Three Lives and a Rope
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
Cervino 1901
On September 28th, 1903, the Urban Mountaineering Expedition, headed by Frank Ormiston-Smith, left Zermatt to attempt the conquest of the Matterhorn. On the 29th, the conquest was completed by the filming of the panorama from the actual summit of the mountain. The film consists of 20 scenes and illustrates the whole ascent from Zermatt through the Hornli Ridge. A copy of the film was found in Zermatt in 1953 and was was erroneously attributed to Frederick Burlingham and dated 1901. Since then, the film has been widely publicized as the first mountain film under the title of 'Cervin 1901', but this is incorrect. Ormiston previously had made 'Alpine series' (1901), 'The ascent of Mont Blanc' (1902), 'Climbing the Great Schreckhorn' (1902) and 'Ascent of the Jungfrau' (1903). The pictures and descriptions of the Charles Urban Trading 1903 film catalogue show without any doubt that 'Ascent of the Matterhorn' and 'Cervin 1901' are the same film.
Blood-related
In livestock farming the blood of slaughtered cows becomes either a hidden component of products ranging from pharmaceuticals to soy substitutes, or it gets discarded, dried and burned for energy. Following this invisible trail of blood, the film investigates the architecture and tools that determine the value of a material once considered the substance of life.
Un été à la ferme - L'âge d'or
A documentary following 12-year-old Paul and his brother Germain during a transformative summer in rural France. The film explores the loss of innocence as Paul confronts the harsh financial and physical realities of his family's farming livelihood, highlighting the father-son bond and an uncertain future.
Honey and Milk
In a secluded village surrounded by forests and a river, an elderly beekeeper and a livestock farmer live alone, their lives shaped by tireless work and quiet harmony. Through one day in their hidden world, this documentary reveals the beauty and mystery of their bond with nature, far from the reach of modern life.
When the Cows Come Home
When the Cows Come Home introduces audiences to Tilly and Maggie, a pair of cows that musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Andrew Johnstone has befriended and subsequently saved from slaughter. The garrulous herdsman is enthusiastic to expound his views on animal husbandry, bovine communication and the vagaries of life in general, before the film walks us back through the events that have shaped the singular farmer-philosopher. From personal family tragedy to warring with Catholic school authorities, innovating in Hamilton’s nascent music scene to creating guerrilla art installations; Johnstone’s life has had a truly idiosyncratic trajectory. Mental health issues may have seen him retreat to life on the farm, but the film makes clear its subject’s restless inquisitiveness is far from being put out to pasture.
Milked
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.
Once Upon a Cow
Through this exploration of three cows, each living in a very different environment, this documentary reveals the daily life and behavior of this fascinating animal with highly developed social intelligence.
Bangville Police
A young farm maid overhears two cow-hands talking in the barn, and she becomes convinced they’re about to rob her. She barricades herself in a room and calls the police. Her call wakes the chief, who rallies the country justice constabulary and they set off toward the farm, in steam-car and on foot. Meanwhile, the maiden’s parents rush to save her. Everything points toward a showdown in the barn, where no one, including the police force, will be cowed.
Swiss Cows Grazing on Alps
Released in 1901
Wohlstandskühe
The peak of prosperity a short animation by Claudius Gentinetta
Get Up and Eat
An unnamed Priest, exiled in wilderness, struggles to rid himself of an ancient evil.
Jeanne’s Audition
Jeanne dreams of leaving her life as a farmer behind to become an actress, but her path is troubled because she tirelessly tends to her mother, who’s battling inner demons.
Maharadja Burger - Mad Cows, Holy Cows
A documentary about Hindu cow worship and the British BSE crisis.
Twitz from Pluto: Graff, Jackass and TV Casualty
The story of two teenage extraterrestrial refugees from the planet Pluto, who escape to Earth after their planet is destroyed by the US government, as it was deemed “insignificant.” For many years prior, tensions between the Plutonians and the Earthlings had seen a steady incline, as Pluto held camps where Earthlings were experimented on and tortured. The two aliens make their crash landing, undertake human form and undergo the aliases “Hugh Jainus” and “E. Rection”. In an effort to wage revenge on the nation, with their brainwashed sidekick Potator under their wing, the trio hijack television stations worldwide and broadcast mind-numbingly stupid and ridiculous, yet insane and often violent programs to dumb down and distract the nation’s citizens from their devious plans. The tube tells the story...
Picturesque India or, In and About Calcutta
Botanical gardens in Bombay plus the highly decorative Jain Temple in Calcutta.