DOCUMENTARIES-2017

Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker John Zaritsky returns to the story that has fascinated and compelled him for years - thalidomide and it's effect on the survivors of "the worst drug disaster in history." In this, his third film on the subject, he reconnects with some of the thalidomide victims he originally profiled when they were young, and introduces us to some new people who have been active in the fight for justice. He also highlights some recently released information about German pharmaceutical giant Grünenthal, who aggressively marketed the drug, and are now selling it again under a different usage, but still with no compensation for those who's lives they affected so deeply. The indefatigable spirit of the extraordinary thalidomide victims is cast against the callousness disregard of the drug's manufacturers in a film that lays out the story from it's beginnings in the late 50s to the current state of affairs in the present day.

A documentary about the complex emotional, ethical and psychological issues surrounding the new frontier of predictive genetic testing. The film follows three families who have been confronted with the decision of whether or not to be tested for Huntington's disease - a degenerative neurological illness that is akin to having ALS, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's simultaneously - and one of the first diseases people could be accurately and conclusively tested for, before the onset of any symptoms. As scientists discover more ways to identify diseases before we know we have them, "do you really want to know?" will be a question more and more of us will face.

Life and quips about death from the wheelchair of a woman who vows to exit laughing. Once a nationally-known performer of ballads, skits and self-parody, now fated by Lou Gehrig's Disease to perish within a year, the remarkable Carla Zilbersmith will leave a teen-aged son, fans and students who adore her. A pre-mortem retrospective of a life lived fully, but far too fast.

Frontline investigates suicide tourism by following a Chicago native as he travels to Switzerland in order to take his life with help of a nonprofit organization that legally assists suicides.

In this Canadian television TV documentary, Oscar winning filmmaker John Zaritsky interviews people who suffer from sever birth defects stemming from thalidomide, the now notorious drug given to pregnant women in the 1960's.

This documentary examines the growing problem of rape in America. It looks at five offenders who are being treated at an innovative facility at the Oregon State Hospital and examines whether convicted rapists can be rehabilitated such that they are no longer a risk to people in society.

Mr Zaritsky On TV follows Academy Award-winning director John Zaritsky as he captures the swan song of his career, in this behind-the-scenes road trip that reveals often underappreciated aspects of documentary filmmaking.

There are approximately 5.7 million people in the United States with bipolar disorder. In an attempt to eliminate the mystery and misinformation surrounding the illness, many throughout the country diagnosed with this condition were interviewed extensively. They diligently explain the struggle to balance themselves between floating to a state of euphoria and sinking to a devastating depression.

Stan Romanek is the center of the world's most documented extraterrestrial contact story, and the multitude of evidence accumulated over the past decade has convinced thousands around the world that his story is true. This documentary film takes audiences on a journey through Stan's past, present and future with one goal in mind: help the world understand that no one knowingly chooses the challenges Stan and his family have endured. This film's intention is not to prove the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials, but it does pose the question' What if this is all true? extraordinary: the stan romanek story is about one man's evolution through a life he did not choose and the messages he is driven to deliver to mankind.

Take an emotional journey back to the early Seventies, the Golden Age of Groupies! Some were in it for love, some for the music, and some for their art -- and four decades later, these passionate women share their stories of sexual conquest and bitter heartbreak, and finally reveal whether it was all worth it. Told through the eyes of rock and roll historian and super groupie Pamela Des Barres (author of the famous 1987 tell-all "I'm With The Band", and the brand-new book "Let's Spend The Night Together") this ninety-minute documentary offers memories of her sexual exploits and longtime escapades with such notorious rockers as Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison and Jimmy Page -- and chronicles her cross-country journey to reconnect with the iconic women who loved and inspired the great rock stars of our time.

Tells the story of Canadian music in the 1970s, a ground-breaking era of great sounds, from glam and progressive rock to punk and reggae.

Promised Land of Heavy Metal is a documentary about Finland, the only country where heavy metal has become mainstream. Starring Alice Cooper, Mr Lordi, and Ville Valo.

A celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first screening of "Old Grey Whistle Test, The" (1971) featuring highlights from the archive.

A film about the career of the notorious punk rock band, the Sex Pistols.

Documentary about a band that had a hit in the mid '90s and then seemingly disappeared, only to rise again as an independent band in a new era of music.

Independent Lens is an award-winning PBS documentary series that streams on the PBS App and airs on public television. Independent Lens documentaries focus on stories of underrepresented communities and universal challenges found across America. The series has been awarded numerous Emmys and Peabodys, and has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards.

A documentary film about session and touring musicians that are hired by well established and famous bands and artists like Metallica, KISS, and Billy Joel. These hired guns may not be household names, but are still masters of their craft.

A documentary about the life of Tom Savini. The film covers his early days in Pittsburgh, and his rise to stardom as Hollywood's most sought after special effects wizard.

The life and times of music manager and publicist Danny Fields, who worked with some of the biggest acts of the '60s and '70s, including the Doors, Cream, Lou Reed, Nico, Judy Collins, the Stooges and the Ramones.

The life and career of the renowned stage magician turned scientific skeptic of the paranormal, James Randi.

Super Duper Alice Cooper is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr Jekyll whose rock n roll Mr Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, preacher's son, who struck fear into the hearts of parents as Alice Cooper, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as front man for a group of Phoenix freaks in the 60s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the 70s to his triumphant comeback as 80s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice and Vincent battle for each others' souls. The is the first ever 'doc opera' - a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation and rock opera that will cement forever the legend of Alice Cooper.

A Directv and Guitar Center documentary highlights the iconic rock guitarist, Slash. Featuring interviews with Dave Grohl, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Duff Mckagan and Nikki Sixx