A documentary view of the galas of Paris’s Palais Garnier in the 1950s and ’60s.

Mama/M.A.M.A.: Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy is the provocative investigation of Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy, a perplexing psychological disorder where a mother secretly but deliberately harms her child in order to get the sympathy and praise of others and the attention of the medical community. The film — made over the course of three years and two continents — scrutinizes the scientific research surrounding the diagnosis of Munchausen’s and, in doing so, questions the very diagnosis itself. The filmmakers document the struggles of three average families battling the charge of Munchausen’s with various, tragic results.

BEAUTIFUL NOISE is an in-depth exploration of a music movement in the late twentieth century, a fascinating period when some innovative musicians mixed guitar noise into conventional pop song structures while maintaining a philosophy of letting the music speak for itself. Although many of the people interviewed are notoriously press shy they have opened up about their music and experiences from over 20 years ago, how they defied the rules and became sonic innovators that have inspired so many.

The Faroe Islands are an ancient microcosmos of exciting products, Nordic history, tales, 37 words for fog and even more for fermentation, a thriving seafood industry, ravishing waterfalls, eccentric personalities, a native tongue, and the culinary pearl: KOKS. How is it possible to run a top restaurant like this at the end of the world? Prior to covid-19, people took immense detours to dine at this eatery serving food sourced from just 500 square miles of produce, in a rugged terrain and where the climate is subpolar, windy, wet, cloudy, and cold, with average temperatures close to freezing throughout the year, everlasting light in summer and a scorching darkness all through winter. In Nordic by Nature we dive into the poetic mind of young Faroese chef Poul Andrias Ziska, and seek to find the traditions, history and distinctive ancient practices that lie beneath the world’s most remote fine dining experience.

Today, Afghans are one of the largest migrant populations fleeing their country for Europe/the West. Since 2002 the international community has injected more than a trillion dollars into Afghanistan. What went wrong? This film examines the counter insurgency/ culture campaign that the US government [and others] waged. Told through the eyes of Afghan youth, who start the country’s first ever heavy metal band and an adventurous Australian, who created a Western style music scene in the capital – Kabul. Will head banging, disenchanted Afghans win the hearts and minds of their peers or will the Taliban come back from the grave?

Interwoven with her storied career and prolific works, Twyla Moves sees legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp navigate her latest creative challenge: making a dance for a world plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic.

For No Good Reason a film about Ralph Steadman. Johnny Depp guides the visually stunning journey, smashing narrative conventions, moving seamlessly from interview to animation and in the finest Gonzo tradition questions of witness and authenticity are challenged. Steadman’s art is for the first time animated, including illustrations from Hunter S Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vagas. Featuring Richard E Grant, Terry Gilliam, Bruce Robinson and with music from Slash, The All American Rejects, Jason Mraz, Crystal Castles, Ed Hardcourt and Beth Orton. A touching and at times funny film about honesty, friendship and the ambition driving an artist. This is a true record of the demise of the 20th Century counterculture and hipster dream with Ralph Steadman the last of the Gonzo visionaries.

THE INTERNATIONALE draws on people’s stories of an emotionally charged radical song (the long-time anthem of socialism and communism) to celebrate the relationship between music and social change, and to evaluate the uncertain fate of once thriving movements of the left.

From iconic guitar player to construction worker, Chris Holmes has lived a life of highs and lows. After losing publishing rights of his own songs and dealing with addictions, the ex-W.A.S.P. member has had to start from scratch living in his mother in law’s basement in Cannes, France. He is now ready to take on Europe with his new band. As we follow him along, he meets many fans and proves that he still is the showman he was as a young and famous rockstar. This musical journey draws parallel stories of the rise, fall, and rebirth of Chris Holmes with archives, live performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Lea Tsemel, a Jewish-Israeli lawyer, defends Palestinians: from feminists to fundamentalists, from nonviolent demonstrators to armed militants. As far as most Israelis are concerned, she defends the indefensible. As far as Palestinians are concerned, she’s more than an attorney, she’s an ally. «Advocate» follows Tsemel in real time, including the trial of a 13-year-old boy — her youngest client to date.

The exploding cork. Endless tiny bubbles floating up and up in the glass. An indulgence. A celebration. A seduction. A triumph. This is the essence of Champagne, isn’t it? But it’s not just bubbles in a glass that makes the wine, or the mystique. Only sparkling wine produced within the boundaries of the Champagne region is truly “Champagne.” At first glance, the region is not an obvious source of romance. Champagne’s history is grim and bloody, swept by war and destruction from Attila the Hun to the filthy trenches of WWI and the Nazi depredations of WWII. The environment for winemaking is desperately hard — northerly latitude, chalky soil, copious rain, frost, rot. Yet it’s these difficulties that help make the wine unique.

A personal exploration into the life of America’s controversial former CIA Director told through the eyes of his wife and filmmaker son, Carl. Through extraordinary events in twentieth century history, this consummate soldier/spy stood at the center of the Agency’s most clandestine activities and operations. The film reveals the ‘cover life’ of this CIA operative, who followed orders and took on the dirtiest assignments until the Nixon Administration ordered him to ‘stonewall’ Congress about the CIA’s past abuses, but he refused. This film reveals why, for the first time, he could not obey.