30m; U.S.
Director: Peter Miller
Cast: Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg
Synopsis: Idealism, socialism, and the power of music in people’s lives.
Category Archives: Entertainment Industry
The Waiters (2006)
85m; U.S.
Director: Derik Wingo
Cast: Derik Wingo, Lorrainne Petersen and Scott Vogel
Synopsis: Taylor Starks and his co-workers, all aspiring actors, toil in a Los Angeles restaurant while “waiting” for their big break.
Them That Work – How Matewan Inspired a State (2009)
3:12; U.S.
Director: Jason Brown
Synopsis: Documentary about John Sayles’s “Matewan.” Features interviews with John Sayles, Chris Cooper, David Straithairn, and others.
Contact: http://www.themthatwork.com/TTW/Home.html
Thurmond, West Virginia (1996)
22m; U.S.
Director: Laura Harrison
Synopsis: This films documents the falling fortunes of Thurmond, a coal town. Thurmond was once a thriving community, yet today it stands as a ghost town in the making. It was also the main filming location for John Sayles’ film “Matewan.” This film, directed by Laura Harrison, looks at the history the town, while subtly probing deeper issues about the importance of community and the identity of a place.
Who Needs Sleep? (2006)
75m; U.S.
Director: Haskell Wexler
Stars: David Agus, Netta Bank and Annette Bening |
Documentary highlights the deadly combination of sleep deprivation and long days of work.
The Writers Guild of America Strike of 2007-2008 [2008]
15m; U.S.
Director: Laura Fishman
Synopsis: How the WGA won a fair share from the entertainment industry.
Contact: lfishman@ucsc.edu
Even the Rain (También la Lluvia) [2010]
103m; Spain/Mexico/France
Director: Icíar Bollaín
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Luis Tosar and Karra Elejalde
Synopsis: A Spanish film crew comes to Cochabamba, Bolivia in 1999 to make a film about Christopher Columbus. The intent is to do a revisionist account portraying Columbus not as a hero, but as a conqueror. The film crew is not well financed and looking to cut costs, which includes to indigenous Bolivians being hired to star in the movie. At the same time, a mounting wave of protests is occurring, with one of the film extras serving as a major leader, over the privatization of Cochabamba’s water supply. The film crew becomes entangled in the protests in an ever more complex and deep ways. A superb film about the intersections and limits of art and politics.
Starkiss: Circus Girls in India (2003)
77m; Netherlands/India
Director: Jascha de Wilde, Chris Relleke
Synopsis (IMDB): This documentary provides an interesting look at the life of young girls (as young as 7)who are basically sold to the circus as performers. Some parent’s, having received advances on their daughter’s contracts, abandon them for years. Others, pay occasional visits to their daughters, often coming for another advance. The girls are basically jailed, unable to communicate with anyone other than their trainers and guard. A well done documentary providing some really poignant shots and candid interviews.
Strictly Background
84m; U.S.
Director: Jason Connell
Cast: Terry Bolo, Geoffrey Gould and Cecilia Hartfeld
Synopsis (IMDB): For decades, film and television audiences have watched their favorite stars with little thought or concern for the people standing behind them. All of that is about to change as “Strictly Background” explores the charm and determination of some of Hollywood’s hardest working actors, professional “extras.” Turning industry convention on its head, this humorous & heartfelt documentary follows ten background actors as they navigate their way on and off the set. Both a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and a character-driven film, “Strictly Background” is a dynamic exploration into the pursuit of stardom and the real life struggle to stand out
Stuntman (1980)
A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady.
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