The Witness

Cult People

January 1989 •English

In interviews, various actors and directors discuss their careers and their involvement in the making of what has come to be known as "cult" films. Included are such well-known genre figures as Russ Meyer, Curtis Harrington, Cameron Mitchell and James Karen.

Pandora Peaks

October 2004 •English

A dialogue-free documentary on former magazine model Pandora Peaks, with narration by Peaks and Meyer.

Michael Monroe -dokumenttielokuva

September 2023 •Finnish

The documentary tells the story how Matti Fagerholm became Michael Monroe. It all began in the late 1970s with Hanoi Rocks, and over 40 years later, Michael Monroe, who still performs solo around the world, is a well known rock icon. The film features not only Monroe but also many international rock superstars and Monroe's mother. The movie covers Monroe's entire career, from tragic turning points to shining moments. In the documentary, Monroe openly talks about his journey towards his dream, the challenges in his career, and the setbacks he has experienced. He has given his all to the genre, never giving up or succumbing to difficulties and misfortunes.

The Simón's Jigsaw: A Trip to the Universe of Juan Piquer Simón

October 2015 •Spanish

A journey through the work of Spanish filmmaker Juan Piquer Simón (1935-2011).

Život podle Václava Havla

December 2014 •Czech

Pablo's Hippos

January 2010 •English

Recounting the absurd and paradoxical history of Colombia's thirty-year struggle with international drug trafficking, at once a farce and a tragedy, as seen through the eyes of the extravagant pet of the most powerful drug baron in history: a hippopotamus named Pablo.

La véritable histoire de D'Artagnan

June 2020 •French

The Real Edie

July 2007 •English

A documentary about Edie Sedgwick featuring photos of her and clips from Factory Girl, narrated by her real-life friends and loved ones, including her brother Jonathan, cousin John Sedgwick, roommate Danny Fields, artists Richie Berlin and Gerard Malanga, photographer Nat Finkelstein, designer Betsey Johnson, and others.

Monuments Are Here

August 2024 •English

In this short film starring Grady “Shady the Great” Thomas, Solange seeks to illustrate Black domesticity and collections, and the evanescent emotion that immortalises the physical objects we own, captured in the tape of its own medium.

After Porn Ends 2

March 2017 •English

After Porn Ends 2 picks up where its predecessor left off and not only turns back the clock to meet the oldest living stars in adult film's history, but goes in depth with some of Its most current retirees and juxtaposes their experiences in a life after porn. Delving deeper into society's ongoing stigmas of race, misogyny, and the reality of decreasing opportunities for these former VHS box cover stars. For some, their careers in adult entertainment is accepted proudly and without regret. In fact, it seems to have proven to be the pathway to their current happiness and inner peace. For others, however, a career in porn has proven to be a conduit to certain despair as they struggle to find a way to bury their past and emerge with a new career or calling.

Glenn Gould: Extasis

December 1993 •French

A collection of recollections and opinions of and about Glenn Gould, interspersed with excerpts of archive footage of the great Canadian pianist speaking and playing.

Sabine Weiss, One Century of Photography

August 2023 •French

In nearly a century, Sabine Weiss (1924-2021) has left behind a monumental and eclectic work: thousands of faces, collections of the greatest fashion designers in prestigious magazines, a Parisian working-class now disappeared, photoreports around the world… By focusing on the margins of society, she was an exceptional witness of the 20th century. For the first time, a film draws the portrait of this hard-worker artist and captures the last words of the greatest female figure of the Humanist photography (Robert Doisneau, Henri Cartier-Bresson).

An Honest Liar

April 2014 •English

An Honest Liar tells the incredible story of the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James 'The Amazing' Randi. The film brings to life Randi's intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru names Carlos.

The Byrd Who Flew Alone: The Triumphs and Tragedy of Gene Clark

November 2013 •English

A documentary on the life and work of Gene Clark, co-founder of The Byrds, whose subsequent career was a rollercoaster of pioneering music and personal disaster.

Vegg Vegg Vegg

June 2022 •Norwegian

Norway's most popular duo Karpe, invest all their money and time in an immersive show to be performed for only 100 people. What is meant as a gift to the fans and a creative awakening after 20 years as artists, almost costs them their careers and their friendship.

Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary

March 2002 •German

Documentarians Andre Heller and Othmar Schmiderer turn their camera on 81-year-old Traudl Junge, who served as Adolf Hitler's secretary from 1942 to 1945, and allow her to speak about her experiences. Junge sheds light on life in the Third Reich and the days leading up to Hitler's death in the famed bunker, where Junge recorded Hitler's last will and testament. Her gripping account is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Herbert von Karajan: Maestro for the Screen

April 2008 •German

Documentary on conductor Herbert van Karajan, focusing on his early adoption of audio and video recording technology and his impetus to make use of it to preserve his musical legacy for future generations.

The Man Who Defied Beijing

May 2019 •French

A portrait of Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo (1955-2017), a witness of the Tiananmen Square massacre (1989), a dissident, a woodpecker who tirelessly pecked the putrid brain of the Communist regime for decades, demanding democracy loudly and fearlessly. Silenced, arrested, convicted, imprisoned, dead. Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2010, alive forever. These are his last words.

When the Cows Come Home

July 2022 •English

When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.

The Armstrong Tapes

July 2019 •English

Never-before-heard audio tapes recorded with Neil Armstrong during the final years of his life reveal an intimate portrait of this iconic - and famously private - man. Illustrated through previously unseen personal photographs and archival footage, this documentary special takes viewers on an emotional journey into the thoughts and experiences of the first man on the Moon.