Independent Lens
Overview
Independent Lens, an esteemed Emmy Award-winning anthology, showcases a diverse range of documentaries alongside a select few fiction films. Each selection highlights the artistic flair and bold narratives crafted by independent filmmakers. The series delves into compelling tales that celebrate remarkable individuals, vibrant communities, or pivotal moments in history, offering viewers a thought-provoking glimpse into the world through the lens of creativity and authenticity. Each episode promises a distinctive experience, reflecting the power of independent storytelling.
Episodes
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8
Accidental Courtesy
Acclaimed musician Daryl Davis engages in a provocative and unique pursuit: forging friendships with KKK members, many of whom have never encountered ...
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2
Dawnland
Dawnland uncovers the hidden narrative of Indigenous child displacement in the U.S. by showcasing the inaugural government-sanctioned truth and recon...
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7
Rodents of Unusual Size
Rodents of Unusual Size delves into the unsettling reality faced by Louisiana inhabitants as they confront an alarming invasion of massive swamp rats,...
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8
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World
RUMBLE unveils the vibrant narrative of how Native American contributions have profoundly impacted the evolution of rock and roll, highlighting a cru...
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9
The King
Four decades following Elvis Presley's passing, director Eugene Jarecki embarks on a musical journey across America in the King’s iconic 1963 Rolls-...
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11
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
In "Hale County This Morning, This Evening," RaMell Ross presents an evocative and personal exploration of Hale County, Alabama, capturing the essence...
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12
People's Republic of Desire
In a time when technology enhances our ability to communicate, are we more disconnected than we realize? People's Republic of Desire delves into the ...
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1
Made in Boise
In the heart of Boise, a diverse group of nurses, nail technicians, and homemakers are embracing the role of paid reproductive surrogates for clients...
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2
Decade of Fire
Decade of Fire reveals a startling and overlooked chapter of American urban history, focusing on the devastation of the South Bronx during the 1970s. ...
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13
Bedlam
Spanning a five-year period, Bedlam delves into the mental health epidemic by sharing the personal narratives of individuals frequently navigating th...
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15
Jim Allison: Breakthrough
"Jim Allison: Breakthrough" chronicles the inspiring journey of a determined and compassionate man on his mission to discover a cancer cure. This tri...
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18
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project
Over three decades, Marion Stokes passionately documents American television, amassing an extensive collection of 70,000 VHS tapes. This remarkable ar...
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19
Pipe Dreams
"Pipe Dreams" redefines the traditional perception of the pipe organ by showcasing a new wave of enthusiastic and skilled young organists preparing f...
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1
Feels Good Man
Feels Good Man chronicles the journey of artist Matt Furie, who created the innocent comic character Pepe the Frog. As Pepe became co-opted by variou...
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2
Represent
Represent tells the story of three women vying for political office in the Midwest as the 2018 midterm elections approach. They confront deep-rooted ...
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3
Jonathan Scott's Power Trip
In "Jonathan Scott's Power Trip," the HGTV star explores the challenges and potential of the solar industry in America. He delves into the impact of f...
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4
Belly of the Beast
A surprising partnership uncovers a disturbing trend of unauthorized sterilizations occurring in women’s correctional facilities, protected by both ...
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5
A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem
A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Issue explores the ongoing battle to address the gender wage disparity within the National Football League. ...
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6
A Day in the Life of America / American Nomads
In "A Day in the Life of America," filmmaker Jared Leto presents a profound yet personal glimpse into the nation, captured on a single July 4th in 201...
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7
9to5: The Story of a Movement
Dolly Parton's iconic song "9 to 5" was inspired by a genuine movement initiated by a collective of secretaries in the early 1970s. Their aspirations...
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8
Women in Blue
Amid ongoing discussions about police reform, Women in Blue highlights the efforts of women in the Minneapolis Police Department striving to bring ab...
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9
Mr. SOUL!
Debuting in 1968, SOUL! marked the first all-Black variety show to be aired nationally on public television, blending artists from the fringes with t...
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10
Coded Bias
Coded Bias chronicles the journey of Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist at M.I.T. Media Lab, who, alongside a diverse group of data scientists, math...
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12
The Donut King
"The Donut King" presents a captivating immigrant narrative featuring Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who landed in California during the 1970s. Combini...
