Brimming with action while incisively examining the nature of truth, "Rashomon" is perhaps the finest film ever to investigate the philosophy of justice. Through an ingenious use of camera and flashbacks, Kurosawa reveals the complexities of human nature as four people recount different versions of the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife.
A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife.
Haunted by a mysterious super-pilot, a young glider pilot first flees, then confronts his challenger. Nominated for an Academy Award. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Based on the book by anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff, this Academy Award-winning short documentary offers a tender portrait of a community of elderly yet resilient Jews living, loving, and at times struggling, in Venice, California. From everyday trials to traditional celebrations, this compassionate portrayal of Eastern European survivors cuts straight to the heart of every viewer and reminds us of the joys and realities of long life. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.
A junkie must face his true self to kick his drug addiction. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 2005.
Primary is a documentary film about the primary elections between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey in 1960. Primary is the first documentary to use light equipment in order to follow their subjects in a more intimate filmmaking style. This unconventional way of filming created a new look for documentary films where the camera’s lens was right in the middle of what ever drama was occurring. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 1998.
Spaceborne is a 1977 short documentary directed by Philip Dauber. It shows images taken during space missions of the mid-1970s, including images of Skylab, astronauts, and the Earth, later followed by footage from Apollo 17. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
In this American Film Institute-subsidized short subject, Fionnula Flanagan plays a sharp-tongued but compassionate nun, while Peter Lempert is cast as a sullen, emotionally disturbed boy. The title refers to the "thawing" process that occurs when the nun attempts to break through Lempert's wall of silence. Winner of the Oscar for "Best Short Film, Live Action". Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Background is a 1973 American short documentary film directed by Carmen D'Avino. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. The original version was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
An Oscar-nominated film with no narration showing the Exploratorium (The Palace of Arts and Science) in San Francisco. It shows many of the exhibits and the reaction of visitors to many of these. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive.
Doubletalk is a 1975 short film directed by Alan Beattie. The film follows a young man who picks his girlfriend up at her family home and meets her parents -- and the audience is privy to their private thoughts and impressions. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
The Flight of the Gossamer Condor tells the inspiring true story of history's first successful human-powered flight. Renowned inventor Dr. Paul MacCready and his team were filmed creating the world-famous pedal-powered airplane as it happened. Producing this film, which documents the development of a man's dream into a scientific and historic achievement was, in itself, an extraordinary effort. There was an immense risk involved in making a commitment to film a scientist's effort at achieving something which had never done before successfully. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.
The Rehearsal is a 1969 short comedy, written and directed by Stephen F. Verona. It is a humorous short where a director becomes frustrated with a quisitive actress during the rehearsal of a play. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.
Garry Trudeau's classic characters (Mike Doonesbury, Zonker, etc.) examine how their lifestyles, priorities, and concerns have changed since the end of their idealistic college days in the 1960s. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Three young ladies perform yoga without clothes in the open air of Cyprus. Another does the same in a studio. These visuals are interspersed with images of Eastern art, processed for "psychedelic" effect. The narrator relates the practice of yoga to Buddhist philosophy. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with British Film Institute in 2012.
An exploration of American escapism through dream sequences. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
This film examines the reasons why the United States decided to engage in the Korean War. Scenes describe Russia's attempt to gain power following World War II (Korea included), and its refusal to allow free elections in the country. Footage shows Soviet-backed North Korean troops' movement into South Korea on June 25, 1950, the United Nations' response, and the armed struggle against both North Korean and later Chinese troops led by General Douglas MacArthur. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation in 2005.
Shut Up... I'm Crying is a 1970 English language short film directed by Robert Siegler, starring Sal Catena, Kevin Michael and Carolyn Schultz. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Climb is a 1974 short documentary directed by DeWitt Jones featuring Michael Farrell and Russell Mclean. It is about rock climbing that takes place in Washington Column. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Examines the mesmerising construction of clear crystal glass pieces created by the craftsmen of Waterford. The process from the intense heat of the furnace to glass blowing, shaping, cutting, honing, filling and finishing is all depicted in this celebration of the art of creation of Waterford Glass. Academy Award Nominee: Best Live Action Short - 1976.