentary (1998): Dir. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato; Compulsively sordid true story of one Michael Alig, whose success as a New York night club impresario devolved into drug abuse and the brutal murder…
Peter Beard: Scrapbooks from Africa and Beyond (1998): Dir. Guillaume Bonn, Jean-Claude Luyat
Feat. Charlotte Rampling; Expansive documentary presenting the life and career of one of the world's greatest adventure photographers and painters. Covers the major…
Planet Ustinov - Following the Equator with Peter Ustinov (1998): Mark Twain's 1898 account of his epic journey around the globe is traced by Peter Ustinov in this part travelogue, part history lesson, which takes…
Radiohead - Meeting People Is Easy (1998): Dir. Grant Gee; The album OK COMPUTER took the Oxford quintet into the rock stratosphere, a place where, on this evidence, they'd often rather not be.…
Regret to Inform (1998): Dir. Barbara Sonneborn; A moving and haunting doco which analyzes the Vietnam War from the point of view of the American and Vietnamese women who lost the men they loved to…
Richter, The Enigma (1998): Dir. Bruno Monsaingeon; Lengthy biography of the supremely expressive Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who only emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in the late 1950s.…
Tackle Happy (1998): Dir. Mick Molloy
Feat. Simon Morley, David Friend; Eye–widening puppet–show utilises the visual and tactile properties of the male–organ to impersonate… all sorts of things:…
Timothy Leary's Dead (1998): Dir. Paul Davids
Feat. Todd Mills; An adoring eulogy to counter–cultural 60s guru, chiefly known for extolling the virtues of LSD and fuzzy–headed philosophy. With a…
Top Gear (TV Series) (1998): Selected highlights from the BBC series in which three car–crazy lads (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) have fun driving and…
Turandot Project, The (1998): Dir. Allan Miller
Feat. Zhang Yimou, Zubin Mehta; The glorious insanity of Italian opera defeats all obstacles in this amusing behind–the–scenes account of a gigantic international…
Velvet Dreams (1998): Dir. Sima Urale; Director Sima Urale presents this short documentary investigating the world of 'velvet paintings' by traversing the Pacific to talk to artists and…
Wadd: The Life and Times of John C Holmes (1998): Dir. Cass Paley, Alan Smithee
Feat. John Holmes; Well hung, generously portioned portrait of the American sex film industry's most famous and successful male 'porn star'. Legendary for his…
Wild Man Blues (1998): Dir. Barbara Kopple
Feat. Woody Allen; Affably entertaining documentary that follows Woody Allen 'on tour' through Europe in 1996 aboard his musical side–act, a New Orleans Jazz Band…
Affluenza (1997): A fascinating look at how America turned from being a nation that prized thriftiness into a culture struck with "one of the greatest social maladies…
Art of Conducting - Volume 2, The (1997): Dir. Peter R Smith; Excellent study of six more conductors of the 20th century – Sergiu Celibidache, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Erich Kleiber, Evgeny Mravinsky, Charles…
Big One, The (1997): Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore; Just as smart and witty though with less focus than his watershed doco ROGER AND ME, this intervening 'video diary' sets the format for his popular…
Century of Cinema - Australia / NZ / UK (1997): Dir. George Miller, Sam Neill, Stephen Frears; Director George Miller (MAD MAX) construes his own personal perspective on the history of Australian cinema and its wider cultural meanings. Perhaps…
Century of Cinema - France / Germany / Scandinavia (1997): Dir. Jean-Luc Godard, Edgar Reitz, Stig Bjorkman; French entry is a typically obtuse, subversive essay by iconoclast Jean–Luc Godard, questioning the validity of celebrating cinema. The Germans…
Charlie Mingus - Triumph of the Underdog (1997): Dir. Don McGlyn; The enigmatic bass player, as much known for his volcanic temperament as his musical innovations is well–served in jazz–documentarian…
Classic Albums - Bob Marley (Catch A Fire) (1997): Dir. Jeremy Marre; Bob Marley's Catch A Fire deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by key collaborators. Generously…
Classic Albums - Fleetwood Mac (Rumours) (1997): Dir. David Heffernan; Fleetwood Mac's Rumours deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists themselves.…
Classic Albums - Grateful Dead (1997): Dir. Jeremy Marre; The Grateful Dead's Anthem to Beauty album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists…
Classic Albums - Jimi Hendrix (1997): Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists…
Classic Albums - Meat Loaf (Bat Out Of Hell) (1997): Dir. Bob Smeaton
Feat. Meatloaf; Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out Of Hell' deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by Meat, Jim Steinman, Todd…
Classic Albums - Paul Simon (Graceland) (1997): Dir. Jeremy Marre
Feat. Paul Simon; Paul Simon's "Graceland" album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists themselves.…
Classic Albums - Phil Collins (1997): Dir. Jeremy Marre
Feat. Phil Collins; Phil Collins' Face Value deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by Phil himself and key…
Classic Albums - Steely Dan (1997): Dir. Alan Lewens; Steely Dan's Aja deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the group and key collaborators.…
Classic Albums - Stevie Wonder (Songs in the Key of Life) (1997): Dir. David Heffernan; Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the…
Classic Albums - The Band (1997): The Band's self–titled album deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the artists…
Classic Albums - U2 (1997): U2's Joshua Tree deconstructed track–by–track and placed in both personal and creative context by the group themselves and collaborators…
Four Little Girls (1997): Dir. Spike Lee; Spike Lee's Oscar–nominated documentary focuses on a quartet of pre–teens killed in the 1963 bombing of a black congregational church in…
I.M. Pei (First Person Singular, The Museum on the Mountain) (1997-1998): Dir. Peter Rosen; Two excellent documentaries about the internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei. 'First Person Singular' – This charts the career of the…
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (1997): Dir. David Wallace; Following the travails of the Greek military commander who conquered most of Asia Minor, historian Michael Wood explores the traditional story and…
Isle of Wight Festival: The Movie - Message to Love (1997): Dir. Murray Lerner; Epic doco capturing the music, anarchy and general behind–the–scenes mayhem at the final Isle of Wight Music Festival in 1970. Dir.…
Kurt and Courtney (1997): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Not even an unofficial biography of 'Nirvana', Kurt Cobain or Courtney Love, but instead a wickedly amusing slice of pop–cultural…
Licensed to Kill (1997): Dir. Arthur Dong; Applauded, regularly disturbing investigation into the mindset of anti–gay killers, bringing together a series of interviews by dir. Arthur…
Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997): Dir. Werner Herzog; Another quirky yet significant doco from Werner Herzog, whose remarkable subject here is expatriot German Dieter Dengler, who returns to the Vietnam…
Locked-In Syndrome (1997): Dir. Jean-Jacques Beineix; Heart–rending look at the life of Jean–Dominque Bauby whose autobiography was filmed as THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY.
Mabo (Mabo: Life of an Island Man) (1997): Dir. Trevor Graham; Landmark documentary, passionately told, that recounts the extraordinary life story of land activist Eddie Mabo.
Méliès the Magician (The Magic of Méliès, Méliès Magic Show) (1997): Dir. Georges Melies, Jacques Meny; George Méliès was a unique pioneer of cinema, who virtually invented the 'trick shot' and created an astonishing 1000 short films using special…
Michael Palin: Full Circle (TV Series) (1997): Feat. Michael Palin; The intrepid Michael Palin completes another quasi–anthropological circumlocution of the globe, with a 15000 mile journey around the Pacific…
Microcosmos (1997): Dir. Claude Nuridsany; All the dramas of human life play out in a secret kingdom contained in a French meadow, and brought into extreme close–up by superlative…
Peoples Century (TV Series) (1997): Dir. Various; Indispensible BBC TV series covering 20th century history told via the accounts of ordinary people, gives a vivid and sobering taste of world events.…
Pitch (1997): Dir. Spencer Rice, Kenny Hotz
Feat. Al Pacino, Roger Ebert, Matt Dillon…; A pair of unknowns – the film–makers – pitch their movie scripts at the Toronto Film Festival and in Hollywood. Their unique,…
Pretty As a Picture (1997): Dir. Toby Keeler
Feat. Jack Nance, Mel Brooks, Dean Stockwell; A beguiling and extensive peep behind the velvet curtains of director David Lynch's creative processes, during the making of LOST HIGHWAY. Helping…
Road to Jerusalem + Roaring Forties (1997): Dir. Bruce Morrison; Affectionate biography/homage tracing the life of the late great NZ poet James K Baxter. Admirable recitals of his verse complement many candid…
Robinson in Space (1997): Dir. Patrick Keiller
Feat. Paul Scofield; Following up his widely–noted documentary LONDON, dir. Keiller again hits the road with his anonymous alter ego (voiceover by Paul Scofield)…
Russia's War - Blood Upon The Snow (1997): Exhaustive 10–part series that traces Stalin's rise to power, his association with Hitler and Soviet involvement in the Second World War,…
Sick (1997): Dir. Kirby Dick; Stunning, compassionate feature biography of the life of Bob Flanagan, whose 'super–masochism' and extreme performance art was born of his…
Six O'Clock News (1997): Dir. Ross McElwee; An interesting chapter in the unfolding saga of dir. Ross McElwee's (SHERMAN'S MARCH) autobiographical filmmaking, here centering on his new…
Slam Nation (1997): Dir. Paul Devlin; Portland, Oregon is the home of The National Poetry Slam, a performance poetry competition which attracts participants from twenty–six states…
Thomas Jefferson (1997): Dir. Ken Burns
Feat. Sam Waterston, Blythe Danner, Ossie Davis…; Burns "paints an enigmatic portrait of self–contradiction" in this comprehensive and reverential documentary of America's third President,…
Titanica (1997): Dir. Stephen Low
Feat. Leonard Nimoy; Stunning footage of the world's most famous shipwreck shot by IMAX, who specialise in high–definition photography under exacting conditions.…
Tranceformer: A Portrait of Lars Von Trier (1997): Dir. Stig Bjorkman; Insight into the methods and career of celebrated Danish director Lars Von Trier, covering up to his breakout hit, BREAKING THE WAVES.
