The Matica slovenská (a mostly government-sponsored cultural, academic, and archival institution) employed Karol Plicka (1894-1987) as its ethnographer, who was able to make documentary shorts from about 1926. He obtained funding from the President’s Office in 1928 to produce an hour-long documentary about village life, Through Mountains and Valleys (Po horách, po dolách). It was awarded a Gold Medal at the International Exposition of Photographic Art in Florence and received an Honorable Mention at the International Venice Film Festival in 1932.
Karel Plicka was also cinematographer of this short movie. Editor in charge was Alexander Hackenschmied. There is an extraordinary emotional charge, every shot is working on its own, such as photographs, paintings and poetic complement intertitles in this short. From the perspective of nature and the perspective is shifting to the people and their habits, work and clothes. Peculiar documentary shots underscore Ruthenians (men, women and children) who are interested in looking into the camera and the curious "eye" showing off their habits.
Since ancient times, the Green Man has been one of the most mysterious and menacing of mythical characters. He also has a familiar face as Robin Hood , Jack in the Green and on numerous pub signs. Across the arts from comic strips to classical opera, the Green Man is now making a comeback. Where is he taking us? Writer Sir Kingsley Amis , film director John Boorman , composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle and other leading artists offer their interpretations of the mystery in this Omnibus documentary film from 16th November, 1990.
In Africa there is a fable that explains the creation of the tides. When a hyaena challenged a mudskipper to a drinking contest to decide who should own the shore, the god Mungu tilted the earth so the sea flowed inland, and neither could win.
Workers on strike who have not been paid for months and tourists who are forced to wait in their steamy cars in the middle of the tourist season. Krk Bridge, Croatia. August 16th, 2012.
Bas Jan Ader rides his bike into a canal in Amsterdam.
Mythos Amalfiküste - Liebe, Laster, Dolce Vita
The documentary talks a little about the carnival experience that Arlindo Rodrigues had during his more than 25 years of artistic life.
A film about the island of Jersey in the 1960s
A group of teenagers go out to a den in the woods for a night of drinking, unaware that their behaviour touches on issues of ritual, folklore, mysticism and UFOs.
Chez Schwartz takes us inside a year in the life of Schwartz's Deli - the unique 75-year-old landmark on Montreal's historic Main. Filmed through changing seasons, from the quiet of early morning preparation to the frenetic bustle of packed lunch times and never ending line-ups, to the more relaxed ambiance late at night - Chez Schwartz is an evocative, cinematic portrait of a small spunky deli known worldwide equally for its atmosphere and smoked meat.
Grüße aus Dachau
In the same vein as Meri's other documentations, this one takes advantage of the glasnost policy to discuss the social and ecologic impact of the Russian oil industry on the natives and the lands they inhabit.
Adventurer, filmmaker, inventor, author, unlikely celebrity and conservationist: For over four decades, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his explorations under the ocean became synonymous with a love of science and the natural world. As he learned to protect the environment, he brought the whole world with him, sounding alarms more than 50 years ago about the warming seas and our planet’s vulnerability. In BECOMING COUSTEAU, from National Geographic Documentary Films, two-time Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus takes an inside look at Cousteau and his life, his iconic films and inventions, and the experiences that made him the 20th century’s most unique and renowned environmental voice — and the man who inspired generations to protect the Earth.
La Grande Aventure du France
Touring this historic, romantic and ruggedly beautiful land, from it's craggy ocean shores to its North Sea islands--from its mist-shrouded mountains to its ancient cities. This is Scotland! Embarking from the colorful Borders and Hadrian's Wall we travel to the abbeys, and to Gretna Green. To Ayr, Dumfries and Culzean Castle, with its memories of General Eisenhower. And on to the Cinderella city of Glasgow and Loch Lomond. To Oban, Ben Nevis, Glenfinnan and haunting Glencoe. Excursion to fabled island--Skye, holy Iona and "Fingal's Cave"--and on to the Orkneys and the Shetlands, renowned for their loveable ponies.
Tour scenic England, the island in the silver sea that holds a special place for us all.
An island of radiant greens, like the facets of an emerald, Ireland is known as the friendliest land on earth.
A travel video about the sights and locales of east Asia.
Documentary from Kiwi filmmaker Florian Habicht on the most successful haunted attraction in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland’s Spookers.