A look at the fast-paced life of cattlemen by San Francisco-based director Michael Jacobs in his new documentary, which follows the ups and downs of the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.
Social & External
The people behind it
A close-up portrait of the daily lives of a pair of cows: told by way of some narrative-free, intimate POV photography, with plenty of close shot images, we follow the daily routine of these animals as they live what can only be described as mundane, boring lives - all with an ultimate purpose within the human food chain.
It's a warm spring night, and the bee cowboys of Prince Edward Island begin rounding up their hives.
Set against the vibrant spectacle of the jaripeo, a symbol of Mexican cowboy tradition and machismo, this story unveils a hidden world of queer desire and quiet rebellion. As glances and gestures disrupt the rigid norms of masculinity, the rodeo becomes a stage for our protagonists to navigate identity, community, and the search for belonging in an oppressively traditional space.
Two best friends, Clint and Lenny, set out to pan for gold during the California Gold Rush. They have a stroke of luck and find a significant amount of gold in their pans. As they continue to pan, Clint becomes increasingly fixated on finding more and more gold, to the point where he becomes ruthless and starts to turn on Lenny. Lenny tries to remind Clint of the importance of their friendship and the values they once held, but Clint's greed continues to consume him. Eventually, their friendship is put to the test as Clint's behavior becomes increasingly dangerous and erratic. Will the gold be the end of their friendship, or will Lenny be able to save his friend from the destructive power of greed?
In Liesjes hok was leeg (Liesje's pen was empty), Wouter Waayer, now a convinced vegan and Extinction Rebellion activist, returns to the farm in Twente, where he receives another Liesje. We follow the bull calf from its arrival to its departure for the slaughterhouse, some five months later. A search for understanding unfolds between father Jan, the down-to-earth farmer who has devised a system to reduce emissions in barns, and Wouter, the idealist who would love to start a retirement home for cows. Between them: Liesje, a calf that slowly grows into a symbol for everything that conflicts between father and son, tradition and system change, love for animals, and farming.
He walked a hard path of addiction and trouble, until a moment of faith sparked a profound change. This is the raw story a working man's unconventional road to redemption and purpose.
A young activist goes deep into dairy land where he takes on the giants of New Zealand's most powerful industry, and reveals how the sacred cash-cow industry has been milked dry. His journey exposes not only the sustainability crisis and the dangerous denial of impending agricultural disruption, but also what New Zealand and other countries can do to change their fate.
Filmed in Grayson, Oklahoma, Wildcat meditatively combines documentation of a Black rodeo subculture with an abstract portrait of Joseph’s aunt who helped found the event.
Waylon Jennings joins a crew of cowboys from the Old 06 Ranch on a roundup.
Released in 1901
waiting_for_cows explores the complex relationship between humans, animals and technology. Set on a Frisian farm, the main protagonists are a trio of Dutch dairy cows monitored by wearables, conditioned by algorithms and quantified in data. Dairy bovines and their farmers have become some of the unlikely forerunners of agricultural automation. Both human and animal are entangled in systems of efficiency, productivity and time management where every cow is assigned a Key Performance Indicator by agri-tech companies. Through a data-led film experience, waiting_for_cows offers rare glimpses into contemporary machinic rituals of farm life where the flow of bovine data reveals much larger systems of power. Set against this backdrop of technology and control, the waiting_for_cows immersive installation reveals an allegorical tale, opening space for reflection.
A seasoned cowboy reminisces about his experiences, challenges, and the changing nature of cowboy culture. He expresses nostalgia for the past when cowboying was a way of life filled with camaraderie and hard work. The cowboy shares stories of his adventures, struggles with aging, and the decline of traditional ranching practices, ultimately revealing a sense of loneliness and the longing for meaningful connections.
The world-famed Simmenthal cattle, bred by Herr Rebmann, are seen leaving the valley for the summer pastures on the Grimmalp. The herds are accompanied by the farmer and his assistants, and followed by a bevy of charmingly picturesque Swiss milkmaids carrying milk bins and other dairy impediments. Then the arrival at the farm makes up a scene of great animation, concluding with a "close-up view" of milking in the near foreground.
The idea is a simple one: three alpinists climb in the Mont Blanc Massif. This situation brings one face to face with the dangers of the mountain: avalanches, crevasses, fog, the climbing of the rocks, roping up, etc. All of this is magnified, transcended by a remarkable and strong use of the language of cinema. One of the first films about high mountains with Roger Frison-Roche and magnificent music by Maurice Jaubert
This film is about the cow living in an polluted enviroment.
An 8-year old farm-girl teaches herself to fly, but when her favourite heifer gives birth to a male calf she ends up learning a harder lesson.
Summer of 1999. Aspiring filmmaker Nik's search for love intertwines with a fantasy western he's writing, and Sapna, a visitor from India. As they navigate love, identity, and their pasts, they find the courage to embrace their future.
Slaughterhouse owner Werner Haas has a ton of slaughter waste dumped on his front lawn in the middle of the night. Fuming mad, he files charges against unknown persons and foolishly sets something in motion that can’t be stopped.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
Behind the scenes look at fight choreography and action training.
A heartfelt documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of professional wrestlers, some on the rise, some on the wane, and others fighting for their lives.
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
The Making-of James Cameron's Avatar. It shows interesting parts of the work on the set.
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
A documentary on the making of the three Godfather films, with interviews and recollections from the film makers and cast. This feature also includes the original screen tests of some of the actors for "The Godfather" film, and some candid moments on the set of "The Godfather: Part III."
From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.
Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
A tribute to Chadwick Boseman, celebrating his life and legacy.
“Showrunners” is the first ever feature length documentary film to explore the fascinating world of US television showrunners and the creative forces aligned around them. These are the people responsible for creating, writing and overseeing every element of production on one of the United State’s biggest exports – television drama and comedy series. Often described as the most complex job in the entertainment business, a showrunner is the chief writer / producer on a TV series and, in most instances, the show’s creator. Battling daily between art and commerce, showrunners manage every aspect of a TV show’s development and production: creative, financial and logistical.
Musician and performance artist Laurie Anderson reflects on the deaths of her husband Lou Reed, her mother and her beloved dog.
Amber Heard and Nicole Kidman discuss their characters Mera and Atlanna.
This raucous journey into the heart of democracy captures an unusual rite of passage: 1,100 teenage boys from across Texas coming together to build a representative government from the ground up.
A candid look at rehearsal footage in support of a focus on pre-viz.