Vietnam War - Unknown Images (1997): Dir. Isabelle Clarke; Recently declassified military footage gives a harrowing new look into the years of the Vietnam War. Three episodes – 'Secrets of War',…
Waco - Rules of Engagement (1997): Dir. William Gazecki; The disastrous FBI siege of the Branch Davidian Sect compound at Waco, Texas in 1993 is pulled to pieces in this acclaimed documentary, revealing a…
Year of the Dogs, The (1997): Dir. Michael Cordell; A warts–and–all documentary about the Australian Rules Footscray Football Club, during their disastrous 1996 season. Capturing the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 1 (1997): Dir. Kevin McMahon, Francois Girard; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 2 (Falling Down Stairs / Sarabande) (1997): Dir. Barbara Willis Sweete, Atom Egoyan
Feat. Arsinee Khanjian, Don McKellar; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach Vol. 3 (1997): Dir. Niv Fichman, Patricia Rozema; Cellist Yo–Yo Ma’s celebrated musical exploration of Bach’s enigmatic solo cello suites, prompted six films, attempting to complement the…
Alien Autopsy Video (1996): Dir. Tom McGough; Documentary based around footage purporting to come from the Roswell, New Mexico UFO crash in 1947, showing an 'alien' being dissected. A suspect…
Alien Empire (1996): Dir. Steve Nicholls; Utilising miniature cameras and endoscopes to peer into the 'microcosmos' of various insect species, this BBC series endeavours to vividly reveal…
American Cinema (Box Set) (1996): In–depth series explores most dimensions of the American feature film (mainly post–1930s). Ten 50 minute episodes include classic clips…
Betrayal, The (1996): Dir. John Anderson
Feat. Allen O'Leary; A dynamic mix of documentary, rare achive footage, and vivid dramatic recreations tells the extraordinary adventures of Kiwi Ron Jeffrey in wartime…
Biography - The Inventors (TV Series) (1996-2000): A 'Biography Channel' series which presents informative summaries of the lives and achievements some of the most notable inventors of the past 300…
Burma (1996-2006): Dir. Evan Williams, Mark Stucke; South East Asian hot–point Burma is the subject of this diptych examining the country’s military dictatorship, harsh oppression, and student…
Catwalk (1996): Dir. Robert Leacock; Supermodel Christy Turlington unzips her privacy for this insider tour of the backstage world of models and designers (incl. Giorgio Armani and…
Celluloid Closet, The (1996): Dir. Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Feat. Stewart Stern, Tony Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg…; Fascinating doco revises the history of mainstream cinema from a gay and lesbian perspective, with an eye for discreet and…
Century of Cinema - A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese (1996): Dir. Martin Scorsese, Michael H. Wilson; Martin Scorsese details a history of American film from his own perspective, with particular focus on the mavericks and unsung heroes of…
Century of Cinema - China (Yang±Yin - Gender in Chinese Cinema) (1996): Dir. Stanley Kwan; One of the more outstanding (and idiosyncratic) episodes in the CENTURY OF CINEMA series, dir. Kwan (ROUGE) analyzing depictions of sexuality and…
Cinema of Unease (1996): Dir. Sam Neill & Judith Rymer; Sam Neill essays a personal history of Kiwi film as a reflection of our national identity. From his big break in the landmark SLEEPING DOGS to the…
Conspirators of Pleasure (1996): Dir. Jan Svankmajer
Feat. Petr Meisell, Gabriela Wilhemova; Famed animator Svankmajer moves further into the live–action arena, but remains anything but conventional. The private perversities and…
Dancing in the Street (TV Series) (1996): Exemplary documentary chronicles the history of pop music through nine hour–long episodes defined by generic lineage. Truly rare clips and…
Dexter Gordon - More Than You Know (1996): Dir. Don McGlynn; Tenor jazz saxophonist Dexter, renowned for his work with Lionel Hampton and others, gets fan treatment in a lively montage of performance and…
East Side Story (1996): Dir. Dana Ranga; Enchanting curiosity draws back the Iron Curtain to detail the history of the Communist musical! Focus on the Russian, East German, and…
Every Little Thing (La Monindre des choses) (1996): Dir. Nicolas Philibert; Documentarian extraordinaire Nicholas Philibert observes the rehearsals and performance of an annual summer play by the inmates of an idyllic French…
Fast, Cheap and Out of Control (1996): Dir. Errol Morris; Further pushing out a signature style that impresses technique as much as subject, dir. Errol Morris here takes real life as a mere starting point…
Fetishes (1996): Dir. Nick Broomfield; One of dir. Broomfield's more insalubrious documentaries, where his customised faux innocence is used as a passport into the world of New York's…
Gallivant (1996): Dir. Andrew Kotting; An engrossing ‘gallivant’ around the coastline of Great Britain (and the parameters of experimental documentary) with the filmmaker, his…
Gray's Anatomy (1996): Dir. Steven Soderbergh
Feat. Spalding Gray; The late Spalding Gray delivers another of his patented movie–length monologues, this time relating in manic, humourous style his efforts to…
Hemp Revolution, The (1996): Dir. Anthony Clarke; Wide–ranging look at the manifold properties and uses of hemp, incl. medicine, textiles, fuel, food and ‘inspiration’. Though made by unabashed…
Hommage a Noir (1996): Dir. Ralf Schmerberg; Photographed in black–and–white in Cameroon, this presents an aesthetically unusual impression of Africa in all its extremes. Unlike the…
Hone Tuwhare (1996): Dir. Gaylene Preston; The late poet laureate, Hone Tuwhare, is captured in this affectionate, candidly observed portrait of an artist. Filmed by Gaylene Preston in the…
Human Mind, The (TV Series) (1996): Further explorations of the human body, with Dr. Robert Winston helming this phenomenal journey deep into the recesses of the brain. Once again…
Hype! (1996): Dir. Doug Pray; Absorbing document of the evolution of the Seattle grunge–music 'scene' from its genesis in the early '80s. Reflected in the ambiguous light of…
Inside Burma - Land of Fear (1996): Dir. John Pilger; Ever–pertinent John Pilger expose of Burmese plight and terror, revealing corporations, foreign investors and tourists as complicit in…
Jackie Chan - My Story (1996): Feat. Jackie Chan; An authorised biography of the incomparable one–man movie–machine from Hong Kong. Banal presentation is compensated by clips from all his…
Jimmy Cliff - Moving On (1996): Reggae laureate Jimmy Cliff talks candidly about his music, religion and Jamaican culture to the tune of his greatest hits. Performances include: The…
Kiwi As (1996): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; The second of dir. Shirley Horrocks journey into the delightful world of 'Kiwiana' – those often quaint artifacts of New Zealand's past –…
Kiwiana (1996): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; The first of two congenial excursions into the increasingly popular genre of 20th century New Zealand cultural artifacts, collectively known as…
Knowledge of Healing, The (1996): Dir. Franz Reichie; The first feature length film dealing extensively with 'Tibetan medicine', one of the most highly developed, holistic approaches to healing, based on…
Leaving Home (TV Series) (Orchestral Music in the 20th Century) (1996): The famed conductor Sir Simon Rattle here presents an accessible guide to the challenging classical music traditions of the 20th…
Looking for Richard (1996): Dir. Al Pacino
Feat. Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder…; Al Pacino's pet project, and his directing debut, explores the American actor's paradoxical obsessions with Shakespeare, debunking some of the…
Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird: The Movie / Tribute Tour) (1996): Dir. Jeff G Waxman, Christine Strand, Nancy Saslow; A feast for Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, this features two full–length movies about the rock–n–roll band of the American South. Freebird…
Not Fourteen Again (1996): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; Inspired by the British 7–UP series, film–maker Armstrong completes(?) her anthropological documentary following the lives of three…
Paradise Lost (1996): Dir. Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky; A ‘tour de force’ crime documentary, courtroom saga and true life horror show, this is a bare witness account of the trial of three…
Project Grizzly (1996): Dir. Peter Lynch; Endearing documentary depicting the improbable quest by self–styled inventor Troy Hurtuboise to construct a suit of armour capable of…
Rats in the Ranks (1996): Dir. Bob Connolly, Robin Anderson; Bruising political doco follows the squabbles in a Sydney suburb between mayor and city councillors. The filmmakers gained an extraordinary degree of…
Rocker, The - A Portrait of Phil Lynott (1996): An in depth look at the life and death of of legendary rocker, Phil Lynott, founding member of top 70's group Thin Lizzy. Through archive footage and…
Russia - The Missing Years (1996): A glance at the disturbing facts of the Eastern Front conflict of 1942–43 that resulted in Russian glory at a cost of three million lives.…
Someone Else's Country (1996): Dir. Alister Barry; Controversial account of the 'rise of the New Right revolution in New Zealand' was refused television broadcast on account of its 'left wing bias'.…
Sun and the Moon, The (1996): A revealing documentary elaborating on Earth’s two most important neighbours: the moon, with its gravity properties and continued role in space…
The Promise - Sir Tristram's Story (1996): The remarkable story of the world's most famous stud stallion Sir Tristram and his partnership with the New Zealand studmaster Patrick Hogan.
Transformation of the World Into Music (1996): Dir. Werner Herzog; Werner Herzog, indulging in a love of opera, turns his documentary eye on the Richard Wagner Festival, capturing the pulse of the annual event, and…
Transformers (1996): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; A short documentary about a mid–1990s international art exhibition which showcased works that 'transform' in various ways (create music, grow,…
Triumph of the Nerds (1996): The 20–year saga of the personal computer, as enthusiastically told by uber–geek Robert Cringely. Brings together the likes of Steve…
West, The (TV Series) (1996): Dir. Stephen Ives; Steered by a protégé of documentary–guru Ken Burns (JAZZ), this epic TV–study of the conquest and reshaping of the American West shares…
When We Were Kings (1996): Dir. Leon Gast; Dateline: Zaire, 1974, the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. The hype and drama of the Muhammad Ali/George Foreman boxing match is brilliantly caught in this…
World of Luc Jacquet, The (1996-2002): Dir. Luc Jacquet; Fascinating retrospective of French naturalist filmmaker Luc Jacquet’s pre–MARCH OF THE PENGUINS career, working as a renowned…
30 Years of National Geographic Specials (1995): Since 1964, National Geographic has produced many televsion documentaries on a wide variety of topics: natural history, culture, world history,…
Battle Over Citizen Kane (1995): Dir. Michael Epstein, Thomas Lennon; As this useful overview makes clear, the story behind the making of the classic CITIZEN KANE was as fraught with drama and clashing egos as the film…
Car Crash (1995): Dir. David Caesar; Typically eccentric doco from the director of IDIOT BOX. Various Aussies express their near–fetishistic obsession with cars, then somewhat less…
Celluloid Heroes, The (TV Series) (1995): A celebration of Australian filmmaking, this fascinating four–part series details the evolution of Australian cinema from the early silent…
Century of Cinema (UK / Ireland) - Typically British (1995): Dir. Mike Dibb, Stephen Frears, Donald Taylor Black; The British contribution to the series celebrating 100 years of the moving image. Film–maker Stephen Frears chats to industry heavyweights Alex…
Century of Cinema - Japan / Korea (1995): Dir. Nagisa Oshima, Jang Sun-Woo; Provocative director Nagisa Oshima provides a purely cinematic, subjective overview of Japanese cinema, its themes, forces and historical context,…
Century of Cinema - Russia / Poland (1995): Dir. Sergei Selyanov, Pawel Lozinski; In 'The Russian Idea' the philisophical concept of a self–contradicting Russian 'character' is discussed using the films of various political…
Churchills, The (1995): Dir. Greg Lanning; Composed primarily of archival footage, this profiles Winston Churchill and the role his family played during his time as the nation's leader.…
Crusades, The (1995): Dir. Alan Ereira, David Wallace; The gruesome history of the crusades is covered here in great detail, from the political background to the harsh daily life of the…
Directors, The (1995-1999): Dir. Robert J Emery; Seven episodes on individual DVDs from the American Film Institute series covering film directing greats. Each episode comprises one hour of…
Executions (1995): Despite the exploitative title and subject, this in fact draws attention to the inhumanity of the death penalty and makes a case for its worldwide…
Flip and Two Twisters (1995): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; Exploring NZ film–maker Len Lye's other outstanding talent, this documents the ongoing quest to build full–size versions of his…
For Love or Money (1995): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An interesting documentary about the 1990s New Zealand art scene, in particular the rise in number of those collecting art, whether for pleasure or…
Gaea Girls / Shinjuku Boys (1995-2000): Dir. Kim Longinotto, Jano Williams; Two documentaries, one on the fascinating and hitherto unexplored world of Japanese women wrestlers (GAEA) and a second on Japanese female…
Gesualdo - Death for Five Voices (1995): Dir. Werner Herzog; A sharp, sometimes unflattering profile of 16th century composer Don Carol Gesualdo, with dir. Herzog dividing his time between the artist's sexual…
