British film director Martin Durkin plunges into the shark-infested waters of American Race-Politics and explores its long and obfuscated history. According to Durkin, America has moved far into left field from Dr. King’s prescription that people should be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. This film will provide some facts and perspective to help correct course.
Upon the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, many Americans thought that slavery had been abolished once and for all. Frederick Douglass, however, argued that “slavery is not abolished until the black man has the ballot.” His fight to secure the vote transformed not only the Constitution, but what it meant to be an American. This film explores Frederick Douglass’ journey to ensure African-Americans have the right to vote through the creation of the Fifteenth Amendment.
The official music video of Carla Howell’s song “Good Folks” brings you into the lives of ordinary people who use – or could have used – firearms for self-defense. Based on true stories, it chronicles her evolution from being anti-gun (“Why would anyone need a gun?”) to understanding the real need for protection that many people face. It is hoped this video will help the many who are reflexively anti-gun to understand that “gun control” laws don’t stop violent crime; they enable it.
Kentucky restaurant owners, bar owners, and brewers say Governor Andy Beshear abused his emergency powers authority by imposing a series of arbitrary and unending Covid-19 restrictions that crushed the hospitality industry. Goodwood Brewing Company CEO Ted Mitzlaff and others explain how small businesses in Kentucky and across the rest of the country have been destroyed by governors’ constantly changing orders during the pandemic. Governor Beshear’s shifting Covid-19 restrictions resulted in Kentucky businesses never being entirely sure whether they were in full compliance with the law, creating a looming threat of complete shutdown if a business accidentally violated orders, regulations, mandates, and directives they didn’t know existed. While governors can legitimately exercise their emergency powers during a crisis like Covid-19, their authority is not indefinite—and arbitrary government restrictions place a huge cost on everyday Americans.
As one of the most consequential decisions in the history of the Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade articulated the right to abortion as a fundamental right. But where did this landmark case originate? In this documentary short, six law professors discuss how and why Roe v. Wade made it to the Supreme Court.
“Trust Us” is a six-chapter documentary series charting the origins of “technocracy” —rule by experts. The United States was founded on a core principle: checks and balances. Each of the three branches of government would keep the others in check. Early 20th century Progressives believed that idea was outdated and began supplanting more and more of our constitutional system with administrative experts, confident that they could plan and engineer society from the top down. If they could just accrue enough knowledge and power, they could cure the human condition. What started as a few executive bureaus has become today’s massive administrative state, a “fourth branch” of government that influences every aspect of our daily lives. The results have not been reassuring. From economics to housing to health, “Trust Us” reveals the strange origins and tragic consequences of expert rule.
“Busy Bee” is the first ever dialogue-free animated narrative short about housing policy…we think. Our hero is an architect bee who loves designing and building beautiful beehives. His most recent masterpiece makes him think he should design and build the homes of all the other animals in the yard — whether they want him to or not. The visual style is meant to evoke animation’s golden age, which was also the era when many well-intentioned but harmful housing and zoning policies were implemented in the US. “Busy Bee” is an allegory about housing, but its central question extends beyond policy: Who gets to be the final arbiter of taste?
Featuring interviews with individuals currently experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless, homeless advocates, service providers, policy professionals, experts in addiction and mental illness, law enforcement, political leaders, and homelessness innovators, Beyond Homeless: Finding Hope is an exploration of what’s driving the homelessness crisis in California, with a focus on San Francisco, and an in-depth study of an alternative approach that has reversed what had been a growing crisis in San Antonio, Texas. Through contrasting the two approaches, Beyond Homeless offers a vision and new hope with real solutions for San Francisco—and beyond.
Starting at the end of the civil rights era with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Am a VICTOR” tracks the 50-year journey taken by black Americans on the two different roads they have traveled since that iconic time. Depending on the road they selected (or unconsciously followed), that decision would impact the lives of their children’s children. A large percentage of the population took the path that led to an Afro-centric, secular and political activist journey and the smaller and often unheard population took the path that was taught by their parents and grandparents rooted in the Christian faith (Faith, Family and Education). Post-screening discussion: Kendall Johnson, Kendall Qualls, and Maj Toure.
All small businesses start with humble beginnings. “The Beggar and the Road Kid” is a comedy short film about what happens when an old hobo’s begging territory is threatened by a young vagabond hitchhiker.
The city of East Jordynn, Utah is facing a crisis. Liberty Are Us, a local libertarian think tank, has filed a lawsuit over East Jordynn’s street lamp utility fee — Chelsea Yep’s latest idea to “help” her town. The debate over what is a tax and what is a fee comes to life as Chelsea dives head first into standing up for her government program in this hilarious parody of a beloved TV series. The ideas of liberty go head to head with the misguided (yet well-meaning…?) plans of local government. Who will come out ahead? Or can an innovative policy solution be found?
