When nine-year-old Maya Kowalski was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in 2016, nothing could have prepared her or her family for what they were about to go through. As the medical team tried to understand her rare illness, they began to question the basic truths that bound the Kowalskis together. Suddenly, Maya was in state custody despite two parents who were desperate to bring their daughter home. The story of the Kowalski family as told in their own words will change the way you look at children's healthcare forever. 'Take Care of Maya' delves into the harrowing narrative of a family navigating the treacherous waters of the U.S. parental rights. The storyline underscores the agonizing journey of parents who find themselves battling against seemingly insurmountable odds to reclaim their child. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the issues they face are deeply entrenched in the ethical and moral dilemmas of the U.S. system. The narrative hints at potential flaws in the healthcare or judicial sectors that further complicate their fight for justice. Throughout, the audience is exposed to raw emotions, moments of despair, confrontation, and an unwavering spirit of resilience.
A provocative and enlightening documentary that delves into the little-known power of plant-based eating to heal our bodies and the planet. Through concrete interviews and compelling testimonials, the film explores how chronic diseases, which have become epidemics in the Western world, can be significantly improved and even reversed by changes in diet. Doctors, scientists, and celebrities share their insights and personal experiences, debunking the notion that medicine and surgical procedures are the only answers to serious health conditions. This documentary not only highlights the transformative impacts of diet on health but also addresses the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices. ‘Eating You Alive’ offers an inspiring vision of how we can take control over our health, live in harmony with the environment, and effect positive change in our lives and the world around us. This film is a call to action, not just for those looking to improve their health but also for those committed to sustainability and the well-being of the planet.
Monty Don embarks on a journey across Spain, discovering gardens across the country’s diverse landscape and exploring its rich and varied history and culture. He will cover more than 4,000 kilometres to visit some of its most interesting gardens, community projects and parks in order to get under the skin of the country. His trips range from historic imperial palaces to cutting-edge modern gardens created by a new wave of Spanish designers working more closely with the landscape and the challenges of the climate. “Spain's history and its landscapes, climates and cultures have huge diversity. And in this series, I want to get under the skin of the country by visiting as many gardens in Spain as I can so I can shed light on this nation's past, its future and its people. The result is a picture not just of its gardens but this fascinating country itself. Dramatic, proud, complex, but always compelling.”
The documentary tells the story of several families as they attempt to escape oppression in North Korea, revealing a world most of us have never seen. They grew up believing their land was paradise. Now, they risk everything in escaping it. In an unforgettable film, follow them on a treacherous journey to defect from their homeland of North Korea, as the threat of severe punishment and possible execution looms over their passage. Directed by Madeleine Gavin, the documentary centers around Pastor Seungeun Kim, a South Korean human rights activist and director of the Caleb Mission, which has rescued over 1,000 North Korean defectors since 2000.
(Click CC for subtitles) Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented. Nominated for Best Documentary Award, the film has an undeniable and unshakable power. It is one of those documentaries where anyone who watches it won’t be the same person by the end as they were when it started. To Kill a Tiger offers the viewer remarkable access to village life, not just in the modest home where Ranjit’s family make roti on an open fire, but in the fields where they herd goats and collect water from a pump. The camera finds quiet details, like Ranjit’s daughter carefully weaving ribbons into her hair. Women and men insist that the community, not the criminal court, should solve the issue with a forced marriage—to remove the ‘stain on her’. The men become increasingly hostile—to the family, and eventually to the film crew itself.
Winner of the Best Documentary Short Award, the film tells the story of four unassuming heroes who ensure no student is deprived of the joy of music. It is also a reminder of how music can be the best medicine, stress reliever and even an escape from poverty. Since 1959, Los Angeles has been one of the few United States cities to offer and fix musical instruments for its public school students at no cost. Those instruments, numbering around 80,000, are maintained at a Los Angeles downtown warehouse by a handful of craftspeople. The film profiles four of them, each specializing in an orchestra section, as well as students whose lives have been enriched by the repair shop's work. The film concludes with a performance by district alumni.
'Take Care of Maya' delves into the harrowing narrative of a family navigating the treacherous waters of the U.S. parental rights. The storyline underscores the agonizing journey of parents who find themselves battling against seemingly insurmountable odds to reclaim their child. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that the issues they face are deeply entrenched in the ethical and moral dilemmas of the U.S. system. The narrative hints at potential flaws in the healthcare or judicial sectors that further complicate their fight for justice. Throughout, the audience is exposed to raw emotions, moments of despair, confrontation, and an unwavering spirit of resilience.