Greatest Moments In Sport, The (1995): A sterling compilation of world–famous sporting moments, matches and races from from Phar Lap's 1930 Melbourne Cup to Fermin Cacho Ruiz's 1500m…
Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam (1995): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Another sensational art–tabloid gem from professional muck–raker Nick Broomfield, who here lies down with various dogs of the film and…
History of Rock 'n' Roll, The (TV Series) (1995): Feat. Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Madonna…; An epic and (mostly) comprehensive journey through the history of rock music from the 1950s to the mid–1990s, featuring an unprecendented…
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995): Dir. Don Was; Step gingerly into the strange world of Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson. Interviews with friends, family and Wilson himself chart a tumultuous and…
Krzysztof Kieslowski: I'm So So (1995): Dir. Krzysztof Wierzbicki; A brilliant portrait of the great and famously modest Polish director, which by virtue of being made by a longtime confederate, imparts an intimacy…
Lost Civilizations (TV Series) (1995): Historical series covering nearly 7000 years of history over 25 countries. Brought to life with spfx technology and recreated historically accurate…
Lumiere and Company (1995): Dir. Various; Fitting homage to those pioneers of filmmaking, the Lumiere Brothers, made on Cinema’s Centennial celebrations in 1995. Forty directors were asked to…
Masters Of American Music (1995)
Moruroa - The Big Secret (1995): Dir. Michel Daeron; A damning indictment of French nuclear testing program in the South Pacific. A French team investigate the impact of the tests on the neighbouring…
Nico Icon (1995): Dir. Susanne Ofteringer; Most famous as one–time singer for the Velvet Underground or arguably just for being famous, this takes a biographical tour of the late German…
Pacific Rescue (1995): Framed around the infamous 1994 rogue storm which hit 40 vessels and aircraft at sea, this is the story of the largest ever sea rescue in the South…
Paris Was a Woman (1995): Dir. Greta Schiller; Capturing a distinct ambience of early 20th century Paris, this feminist–orientated look at American–Parisians such as Gertrude Stein,…
Private Life of Plants, The (1995): Feat. David Attenborough; Typically comprehensive and fascinating look at the plant–life of planet Earth from the husky–voiced David Attenborough. Judicious use of…
Putting Our Town On the Map (1995): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An eye–opening documentary about how many New Zealand towns create prominent versions of local icons in their search for distinction and…
Show, The (1995): Dir. Brian Robbins; Well–made document of a 90s hiphop roadshow featuring Run DMC, Naughty BY Nature, Warren G and Wu–Tang Clan. Combines live and backstage…
Trinity and Beyond (1995): Dir. Peter Kuran
Feat. William Shatner; Solid presentation of the history of the US atomic weapons programme, including interviews and much recently de–classified footage. Narrated by…
Unzipped (1995): Dir. Douglas Keeve; A giddy slice of non–fiction, the camera gets intimate with the colourful world of fashion king Isaac Mizrahi, whose charm and humour survives…
War Stories (1995): Dir. Gaylene Preston; Remarkable documentary manages to compel almost exclusively via the spoken word as seven elderly women offer candid yet articulate and boldy frank…
Wigstock (1995): Dir. Barry Shils; Following PARIS IS BURNING and UNZIPPED, this is the third quintessential camp New York doco! Essentially an on–the–spot recording of an…
32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (1994): Dir. Francois Girard; Built out of 32 disparate fragments, this quasi–doco on the Canadian pianist is fittingly tailored to its difficult and elusive subject,…
Aileen Wournos: Selling of a Serial Killer (1994): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Brit doco–man Nick Broomfield takes his mike and cameraman to Florida to reveal the strange truth beneath the myth of the 'world's first female…
Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe (TV Series) (1994): Follow–up to the popular MYSTERIOUS WORLD series with Sci–fi author Arthur C Clarke investigating more strange phenomena around the…
Baseball (1994-2010): Dir. Ken Burns; Ken Burns's celebrated documentary transcends its sporting appearance to deliver an elegant and engrossing social history through baseball over 150…
Black is...Black Ain't (1994): Dir. Marlon T. Riggs; Powerful documentary from the late artist Marlon T. Riggs, looking at black identity in America. Using interviews with prominent black…
Blur - Starshaped (1994): Dir. Matthew Longfellow; Following the early career of 'Britpop' rockers Blur on the road in Europe between 1991 and 1994, this gives a certain insight into the makings of…
Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business (1994): Dir. Helena Solberg; Catch fever Brazilia (followed by a dose of true story reality) in this all–you–need–to–know expose of the exuberant Samba…
Coming Out Under Fire (1994): Dir. Arthur Dong; As America joined the war effort against Nazism and the persecution of Jews, its own military continued to discriminate against gay and lesbian…
Crumb (1994): Dir. Terry Zwigoff; Remarkable portrait of controversial cartoonist and non–conformist Robert Crumb. Documented over six years, his friend Terry Zwigoff manages to…
Dennis Potter - The Last Interview (1994): Dir. Tom Poole; The maverick writer's final interview (on the Southbank Show), made just weeks before his death, is a gripping and highly personal summing–up…
Ed Wood: Look Back in Angora (1994): Doco on the B–movie director, that reveals the man beneath the pink cardy. Covering the time of Tim Burton's biopic and beyond, through to the…
Endless Summer 2 (1994): Dir. Bruce Brown
Feat. Patrick O'Connell, Robert Weaver; Brown is some thirty years older but his passion for surfing and engaging humour has diminished none. Awesome surfing footage is captured this time…
Flesh and Blood - The Hammer Heritage of Horror (1994): Dir. Ted Newsom; A tour through the history of horror film specialists Hammer Studios, whose rise in the 1950s ushered in a new era for the genre. Narrated by Peter…
George Stevens: D-Day to Berlin (1994): Dir. George Stevens; Short but powerful documentary, chiefly distinguished by its colour footage – shot by Hollywood film director George Stevens in the months…
Glitterbug (1994): Dir. Derek Jarman; An unnarrated montage of Derek Jarman's super 8 footage from 1970 to 1986, with a specially composed soundtrack by Brian Eno. It offers a personal…
Harley Davidson (1994): Dir. Joel T. Smith; The definitive story of how the humble motorcycle company became a cultural phenomenon with celebrity and bikie interviews and good old rock 'n' roll…
Hated (1994): Dir. Todd Phillips; Unflinching shock–umentary exposes the grubby exploits of the late GG Allin – punk rocker, nihilist, sad bastard – who, despite…
Hoop Dreams (1994): Dir. Steve James; Chronicles the 8–year saga of two black teenagers striving for basketball glory in the NBA. Like the British 7/14UP series, this captures…
House of Windsor, The (TV Series) (1994): The story of the most famous family in the world – from the reign of the first Windsors, King George V and Queen Mary, to the long rule of Elizabeth…
Human Animal, The (1994): Famed zoologist Desmond Morris' personal assessment of the human being spans the cultural globe to understand behavioural peculiarities that we daily…
Inside The Actors Studio (TV Series) (1994-2006): Revered interview series hosted by James Lipton, in which the burly talk show host engages high profile guests on the art of acting and filmmaking,…
Jack Kerouac - King of the Beats (1994): Dir. John Antonelli; Solid documentary about the renowned, but troubled beatnik writer Jack Kerouac, whose novel 'On the Road' became a true classic of American…
London (1994): Dir. Patrick Keiller; The giant dichotomy that is London is exposed by counter–pointing post–card imagery with Paul Scofield's narration of the ironic,…
Martha and Ethel (1994): Dir. Jyll Johnstone; This touching and absorbing recount of the lives and times of two octogenarian nannies, one a fastidious German immigrant, the other a compassionate…
Maya Lin - A Strong Clear Vision (1994): Dir. Freida Lee Mock; Inspiring and forthright account of Vietnam Veterans Memorial creator Maya Lin, a mere 21–year–old architecture student when she beat out…
Search For Glory (1994): Dir. Rod Hay; A vibrant perspective on Africa as a thriving football force, charting the development of the game and its social and cultural significance in a…
Time Team (TV Series) (1994): Feat. Tony Robinson; Stimulating television series featuring a group of enthusiastic archaeologists unearthing the secrets of British history from overlooked areas of…
Tracking Down Maggie (1994): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Classic Broomfield, in which the persistent Brit spends the entire film trying to secure an interview with former PM Margaret Thatcher, who at the…
Act of Murder (1993): Dir. Shirley Horrocks
Feat. Miranda Harcourt; A riveting look at NZ actress Miranda Harcourt's impressive solo theatre show 'Verbatim' (written by William Brandt), which was derived from…
Annie Leibovitz (1993): Dir. Rebecca Frayn; South Bank Show biography of American photo–journalist Annie Leibovitz, whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. Melvyn Bragg…
Art of Conducting - Volume 1, The (1993): Dir. Sue Knussen; Sixteen of the 20th century’s greatest conductors are studied in this top–notch, award–winning series, including: Bernstein,…
Baraka (1993): Dir. Ron Fricke; The cinematographer of KOYAANISQATSI montages gloriously filmed images from around the globe with modern world music and creates more than just an…
Boys and Balls (1993): Dir. Sue Thompson; An amusing look at men obsessed with knocking a round piece of leather 'round the paddock. Many Ocker sports–blokes offer their theories.
Curse of the Dragon (1993): Dir. Fred Weintraub
Feat. Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee; A look at the life of Kung–Fu cult hero, Bruce Lee, with an emphasis on the circumstances surrounding his mysterious death. Incorporates…
D.W. Griffith - Father of Film (1993): Dir. Kevin Brownlow, David Gill
Feat. D.W. Griffith; The feature–film pioneer who directed classics such as BIRTH OF A NATION and Broken Blossoms, is paid lavish homage in this three–part…
Dambusters - The True Story (1993): An interesting overview of the legendary dambusting raids by British Lancaster bombers during WWII, which utilised the 'bouncing bombs' of Barnes…
Homo Promo (1993): Dir. Jenni Olson; A brief yet fulfilling history of gay cinema in theatrical trailers from 1953–1977. Marvel at the sometimes–hilarious depiction of gays,…
Last Bolshevik, The (1993): Dir. Chris Marker; Chris Marker's video essay celebrates the life and work of little known film pioneer Aleksandr Medvedkin to reflect on the legacy of Soviet…
Latcho Drom (1993): Dir. Tony Gatlif; A moving testament to the plight of inter–continental gypsy culture and to the redemptive and communicative power of music, Tony Gatlif's…
Life & Times of Allen Ginsberg (1993): Dir. Jerry Aronson; This resonant film double–acts as a nostalgic looking–glass into bohemian culture and as a showcase of the New York beat poet/political…
Lip Gloss (1993): Dir. Lois Siegel; The lives of transvestites, drag queens and female impersonators are chronicled in this revealing portrait that takes you behind the scenes as they…
Luck, Trust and Ketchup (1993): Dir. Mike Kaplan, John Dorr; Director Robert Altman is observed while at work on 'Short Cuts'. Includes many interviews with cast and crew, including Tess Gallagher (the late…
New Zealand Trams (1993): A comprehensive look at the history of trams in New Zealand, which have been an elegant and much–admired form of public transport, although…
On Denniston (1993): Dir. Hugh MacDonald, David Sims; Nicely informative documentary on the West Coast coal–mining town of Denniston, which was notable for its ingenious railway incline access and…
Palms (Ladoni) (1993): Dir. Artour Aristakisian; Examining the plight of Moscow’s homeless and adrift, dir. Aristakisyan’s jarring, but resolute formalism (unfussy 16mm black and white footage…
Sacred Sex 2 (1993): Sequel to the highly successful sex doc is more specialised in its focus, geared more as a practical, introductory handbook for those wishing to take…
Seven Songs for Malcolm X (1993): Dir. John Akomfrah; A tribute to the revolutionary activist compiles interviews with people that knew him and those that know much about him as well as authentic footage…
Tangiwai and Wahine Disasters (1993-2002): Dir. David Sims, John Carlaw; Released for the first time together on DVD, two in–depth documentaries detailing two of New Zealand's worst transport disasters of the last…
Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey (1993): Dir. Steven M. Martin; The fascinating life of Prof. Leon Theremin, the Russian inventor of the Theremin – a unique musical instrument/sound effects generator,…
Time Indefinite (1993): Dir. Ross McElwee; A sterling sequel to SHERMAN'S MARCH by an indefatiguable chronicler of his own life passages, this finds dir. McElwee about to settle into marriage…
War Room, The (1993): Dir. Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker; Going behind the scenes with the men behind Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign reveals there to be an exact science beneath the media…
Wild Swans (The Daughters of China) (1993): Dir. Mischa Scorer; Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans recollects the experiences that inspired her award–winning book.
Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, The (1993): Dir. Ray Muller; Regarded both as great filmmaker and Nazi Party propagandist, Leni Reifenstahl, the maker of TRIUMPH OF THE WILL and OLYMPIAD, will always be a…
Lessons of Darkness / Fata Morgana (1992/1969): Dir. Werner Herzog; Two of dir. Herzog’s impressionistic documentaries on a double DVD. LESSONS OF DARKNESS investigates the aftermath of the Gulf War, with…
35 Up (1992): Dir. Michael Apted; The fifth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
Atlantis (1992): Dir. Luc Besson; Luc Besson takes his camera on an exclusive underwater journey through the world's marine life with regular composer Eric Serra on board to further…
Black Harvest (1992): Dir. Bob Connolly, Robin Anderson; The sequel to JOE LEAHY'S NEIGHBOURS and the final part of the 'Highlands Trilogy', this documents the repercussions for coffee–grower Leahy…
Brother's Keeper (1992): Dir. Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky; An outstanding piece of criminal reportage, that takes a case of hillbilly crime and punishment from backwoods New York State and over the course of…
Charles Manson - Then and Now (1992): Tracing America's morbid fascination with the infamous sociopath , jailed in 1970 after members of his cult "family" went on a murder spree, this…
Cyberpunk (1992): Dir. Marianne Trench
Feat. William Gibson, Timothy Leary; Low–budget insight into the cyberpunk counter–culture. Author William Gibson and many hangers–on offer their view of what it means…
Daddy and the Muscle Academy (The Art, Life and Times of Tom of Finland) (1992): Dir. Ilppa Pohjola; A fascinating delve into the mind of cult gay artist 'Tom of Finland', whose iconic hyper–masculine images of muscled, uniformed men and women,…
Emperors of Antarctica (1992): Dir. Max Quinn; Before MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, New Zealand's own dedicated documentarians 'Natural History NZ' filmed the story of the Emperor penguin's journey…
Fishing with John (TV Series) (1992): Dir. John Lurie
Feat. Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, Dennis Hopper…; Neo–beatnik musician John Lurie hosts his own candid, off–beat TV show in which he takes a hipster celebrity pal on an exotic fishing…
Forbidden Love (1992): Dir. Aerlyn Weissman, Lynne Fernie; A wonderful collection of vignettes that celebrates the experiences and defiance of a dazzlingly diverse bunch of Canadian lesbians who came out in…
Gully-ites, The (1992): Dir. John Anderson; A slice of character–filled life filmed in our own backyard, this is a heartwarming insight into a community with a unique history, capturing…
Hugh Hefner: Once Upon a Time (1992): Dir. Robert Heath; Fascinating, non–sensational doco presents the Playboy magnate's perspective of how he built his colossal publishing empire through the decades…
In the Land of the Deaf (Le Pays des sourds) (1992): Dir. Nicolas Philibert; The extraordinary debut of dir. Philibert (ETRE ET AVOIR) giving unrushed insight into the deaf community in France. Recounting their stories and…
Incident at Oglala (1992): Dir. Michael Apted; A compelling case is made for the innocence of a native American accused of murdering two FBI agents in 1976, though it's sense of social injustice…
JFK: Assassination Tapes (1992): Dir. John Barbour; Largely a basis for Oliver Stone's opus, Jim Garrison himself speaks frankly about his investigation into the alleged cover–up surrounding the…
Joe Leahy's Neighbours (1992): Dir. Bob Connolly, Robin Anderson; Part Two of the 'Highlands Trilogy' by the makers of RATS IN THE RANKS, this gingerly investigates the tensions between a Papua New Guinea tribe and…
Last Man Hanged, The (1992): Dir. Lewis Fitz-Gerald
Feat. Colin Friels; 'Docu–drama' reenacting the cold–blooded execution of petty thief Ronald Ryan, whose botched prison escape resulted in the unwarranted…
Manufacturing Consent (1992): Dir. Achbar, Peter Wintonick
Feat. Noam Chomsky; Important film presents the theories of Noam Chomsky on the media and its mainstream bias which may have a far–reaching political agenda. What…
Masterpieces of the Hermitage (TV Series) (1992): A breathtaking tour through the State Hermitage Museum of St. Petersberg, home to some three million works of art. Begining with the 14th century…
MGM - When the Lion Roars (1992): The story of "super–studio" Metro–Goldwyn–Meyer from its origins in 1924 to become one of the largest production companies in…
Mojo Working - The Making of Modern Music (1992): Exhaustive compilation of rare archival footage charting modern music’s greatest influences. Includes seminal performances by BB King, James Brown,…
Panama Deception, The (1992): Dir. Barbara Trent; Oscar–winning film is unabashedly activist attempt to uncover some truths about the propaganda used to sanitise the U.S. Government's invasion…
Pole to Pole (TV Series) (1992): Feat. Michael Palin; Michael Palin's followup to his model travel–series AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Here he journeys from the North Pole to South Pole across Asia…
Rock Hudson's Home Movies (1992): Dir. Mark Rappaport; An irreverent deconstruction of the films of Rock Hudson with an amusing conceit; that Rock never concealed his homosexuality, it was all up there on…
Search for Robert Johnson (1992): Dir. Chris Hunt; Essential documentary attempts to unshroud the mystery surrounding the legendary Blues singer/songwriter who was murdered in 1938 at only 27.
See What I Mean (1992): Dir. Shirley Horrocks; An interesting and educative documentary about hearing loss and deafness, which follows two sets of experiences: first, of a family who are all deaf,…
Silent Feminists, The (1992): Dir. Anthony Slide, Jeffrey Goodman; A factual study of the silent movie era that tributes the pioneering women behind Hollywood's cameras. Features rare film clips,…
Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (TV Series) (1992): Strangely intriguing series hosted by Sister Wendy Beckett – an endearingly impish nun with a passion for paintings who takes her viewers on a…
Stepping Razor Red X (1992): Dir. Nicholas Campbell; A vivid, disturbing portrait of politically–minded reggae–singer Peter Tosh, who after many turbulent years in Jamaica was killed in…
Twist (How Rock 'n' Roll Got its Soul) (1992): Dir. Ron Mann; Toe–tapping, snappy chronicle of pop culture's biggest ever dance craze, The Twist, with terrific archival footage from king 'twisters' Elvis…
Visions of Light (1992): Dir. Arnold Glassman; Illuminating film about the unsung heroes of the film industry – the humble cinematographer – that person responsible for the 'look' of a…
Alice Cooper: Prime Cuts (1991): Feat. Alice Cooper; A splendid two–disc compilation of documentaries, interviews, song clips and other delights relating to that theatrical, satirical and depraved…
Architecture of Doom (1991): Dir. Peter Cohen; Uniquely, this study of the Nazi era concentrates on the vast creations of Adolf Hitler’s Masterplan – choreographed rallies, architecture,…
Commissioner of Sewers (1991): Dir. Klaus Maeck; Dir. Maeck brings a European perspective to bear on the cult American writer, William S. Burroughs (NAKED LUNCH). A familiar blend of archival…
Good Woman of Bangkok (1991): Dir. Dennis O'Rourke; A typical sex–worker reveals her experiences to illuminate the harsh reality and profound sadness at the base of Thailand's prolific sex…
Jacquot De Nantes (1991): Dir. Agnes Varda
Feat. Philippe Maron, Edouard Joubeaud, Laurent Monnier; Beautifully–crafted, affectionate tribute to the director's late husband, the film–maker Jacques Demy (UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, LOLA).…
Jerry Springer Uncut (Jerry Springer Uncensored) (1991): An appalling compilation of salacious and outrageous moments from the legendarily vulgar tabloid talk–show hosted by Jerry Springer, sometimes…
Leader, the Driver and the Driver's Wife, The (1991): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Both scary and hilarious, this look at the Afrikaner Resistance Movement and its leader Eugene Terreblanche, sees Nick Broomfield honing his…
Making Sense of the Sixties (1991): Fulsome documentary overview of the turbulent sixties, specifically in context with America, where John F. Kennedy, civil rights, the Vietnam War,…
Monster in a Box (1991): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Spalding Gray recalls the adventures that befell him while trying to write his autobiography. Colourfully delivered monologue with Laurie Anderson…
Oscar's Greatest Moments (1991): Highlights from twenty years of Academy Award ceremonies
Pleasures and Dangers (1991): A glance at the work and lives of six women artists in New Zealand; Alexis Hunter (painter), Alison MacLean (film–maker), Julia Morison…
Rebels in Retrospect (1991): Dir. Russell Campbell; An inquiry into the aims, methods and achievments of the Progressive Youth Movement, Kiwi political activists in the turbulent '60s.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Funky Monks (1991): Dir. Gavin Bowden; Stylishly shot documentary about the California funksters, caught on the cusp of massive worldwide success.
Republic Pictures Story, The (1991): In its heyday one of the most important of the 'small' Hollywood studios, Republic Pictures is here documented from its beginnings in 1935 to its…
Richard Dawkins: Growing up in the Universe (1991): An educational series of lectures by Professor Richard Dawkins (ENEMIES OF REASON) on mankind's purpose and place within the universe. Through the…
Sacred Sex (1991): Dir. Cynthia Connop; Eye–opening peek into the world of Tantra, Taoism and sexual fulfilment beyond the garden variety orgasm. From the legit orgies of group…
Superstar - The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1991): Dir. Chuck Workman
Feat. Andy Warhol, Dennis Hopper; Told through the words of friends and admirers like Dennis Hopper, David Hockney, Tom Wolfe and Sylvia Miles, the life behind the enigmatic visage of…
Talk 16 (1991): Dir. Janis Lundman, Adrienne Mitchell; The transition of childhood to womanhood is revealed in this intimate, candid study of five 16–year–old girls over a five year period.
Time Will Tell - Bob Marley (1991): Dir. Declan Lowney; A fitting tribute to the Third World's first superstar, this gives a unique insight into his life as a spiritual and political spokesman as well his…
Wisecracks (1991): Dir. Gail Singer
Feat. Ellen DeGeneres; A pre–famous Ellen DeGeneres is just one of many comediennes in this fascinating and overdue tribute to the women of stand–up comedy.…
American Dream (1990): Dir. Barbara Kopple; An Oscar–winning documentary about the effects of trade–union–company conflict at a meat–packing plant in Minnesota in…
Berkeley in the Sixties (1990): Dir. Mark Kitchell; A lively, dense study of 1960s counter–culture in microcosm, this chronicles the rise and fall of the student movement in a Californian campus…
Close-Up (1990): Dir. Abbas Kiarostami
Feat. Hossain Sabzian, Mohsen Makhmalbaf; A uniquely–devised work intermingling life and art, documentary and fiction, born of a real life incident in which an unemployed film buff is…
Creative Process - Norman McLaren (1990): Dir. Donald McWilliams
Feat. Norman McLaren; The ideas and intriguing techniques of Canadian animator Norman McLaren are dissected in this detailed documentary. Draws upon uncompleted works and…
Discovering Hamlet (1990): Dir. Mark Olshaker
Feat. Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart; Invaluable documenting of Derek Jacobi's 1988 production of Hamlet with a young Kenneth Branagh in the lead. Focussing solely on the rehearsal…
Hearts of Darkness - A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (Coda - Thirty Years Later) (1990): Dir. Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleaonr Coppola; Astonishing illustration of the nightmare that was the making of APOCALYPSE NOW, a production that endured huge personal and commercial crises,…
I Want to Die at Home (1990): Dir. Monique Oomen; A sensitive documentary about Elizabeth, a woman with terminal liver cancer who chose to die at home. This is the story of her dying wishes,…
Jodorowsky Constellation, The (1990): Dir. Louis Mouchet; The creator of latterday surrealist films such as EL TOPO, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN and SANTE SANGRE, Alejandro Jodorowsky, gets due homage in this detailed…
Maria's Story (A Portrait Of Love And Survival In El Salvador's Civil War) (1990): Dir. Monona Wali, Pamela Cohen
Martin Scorsese Directs (1990): Dir. Joel Sucher, Steven Fischler; Summarises the life and film–making of the American director of 'Taxi–Driver' & 'Raging Bull'. Shot during the making of 'Goodfellas',…
Paris Is Burning (1990): Dir. Jennie Livingston; Revealing and rare insight into the colourful but often tragic lives of Harlem's gay and trans–sexual community, whose calendar highlights are…
Roger and Me (1990): Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore; A brilliantly irreverant personal odyssey by the film–maker who, equipped with a mic and a camera, endeavours to extract comment from General…
Trials of Life (TV Series) (1990): Feat. David Attenborough; The definitive natural history of animal behaviour sees David Attenborough trek through inland empires and coastal fortresses in this most…
Wonderful World of Dogs (1990): Dir. Mark Lewis; A refreshing expose of man's four legged friends, the subject receives the whimsical treatment that endeared viewers to the director's CANE TOADS.
Andy Kaufman - I'm From Hollywood (1989): Dir. Lynne Margulies
Feat. Andy Kaufman; Cheeky doco tracing renowned comic Andy Kaufman's foray into the world of professional wrestling with all the thrills and spills of specialised…
Around the World in 80 Days (TV Series) (1989): Feat. Michael Palin; The first of Michael Palin's successful globe–trotting escapades follows the scheme of Jules Verne's novel – a circumnavigation of the…
Civil War, The (The American Civil War) (1989): Dir. Ken Burns; An extraordinary documentary series on the American Civil War, widely recognised as one of the greatest ever made. Using archival photographs,…
Comic Book Confidential (1989): Dir. Rob Mann; A comic–buff’s guide to late 20th century comics that gains the confidence of mainstream and offbeat talents alike, including Stan Lee, William…
Common Threads (1989): Dir. Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman; Oscar–winning doco from the makers of 'Harvey Milk' and the more recent 'Celluloid Closet', weaves together the disparate stories of five AIDS…
For Adults Only (Sex and Buttered Popcorn) (1989): Dir. Sam Harrison; A must–see for schlock film fans, this investigates the origins of exploitation film–making in the 1930s and 1940s, mixing rarely seen…
For All Mankind (1989): Dir. Al Reinert; A rousing, near avant–garde meditation on the story of the first lunar landing and the 24 men who traveled to the moon and back. Edited…
John's Not Mad (1989): Affecting document of one John Davidson's battle with Tourette's Syndrome, his remarkable character, and the failure of society to accommodate his…
Let's Get Lost (1989): Dir. Bruce Weber; Stylish biography of jazz trumpeter/singer Chet Baker; rare concert footage and personal interviews combine to detail the life and music of this…
Lost Worlds - Vanished Lives (1989): Famed nature–boffin David Attenborough here delves into the subject of prehistoric fossils, speculating in typically comprehensive fashion as…
Notebook on Cities and Clothes (1989): Dir. Wim Wenders; Furthering his Japanese sojourn, Wim Wenders profiles fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, extracting some fascinating ruminations on the creative…
Preston Sturges - Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer (1989): Dir. Kenneth Bowser; Celebration of the unique comic vision of Preston Sturges, who shot to success with 40s films like Sullivan's Travels and The Miracle of Morgan's…
Stephen King's World of Horror (1989): Doco covering the various facets of Stephen King's works, plus tributes to fave movies.