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13
Two Gods
This poignant documentary delves into themes of faith, rejuvenation, and healing through the journey of a Muslim casket maker and ritual body washer b...
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14
The People vs. Agent Orange
The People vs. Agent Orange vividly chronicles the efforts of two determined activists as they confront the chemical industry, seeking justice for th...
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1
Cured
In an era when homosexuality was deemed a mental disorder needing "treatment," medical professionals resorted to inhumane practices such as electrosh...
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2
Ferguson Rises
What drives a father to seek meaning amid tragedy? In 2014, Michael Brown Sr. faced unimaginable loss when his son was shot by white officer Darren W...
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3
Storm Lake
Can American democracy endure without the essential support of independent local journalism? Explore The Storm Lake Times, a newspaper that has been a...
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4
Duty Free
At 75, Rebecca finds herself unexpectedly unemployed, with no savings and no safety net to rely on. Faced with an uncertain future, she joins her son...
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5
Home From School: The Children of Carlisle
The motto “Kill the Indian in him, and save the man” fueled the removal of countless Native American children to boarding schools. Among the tragi...
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6
A Reckoning in Boston
What unfolds when your preconceived notions are challenged? A white filmmaker embarks on an academic project, capturing the experiences of low-income...
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7
Missing in Brooks County
In the remote areas of South Texas, migrants are more likely to vanish than anywhere else in the United States. For families grappling with the disapp...
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8
Owned: A Tale of Two Americas
Does the "American Dream" of owning a home hold any truth? The government's housing policies after World War II led to the rise of the largest middle...
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9
Bulletproof
What price do we pay for safety? In a world plagued by mass shootings, lockdown drills and firearms training for educators have become as common as ho...
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11
Writing With Fire
In a media world largely controlled by men, the female reporters of Khabar Lahariya, India's pioneering all-women newspaper, courageously put their li...
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12
AWARE: Glimpses of Consciousness
Explore the intricate science of consciousness in this captivating journey featuring six exceptional experts. A brain scientist, a plant behaviorist, ...
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13
Try Harder!
At Lowell High School, known for its intense academic environment in San Francisco, students are feeling the heat. With a predominantly Asian America...
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14
When Claude Got Shot
In Milwaukee, a 15-year-old tried to carjack law student Claude Motley, shooting him in the face. The aftermath of the incident left Claude facing nu...
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15
Scenes From The Glittering World
Amidst the stunning yet secluded landscape of the Diné community in the Navajo Nation, three Indigenous teens face the challenges and triumphs of gr...
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1
Hazing
Hazing remains a pervasive and entrenched custom within college fraternities and sororities throughout the United States, driven by tradition, secrec...
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2
TikTok, Boom.
What does it truly mean to be a digital native? TikTok, Boom. examines the influential app from various angles—algorithmic, socio-political, econom...
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3
Move Me
At the age of 27, Kelsey Peterson took a leap into Lake Superior, only to resurface with a spinal injury that left her paralyzed. Through her journey ...
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4
Children of Las Brisas
Set against the stark realities of Venezuela, where poverty, violence, and corruption prevail, the El Sistema youth orchestra serves as a beacon of h...
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5
The Big Payback
In Evanston, Illinois, a newly elected alderwoman champions the historic enactment of the first tax-funded reparations initiative for African America...
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6
No Straight Lines
Alison Bechdel's receipt of the prestigious MacArthur Award for her acclaimed graphic memoir, Fun Home, marked a significant shift in the recognition ...
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7
The Picture Taker
Ernest Withers, a civil rights photographer and covert FBI informant, led a life filled with complexity and contradiction. Operating from his studio ...
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8
Outta the Muck
Delve into the fertile landscape of Pahokee, Florida, a community nestled alongside Lake Okeechobee. While renowned for its football heritage—produ...
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9
Love in the Time of Fentanyl
In Vancouver, Canada, the city grapples with soaring fentanyl overdose fatalities, prompting the establishment of the Overdose Prevention Society—a...
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10
Storming Caesars Palace
Following her dismissal from a hotel job in Las Vegas, Ruby Duncan became part of a welfare rights organization aimed at challenging the stereotype of...
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11
Hidden Letters
The story explores the deep connections of sisterhood and the shared challenges faced by women across generations in China, intertwined with the myste...