Most borders are intended to keep foreigners from crossing into a country. If there are guns, they are pointed out. Yet, just a generation ago, there was a famous wall where the guns pointed in, trained on its own citizens who might escape. But, escape from what? Join German author and historian Dr. Rainer Zitelmann to see what daily life was truly like within the walls of East Germany in, Life Behind the Berlin Wall.
“Grid Down, Power Up” discusses the current vulnerability of our power grid. Four major threats could bring down the grid and potentially kill two-thirds of America’s people. This vulnerability can be resolved if the American people speak up. This film is starting a movement. We’re going to choose POWER UP, not “grid down.”
“The Gift” is a short science fiction / horror film that explores the darker sides of human nature and how catastrophic events can occur when a climate of fear is cultivated. It is set in the near future after alien ships appear in the skies above Earth’s major cities, throwing the world into chaos. But instead of destroying the planet or invading, the aliens do… nothing. They simply hover in place. For years. Silent. Inscrutable. Unable to determine the alien’s motivations or why they refuse to make contact, the media feeds the planet a steady diet of fear, uncertainty and doubt. When the alien’s true intentions are finally revealed, an unspeakable tragedy unfolds.
No one can truly be free without the ability to live, work, and pursue happiness in their own way. It didn’t take long for artist Carlos Luna to learn that his home country of Cuba would allow none of those things. Under Fidel Castro’s repressive regime, Carlos had to choose between expressing himself or staying out of trouble with the authorities. Fleeing first to Mexico, where he met his wife Claudia, and then to the United States, Carlos found the ability to practice his art free from the threat of censorship or persecution. Today, Carlos is using his success to depict in vivid colors and bold brushstrokes the dangers of authoritarianism, as well as his personal antipathy towards Castro. Along with thousands of his fellow Cubans, Carlos has built a home and a family in the city of Miami, where he is finally able to live THE FREE LIFE.
“Battleground Melbourne” charts the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people as they fought for their rights and freedoms when their beloved home was turned from the “World’s most livable city” to the world’s most locked down city. Hear first hand accounts, see actual footage of the battles that unfolded, and be inspired by the courage of ordinary people willing to fight for their freedom. “Battleground Melbourne” is a multi-award winning documentary earning international acclaim, and at its core is a simple message: There is hope for as long as people are willing to keep fighting. Watch as previously unthinkable events unfold in the streets of one of the world’s great cities, Melbourne Australia, where riot police with armored vehicles would open fire on unarmed and non-violent protesters, and the State Government were willing to stop at nothing in their brutal efforts to silence the voices of their own people. “Battleground Melbourne” stands as a permanent record of the darkest chapter in modern Australian history.
Clarence Thomas remains a controversial figure, loved by some, reviled by others. Few know much more than a few headlines and the recollections of his contentious confirmation battle with Anita Hill. “Created Equal presents a story truly and fully developed, without cover-ups or distortions. It offers an intimate look at the life and career of controversial Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Planet Lockdown is a 90-minute documentary on the situation the world finds itself in. We spoke to some of the brightest and bravest minds in the world including epidemiologists, scientists, doctors, lawyers, protesters a statesman and a prince. These brave souls had the courage to speak truth against all odds and inspire us to do the same. We must have the courage to overcome our fears. Once we do, it gets easier every time.
A quick spreading virus has shut down the world, and finding love is the last thing on the minds of two busy singles. But when Kenzie and Chase connect in the unlikeliest of ways, their emoji-laden chemistry is undeniable. The question is, how does dating work when you have to stay six feet apart? Determined not to let the limitations of quarantine stand in the way of getting to know Kenzie, Chase devises a list of virtual quarantine dates that will take the place of real-life courting. From cooking meals ‘together’ to rousing game nights, what begins as a welcome distraction turns into something more as Chase and Kenzie find themselves redefining romance in ways they never could have expected.
This film explores the journey of Project Veritas, America’s premiere undercover journalism outfit, as they continue to investigate the inner workings of CNN. Expose CNN examines the dynamics of a powerful multinational corporate newsroom under scrutiny by Project Veritas, one of the most misunderstood, maligned, and tenacious investigative groups in the country spearheaded by James O’Keefe.
Christian DeJohn served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He was deployed to Bosnia after 9/11 and completed coursework overseas. He was on track to get his master’s degree in military history from Temple University. But when DeJohn returned from deployment, Temple professors and administrators decided they didn’t like his pro-military opinions. They began a petty vendetta against him that culminated in a refusal to conduct an impartial review of DeJohn’s completed master’s thesis, which prevented him from receiving his degree. DeJohn’s subsequent lawsuit against Temple’s overbroad harassment policy, which was used to police his and other students’ speech, resulted in a landmark victory for free speech rights in higher education.