Still Life at the Penguin Cafe (incl. Penguin Cafe Orchestra - A Profile) (1989): Two selections featuring the unique musical entourage 'Penguin Cafe Orchestra' who combine classical and world music genres. 'Still Life at the…
Bingo, Bridesmaids and Braces (1988): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; Taking a cue from the British 7–UP series, Gillian Armstrong's anthropological documentary follows the lives of three working–class…
Cane Toads (An Unnatural History) (1988): Dir. Mark Lewis; Since 1935 these noxious green freaks have been multiplying rapidly throughout Australia. Lewis tackles them and their absurd human foes head on in…
Chaos (1988): CHAOS is a mathematical theory which attempts to address, and possibly predict, social and natural phenomena. This video describes its constituent…
Colin McCahon - Victory Over Death (1988): Dir. Judy Rymer; An award–winning documentary on New Zealand's most controversial and profound contemporary artist, and the social environment that influenced…
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1988): Dir. Bill Couturie; Intensely moving docudrama of the Vietnam experience in which some of Hollywoods most famed actors read soldier's letters sent home to their…
Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years (1988): Dir. Penelope Spheeris
Feat. Lemmy , Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth; Affectionate tribute to heavy–metal music, the musicians and the culture. The seen–it–all anecdotes of Lemmy, Ozzy Osbourne and…
Depeche Mode - 101 (1988): Dir. D.A. Pennebaker; Fascinating tour movie gives a fly–on–the–wall insight into the minds of adolescent pop music fans, a group of whom win a tour…
Forever James Dean (1988): Dir. Ara Chekmayan; Revealing portrait of the quintessential lost–boy–turned– Hollywood legend, tragically killed at age 24 with just 3 films to his…
Imagine (1988): Dir. Andrew Solt
Feat. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison…; A definitive document on the life of John Lennon, comprised of 200 hours of footage from newsreels, interviews and photographs. Narrated by Lennon…
John Pilger's Return Ticket (South Africa: Apartheid Did Not Die; Frontline: In Search Of Truth In Wartime; Vietnam: The Last Battle) (1988-1995): Dir. Alan Lowery, David Munro
Feat. John Pilger; John Pilger revisits the remnants of war, stained politics, and social injustice in this fifth volume of his hard–hitting documentary…
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Journey of Dreams (1988): Dir. David Lister
Feat. Paul Simon; An informative documentary about the South African vocal group as a window into the world of Apartheid and the irrepressible musical protest of the…
Powaqqatsi (1988): Dir. Godrey Reggio; Extending the themes and montage techniques of cult favourite ‘Koyaanisqatsi’, this sequel introduces media culture excess and the plight of the…
Power of Myth - Joseph Campbell, The (1988): Dir. Bill Moyers; Enlightening journey through the mind of myth–guru Joseph Campbell, compiling six hours of interviews by Bill Moyers in the 2 years preceding…
Straight No Chaser (1988): Dir. Charlotte Zwerin; Composed of B&W archival footage of Thelonious Monk (rediscovered 20 years after the fact), this sees the idiosyncratic jazz pianist in full…
Thin Blue Line, The (1988): Dir. Errol Morris; Director Morris digs up a 1976 murder case and uncovers a web of deceit and police corruption. A twisting, bizzare slice of journalism, nicely offset…
Trial of Bernhard Goetz (1988): Dir. Harry Moses; A verbatim re–creation of the courtroom battle that ensued after Goetz admitted to shooting four black muggers on the New York subway in 1984.…
Buster Keaton - A Hard Act to Follow (1987): Dir. Kevin Brownlow, David Gill
Feat. Buster Keaton; Lovingly assembled by historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill, this three–part biography on the great 'stone–faced' comedian compares a…
Faded Dreams (1987): Dir. James Forsher; In true Hollywood tradition this film explores alternative theories over the controversial deaths of such Hollywood legends as James Dean, Marilyn,…
First Eden, The (TV Series) (The Mediterranean World and Man) (1987): Feat. David Attenborough; Part of Sir David Attenborough's canonical 1967 Natural World project, this series focuses on the Mediterranean, cradle of Western civilization, from…
Futebol (1987): Dir. Joao Moreira Salles; A richly informative series of three documentaries about different aspects of futebol (football) in Brazil, mainly centred around the renowned…
Going Hollywood - The War Years (1987): Dir. Julian Schlossberg
Feat. Vivian Blaine, Dane Clark, Jackie Cooper…; A glance back at Hollywood attitudes, movies and stars during the WW2 years 1941–1945. Compromising movie clips, newsreel footage and…
Heavy Petting (1987): Dir. Obie Benz; A nostalgic peagent to what made being a teen in the 50's as cute and corny as it was. A mix of cheesy pop music, clips from sex and drug–ed…
Intervista (1987): Dir. Federico Fellini
Feat. Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Sergio Rubini; An easy–going ode to dir. Fellini's early career at Cinecitta Studios, this takes the form of a mock interview–flashback, with the…
Journeys in National Parks (1987): Peter Hayden presents this classic tour through New Zealand's famed National Parks. Episodes: Tongariri, Te Maunga, Westland Aoraki, Fiordland, Te…
Len Lye - Doodlings (1987): Dir. Keith Griffiths; A refreshing paean to New Zealand's best known avant–garde filmmaker (who is equally famous for his kinetic sculptures). Features clips from…
Marvin Gaye - Scenes from a Life (1987): Scenes from the life of the great soul singer Marvin Gaye – known for his particularly sincere delivery and progressive albums and songwriting.
Mondo New York (1987): Dir. Harvey Keith
Feat. Joseph Arias, Rick Aviles, Charlie Barnett; Eye–opening documentary depicts the seedy underbelly of life in the Big Apple. Fascinating but often repulsive, so keep the remote at close…
Out on a Limb (1987): Dir. Robert Butler
Feat. Shirley Maclaine, Charles Dance, Anne Jackson…; Unusual docudrama that follows the epic journey of self–discovery of actress Shirley MacLaine, as she travels the world in search of…
Rolling Stone - 20 Years of Rock 'n' Roll (1987): Feat. Dennis Hopper; Dennis Hopper hosts this informative showcase of American rock history from the psychedelic era onwards, via clips and interviews with the performers…
Secret Life of Sergei Eisenstein (1987): Dir. Gian Carlo Bertelli; Thorough look at the legendary Soviet director of 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Alexander Nevsky', acknowledged pioneer of the montage approach to…
T. Dan Smith (1987): Dir. Amber Film Collective; Docu–drama chronicles of events leading to the imprisonment of a maverick Newcastle councillor. Made in collaboration with Smith himself, it…
Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (1987): Dir. Paul Cox; Engrossing and expressive documentary of the famous artist, using his own written letters and paintings as clues to his tortured personality. John…
What Ever Happened to Kerouac? (1987): Dir. Richard Lerner, Lewis MacAdams; Film biography of the reluctant beat author set to the sound of fifties jazz. Includes interviews with such contemporaries as Burroughs and Ginsberg,…
And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986): Dir. Louis Malle; A satisfying rumination on the nature of the 'American Dream', as it relates to the constrasting experiences of immigrants to the United States, from…
Athens, GA - Inside Out (1986): Dir. Tom Gayton; A likeable survey of the music–scene in Athens, Georgia in its mid–80s heyday when bands like R.E.M. and The B–52s formed the…
Erotic Tatooing and Body Piercing (1986): Dir. Charles Gatewood; A behind–the–scenes peek at the 'modern primitive' sub–culture. Mondo king Charles Gatewood visits a body adornment convention…
Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986): Dir. John Heyn, Jeff Krulik; A public access TV crew turn their cameras to a concert venue parking lot before a 'Judas Priest' performance, resulting in a hilarious short film…
Leading Edge, The (1986): Dir. Michael Firth
Feat. Billy T. James; Adventure docu–drama that's little more than an excuse to show off some wonderful South Island scenery and awesome ski theatrics. Billy T.…
Matter of Heart (1986): An inspired film portrait of Carl Jung that weaves together interview, home movie and archival footage of the famous psychoanalyst to deliver an…
Mother Teresa (1986): Dir. Ann Petrie, Jeanette Petrie; Powerful and definitive documentary filmed over the course of five years that follows the daily activities of Mother Teresa and her nuns, in service…
Oprah Winfrey Show: 20th Anniversary Collection (1986-2006): Feat. Oprah Winfrey; A gigantic 6–DVD distillation of the extremely influential US daytime TV show which propelled Oprah Winfrey into mega–celebrity, wealth…
Picasso: Man and His Work (1986): Dir. Edward Quinn; A two cassette anthology of perhaps the greatest painter of all time. This unique film reveals many unknown aspects of his work and personality, and…
Sherman's March (1986): Dir. Ross McElwee; A wonderfully oddball chronicle of the disastrous and wacky lovelife and times of the film–maker. Intending to make a historical doco, he veers…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Shorts - Part 6 (Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun; Lessons of Darkness; Bells From the Deep; Portrait Werner Herzog) (1986-1993): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun…
28 Up (1985): Dir. Michael Apted; The fourth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of…
Broken Rainbow (1985): Dir. Victoria Mudd; This 1985 Oscar–winning documentary, narrated by Martin Sheen, deals with the forced relocation of the Desi (Navajo) people from their…
Chronos (1985): Dir. Ron Fricke; This earlier short film from the director of BARAKA is a montage of time–lapse and aerial photography thematically connected by the consequence…
Dario Argento's World of Horror (1985): Dir. Dario Argento
Feat. James Franciscus, Karl Malden, Jessica Harper…; A compendium of scenes and images from the work of Italian horror maestro Dario Argento, including an indepth interview with the maestro. Covering…
Filmmaker's Journey, A (1985): Dir. George Stevens Jr.; Remarkable bio of the life and career of George Stevens, director of GIANT and SHANE, in context of the political events of the time. Directed by his…
God's Country (1985): Dir. Louis Malle; This early excursion to the States sees Louis Malle observe the everyday workings of a prosperous farming community in Minnesota, returning six years…
Hooligan (1985): Dir. Ian Stuttard; Notorious documentary acts as both a study of football hooliganism and as a concise history of the group who became most synonymous with mindless…
In Search of the Trojan War (1985): Dir. Bill Lyons; A thorough, intelligible excavation of Homer’s epic poems and the speculation of a Trojan Society, historian Michael Wood takes us back in time via…
Journeys Across 45 Degrees Latitude South (1985): Unique documentary series tracing Peter Hayden's journey from the east of the South Island to the rugged west coast. Made by the same creative team…
Shoah (1985): Dir. Claude Lanzmann; Claude Lanzmann's epic documentary on the Holocaust – 10 years in the making – is everything Resnais' 'Night and Fog' isn't; rough,…
That's Dancing! (1985): Dir. Jack Haley, Jr.
Feat. Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, James Cagney…; A compilation of splendid dance sequences from dozens of Hollywood films. Includes over fifty top dancers, with the best of the crop generally dating…
Tokyo-Ga (1985): Dir. Wim Wenders; Wim Wenders travels to Tokyo to deliver a love letter to Yasujiro Ozu and the surviving bastion of his films, actor Ryu Chishu, though ends up…
We are the World (1985): The complete story behind the renowned 1980s charity pop–song 'We are the World' is covered in this anniversary special edition of the original…
Antonio Gaudi (1984): Dir. Hiroshi Teshigahara; The aesthetic worlds of architect Antonio Gaudi and Japanese visualist Teshigahara (WOMAN OF THE DUNES) collide with spectacular results in this…
Balanchine (1984): Dir. Merrill Brockway; Renowned TV documentary about one of the most celebrated dance choreographers of the 20th century – George Balanchine – whose career…
Beach Boys: An American Band (1984): Dir. Malcolm Leo; Authorized history of the Californian hitmakers. Includes some rare, eyebrow–raising footage of Wilson family lunacy.