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12
Free Chol Soo Lee
Convicted for a 1973 murder in San Francisco, Korean immigrant Chol Soo Lee faced a life sentence until a powerful pan-Asian solidarity movement, invo...
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13
Matter of Mind: My ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a devastating neuromuscular disorder that typically leads to a surviva...
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14
Sam Now
"Sam Now" is a poignant coming-of-age documentary that explores the theme of generational trauma through the life of Sam Harkness, chronicling his jou...
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15
Silent Beauty
In this poignant autobiographical journey, journalist and filmmaker Jasmin Mara López from New Orleans candidly recounts her healing journey from ch...
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16
Mama Bears
Known as "mama bears," these mothers fiercely advocate for their children's rights. Once raised in a fundamentalist, evangelical Christian environment...
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1
Sansón and Me
Filmmaker Rodrigo Reyes sets out to tell the story of Sansón, an immigrant sentenced to life in prison. As he faces challenges in directly filming Sa...
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2
El Equipo
Renowned U.S. anthropologist Dr. Clyde Snow embarks on a mission to instruct a fresh cohort of Latin American students in forensic anthropology. Thei...
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3
Three Chaplains
In the episode, Muslim chaplains demonstrate their commitment to the First Amendment by safeguarding the religious freedoms of service members. Despit...
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4
A Town Called Victoria | Episode 1
A small town in South Texas finds itself in the national news after a local mosque is set ablaze in what appears to be a hate crime. As the media att...
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5
A Town Called Victoria | Episode 2
As the arson trial approaches, the family of the accused fervently defends his innocence. Simultaneously, the town of Victoria unveils the underlying...
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6
A Town Called Victoria | Episode 3
The prosecution unveils startling evidence that turns the case on its head. With the trial reaching its climax, the invested residents of Victoria com...
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7
Beyond Utopia
Raised in the belief that their homeland was a perfect utopia, these families now face the perilous choice to leave it all behind. This gripping docum...
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8
Racist Trees
Did the planting of trees aim to marginalize a Black community? This documentary explores escalating racial tensions as a historically Black area in ...
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9
Razing Liberty Square
In Liberty City, Miami, one of the nation’s long-standing segregated public housing developments faces a crisis. As sea levels rise, the area's el...
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10
Sister Úna Lived a Good Death
After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Sister Úna—a playful, unconventional Catholic nun committed to social justice—decides to fully embrace life ...
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11
Breaking the News
Who determines the narratives that shape our world? A determined collective of women and LGBTQ+ journalists challenge the prevailing white male-centr...
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12
Greener Pastures
The documentary Greener Pastures delves into the mental health struggles faced by numerous American farmers, exacerbated by the impacts of climate c...
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13
A Thousand Pines
For eight challenging months, a group of Oaxacan migrant workers dedicates themselves to planting trees across various locations in the United States...
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14
Matter of Mind: My Parkinson’s
In Mind Over Matter: My Parkinson's, three individuals confront the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with resilience and creativity. An optometrist...
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15
One With the Whale
In the remote village of St. Lawrence, whale hunting is crucial for survival. When a reserved Alaska Native teenager achieves the remarkable feat of ...
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16
Space: The Longest Goodbye
NASA's ambitious mission to transport astronauts to Mars entails a three-year journey, during which real-time communication with Earth will be unfeas...
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17
The Tuba Thieves
What significance does sound hold, and how do we truly listen? Filmmaker Alison O’Daniel, who is hard of hearing, delves into this inquiry by examin...
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1
One Person, One Vote?
At a time when many Americans question democratic institutions, One Person, One Vote? unveils the complexities of the Electoral College, the uniquely ...
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2
Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen
Haunted by survivor's guilt following the loss of 17 comrades during "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, Marine veteran Anthony Marquez dedi...
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3
Dallas, 2019 | Episode 1
Devastating tornadoes, gun violence incidents, and the harsh realities of environmental injustice highlight the economic disparities between North an...
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4
Dallas, 2019 | Episode 2
This episode explores the aspirations of three individuals envisioning a better tomorrow. A high school senior stands on the brink of adulthood, ready...
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5
Dallas, 2019 | Episode 3
In this episode, three individuals deeply connected to Texas confront their identities and roles in society. A transgender woman passionately advocat...
