The Media Services contribution to the Library Subject Guides is a selective list of video holdings in the American University Library. Filmographies are created by doing multiple keyword searches in the ALADIN catalog to capture as many titles on a topic as possible. For complete up-to-date holdings (including VHS tapes) please refer to the library ALADIN catalog (www.catalog.wrlc.org)
Most streaming videos listed are available exclusively to AU students, staff and faculty after an online authentications by AUID#.
Here’s a sneak peak at what can be found in the FILMS ON FILMMAKING & FILMMAKERS Filmography:
American movie :the making of Northwestern. Sony Pictures classics. 2000. 1 videodisc (104 min.). Documentary of the two-year effort by Mark Borchardt to finish his “no-budget horror film, Coven.”. DVD 131
Baadasssss! 2004. 1 videodisc (109 min.). A candid portrait of Melvin Van Peeble’s struggles as a young, black director during the society-shifting 70’s. Determined to make a film that matters, Melvin deals with two-faced backers, a rag-tag crew, threatening creditors, and various shades of Hollywood hypocrisy. With everything on the line, his only choice is to stick to his guns and do whatever it takes to get his neo-blaxploitation epic to the audience for which it was envisioned. DVD 2941
Chop socky Cinema Hong Kong. 2005. 1 videodisc (55 min.). This offers an in-depth look at Hong Kong’s wu xia film legacy and its influence on global cinema. From its earliest roots in Beijing Opera to Quentin Tarantino’s tribute to Hong Kong martial arts action in Kill Bill, Vol. 2. All of the bases are covered, from Hong Kong cinema’s first martial-arts hero, Wong Fei Hung, to the balletic choreography of Chang Che. Includes the “one-punch” impact of Bruce Lee and the evolution of kung-fu comedy as epitomized by Jackie Chan. The Hong Kong technique of editing-in-camera is thoroughly demonstrated in a multi-screen sequence, and abundant film clips provide tantalizing samples of the genre’s classic films. DVD 1207
Forbidden Hollywood collection. 2009. 1 videodisc (152 min.). Wild Bill: Explores the life and directorial times of William A. Wellman. The men who made the movies: Wellman shares many stories and speaks bluntly of the producers with who he has worked and describes his remarkable star-making and star-spotting abilities. He was responsible for helping actors win Oscars and discovered such notable actors as James Cagney and Gary Cooper. DVD 5794
Kurosawa. 2002. 1 videodisc (215 min.). A documentary of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa featuring his family, colleagues and critics from Japan and America commenting on the man and his films. Includes excerpts from many of his famous works. DVD 392
A letter to Elia. 2010. 1 videodisc (82 min.). Martin Scorsese directs and narrates this look at director Elia Kazan. From his triumphs with films such as On the Waterfront to his controversial naming of names during the McCarthy hearings, Kazan is shown in all his complexity. DVD 7741
Nanook revisited. 2005. 1 videodisc (55 min.). The filmmakers revisit Inukjuak, the Inuit village where Flaherty filmed Nanook of the North. Examines the realities behind the ground-breaking documentary and the changes since it was made almost 70 years ago. Shows the reactions of the Inuit living in the village, to the film, and also looks at the inaccuracies and staged scenes in the original. DVD 6795
Sidney Lumet. The directors. 2002. 1 videodisc (60 min.). Profile of director Sidney Lumet, featuring extensive film clips and interviews with actors who have worked with him. DVD 570
Stanley Kubrick: A life in pictures. Stanley Kubrick collection. 2001. 1 videodisc (143 min.). Documentary about the career of director Stanley Kubrick, drawing on Kubrick archives and offering an intimate portrait of his life among family and friends. DVD 2787
See the full Films on Filmmaking and Filmmakers filmography here.