KUCI: Film School

Mumia, Long Distance Revolutionary / Director Stephen Vittoria

Before he was convicted of murdering a policeman in 1981 and sentenced to die, Mumia Abu-Jamal was a gifted journalist and brilliant writer. Now after more than 30 years in prison and despite attempts to silence him, Mumia is not only still alive but continuing to report, educate, provoke and inspire. Stephen Vittoria's new feature documentary is an inspiring portrait of a man whom many consider America's most famous political prisoner - a man whose existence tests our beliefs about freedom of expression. Through prison interviews, archival footage, and dramatic readings, and aided by a potent chorus of voices including Cornel West, Alice Walker, Dick Gregory, Angela Davis, Amy Goodman and others, this riveting film explores Mumia's life before, during and after Death Row - revealing, in the words of Angela Davis, "the most eloquent and most powerful opponent of the death penalty in the world...the 21st Century Frederick Douglass." Director Vittoria stops by for a conversation on this polarizing American radical.

The Square / Director Jehane Noujaim interview

THE SQUARE is an immersive experience, transporting the viewer deeply into the intense emotional drama and personal stories behind the news. Centered on the activity around the landmark TAHRIR SQUARE, this film is the inspirational story of young people claiming their rights, struggling through multiple forces: from a brutal army dictatorship willing to crush protesters with military tanks, to a corrupt Muslim Brotherhood using mosques to manipulate voters. It screened at Sundance where it won the WORLD DOCUMENTARY AUDIENCE AWARD. It also won the AUDIENCE AWARD for BEST DOC., at the 2013 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Diector Jehane Noujaim joins us for a conversation on the making of this phenomenal film and what lies ahead for the people of Egypt.

Blood Brother / Director Steve Hoover interview

Two: The Story of Roman and Nyro / director Heather Winters interview

God Love Uganda / Director Roger Ross Williams interview

American Promise / Director Michele Stephenson interview

Dirty Wars / Director Richard Rowley interview

Dislecksia, The Movie / Director Harvey Hubbell V interview

Morning / Director Leland Orser interview

Five days in the life of an American couple immediately following the accidental death of their child. An every day story of tragedy, loss, acceptance, hope and renewal. 'Morning' follows the divergent paths of Mark (Leland Orser) and Alice Munroe (Jeanne Tripplehorn) as they circle each other in a heart-breaking pas-de-deux of grief before finally coming to grips with their shared loss. Writer / director / actor Leland Orser stops by for a conversation on the challenges and rewards of telling a story of horrifying tragedy and profound love.
http://www.morningthemovie.com/

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction / director Sophie Huber interview

HARRY DEAN STANTON: PARTLY FICTION is a mesmerizing, impressionistic portrait of the iconic actor comprised of intimate moments, film clips from some of his 250 films and his own heart-breaking renditions of American folk songs. Stunningly lensed in color and b/w by Seamus McGarvey, the film explores the actor's enigmatic outlook on his life, his unexploited talents as a musician, and includes candid scenes with David Lynch, Wim Wenders, Sam Shepard, Kris Kristofferson and Debbie Harry. The fragile soul of an actor emerges from the poignant collage. We are joined by Director Sophie Huber for a conversation on the challenges of getting inside the closely guarded world of Harry Dean Stanton and his famous friends.