Genres: documentary

  • When East Meets East

    A documentary that looks at post-colonial identity, in particular Chinese identity and its construction in the international cinema of ethnic Chinese. Canadian filmmaker Kalli Paakspuu and student activists from China’s pro-democracy movement, Kevin Feng Ke, used an hermeneutic approach and double-voice techniques to expand our notions of the Chinese by surveying the 90’s cinema from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, United States and Canada. The filmmakers question the taken-for-granted identity within ethnic communities, weaving a geographic and cultural reality that is uniquely contradictory and inhabited by multiple identities living outside national boundaries.

  • Where Is Memory

    “Part fictional narrative, part travelogue, part documentary, this unusual film serves as another sign that non-fiction film as we know it is going through a major revolution. Engaging fictional narrative elements to create a ‘mystery,’ ‘Where Is Memory’ is a boldly original and affecting meditation on the nature of complicity and the Third Reich. Masterful use of archival footage matched with contemporary footage of Europe, a haunting score and an inspired mix of realities for a thoughtfully framed poetic odyssey that charts new cinematic territory.” – Judges’ Award, Northwest International Film Festival “Mixing narrative with archival and new footage, ‘Where…

  • Where the City and Water Meet

    “Where the City and Water Meet” is a film of interest to those who like to trace urban history or restore its heritage, and to those who plan cities professionally or advocate the citizen’s view of planning. It is for sailors, swimmers, stollers, indeed anyone who has felt that special attraction to the threshold “Where the City and Water Meet.” A study guide is available for teachers who wish to use the film at secondary or post-secondary levels.

  • Wild Wheels

    A comic and revealing exploration of Art Cars, personally customized automobiles which reflect the individualistic spirit of their drivers. Traveling across the country in his own wildly decorate VW bug, Blank discovers a memorable cast of real-life characters who are obsessed with transforming their cars into mobile works of art.

  • Woodbridge

    “Woodbridge” is a deeply personal exposé of family life within the context of first generation Italian-Canadian Roman Catholics. The film revolves around the journey of a boy from early childhood through adulthood. It highlights the conflicts of growing up in the space between two cultures with radically different customs and values. While this film documents the particular experiences of one child, it is a reflection of a sociological phenomenon common to many Canadian children. “Woodbridge” is different from most other documentary work primarily because the camera adopts the role of the protagonist. It represents the viewer with a multitude of…

  • You Could Save a Life

    “You Could Save a Life” is designed to create greater public awareness about water safety in unsupervised swimming areas. By presenting a short story in dramatic form, “You Could Save a Life” offers a new approach to water safety regulations and life-saving procedures.

  • Yum Yum Yum!

    Les Blank marries his passion for spicy, down home food and his love for Cajuns and Creoles in this mouth-watering, exploration of the cooking and other enthusiasms of French-speaking Louisiana. Features tangy music, Marc Savoy, Paul Prudhomme, and other great cooks.

  • Ziveli: Medicine for the Heart!

    This little-known Blank gem is a portrait of the Serbian-American communities of Chicago and California, highlighting their history in this country, their music, dancing and religion.

  • Zum Ditter

    A rare document of amateur sound poet and “stunter” extraordinaire, Allan MacKay, exploiting the greatest name in music – Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799). In this extemporary performance piece, camera and actor develop a tight rapport like two instruments in a jazz band. Nothing is rehearsed except the finale, itself discovered by accident. The narrative structure of the piece establishes a subversive dialetic as bizarre as the filmmaker’s own piano punk-tuations, added later. “Quite interesting – quite interesting indeed.” – Allan McFee, Eclectic Circus, CBC 1979

  • Goodbye Two Day Weekends

    “Goodbye Two Day Weekends” is a remarkable film about family run businesses. We see unique families, including a Japanese family who manage a fish market and sushi bar, Estonian immigrants who run a bakery, and a family who juggles two separate businesses.