KEEPIN’ IT REEL

The documentary film offers audiences a different interpretation of reality and real events. The short documentary films featured in our program this year offers audiences new perspectives about the ways we drink water, the ways we adapt and survive through change, and the ways in which we perceive war.

Carbon for Water – Dir: Evan Abramson – ENVIRONMENTAL - 0:22:00 – USA

In Kenya's Western Province, most drinking water is contaminated. The wood many Kenyans use to boil this water to make it safe is increasingly valuable. Women and girls, who bear the responsibility for finding water and fuel, often miss school or work while seeking both fuel and water. Some even encounter sexual violence. Yet waterborne illness remains a daily--and life-threatening--reality for them and their families. Carbon for Water introduces audiences to the inspiring people who face these hardships, and explores one company's innovative solution for improving the health of millions of Kenyans and the environment in which they live.

Down To Be Up – Dir: Victoria Rondon – DOCUMENTARY - 0:06:51 – USA

Down To Be Up is a short documentary about a young woman with Down syndrome, imparting her boundlessly positive outlook on life.

Living by Arrested Development – Dir: Tony Reames – MUSIC VIDEO - 0:04:31 – USA

They won 2 Grammy Awards and countless other accolades.  But then - they stopped making music... right?  Wrong.  America just stopped listening.  Arrested Development has been making music for the last twenty years and performing live on almost every continent.  And now - they are ready for America to open their ears to the music they are still, and have been, making.  In the video for their newest single, 'Living,' Speech and the whole Arrested Development crew walk you through a cornucopia of thoughts that have plagued the artist for the last two decades.

Call Me Ehsaan – Dir: Micah Garen – DOCUMENTARY - 0:09:00 – USA

'Call Me Ehsaan' is a haunting look at the US war in Afghanistan through the eyes of Lt. Col. JD Loftis, one of only three US Air force officers who spoke Pashto, who was killed in February while working at the Ministry of Interior in Kabul.

Tengenenge – Dir: Jacquelyn Lobel – DOCUMENTARY - 0:15:54 – USA

Tengenenge is a village of sculpture artists located in a remote region of Zimbabwe. The film explores the history of the village, and reveals a slice of life in Tengenenge, a community that has withstood the odds and continues to survive because of its people's passion, energy and solidarity. Tengenenge is a glimmer of joy and optimism in a country on the brink of collapse.

Do Tell – Dir: Noah DeBonis – DOCUMENTARY - 0:17:47 – USA

Gay American military members stationed in a remote outpost in northern Japan tell their stories about life pre and post 'Don't Ask Don't Tell.'

El Último Hielero  - Dir: Sandy Patch – DOCUMENTARY - 0:14:10 – USA

For the last 53 years, Baltazar Ushca has harvested glacial ice from the tallest mountain in Ecuador.  His brothers, Gregorio and Juan, have long since retired from the mountain. This is a tale of cultural change in a small indigenous community and how three brothers have adapted to it.