Independent Lens

1 - The Political Dr. Seuss

Air Date: October 26, 2004

The Political Dr. Seuss is a 2004 documentary film written by Ron Lamothe, Eric Martin and Lois Vossen, and directed by Ron Lamothe.

2 - Polka Time

Air Date: November 9, 2004

3 - Afghanistan Unveiled

Air Date: November 16, 2004

4 - Los Angeles Now

Air Date: November 23, 2004

Los Angeles Now is a 60 minute documentary by producer/director Phillip Rodriguez. It first aired in November 2004 on PBS’s Independent Lens series. The documentary investigates the city of Los Angeles as it comes of age and wrestles with its history and its future. The film includes conversations with a broad range of Los Angeles figures, from actress Salma Hayek and businessman/philanthropist Eli Broad to author and essayist Richard Rodriguez and Cardinal Roger Mahony.

5 - The Day My God Died

Air Date: November 30, 2004

6 - Girl Wrestler

Air Date: December 14, 2004

7 - Fine; Doki-Doki

Air Date: December 21, 2004

8 - Short, Not Sweet

Air Date: December 28, 2004

9 - A Hard Straight

Air Date: January 4, 2005

10 - A Touch of Greatness

Air Date: January 11, 2005

11 - Power Trip

Air Date: January 25, 2005

12 - February One: The Story of the Greensboro Four

Air Date: February 1, 2005

13 - On a Roll: Disability and the American Dream

Greg Smith and his family bare all in this unflinching portrait of a 65-pound man striving for the American dream. Fueled by discrimination, Smith created "On a Roll" talk radio from his wheelchair in 1992. The father of three travels the globe but finds his own nation's capital inaccessible - a minor challenge compared to living independently and having safe intimate relationships.

14 - Thunder in Guyana/Unites States of Poetry

Air Date: February 22, 2005

15 - Sisters of '77

Air Date: March 1, 2005

Sisters of '77 is a documentary film that chronicles an unprecedented event in women's history, the first National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas in November 1977. The purpose of the National Women's Conference was to end discrimination against women and promote their equal rights. The conference was the first federally funded women's conference, and brought together over 20,000 women and men from around the United States. Sisters of '77 provides a look at a pivotal weekend that changed the course of history and the lives of the women who attended. The film incorporates rare archival footage and interviews of leaders relating this history to the present. The conference attendees included former first ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, and Rosalynn Carter. The women present included Republicans, Democrats, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinas, Native American, pro-choice, pro-life, straight, gay, liberal and conservative women. The most influential leaders attending the burgeoning women’s movement included Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Eleanor Smeal, Ann Richards, Coretta Scott King, Billie Jean King, and Barbara Jordan.

16 - Sunset Story

Air Date: March 22, 2005

17 - Let the Church Say Amen

Air Date: March 29, 2005

18 - A Lion's Trail

Air Date: April 5, 2005

19 - Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton

Air Date: April 12, 2005

20 - End of the Century: The Ramones; Joe Strummer Rocks Again

Air Date: April 26, 2005

A profile of seminal punk band the Ramones includes concert footage, interviews with group members and clips of bands that influenced them or were influenced by them. Bassist Dee Dee Ramone died shortly after filming, while guitarist Johnny Ramone died soon after the film's release. Both are interviewed. Susan Sarandon introduces the film. Also: a preview of a movie about Joe Strummer, who is shown performing.

21 - The Last Letter; Zyklon Portrait; The Walnut Tree

Air Date: May 3, 2005

22 - Imelda

Air Date: May 10, 2005

23 - Imelda: Power, Myth, Illusion