All Films

The Shadow of the West

1983 • 53 min • United Kingdom

Edward Said, Professor of English & Comparative Literature at Columbia University, was one of the most prominent literary critics of the late 20th century and a leading spokesperson for the Palestinian cause in the US. In this episode, Said examines Western attitudes to the Arabs and finds their origins in the Crusades, Hollywood and European empire building. He sees the Palestinian fate as the result of years of Western interference. One of the ten episodes of The Arabs: A Living History.

Лебеди

1983 • 16 min • Soviet Union

Last Year's Snow Was Falling

1983 • 20 min • Soviet Union

Funny adventures of the clumsy fellow whom his wife dispatched to the forest to bring home a New Year tree...

Neil Young in Berlin

1983 • 60 min

The Godfather of Grunge is captured live on his TRANS tour on this release filmed in Berlin in October 1982. The gravel-voiced, messy rock legend is as impassioned as ever, banging out 11 hits, including the classics "Hey Hey, My My," "Like a Hurricane," "Cinnamon Girl," and "Needle and the Damage Done" as well as such new songs as "Transformer Man" and "Computer Age."

Seven Machine Performances

1983 • 50 min

A selection of Survival Research Laboratories early performances, a must for those interested in how such an enterprise ever got started in the first place.

I Sing to You Strangers

1983 • 49 min • United Kingdom

In this film, some who were not strangers - friends, relatives and fellow-broadcasters, who in their various ways loved the poet Dylan Thomas - give an account of the person he really was. The portrait that emerges, enriched by Thomas's own voice in poetry and prose, is different from the generally accepted picture of the inspired and irresponsible drunkard who somehow received a commemorative stone in Westminster Abbey.

The Falklands Factor

1983 • 55 min

Is there nothing new under the sun? 1770. The South Atlantic. A fleet sets sail from Buenos Aires to expel the British forces and reconquer the Falkland Islands. A major international crisis explodes. What follows may sound strangely familiar, but is firmly based on the historical record and the actual speeches and writings of the time.

Turtle Dreams

1983 • 28 min • United States of America

Turtle Dreams, produced for WGBH-TV, originally aired September 2, 1983. Shot by Ping Chong. Composed by Meredith Monk, performed by her and her Vocal Ensemble.

The Beat Generation

1983 • 31 min

In the monochrome world of 1960, pretentious Alan, violent Kix and sex-mad Eleanor are part of a colony of beat poets, living a hedonistic, unreal existence in a large villa overlooking the sea. Dumped by his girlfriend Jeremy is anxious to be part of their circle until two girls from the outside world and a wild party open his eyes to what really matters.

Four American Composers: John Cage

1983 • 54 min • United Kingdom

A television documentary about John Cage and his music.

La Peur

1983 • 6 min

A woman is approached by a man. Frightened, she runs away. A film on the physiological mechanisms of fear.

Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

1983 • 25 min • United States of America

Winnie the Pooh and friends decide to throw a birthday celebration for gloomy, old Eeyore.

EPCOT Center: A Souvenir Program

1983 • 21 min

Welcome to this very special place, EPCOT Center, Walt Disney’s dream is now a reality. Epcot Center has two major themed areas, Future World, A showplace for new ideas, and new technologies. World Showcase presents a colorful array of architectural styles and landmarks, a true community of nations. In this Souvenir VHS Cassette, we get a look at EPCOT Center as it appeared in 1983.

The Care Bears in the Land Without Feelings

1983 • 23 min • Canada

Kevin, an angry boy on Earth, is mad because he has to move away from his friend Donna. Declaring that he doesn't care, he decides to run away and ends up in The Land Without Feelings, which is ruled by Professeur Coldheart. The Care Bears, along with Donna, go into the Land Without Feelings to save Kevin.

Une sale histoire de sardines

1983 • 56 min • France

Marcel is his garage's handyman. With the smell of grease and petrol wafting through the air, alternating between night watchman, petrol pump attendant and confidant, he is visited every evening by the slightly lost night owls who pass by. They all confide in him about their daily troubles.

Imitation of Life

1983 • 60 min • Switzerland

Portrait of filmmaker Douglas Sirk.

Andy Kaufman: The Andy Kaufman Show: Soundstage

1983 • 59 min

From the PBS series "Soundstage" comes this special broadcast of Andy Kaufman's satirical talk show, which includes "The Has-Been Corner," a spoof segment with a washed-up celebrity, and a routine featuring his marionette alter ego, Tony Clifton. In other highlights, Kaufman and ex-girlfriend Elayne Boosler publicly expose their turbulent relationship, and one of Kaufman's guests is unmasked as a charlatan.

God

1983 • 60 min • India

A dacoit named Lakhan Pal kidnaps a girl called Chandrika. He tries to rape her along with his gang members. Chandrika bites Lakhan's hand and applies his blood on her forehead making him her husband so that he protects her. They have a son Sunil. When his gang is attacked Lakhan escapes with his family to his wife's father's place. He gives up being a criminal but years later it still affects Sunil.

Dead on Time

1983 • 33 min • United Kingdom

Bernard Fripp is told by his doctor that he has only 30 minutes left to live. This sets Bernard bumbling off on a mission to live his final minutes to the fullest.

The Making of 'Superman II'

1983 • 52 min • United States of America

Documentary about the making of the sequel to Superman.

A Letter to Freddy Buache

1983 • 11 min • Switzerland

This short film is Godard’s message to the people of Lausanne, specifically journalist and critic Freddy Buache, addressing his reasons why he will not make a film about their town’s 500th anniversary. Rather than cynical or defensive, Godard's bemused narration of the footage of Lausanne is imaginative and even playful, a rumination on cinema's possibilities.

The Woman Who Willed a Miracle

1983 • 45 min • United States of America

Based on the true story of May Lemke. Her adopted son Leslie was born with cerebral palsy. May teaches him basic survival skills through the years. In his teens, he suddenly manifests an ability to play classical music on the piano.

Iron Maiden: Live In Dortmund

1983 • 36 min

Live In Dortmund, 18 December 1983 IRON MAIDEN Setlist: "Sanctuary", "The Trooper", "Revelations", "Flight of Icarus", "22 Acacia Avenue", "The Number of the Beast", "Run to the Hills"

The Crimson Permanent Assurance

1983 • 16 min • United Kingdom

A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto the high seas in search of a pirate's life.