Before Stonewall (1984): Dir. Greta Schiller; Anecdotes and archival footage reflect the difficulties and absurdities of gay life from the 1920s up until the landmark revolt in 1969 following a…
Chicken Ranch (1984): Dir. Nick Broomfield; Astonishing expose of a famous legal whorehouse in Texas on which a popular Dolly Parton movie was based. What is revealed, however, is far from the…
First Contact (1984): Dir. Robin Anderson, Bob Connolly; The first part of the dir.'s 'Highlands Trilogy' about the recent history of the New Guinea Highlands combines period and contemporary footage to…
John Pilger's The New Rulers of the World (The New Rulers of the World; War By Other Means; Burp! Pepsi v Coke in the Ice Cold War) (1984-2001): Dir. David Munro, Alan Lowery
Feat. John Pilger; Three more essential documentaries from journalist John Pilger, with the emphasis on big business, globalisation, and the plight of the Third…
Marlene (1984): Dir. Maximilian Schell
Feat. Marlene Dietrich; Maximilian Schell presents his own personal vision of Germany's greatest screen legend, Marlene Dietrich. Witness the woman in person and her career…
Pumping Iron II - The Women (1984): Dir. George Butler; This look at the burgeoning world of women's bodybuilding is even more entertaining than its male precursor. Conflicts over what determines a…
Times of Harvey Milk (1984): Dir. Robert Epstein; A powerful and moving document of the life of the first openly homosexual political candidate who was tragically assasinated in San Fransisco after…
Another State of Mind (1983): Dir. Adam Small; A compelling time–capsule from the early 1980s American punk–scene, documenting the travails of two L.A. bands (Social Distortion and…
Hell's Angels Forever (1983): Dir. Richard Chase, Kevin Keating, Leon Gast
Feat. Bo Diddley, Willie Nelson; Seemingly straightforward doco is more a chilling endorsement of the self–styled outlaws. Even amid disturbing glimpses of short–fuse…
Koyaanisqatsi (1983): Dir. Godfrey Reggio; This unique visual and aural masterpiece looks at our earth and 20th Century 'progress' through the eye of time–lapse camera. The…
Living Planet, The (TV Series) (1983): Feat. David Attenborough; The inimitable Sir David Attenborough presents his followup to the "Life on Earth" series, with a glimpse into the varied ecosystems of our planet.…
Other Side of Nashville, The (1983): Feat. Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash; The 'alternative' stars of country music are the subject of this loose documentary, which includes some rare live footage. Featured are Bob Dylan,…
Power of Emotion, The (1983): Dir. Alexander Kluge; A bold, kaleidoscopic essay film from theorist and New German Cinema co–founder Alexander Kluge, combining staged vignettes with raw archival…
Style Wars (1983): Dir. Tony Silver; Landmark PBS documentary on the explosion of graffiti art in New York in the late 70s/early 80s, which became an important foundation stone in the…
Unknown Chaplin (1983): Feat. Charles Chaplin; Previously unseen footage raided from Chaplin's private collection forms the backbone of this splendid documentary series, delving into the great…
Atomic Cafe, The (1982): Dir. Kevin Rafferty, Jayne Loader, Pierce Rafferty; An insight into the American phenomenon of A–Bomb culture, which compiles cheesy propaganda flicks and newsreels with hilariously naive…
Burden of Dreams (1982): Dir. Les Blank
Feat. Werner Herzog; Les Blank's most famous film sticks with Werner Herzog through the thick and thin of the Amazon jungle during the notoriously troubled shooting of…
Clive James Collection, The (1982-1988): Feat. Clive James; A collection of eclectic and pioneering specials from Australia's intrepid writer/documentarian. Ten episodes across three…
Killing of America, The (1982): The ugly flipside of the land of the free, this disturbingly accounts many of America's most bizarre and horrific acts of violence including Manson,…
Once, at a Border - Tony Palmer's film about Stravinsky (1982): Dir. Tony Palmer; Another exceptional documentary from Tony Palmer, this time about Igor Stravinsky, the "most important and influential composer of the 20th century".…
Rolling Stones - Let's Spend the Night Together (1982): Dir. Hal Ashby
Feat. Mick Jagger; Above–average concert film of Brit rockers The Rolling Stones, which combines three individual concerts from their 1981 US tour and assorted…
Room 666 (1982): Dir. Wim Wenders; Wim Wenders chews the fat with his contemporaries at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, provoking them into a debate on the future of film. Accosted…
Sans Soleil (1982): Dir. Chris Marker; An exotic cinematic essay from eclectic film–maker Chris Marker weaving footage from all continents with semi–detached, esoteric…
Vernon, Florida (1982): Dir. Errol Morris; An early gem from dir. Morris (THE FOG OF WAR) that ambles around the small backwater town of the title, documenting the eccentricities and humour of…
Wild Style (1982): Dir. Charles Ahearn; The Hip–hop movement had it first wide impact via this documentary–drama shot on the streets of The Bronx in 1982. With its close…
Wim Wenders Documentaries (Room 666, Tokyo-Ga, Notebook on Cities and Clothes) (1982-1989): Dir. Wim Wenders; Three documentaries from the hand of Wim Wenders, concerned with his chief obsessions in Japanese culture and the state of cinema.
Being Different (1981): Dir. Harry Rasky
Feat. Billy Barty, Sandra Elaine Allen, Jo-Ann Cantilla; Siamese–twin cowboys, a bearded lady, the world's tallest woman and a living 'elephant man' are among those that come upfront for this well…
Devil At Your Heels, The (1981): Dir. Robert Fortier; Sensational, now classic documentary chronicling a major turning point in the life of stuntman Ken Carter, who is put under financial and public…
Genocide (1981): Dir. Arnold Schwartzman; A harrowing recount of the atrocities enacted by Hitler's regime during WW2 as told by the survivors of his infamous death camps. Narrated by…
Heartworn Highways (1981): Dir. James Szalapski; Cult documentary on country music's 'Outlaw Movement' of the 1970s, featuring key players like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve…
Man Who Saw Tomorrow (1981): Dir. Robert Guenette
Feat. Orson Welles; Orson Welles narrates and appears in this dramatisation of the prophecies of Nostradamus, many of which have proved to be alarmingly accurate.
Our Heritage (TV Series) (1981): A unique series of television snippets, in which seven ballads by legendary Waitakere historian Jack Diamond are recited over historical imagery and…
Pasolini - Whoever Says the Truth Shall Die (1981): Dir. Philo Bregstein; A fascinating scan of the multi–faceted life of Pier Paolo Pasolini, as poet, theorist and film–director. Gives a lucid account of his…
Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World (TV Series) (1980): Sci–fi author Arthur C Clarke investigates strange phenomena around the planet in this intriguing television series. Travelling the world from…
Charleen / Backyard (1980-1984): Dir. Ross McElwee; Two early Ross McElwee documentaries on a single disc, showing progress towards his mature humanist style, often subtly dealing with issues of his…
Cosmos (Carl Sagan's Cosmos) (1980): Using a combination of special effects and Sagan’s enthusiastic narration, Cosmos covers a range of awe inspiring topics including the origins of…
From Mao to Mozart (1980): Dir. Murray Lerner; Deserving winner of the Best Documentary Oscar follows violinist Isaac Stern on his concert and tutorial tour of China in 1979. A film as moving as…
Gates of Heaven (1980): Dir. Errol Morris; This acclaimed debut of dir. Errol Morris (THIN BLUE LINE) staked a high water mark for eccentric film subjects by documenting the closing down of a…
Lightning Over Water (Nick's Movie) (1980): Dir. Wim Wenders
Feat. Nicholas Ray; A disturbing portrait of Hollywood film director Nicholas Ray's final days, shot by fan and friend Wim Wenders. Although he made some of the most…
Memories of Duke Ellington (1980): A tribute to the great jazz composer–pianist 'Duke' Ellington, who created and developed his own sophisticated aesthetic from the late 1920s to…
Soldier Girls (1980): Dir. Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill; Early Nick Broomfield entry surveys the US Army's training regime for female recruits. Though less obtrusive than in later incarnations, Broomfield…
Space Movie, The (1980): Dir. Tony Palmer; Documentary produced by the great Tony Palmer, at the request of NASA, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Taking the…
We Jam Econo - The Story of The Minutemen (1980-1985): Dir. Tim Irwin; Detailed documentary on the too–brief life of the intensely creative and somewhat groundbreaking band, The Minutemen. The history of the band…
Benjamin Britten: A Time There Was (1979): Dir. Tony Palmer; Revered British composer Benjamin Britten’s life and times is given the royal Tony Palmer treatment in this comprehensive, loving portrait of…
Best Boy (1979): Dir. Ira Wohl; Academy–award winning doco follows three years in the life of the film–maker's cousin Philly, a 52–year–old with the…
Kids Are Alright, The (1979): Dir. Jeff Stein
Feat. Keith Moon, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend; Chaotic yet compulsive documentary defining the eclectic career of 'The Who', made shortly before the death of drummer Keith Moon. The others, of…
Rust Never Sleeps (1979): Dir. Neil Young
Feat. Neil Young; King loser Neil Young triumphs in this concert film of him and Crazy Horse at the height of their rustic charm. Twenty songs, a great guitar sound…
Valentine's Day - Liberace (1979): The flamboyant ivory–tinkler shows us around his personal museum, hot air ballon, super–yacht and wardrobe, performing some piano ditties…
Let Me Die a Woman (1978): Dir. Doris Wishman; You’ll need a strong stomach for trash queen Doris Wishman’s sensational bad taste documentary about men (and women) desperate to change their…
Life on Earth (TV Series) (1978): Feat. David Attenborough; David Attenborough's groundbreaking epic of evolutionary study traces chronologically the development of the fauna, the fish, insects and animals we…
Scared Straight! (1978): Dir. Alan Shapiro
Feat. Peter Falk, Danny Glover; A famous, Oscar–winning documentary in which a group of 17 budding teenage crims are shown the harsh realities of prison life, chiefly being…
Tattooed Tears (1978): Dir. Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill; Early Nick Broomfield doco eschews his later interactive style for an unrelenting examination of the life of four youths in a prison for young…
Unknown War, The (1978): Burt Lancaster narrates this enormous 20–part documentary series on the conflict between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
21 Up (1977): Dir. Michael Apted; The third part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
All You Need is Love (TV Series) (1977): Dir. Tony Palmer; Prolific arts filmmaker Tony Palmer oversaw this landmark, encyclopedic history of modern pop and rock – prescribed viewing for anyone who’s ever…
Baryshnikov's The Nutcracker (1977): Dir. Tony Charmoli
Feat. Mikhail Baryshnikov; Landmark version of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet 'The Nutcracker', about a young girl on Christmas Eve who enters the magical kingdom of a wizard,…
Christians, The (TV Series) (1977): "Meticulously constructed and lavishly produced", this thirteen part documentary series was one of the most ambitious TV projects of the 1970's.…
Frost/Nixon Watergate Interviews (1977): Dir. Jorn Winther
Feat. David Frost, Richard Nixon; The legendary 28 hour interview between the charismatic David Frost and former President Richard Nixon is touted as the greatest political interview…
Grateful Dead Movie, The (1977): Dir. Jerry Garcia
Feat. Jerry Garcia
Pumping Iron (1977): Dir. George Butler, Robert Fiore; Arnold Schwarzennegger gets his first taste of the camera when a film crew follow his defence of the Mr. Olympia title. Lou Ferrigno doesn't stand a…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Shorts - Part 4 (La Soufriere; I Am My Films; Jag Mandir) (1977-1991): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. La Soufriere (1977) I Am My Films…
Wigan Casino, The (1977): Dir. Tony Palmer; Captivating time–capsule about The Wigan Casino, a famous dance hall near Manchester, which was home to ‘Northern Soul' in the mid 1970's, and…
Grey Gardens (1976): Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde; An intimate portrait of acute eccentricity, this offers a ‘home movie’–style insight into the lives of colourful high–society…
Harlan County USA (1976): Dir. Barbara Kopple; A vivid, enlightening documentary about a violent labour dispute on the East Kentucky coalfields, prompted by decades of poor conditions in the…
Off the Edge (1976): Dir. Michael Firth; This breathtaking film captures both the grandeur of the Southern Alps and some spectacular skiing and handgliding feats performed by an American…
Sunday in Hell, A (1976): Dir. Jorgen Leth; Classic sports documentary from dir. Jorgen Leth (THE FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS) accounting for the physically grueling, emotionally testing, and always…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Shorts - Part 3 (God's Angry Man; Echoes From a Sombre Evening; How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck) (1976-1990): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. God's Angry Man (1980) Echoes From a…
Overlord (1975): Dir. Stuart Cooper
Feat. Brian Stirner; Remarkable one–off that seamlessly interweaves archival war footage and a fictional narrative, this accounts a twenty–year–old’s…
Smokes and Lollies / Fourteen's Good, Eighteen's Better (1975-1980): Dir. Gillian Armstrong; The first of five documentaries Gillian Armstrong directed on Adelaide women Kerry, Josie and Diana, this introduces the fresh–faced trio as…
Tomorrow Show, The: John, Paul, Tom and Ringo (1975-1981): Hosted by broadcasting legend Tom Synder, this features the last ever interview with John Lennon before he disappeared from the public eye, as well…
Tribal Eye, The (TV Series) (1975): Feat. David Attenborough; New release of Sir David Attenborough's classic 1975 series exploring aspects of tribal art from indigenous communities all over the world –…
5 Films About Christo and Jeanne-Claude (Christo's Valley Curtain, Running Fence, Islands, Christo in Paris, Umbrellas) (1974-1995): Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles; The complete set of filmic documentations by the Maysles brothers (and various other directors) on the French concept–sculptors Christo and his…
Animals are Beautiful People (Beautiful People) (1974): Dir. Jamie Uys; Playful naturalist documentary engages with cuteness and a degree of artistic license life in Africa’s Namib Desert for its many animal…
Bigger Splash, A (1974): Dir. Jack Hazan; A whimsical, unconventional doco, interweaving the somewhat vacuous daily life of English painter David Hockney and his retinue, with the formal…
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1974): Dir. Phillipe Mora; Intriguing montage of Depression–era America, that combines newsreels and Hollywood movie–clips in an ambiguous, imaginative…
Edvard Munch (1974): Dir. Peter Watkins; Norwegian painter Munch's life and artistic genius is portrayed here in an original and hypnotic synthesis of documentary and drama, by acclaimed…
General Idi Amin Dada (A Self Portrait) (1974): Dir. Barbet Schroeder; General Idi Amin Dada’s narcissism is serviced willingly by an intrigued Barbet Schroeder, focusing his camera on the lunatic dictator during his…
Hearts and Minds (1974): Dir. Peter Davis; The most famous Vietnam War documentary, this ambitious project took a year to film at the cost of a million dollars, representing the catastrophe…
Johnny Cash - Ridin' The Rails: The Great American Train Story (1974): Dir. Nicholas Webster
Feat. Johnny Cash; Johnny Cash narrates this fascinating glimpse into the history of America's railroads, which includes performances of his well–loved songs…
Leonard Cohen: Bird on a Wire (1974): Dir. Tony Palmer
Feat. Leonard Cohen; Fittingly moody portrait of the master of melancholy is an intimate account of his exhausting 1972 European Tour.
