Regarding the documentary competition, Tribeca say: "This international selection of captivating non-fiction films provides a rich tableau reflecting the complexity of human experience around the world. These films take the camera to places rarely visited a high school in Baghdad; the New Jersey prison system; the analysis and detail that goes into a major theatrical production as well as taking closer looks at major international stories such as that of the courageous women who helped bring an end to Liberias civil war. These twelve non-fiction films compete for Best Documentary Film and Best New Documentary Filmmaker.
Using a contraband video camera inside the notorious gang unit at Newarks Northern State Prison, incarcerated Bloods member Omar Broadway puts his life on the line to document guards corruption and excessive force. His groundbreaking footage exposes the violent and unseen world behind bars.
(Country: US)
Baghdad High
Four classmates (Kurd, Christian, Shiite, and Sunni/Shiite) in Baghdad are given cameras to document their last year in high school, resulting in a rare firsthand view of what its like growing up where sectarian violence rages right outside the classroom window.
(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Ivan O'Mahoney, Laura Winter)
Donkey In Lahore
An unusual love story that follows the quixotic courtship of Brian, an ex-goth puppeteer from Australia, and Amber, the traditional Muslim girl he met and fell in love with in Pakistan. Can this unlikely couple survive the challenges they are about to face?
(Country: Australia; Year: 2007; Director: Faramarz K-Rahber)
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Guest of Cindy Sherman
Analysing his relationship with reclusive artist Cindy Sherman leads videographer Paul H-O to confront his own ego and identity in this personal and often humorous documentary, which features unprecedented access to Sherman and a unique view of the New York art world.
Kassim "The Dream" Ouma went from Ugandan child soldier to world champion boxer. In this gripping tale of survival and determination, Kassim proves that even against all odds, a man can achieve his dreams and turn tragedy into inspiration.
(Country: US; Director: Kief Davidson)
Milosevic On Trial
(Slobodan Milosevic - Prsident under anklage)
Defending himself against widely credited charges of genocide before an international court in The Hague, Serbias former president proved frustratingly difficult to convict, as this riveting look at Milosevic and the chief prosecuting attorney attests.
(Country: Denmark; Director: Michael Christoffersen)
While there is nothing wrong with a fly-on-the-wall attitude to documentary making, more facts and a little number-crunching would go a long way to bolstering Gaja’s argument.
Documentarian tracks an illegal Mexican immigrant as she is tried for murder.
Nearly 90, Bebo Valdes is one of the greatest living Cuban musicians. This joyful documentary celebrates the man who was a key figure in the development of mambo and whose life reflects the experiences of many Cubans since 1959.
Although filling the watcher with the same sort of outrage that inspired the women to stand up and be counted, this is, at heart, a testimony to the power of solidarity and sisterhood through a single purpose.
The story of the Liberian women who came together to bring peace to their country.
(Country: US; Year: 2008; Director: Gini Reticker)
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Art and politics converge in this provocative look at the life and ideas of Bertolt Brecht, interwoven with The Public Theaters staging of his Mother Courage. Meryl Streep, Tony Kushner, Kevin Kline, and George C Wolfe take audiences on an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at their creative process.
(Director: John Walter)
Two Mothers
(Meine Mtter)
At age 58, award-winning filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim found out he was adopted. The search for his biological mother leads himand the audienceon a dark and engrossing journey into a world of prison hospitals, the SS and the Nazi occupation of Europe.