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6
Dallas, 2019 | Episode 4
Introducing a determined district attorney striving to overhaul a fragmented justice system; a judge focused on disrupting the patterns of imprisonme...
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7
Dallas, 2019 | Episode 5
In this poignant finale of Dallas, 2019, we delve into the personal narratives of a diverse group including the chief medical examiner, a dedicated h...
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8
Minted
This documentary provides an intimate exploration of the meteoric rise and subsequent decline of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), highlighting the impact ...
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9
Without Arrows
After spending 13 years in Philadelphia, Delwin Fiddler Jr., a celebrated grass dancer, reconnects with his roots by returning to the Cheyenne River ...
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10
The Strike
Pelican Bay prison, notorious for its extreme solitary confinement practices, often subjects inmates to isolation for years with minimal legal recour...
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11
The In Between
After the tragic passing of her brother, a filmmaker journeys back to Eagle Pass, the Texas border town of her childhood, intending to capture the es...
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12
Skin of Glass
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13
Bike Vessel
After witnessing his father's incredible recovery from three open-heart surgeries, filmmaker Eric D. Seals hatches an inspiring plan: to bike from St....
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14
Home Court
"Home Court" follows the journey of Ashley Chea, a talented Cambodian American basketball player navigating her teenage years in Southern California....
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15
WE WANT THE FUNK!
WE WANT THE FUNK! takes viewers on a rhythmic journey through the evolution of funk music, highlighting its origins in African, soul, and early jazz ...
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16
Free For All: The Public Library
"Free For All: The Public Library" explores the inspiring journey of the trailblazers who turned a visionary concept into reality. Highlighting the f...
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17
Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's
"Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's" offers a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of three families grappling with the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease....
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18
And So It Begins
And So It Begins chronicles the chaotic 2022 presidential election in the Philippines, where Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the deposed dictator, en...
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19
Who is Michael Jang?
Following a lengthy journey as a commercial and portrait photographer, the playful San Francisco artist Michael Jang had a trove of photographs from h...
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2
Ratified
A bipartisan group persists in their decades-long struggle to enshrine gender equality within the Constitution.
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3
Life After
Filmmaker Reid Davenport, who lives with a disability, delves into the complex issue of assisted dying, revealing how ableism, policies, and systemic ...
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4
Vivien's Wild Ride
As renowned film editor Vivien Hillgrove faces the challenges of diminishing eyesight, she delves into her past filled with loss and strength, embarki...
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5
The Librarians
As lawmakers look to assess a list of books, librarians find themselves at the heart of a nationwide conflict. Throughout the country, these professio...
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6
The Inquisitor
Delve into the life and impact of Barbara Jordan in The Inquisitor. As a pioneering congresswoman from Texas, her keen intellect and unwavering princi...
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7
Keep Quiet and Forgive
Thirty years after her own assault, Lizzie takes a stand against her Amish community's silence regarding sexual abuse. She spearheads a movement aimed...
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8
The Tallest Dwarf
Documentarian Julie Forrest Wyman embarks on a personal quest to understand her own place within the little people community while investigating whisp...
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9
BACKSIDE: The Unseen Hands of Horse Racing
Before the sun touches the track at Churchill Downs, immigrant grooms are already moving through the stables on the backside. Hidden from the cheering...
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10
Natchez
In Natchez, Mississippi, antebellum mansions pull in curious tourists—but whose version of history gets told is a growing point of friction. Between...
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11
Light of the Setting Sun
Across decades and continents, a Chinese family’s buried pain surfaces through time, migration, and shifting identities. Filmmaker Vicky Du turns he...
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12
Third Act
Robert A. Nakamura is widely hailed as the godfather of Asian American cinema, but to Tadashi Nakamura, he’s just Dad. In *Third Act*, Tadashi turns...
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13
Assembly
At New York’s Park Avenue Armory, artist Rashaad Newsome is set to unveil "Assembly," a daring new exhibition. Merging visual art, live performance,...
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14
True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power
In 1960s Montreal, a unique convergence of exiled American activists, Caribbean intellectuals, and local Black communities turned the city into a quie...
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1
Ghost in the Machine
The episode delves into the dark past of artificial intelligence, tracing its origins and the ethical dilemmas that have haunted its development. It t...
