Political Bodies

The Corporation

September 2003 •English

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

November 2022 •English

The life of internationally renowned artist and activist Nan Goldin is told through her slideshows, intimate interviews, ground-breaking photography, and rare footage of her personal fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the overdose crisis.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

July 2017 •English

Describing herself as a 'street queen,' Johnson was a legendary fixture in New York City’s gay ghetto and a tireless voice for LGBT pride since the days of Stonewall, who along with fellow trans icon Sylvia Rivera, founded Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), a trans activist group based in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village. Her death in 1992 was declared a suicide by the NYPD, but friends never accepted that version of events. Structured as a whodunit, with activist Victoria Cruz cast as detective and audience surrogate, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson celebrates the lasting political legacy of Johnson, while seeking to finally solve the mystery of her unexplained death.

Stories Our Cinema Did (Not) Tell

March 2017 •Portuguese

Filled with raunchy laughs, this documentary compiles outrageous scenes from sex-comedies that shaped Brazil's "pornochanchada" boom of the 1970s.

The Revenge of Bernadette Chirac

October 2023 •French

Berkeley in the Sixties

April 1990 •English

A documentary about militant student political activity at the University of California, Berkeley in the 1960s.

Madame

November 2019 •Portuguese

The documentary tells the story of Camille Cabral, Northeastern woman, transsexual, first Brazilian elected in France.

Une vie contre l'oubli

October 2016 •French

Portrait of Belgian historian, reporter and documentarian André Dartevelle.

Gavin Grimm vs.

September 2017 •English

In 2016, transgender teen Gavin Grimm sued his local school board after its members refused to let him use the bathroom of his choice. He was ready to take his case all the way to the Supreme Court—and then the election happened.

The Incredible Mr. Piccoli

May 2017 •French

A captivating portrait of French actor Michel Piccoli, who has worked with the greatest filmmakers of his time and has built a dazzling career of remarkable merit and success, focusing on his work during the 1970s and his professional relationship with Claude Sautet, Romy Schneider, Marco Ferreri and Luis Buñuel.

The History of the Carabiner

May 2025 •English

Through a creative blend of mixed-media and charismatic narration balancing humor, sass and historical gravity, discover the queer history of the carabiner in this latest WaterBear Original, directed by Gianna Mazzeo and made in partnership with Nikon. Follow the carabiner’s story, from its humble 1911 climbing roots (thanks, Otto "Rambo" Herzog), to empowering butch mechanics and postal workers in the 60s, becoming a potent signal of identity and attraction in the 80’s (think Tinder, but with hardware) and as a TikTok fashion sensation today.

Serving in Secret: Love, Country, and Don't Ask, Don't Tell

November 2023 •English

Tracing the U.S. military's long history of discrimination against the gay community and one couple's personal journey for acceptance.

LaDonna Harris: Indian 101

March 2014 •English

A documentary film about Comanche activist LaDonna Harris, who led an extensive life of Native political and social activism, and is now passing on her traditional cultural and leadership values to a new generation of emerging Indigenous leaders.

Redwood Summer

June 1990 •English

A recruitment video created by Earth First! in 1990 to promote their Redwood Summer initiative.

Truxx

December 1978 •English

A short manifesto of collective resistance to police oppression in the wake of the historic 1977 raid on the Montreal gay bar Truxx.

McLibel

May 2005 •English

McLibel is a documentary film directed by Franny Armstrong for Spanner Films about the McLibel case. The film was first completed, as a 52 minute television version, in 1997, after the conclusion of the original McLibel trial. It was then re-edited to 85 minute feature length in 2005, after the McLibel defendants took their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Prostitutes of Lyon Speak

January 1975 •French

Documentary about the Lyon sex workers who occupied the church of St. Nizier on June 3, 1975.

Citizen: The Political Life of Allard K. Lowenstein

May 1983 •English

Chronicles the life of Allard K. Lowenstein, the political activist and Congressman known for his tireless anti-war and civil rights activism.

Huey P. Newton: Prelude to Revolution

January 1971 •English

Hear the inside story of Huey Newton and the Black Panthers with this documentary that examines their efforts to promote the rights of African Americans as well as the organization's violent tactics, including the killing of a police officer. The film features a rare jailhouse interview with Newton discussing the role of revolution and civil disobedience, plus footage of several Panthers' bullet-riddled homes following police raids.

Queercore: How to Punk a Revolution

June 2017 •English

A documentary on Queercore, the cultural and social movement that began as an offshoot of punk and was distinguished by its discontent with society's disapproval of the gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender communities.