American Promise

Oct 18, 2013

2h 15m

★ 6.7

Success is Our Only Option

Overview

In 1999, filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson turned the camera on themselves and began filming their five-year-old son, Idris, and his best friend, Seun, as they started kindergarten at the prestigious Dalton School just as the private institution was committing to diversify its student body. Their cameras continued to follow both families for another 12 years as the paths of the two boys diverged—one continued private school while the other pursued a very different route through the public education system.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

American Documentary

POV

Impact Partners

ITVS

Rada Studio

American Promise Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self

Idris Brewster

Self

Oluwaseun Summers

Self

Michèle Stephenson

Self

Joe Brewster

Self

Anthony Summers

Self

Stacey O. Summers

A concert film directed by and featuring the music of Laurie Anderson, filmed at the Park Theater in Union City, New Jersey, during the summer of 1985. The film includes songs from her 1984 album 1984’s “Mister Heartbreak” and selections from her 1983 “United States” show, along with eclectic, experimental visuals blending film, animation, dance and electronics.

7.2

Family Portrait in Black and White

Jan 21, 2011

In a small Ukrainian town, Olga Nenya, raises 16 black orphans amidst a population of Slavic blue-eyed blondes. Their stories expose the harsh realities of growing up as a bi-racial child in Eastern Europe.

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5.8

All White in Barking

Mar 14, 2007

All White in Barking is a compassionate and illuminating documentary probing the attitudes of Barking's white residents toward their new immigrant neighbours. Isaacs is an unseen, but prominent, presence, questioning prejudices and prying at preconceptions with remarkable results to produce a vivid picture of the attitudes and perceptions at the heart of an increasingly multicultural Britain.

0.0

Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet

Nov 14, 2009

In Tibet, the word for woman translates as "lower rebirth." In a remote eastern region of the country, the Tsoknyi Nangchen nuns defy this definition. Devoted to the ancient practices of Tibetan Buddhism - once primarily a male domain - over 3,000 nuns have attained elevated status. Director Victress Hitchcock honors them in this moving documentary, which follows the journey of a small group of Western women to remote mountain hermitages to meet these nuns.

8.4

I Am Paul Walker

Dec 4, 2018

Exploring the life and legacy of actor Paul Walker, the Southern California native who cut his teeth as child actor before breaking out in the blockbuster Fast and Furious franchise.

No Image Available

6.2

Despite the Gods

Apr 28, 2012

Cinema's prodigal daughter Jennifer Lynch braves the unmapped territory of Bollywood-Hollywood movie making, where chaos is the process and filmmaking doubles as a crash course in acceptance and self-realization.

6.8

Gerhard Richter Painting

Mar 14, 2012

Gerhard Richter has spent over half a century experimenting with a tremendous range of techniques and ideas, addressing historical crises and mass media representation alongside explorations of chance procedures. This first glimpse inside his studio in decades is exactly that: a thrilling document of the 79-year-old's creative process, juxtaposed with rare archival footage and intimate conversations with his critics and collaborators.

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7.0

Greenlit

Mar 13, 2010

Miranda Bailey follows the production of a movie that tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

6.8

Day of Freedom

Dec 30, 1935

Filming of the performance show the Deutsche Wehrmacht (German Army) made during the Reichsparteitag of the NSDAP in Nurnberg 1935. Showing the readiness and the will of the newly build army. The third documentary directed by Leni Riefenstahl.

6.7

Every So Often in the World...

Nov 19, 2004

Five documentary shorts about various children from the third world.

5.3

The Victory of Faith

Dec 1, 1933

Follows the Fifth Nazi Party Rally (Nuremberg, 30 August–3 September 1933) and shows the then close relationship between Adolf Hitler and Ernest Rõhm.

6.9

Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron

Jun 29, 1993

This straight-talking program seeks to understand the enigmatic and controversial Sam Peckinpah, whose violent films such as The Wild Bunch and Straw Dogs had a telling effect on the cinema of the 1970s and 80s. Those who knew and worked with him, including actor James Coburn, actress Ali MacGraw, his associate Katherine Haber, his cousin Bob Peckinpah, and several screenwriters and producers, examine his life in an attempt to separate the man from the persona. Clips from key films reinforce this detailed discussion of Peckinpah's art and a fixation on violence that still permeates Hollywood today.

7.2

Reel Injun

Feb 19, 2010

The evolution of the depiction of the various Native American peoples in cinema, from the silent era to the present day: how their image on the screen has changed the way to understand their history and culture.

6.9

40 Days at Base Camp

Oct 1, 2011

At 18,000 feet above sea level and over the course of 40 days last Spring, documentary filmmaker Dianne Whelan immersed herself in the challenging and captivating world of base camp at Mt. Everest. With spectacular footage of the mountains’ landscape as a backdrop, 40 DAYS AT BASE CAMP is an intriguing and intimate portrayal of three climbing teams and their journey to the peak.

8.4

Body of War

Sep 11, 2007

Documentary about Tomas Young, a 25 year old veteran who got paralyzed in Iraq and became an peace activist.

6.6

Diary Of A Pregnant Woman

Apr 25, 1958

Impressions of the rue Mouffetard, Paris 5, through the eyes of a pregnant woman.

4.8

Chely Wright: Wish Me Away

May 29, 2012

After a lifetime of hiding, Chely Wright becomes the first commercial country music singer to come out as gay, shattering cultural stereotypes within Nashville, per conservative heartland family and, most importantly, within herself. With unprecedented access over a two-year period, including her private video diaries, the film layers Chely's rise to fame while hiding in the late 90's with the execution of her coming out plan, culminating in the exciting moment when she steps into the media glare to reveal she is gay. The film shows both the devastation of internalized homophobia and the transformational power of living an authentic life. The film also documents the conflicting responses from Nashville, the heartland and the LGBT community as Chely Wright prepares for an unknown future.

7.2

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Jun 28, 2012

Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.

American Promise

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

American Promise Trailers