Shocking Asia Vol.1 & 2 (1974-1985): Dir. Rolf Olsen; One of the original ‘video nasties’, this mondo–style reportage on extreme social practices on the Asian continent includes cremations in…
Andy Warhol and His Work (1973): Dir. Lana Jokel; Enigmatic pop artist Warhol's life and art is chronicled through a mixture of film footage and interviews.
Ascent of Man, The (TV Series) (1973): Feat. Jacob Bronowski; Renowned TV series from the era of epic–length documentaries, this analyses the progress of mankind through scientific and technological…
Inner Space (1973): Feat. Ron Taylor, Valerie Taylor; Ron and Valerie Taylor, who sit comfortably alongside Jacques Cousteau in the aquatic exploration stakes, fronted this classic nature series on the…
Painters Painting (1973): Dir. Emile de Antonio; Both a beginner's and connoisseur's guide to "Abstract Expressionism", this excellent 70's documentary provides satiating first hand insights from…
Swastika (1973): Dir. Lutz Becker, Phillipe Mora; Consisting solely of startling archival footage, this documentary portrait of the era of Adolf Hitler's domination of Nazi Germany, eschews narration…
Wattstax (1973): Dir. Mel Stuart; A little–seen yet significant concert film of the 'Wattstax' festival in Los Angeles in 1972, organised to commemorate the 7th anniversary of…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Shorts - Part 5 (The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner; The Dark Glow of the Mountains; No One Will Play With Me; Ballad of the Little Soldier) (1973-1984): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner…
World At War, The (1973): Epic – both in length and scope – series that comprehensively examines the second World War. Assembling a vast array of rare footage and…
Alistair Cooke's America (TV Series) (1972): Feat. Alistair Cooke; Considered one of the great TV documentary series, this is English broadcaster Cooke's personal view of American history and its teeming,…
Ciao! Manhattan (Edie) (1972): Dir. Sam Green, David Weisman
Feat. Roger Vadim, Isabel Jewell, Viva; The notorious documentary portrait of Andy Warhol 'superstar' Edie Sedgwick, whose beguiling good looks and dissolute lifestyle came to symbolise the…
Crystal Voyager (1972): Dir. George Greenough; A psychedelic surf oddity which sees a lone narrator build a boat and cross the ocean to find that perfect wave. Hippie tomfoolery climaxes in a…
George Harrison and Friends: The Concert for Bangladesh (1972): Feat. George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan…; A lavish presentation of possibly the first all–star charity concert, organised by ex–Beatle George Harrison in 1971 at Madison Square…
I am a Dancer (1972): Dir. Pierre Jourdan
Feat. Rudolph Nureyev; Documentary on Russian ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev is a solid record of several superb performances, with a rehearsal sequence of Glen Tetley's…
Ladies and Gentlemen...The Rolling Stones (1972): Dir. Rollin Binzer; Legendary Stones concert film captures the band at arguably their artistic peak shortly after the release of Exile on Main Street. Filmed on a…
Lenny Bruce Without Tears (1972): Dir. Fred Baker; Unsparing yet compassionate, this documentary covers the life of oneof the most renowned comedians of the 20th century, Lenny Bruce, whose stage…
Marjoe (1972): Dir. Sarah Kernochan, Howard Smith
Feat. Marjoe Gortner; Provocative Oscar winning doco about Marjoe Gortner, a child preacher who subsequently rebelled against the faith however continued preaching as an…
Morning of the Earth (1972): Dir. Albert Falzon; Acclaimed as one of the greatest surfing films ever made, this is also a languorous and mesmerizing testament to the counter–culture spirit of…
Wild South (TV Series) (1972-1982): Acclaimed nature series from renowned wildlife documentary makers NHNZ. Includes the best episodes from the series covering the lives of a range of…
Winter Soldier (1972): Dir. Winterfilm Collective; An astonishing and rare document of the Vietnam War, which records how over one hundred members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War gathered in…
Attenborough In Paradise: The David Attenborough Specials (1971-2004): Collection of one–off TV shows hosted by David Attenborough over the years, including 'Attenborough In Paradise', 'The Lost Gods Of Easter…
Blue Water, White Death (1971): Dir. Peter Gimbel
Feat. Tom Chapin, Phil Clarkson, Valerie Taylor…; Groundbreaking and slightly campy doco featuring two shark experts Valerie and Ron Taylor as they attempt to 'de–mystify' the Great White…
On Any Sunday (1971): Dir. Bruce Brown
Feat. Steve McQueen; Cult documentary on motorcycle racing notable for the participation of bike enthusiast Steve McQueen.
Ciao, Federico! (1970): Dir. Gideon Bachmann; This portrait of director Federico Fellini was shot during the making of Satyricon. Revealing, while managing to capture his many contrasting sides.
Elvis - That's the Way It Is (1970): Dir. Denis Sanders
Feat. Elvis Presley; The King is captured in preparation of an elaborate Las Vegas concert that was to mark the end of an eight year absence from public performance. With…
Gimme Shelter (1970): Dir. David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin
Feat. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood…; The Rolling Stones captured at the summit of their popularity and musical form in 1970, on the tour that led to disaster at Altamont. The Maysles…
Groupies (1970): Dir. Ron Dorfman, Peter Nevard; A flawed but fascinating glimpse into the world of rock groupies (both male and female) during the heyday of psychedelia in 1969. Though managing…
John Pilger's Documentaries That Changed the World (The Quiet Mutiny; Do You Remember Vietnam?; Year Zero; Death of a Nation) (1970-1994): Dir. David Munro, John Pilger
Feat. John Pilger; Four of journalist John Pilger's most important documentaries, that exemplify his fiercely humanist perspective which makes few concessions to…
Let It Be (1970): Dir. Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Feat. John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney…; 'Fly on the wall' chronicling of The Beatles' recording session for their "Let It Be" album that unwittingly provided glimpses into the fractious…
Nashville Sound, The (1970): Dir. David Hoffman, Robert Elfstrom; Encyclopedic doco filmed during Country Music Week 1969, featuring a pretty impressive lineup from a great period for the form. Includes Roy…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Short - Part 2 (Land of Silence and Darkness; Handicapped Future; Fata Morgana) (1970-1971): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. Land of Silence and Darkness…
Woodstock (1970): Dir. Michael Wadleigh; Historical gathering of the world's best rock performers and half a million Americans for an unabashed weekend of sex, drugs, rock and roll and…
Calcutta (1969): Dir. Louis Malle; Louis Malle’s companion piece to PHANTOM INDIA isolates some extraordinary footage of Calcutta, presenting a fiery and tempestuous image of a city…
Civilisation (TV Series) (1969): "Not a history of the arts, but a history of life–giving beliefs and ideas made visible and audible through the medium of art." Kenneth Clark's…
Peter Weir Short Film Collection (1969-1972): Dir. Peter Weir; Four early shorts from one of Australia's greatest directing talents; "Homesdale", "Three to Go", "Three directions in Pop Music", "Incredible…
Phantom India (1969): Dir. Louis Malle; Captured on film, Louis Malle’s pilgrimage to India is relayed with remarkable and imposing gravitas as the director discovers the country, warts and…
Sorrow and the Pity, The (1969): Dir. Marcel Ophuls; A Classic. Investigating life and death in the Occupied France city of Clermont–Ferrand during WWII, chiefly through interviews, this provides…
All My Loving (1968): Dir. Tony Palmer; Early essay–piece from Tony Palmer was born from a challenge to the then–classical music documentarian by John Lennon and Paul McCartney:…
Children of the Sun (1968): Dir. Andrew McAlpine; A nostalgic time capsule from the 1960s about the burgeoning surf culture of New Zealand and Australia during the heyday of longboarding. Filmed…
Complete Monterey Pop Festival, The (Monterey Pop, Jimi Plays Monterey, Shake! Otis at Monterey) (1968-1997): Dir. D.A. Pennebaker
Feat. Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding; In 1967 the acclaimed documentary maker D.A. Pennebaker recorded performances at the Monterey Pop Festival, California. This…
Elvis - '68 Comeback Special (1968): Feat. Elvis Presley; An extraordinary and comprehensive compilation of material centering around the televised 'comeback' of Elvis Presley in 1968. In addition to the…
Rocky Road to Dublin (1968): Dir. Peter Lennon; Ex–Guardian reporter Lennon recruited French New Wave lensman Raoul Coutard to film this scathing Irish postcard, exposing wayward politics and…
Salesman (1968): Dir. David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin; Devastating look at the borderline existence of four door–to–door bible salesman, as they go their round from coffee–shop,…
Sex, Drugs And Rock 'N' Roll: The 60's Revealed (1968): The result of TV personality Bernard Braden's massive project where he interviewed dozens of celebrities from the swingin' 60s, then…
Don't Look Back - Bob Dylan (1967): Dir. D.A. Pennebaker
Feat. Bob Dylan; One of the best portraits of an artist ever committed to film, this extraordinary documentary about Bob Dylan captures the man behind the phenomenon…
Festival! (1967): Dir. Murray Lerner; A valuable time–capsule of the mid–1960s US folk movement, which browses performances from the Newport Folk Festival in the 1963–66…
History of Australian Cinema (1967-1979): A three part television special that charts the early decades of the Australian film industry and its many pioneers. Part 1: The Pictures That…
Country Calendar (TV Series) (1966-2011): The iconic New Zealand series that unveils the doings of our rural populace – their innovations, traditions and eccentricities. 'Very Best…
Endless Summer (1966): Dir. Bruce Brown
Feat. Mike Hynson, Robert August; Widely popular cult documentary follows two American surfers who trot the globe looking for the perfect wave, even stopping off at Raglan, NZ.…
National Geographic - 125 Years (1966-2012): A commemorative boxset featuring the new anniversary documentary, 'Exploring New Frontiers: National Geographic at 125 years', plus a further 11…
Tokyo Olympiad (1965): Dir. Kon Ichikawa; Ichikawa produced this 'definitive' sports documentary from the output of over a thousand cameras to capture the fascinating human element behind the…
War Game, The (1965): Dir. Peter Watkins; A bleak, heartbreaking depiction of the events that would follow a nuclear war, that was so powerful the BBC banned it from broadcast for 20 years,…
7 Up / 14 Up (Seven Plus Seven) (1964-1970): Dir. Paul Almond, Michael Apted; The first two parts of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of…
Culloden (1964): Dir. Peter Watkins; A groundbreaking documentary depicting the famous battle in 1746 between the English loyalists and Scottish Jacobites. Re–enacting this…
Four Days in November (1964): Dir. Mel Stuart; An unbiased view of events surrounding the death of JFK taken from more than eight million feet of newsreel footage encompassing joyous Kennedy…
I am Cuba (1964): Dir. Mikhail Kalatozov; One of the most renowned documentaries of the 1960s, this poetic evocation of Cuba under Batista is today notable for both its quaint politics and…
Crisis (1963): Dir. Robert Drew; Tense account of a key battle in the American Civil Rights movement with President Kennedy locked in a tense negotiation with Alabaman Governor…
It Happened Here (1963): Dir. Kevin Brownlow, Andrew Mollo; A genuine filmic curiousity, this meticulous historical fantasy proposes that Nazi Germany invaded Britain in 1940 – leading to a lengthy…
Elgar (1962): Dir. Ken Russell
Feat. Peter Brett, Rowena Gregory, George McGrath; Restrained and brilliant TV docudrama on England’s greatest 20th century composer, Edward Elgar, that made the director’s name and…
Vive Le Tour / Human, Trop Humain / Place de la Republique (1962-1974): Dir. Louis Malle; Louis Malle turns the camera on his homeland, France, in these three documentaries that reveal a curiosity in ordinary human lives: an encapsulation…
