Memory Lanes

On October 15, 2009, America watched with rapt attention a large balloon float through the skies of Colorado on live TV

When a group of centenarian WWII veterans pilgrimage to Normandy, France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day, we witness how these landscapes, scarred by war and frozen in time, unlock memories of the lives lost and lived thereafter.

With a distinctive style all his own, author and journalist Tom Wolfe reshapes how American stories are told.

Follows the Education First (EF) Cycling Team as they navigate a turbulent 2020 season through the Tour de France, telling the individual stories of the riders, from Colombian star Rigo Urán to rising up-and-comers and veteran teammates.

The feature documentary Searching for Mr. Rugoff is the story of Donald Rugoff, who was the crazy genius behind Cinema 5, the mid-century theater chain and film distribution company. Rugoff was a difficult (some would say impossible) person but was also the man who kicked art films into the mainstream with outrageous marketing schemes and pure bluster. Rugoff's impact on cinema culture in the United States is inestimable, and his influence on the art film business-from the studio classics divisions to the independent film movement to the rise of the Weinsteins-is undeniable. Yet, mysteriously, Rugoff has become a virtually forgotten figure. The story is told through the eyes of former employee Ira Deutchman, who sets out to find the truth about the man who had such a major impact on his life, and to understand how such an important figure could have disappeared so completely.

Over the centuries caviar (i.e. - sturgeon eggs) was strictly reserved for Russian Czars and royalty throughout the world. Nowadays it’s become synonymous with wealth, fame, and indulgence. But why is that? What's so special about caviar? "Caviar Dreams" delves into the complex world of caviar, weaving a tapestry of caviar tales that leaves you knowing more than you ever thought possible about this unique delicacy. Beyond the assumed glamour and luxury associated with caviar, we uncover a story about over-fishing, poaching, near extinction, and a quest for sustainability.

"Hollywood’s Mermaid" takes a deep dive into Esther William’s remarkable life’s story. We follow Esther from a 16-year-old Olympic hopeful to a 90-year-old Hollywood icon and see first-hand how her unique blend of athleticism, grace, and charisma continually captivated audiences across the globe for decades.

The Amazing Mr. Ash is a documentary short that follows the life and times of Ashod Baboorian, a beloved and eccentric Chicago-area magician. Mr. Ash, along with his wife Bonnie, have owned and operated Ash's Magic Shop on Western Avenue since 1985. The business is a veritable landmark in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, and is one of the last remaining magic shops in the city. At 74 years old, Mr. Ash has a storied history as an Iraqi-Armenian emigrant, a US army draftee, a country-western singer, and of course as a world famous magician.

The untold story of a notorious incident involving Johnny Carson, a lot of toilet paper, and millions of fearful Americans. In 1973, as a dire oil crisis plagued the country, Carson made a joke on "The Tonight Show" about a possible paper shortage. This off-hand remark quickly created an actual paper shortage when viewers went and bought up as much toilet paper as they could get their hands on. Compiled entirely of archival footage, and animated sequences based on contemporaneous news reports, the film explores the power and impact of misinformation in the media.

This documentary short is about the history, characters, and sounds of the National Hollerin' Contest. Hollerin' itself is considered by some to be the earliest form of communication between humans, and the annual competition has been held in the small town of Spivey's Corner, NC since 1969. The film follows the stories of three former champions as they attempt to reclaim their titles, and keep the oft-forgotten tradition of hollerin' alive.