The English Potter

Mind of Clay

March 1985 •Hindi

In a poetic hour and a half, director Mani Kaul looks at the ancient art of making pottery from a wide variety of perspectives.

[sound of subtitles]

October 2021 •English

Deaf artist Seo Hye Lee gives new subtitles to a selection of archive films about pottery, ones which playfully examine the disparity between how people with different levels of hearing experience art.

Steph Jane - A Portrait Story

September 2019 •English

Through an intimate conversation, Steph Jane, age 28, shares the struggles and lessons her second diagnosis of stage-4 cancer has taught her. From being genuinely present and savouring simple moments to thoughts of the future and what really matters, Steph reveals beauty and wisdom which transcend appearance and years.

Woven Songs of the Amazon

January 2007 •English

The Shipibo-Konibo people of Peruvian Amazon decorate their pottery, jewelry, textiles, and body art with complex geometric patterns called kené. These patterns also have corresponding songs, called icaros, which are integral to the Shipibo way of life. This documentary explores these unique art forms, and one Shipibo family's efforts to safeguard the tradition.

The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz

September 2010 •English

The Emmy-winning story of how an American treasure hunter and a Mexican artist transformed a dying desert village into a home for world-class art.

Edward Prince of Wales' Tour of India: Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Delhi

February 1922 •English

The future Edward VIII enjoys a stately procession and visits the Taj Mahal before meeting senior Indian royalty.

Five Towns

January 1947 •English

A look at a family living in Stoke-on-Trent in the 1940's and what it's like working in the pottery factories that Stoke is famous for.

Living Art

May 2024 •Bengali

The thousand-year-old tradition of pottery in the Indian subcontinent is now under threat. With the market being flooded with plastic in the evolution of civilization, today this Pal community is becoming displaced.

The Pottery Makers

June 1965 •Spanish

Raymundo Gleyzer's documentary on o community of Pottery Makers in the west of Cordoba province in Argentina who create pieces to sell to the tourists.

The Pottery Maker

January 1925 •English

A little girl watches the craftsman at work while inter-titles explain the particulars of pottery-making.

Artistas e Artesãos

January 1964 •Portuguese

Documentary about pottery from Barcelos.

The Bride in Black

October 1990 •English

A Brooklyn widow (Susan Lucci) traces the past of her boxer/sculptor husband (David Soul), gunned down on their wedding day.

Go on, My Son

April 1986 •Chinese

Ghost

July 1990 •English

After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic.

Between Us

May 1969 •Swedish

A man lives with his family in a small community. He is seen as a deviant, abnormal person by society.

The Story of Peter and the Potter

January 1953 •English

In this short drama, Peter accidentally breaks a glass bowl intended as a birthday gift for his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Deichmann and their daughter Anneke, all artisans in clay, come to the rescue and make him one of their designs while Peter watches. Every stage, from the first turn of the potter's wheel to the final glazing and baking, is shown.

Indian Crafts: Hopi, Navajo And Iroquois

January 1980 •English

This film explores the traditional crafts of Native American tribes, specifically the Hopi, Navajo, and Iroquois. It highlights the craftsmanship of Hopi basket weaving and pottery, showcasing their techniques and cultural significance. The Navajo's weaving of wool blankets and rugs, as well as their silver jewelry making process, is also detailed. Additionally, the film discusses the Iroquois tradition of carving ceremonial masks from basswood trees. Each craft reflects the unique heritage and artistic expressions of these tribes.

Clay

June 1965 •English

A killer on the run is found lying flat on his face in a wet clay bank. He is rescued by potters who shelter him within their community. There he falls in love with a woman. Unfortunately, another man who has been calling upon the woman gets jealous and turns the fugitive in to the cops. The woman gets revenge.

Hold on Tight

July 2011 •English

A short documentary exploring the ways LGBT couples show affection, and how small interactions like holding hands in public can carry, not only huge personal significance, but also the power to create social change.

Un volto tra la folla

January 2008 •Italian