All Films

A Very Blue Beard

1979 • 20 min • Soviet Union

A detective investigates the crimes of a medieval duke: is he really guilty of the deaths of his wives?

Geburtstag

1979 • 8 min

Line animation of a birthday.

Tale of Tales

1979 • 29 min • Soviet Union

Distant, well-worn memories of childhood are inhabited by a little gray wolf. Through astonishing imagery, the memory of all of Russia is depicted.

Girl and Dolphin

1979 • 10 min • Soviet Union

The film is a poetic sketch cartoon about the friendship of a girl and a dolphin.

The Small Unit

1979 • 53 min • Albania

Based on the true story of the Vig heroes, about 5 soldier friends who get executed by the Nazis in the north of Albania.

What a Day!

1979 • 60 min • Yugoslavia

Zoran leads a quiet family life with his wife, a primary school teacher Ana, their son, and Ana’s brother. Zoran works as a clerk and has a great desire to attend a symposium in Dubrovnik, but the manager will not sign the travel order.

Canada Vignettes: The Egg

1979 • 1 min • Canada

An egg desperately tries to prevent being hatched. In this animated short from the Canada Vignette series, learn how societies in evolution are often in danger of self-destruction.

The Emmett Smith Story

1979 • 23 min

Emmett Smith, a competitive runner and high school track coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, is left without a sense of balance after a brain tumor is removed. He is told that he will never run again, but undaunted, he sets and meets a goal of not only regaining the ability to run, but to run 20 consecutive miles before a year has elapsed. Wheelchair-bound Cindy Duncan's determination gets her admitted to Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona after she demonstrates that she will not need special attention. Coach Smith (now at Apollo) challenges her to meet the goal of recovering from her injuries (from being hit by a car) to the extent of being able to walk to the podium at graduation to receive her diploma. He bets that she can do it, and will have to wheel himself in her wheelchair the entire three miles to Cortez H.S. if she succeeds.

Stanley Baxter on Television

1979 • 50 min • United Kingdom

We hear from the Minister of White Papers about how Stanley Baxter is to return, then we hear how Miss Porker wants her own show, we learn about sex and violence on the television, we have an episode of Mastermind with Magnus Magnusson, The Channing Report presents Sir John Gielgud and The Generation Game, Charmaine Globb presents an episode of Probe about 'Mimicry, a Cry for Help, there's the story of an actress behind television advertisements, an ad for the TV Times, a programme that appeals to sports lovers and movie lovers, Botanic Man, and the finale is the George Burns Show.

Barbie's World

1979 • 43 min • Sweden

A twisted fairytale drama about the world and the characters that surround the doll Barbie.

Starlore

1979 • 7 min

A journey from the Arctic to the tip of South America

The First Christmas

1979 • 27 min

A wonderful animated version of the First Christmas. Filled with prophets, wise men, warriors, kings and messengers.

A Farm

1979 • 31 min • Poland

Magda and Paweł seem to have different expectations of life: she needs a bit of craziness, and he needs a bit of normality. Even though Magda cannot imagine living in the countryside, following Paweł's will, they decide to buy a farm near Serock. Magda and Paweł, not without problems, buy the farm from old farmers. The youngsters start to manage the homestead, at the same time they undergo some mental changes. Paweł's father dies, his mother decides to be an adviser to her son and Magda. The girl begins to trust life, however, she loses her first baby. Paweł finds it difficult to get along with the local farming club. The spouses share with us their fears, hopes and reflections.

The Beaver Kid

1979 • 30 min • United States of America

A short documentary about the exploits of "Groovin' Gary", a performer that filmmaker Harris happened upon while filming for a Salt Lake City, Utah news station.

Steel 'n' Skin

1979 • 36 min • United Kingdom

Peter Blackman, founder of Steel 'n' Skin, talks about this pan-African group, which takes African culture to British schools. The film follows the group during a ten day workshop in Liverpool.

Teach Me to Dance

1979 • 29 min • Canada

In this drama, Lesia convinces her English-Canadian friend Sarah to perform a Ukrainian dance with her as part of their school's Christmas pageant. Sarah's father, angry at the growing number of Ukrainian settlers, won't allow his daughter to participate. Despite the prejudices of their parents, the girls' friendship remains strong, and they meet in Sarah's barn to celebrate Christmas Day together. Part of the Adventures in History series.

Abertura

1979 • 53 min • Brazil

One of the most daring and radical shows presented in Brazilian television: "Abertura". It was broadcast between February and October, 1979, with weekly editions, presented by Brazilian filmmaker Glauber Rocha. The video is a compilation of characters, statements, and interviews about the political and cultural situation of the country during the final stages of the Military Dictatorship.

How the Cossacks Helped Musketeers

1979 • 18 min • Soviet Union

Cossacks help the French musketeers to deliver the portrait of daughter of the Turkish sultan to the Dutch prince, that could marry her. Insidious cardinal Richelieu wants to blow off the plans of queen and equips pursuit.

Aurélia Steiner (Vancouver)

1979 • 48 min • France

Based on the letters of a fictitious poetess to her lover. Duras reads extracts from the letters, about the poetess’s Jewish past, while the film shows stark waves beating against the seashore. – BFI

The Long Vacation of Lotte H. Eisner

1979 • 59 min • Germany

Historian, author, and movie critic Lotte H. Eisner is the subject of this documentary. She recalls her early childhood in Germany and her association with such legendary directors as F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang. Leaving Germany for Paris in 1933, her anticipation of WW II saw her relocating to the South of France. Eisner gives her considerable and insightful opinions on classic German Expressionist Films, as several of her admirers drop by during the interview conducted by director Sohrab Shadid-Saless.

Canada Vignettes: Log Driver's Waltz

1979 • 3 min • Canada

A short illustrating Wade Hemsworth's folk song about a woman's admiration for the agility of her boyfriend, the log driver.

When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate

1979 • 60 min • United States of America

This lively, spirit-lifting musical celebrates the sheer joy -- and survival -- of black music, song and poetry since the days of America's Civil War. With utter grace and ease, the gifted eight-member singing ensemble glides from gospel to disco and from slave-quarter sermons to contemporary black poetry.

The 3rd Barry Manilow Special

1979 • 48 min

Manilow's third special include hits, skits, and a special appearance by John Denver.

Back to the Egg

1979 • 30 min • United Kingdom

A program containing music videos to promote the band Wings' 1979 album Back to the Egg.