Werner Herzog Documentaries and Shorts - Part 1 (Herakles; Last Words; The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreutz; Huie's Sermon; The Flying Doctors of East Africa; Wings of Hope; Precautions Against Fanatics) (1962-1999): Dir. Werner Herzog; The complete short documentaries and fictional works of the legendary German director, over six discs. Herakles (1962) Last Words (1967) The…
Mein Kampf (1961): Dir. Erwin Leiser; Based on the infamous diary of Adolf Hitler, this is an impressive, prudent chronicle of his life, from his formative years through the horrors of…
Primary (1960): Dir. Robert Drew; Landmark documentary captures the charismatic JFK as he contests the Wisconsin Democratic Primary with Hubert Humphrey. One of the first films of…
Savage Innocents, The (1960): Dir. Nicholas Ray
Feat. Anthony Quinn, Peter O'Toole, Yoko Tani; Curiously compelling ethnological drama from dir. Ray in which an eskimo (Quinn) wages an ongoing battle for survival in the Arctic environment and…
European Nights (1959): Dir. Alessandro Blasetti; A variety bill of nightclub acts from the heyday of European cabaret. Included are acts from Carmen Sevilla, The Platters, Ukrainian Balalaika…
Delius (1958): Dir. Ken Russell; Ken Russell's BBC film biography of the music and life of English composer Frederick Delius, who had to overcome blindness and paralysis to fulfil…
Whicker's World (TV Series) (1958-1994): Feat. Alan Whicker; Fronted by one of the most celebrated social commentators and journalists of the 20th century, Alan Whicker's television masterpieces saw the polite…
Nuit et Broulliard (Night and Fog) (1955): Dir. Alain Resnais; Haunting, influential doco on the Nazi concentration camps investigates the ways in which images of past events cause guilt for those in the present,…
Divine Horseman (1953): Dir. Maya Deren; Interesting filmic record of Voodoo 'possession' dances from Haiti, shot by experimental filmmaker Deren, whose rhythmic editing patterns enhance the…
Kon-Tiki (1950): Dir. Thor Heyerdahl; Captain of the legendary Kon–Tiki, Thor Heyerdahl, recalls the experience of his crew via precious archival footage, in this powerful…
Trial at Nuremberg (1947): Dir. Jack Kaufman; Actual footage of the historic war crime hearings in which Goering, Hess and 19 other SS Nazi leaders would be brought to trial over 217 days at the…
Why We Fight (Prelude to War, Tunisian Victory, Know Your Enemy: Japan, War Comes to America, Battle of China, Battle of Britain, Divide and Conquer) (1943-1945): Dir. Frank Capra; Old boy Frank Capra directed seven raging propaganda films between ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for the rhetorically–dubbed…
WWII - The John Huston Documents (Let There Be Light; The Battle of San Pietro) (1943-1947): Dir. John Huston; Two legendary war documentaries from John Huston (THE MALTESE FALCON) who participated in WWII as a combat filmmaker yet whose films are the…
Native Land (1942): Dir. Leo Hurwitz, Paul Strand; Impassioned and authentic, this landmark film call for social revolution in Depression–era America blends vivid re–anactments with actual…
War Years (1939-1945): An excellent representative selection of wartime footage shot by the National Film Unit during WW2. Originally distributed as newsreels, this…
Olympiad (1936): Dir. Leni Riefenstahl; Hitler confidant Leni Riefenstahl's legendary recording of the Berlin Olympics when German nationalism and Nazi pride was at fever pitch. A…
Hooked: Anti-Drug Films from the 30's to the 70's (1935-1979): Dir. Various; Typically alarmist and all the funnier for it this set of nine "educational" shorts never lets research get in the way of putting the fear into…
Triumph of the Will (1935): Dir. Leni Riefenstahl; The famous official document of the Nazi rally at Nuremberg, 1934, shot in stunning geometric compositions. This manages to stagger the senses, while…
Britain in the Thirties (1934-1939): Dir. Various; A compilation of short films from Britain’s flowering of innovative documentary and experimental film during the 1930s. Featured films: Song of…
Man of Aran (1934): Dir. Robert Flaherty
Feat. Colman 'Tiger' King, Maggie Dirrane, Michael Dillane; Powerful study of the daily struggle for survival on the Aran Islands off the western coast of Ireland, without even the benefit of soil to plant…
90 Degrees South (1933): Dir. Herbert G Ponting; Awe–inspiring footage from Robert Falcon Scott's disastrous expedition to the South Pole in 1910, covering the ship–voyage and…
Las Hurdes (Land Without Bread) (1933): Dir. Luis Bunuel; Surrealist non–fiction short film focused around Las Hurdes, the poorest region of Western Spain. An unnervingly straight travelogue delivered…
Land of Promise - The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950 (1931-1951): A revealing, 40–strong film archival of British society, culture, work ethic, and nationalism, preserved in documentaries shot during the…
Time to Remember, A - New Zealand Edition (Movietone Edition) (1930-1975): Comprehensive archive of New Zealand Cinesound and Movietone newsreels, from 1930–1975. Surveying five decades of Kiwi history and heritage,…
Nanook of the North (1922): Dir. Robert Flaherty; Landmark early documentary that was also dir. Flaherty's debut, depicting life for a plucky Eskimo family who use all their ingenuity to survive in…
Time to Remember, A - British Empire Edition (Movietone Edition) (1920-1980): Widespread collection of British Empire Movietone newsreels, from 1920–1980. Providing an unbeatable insight into major events in British…
South (1919): Dir. Frank Hurley; Documentary portrait of the most epic survival story of our time, Ernest Shackleton's 1914 expedition to the South Pole, in which their ship became…
Time to Remember, A - World Edition (Pathe Edition ) (1900-1980): World edition of this invaulable newsreel series, compiling segments from the Pathe archives on two World Wars, totalitarianism, the Holocaust,…
20th Century Newsreels: A leisurely tour through the most famous newsreels of the 20th century, from the Boer War and San Francisco earthquake to Chuck and Di's wedding.…
50 Worst Movies Ever Made: An appropriately schlocky, American–centered countdown of the 'worst movies ever made', ranging from classic cult items like "Glen or Glenda"…
A Life to Remember - Frederic Chopin: 2 disc ode to the great classical pianist Chopin by internationally celebrated pianist and Chopin enthusiast–Alan Kogosowski, performing over…
Adventures in Maoriland: An insight into the making of 'Hei Tiki', a romantic drama by American Alexander Markey, circa 1930. From the Education and Resource Series.
Alfred Hitchcock - Legend: The Master of Suspense discusses his film–making techniques and career, as well as interviews with those that worked with him and many excerpts…
Birding - The Complete Series: Ornitholigists rejoice! The eccentric bird expert Dave Gosney takes the viewer along for the ride as he traverse the globe looking for rare and…
CNN: 1991 Year in Review: America's News Network takes a look at a significant year in history – from the Russian revolution and the Gulf war to general events in sport,…
Compleat Beatles, The: Feat. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison…; Almost everything you ever wanted to know about the pop music phenomenon is here contained. Their performances, recording and marketing techniques…
Dalekmania: Feat. Peter Cushing; Cast members and cultists take a nostalgic peek at the making of the Dr. Who feature films.
Day the Wall Came Down: Chronicle of events that led to the falling of the Berlin Wall and the re–integration of East and West Germany.
Death Row + Worst Crimes of the 20th Century: Part one looks at the history of capital punishment in America while the second examines four of the most horrific mass murders of this century…
Doors, The - Tribute to Jim Morrison: An interesting documentary on which much of Oliver Stone's film was based. Much rare footage is intercut with interviews from band members and…
Empires (TV Series): Epic mini–series series focused on the greatest eras of our time and how they shaped the world as we know it. Directed by respected…
Exiles - The Story Of A Polish Journey: Dir. John Anderson; A 30 year old writer and historian endeavours to uncover more about her Polish mother's harrowing life prior to arriving in Wellington in 1944, as…
Fish Tank Tele: Impress your party guests and turn your television set into an instant aqaurium! Contains sixty minutes of action–packed fish life.
Football's Greatest: 25 legends of the round ball game are considered for the title of world's greatest footballer in this engrossing sports series. Disc 1 –…
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras: The official videos of both the 1994 and 1995 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade integrating insider and public interviews with the famously flamboyant street…
Great Crimes and Trials of the Twentieth Century: This absorbing crime series analyses the grim details of century's most heinous yet fascinating crimes. Five volumes to quench that voyeuristic…
Great War, The: Nine million died over the four years of World War 1. This chronicles events with exclusive use of achival footage.
History of Pornography: Dir. Hons Wegmunsen; Raw expose of the origins and changing social implications of taboo erotica. The 'stag' movies of the '30s and '40s, in this context are particularly…
Horror of Hammer, The: Brilliant collection of movie trailers from Hammer Studios horror heyday in the 1950s and 60s. Includes all the classics, plus two featurettes…
Ingmar Bergman - Distinction Series: Useful collection of several documentaries and articles relating to the singular Swedish filmmaker. Also contains a short doco on the great…
Inside The Vatican: Intriguing – if a little insubstantial – documentary, granting 'unprecedented' access into the worlds tiniest state, the Vatican. Worth…
Journeys in the NZ Heartland: Feat. Gary McCormick; From Stewart Island to Cape Reinga, Kiwi bloke Gary McCormick exposes out–of–the–way New Zealand by way of a scenic adventure.
Joys of the Women: Dir. Franco Di Chiera; An Australian–Italian folk–singer rediscovers the songs of her grandmother's generation in this inspiring document of her search, and…
Keri Hulme: An encounter with the acclaimed writer by Gaylene Preston plus an except from Hulme's short story 'Hooks and Feelers'. From the Education and…
Life and Crimes of Ronald Arthur Biggs, The: Comprehensive documentary with the train robber and former world's most hunted fugitive Ronnie Biggs recounting his various exploits. Filmed in the…
Making Movies: This complete movie–making serial collates footage from the golden age to give insight into the role of the director, the actors,…
Maori - Culture, Traditions and History: Historical doco presented by NZ historian Don Stafford tracing the history of Maori from their arrival on the fair shores of Aotearoa to traditional…
Newest City On the Globe: Dir. Peter Wells, Stewart Main; From the Education and Resource Series, this is Peter Wells and Stewart Main's film about our art deco city, Napier.
Pop - The Conspiracy of Popular Culture: Dir. Aaron Keown; Laughable, local–made conspiracy ‘doco’ concerns a dubious Larry Loungehard galavanting around the world with various pop cultural icons in his…
RFK Must Die: Dir. Shane O'Sullivan; Provocative documentary, the thesis of which is that convicted murderer Sirhan Sirhan did not act alone, but in fact assassinated Kennedy while under…
Rhino's Guide to Safe Sex: A hilarious retrospective of public service sexual films from the '40s, '50s and '60s, detailing everything from proper petting etiquette to military…
Shocking San Francisco / Weirdo New York: Dir. Charles Gatewood; Two galleries in which Gatewood's low–tech perv–cam sniffs out dubious delights from both capitals of kink. SEE a mistress of…
This Is Horror I & II: Feat. George Romero, Clive Barker, Dario Argento…; Two informative and entertaining documentaries that celebrate the best of modern horror. Contains many excerpts from films (some unavailable) with…
Ufos Are Real!: Close encounters of all kinds and conspiracy cover–ups are revealed in this tabloid–style doco which is determined to have you believe!…
Wake: Dir. Annie Goldson; Annie Goldson's complex film that examines 'NZ as the promised land for immigrants'. From the Education and Resource series.

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