We have a strong lineup of Independent Lens documentaries this Saturday on WETA!  From the bravery of a 22 year old girl parachuting into Nazi-Europe, to a young Tibetan man’s journey to find the reincarnation of his master, you are not going to want to miss out on these fascinating stories. Don't forget! James Stewart: A Wonderful Life airs this Saturday at 9:30pm before Independent Lens. 

At age 22, poet and diarist Hannah Senesh left home to save the lives of Hungary’s Jews during Nazi Europe.  Risking her own life, Hannah parachuted into enemy lines, only to quickly find herself captured, tortured, and eventually executed by the Nazis.  Independent Lens: Blessed is the Match, narrated by Academy Award nominee Joan Allen, is the first film to present the life story of this modern-day Joan of Arc. Blessed is the Match brings Hannah’s story to life through interviews with survivors who knew her, such as prisoners with Hannah in a Gestapo jail, fellow parachutists, and classmates at a Budapest girls’ school.  Additionally, the film uses Hannah’s poetry, diary entries, and correspondence with her mother, along with the Senesh family’s unpublished letters and photos, to look back at this heroine’s talent and complexity.  Watch the trailer!

In 2001, world-renowned Tibetan master Geshe Lama Konchog passed away.  As a result, the Dalai Lama made the deceased monk’s devoted disciple, Tenzin Zopa, embark on a journey to find the reincarnation of this spiritual leader.  The pressure is on Tenzin as thousands of followers await his find. Independent Lens: Unmistaken Child follows Tenzin’s four-year search on foot, mule, and helicopter for the reincarnated leader. Follow Tenzin as he travels through breathtaking landscapes, secluded Tibetan villages, listens to stories about children with special characteristics, and performs rarely seen ritualistic tests created to determine the probability of reincarnation.  In the end, Tenzin presents the child he believes to be his reincarnated master to the Dalai Lama, who will make the final decision. Watch the trailer!

Humans have the remarkable ability to overcome just about anything. This week on the WETA Saturday Night Movies, hear the stories of individuals who have overcome obstacles in their lives and remember the strength of the will to succeed. We kick off the night with two feature length Doc Martin movies beginning at 9:30pm and follow them up with three Independent Lens documentaries back-to-back at 12:30am. With something for everyone, join WETA TV26 and WETA HD this Saturday as we dig deeper into the workings of society.

Click here to watch video previews of these exciting movies!

Doc Martin: The Movie - Overcoming Loss

Would you ever move from the DC area to a remote, small town in the blink of an eye? Well when Doctor Martin Bamford discovers his wife is having an affair, he throws caution to the wind and moves from London to the unknown fishing village of Port Isaac. Join him as he tries to adjust to the country life, while resuming his medical career in a tiny town. This movie is different from the Doc Martin television show, but still stars Martin Clunes. Sit back and enjoy this alternate take on the ever hilarious Doc Martin.

Watch Doc Martin: The Movie on WETA TV26 & WETA HD Saturday at 9:30pm

Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie - Overcoming Stress

Doc Martin is in need of a holiday from Port Isaac and finds the perfect spot in a small plot of land called Tregruunt Farm. The problem is, another family is also interested in the property. What lengths will Doc Martin go though to ensure he gets it for himself? Let’s just say he takes some legendary measures. 

Watch Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie on WETA TV26 & WETA HD Saturday at 11:00pm

Independent Lens: More Than a Month - Overcoming Boundaries 

February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to paying tribute to the history of African Americans. In this documentary, Shukree Hassan Tilghman feels that black history shouldn't just be remembered in one month, but should be a part of everyday American history. Determined, Tilghman goes on a month long campaign to end the Black History Month observance. Join us as we investigate the dynamics of this practice and why some people think it shouldn’t exist at all.

Watch Independent Lens: More Than a Month on  WETA TV26 & WETA HD  this Sunday at 12:30am

Independent Lens: As Goes Janesville - Overcoming Hardships

The economic depression of 2008 affected many industries and workers across America. This is the story of Janesville, Wisconsin, an auto town where 2,000 residents were left unemployed after General Motors closed its local plant. Many were able to find jobs at different factories or relocate, but some hope to bring new businesses into the town with tax benefits. Follow the actions the residents take locally and nationally to promote business and job growth for their town and state.

Watch Independent Lens: As Goes Janesville on WETA TV26 & WETA HD  Sunday at 1:30am

Independent Lens: The Woodmans - Overcoming with Art

This documentary unveils the lives of the Woodmans, a family of artists all working in different mediums. Betty and George married after realizing a common dedication to fine art and had two children who would also become artists. Their daughter Francesca discovered a passion for photography and moved to New York to peruse her career. Depression, tragedy, and emotions changed their artistic styles. Follow the highs and lows of this family that were held together by their love of art.

Watch Independent Lens: The Woodmans on WETA TV26 & WETA HD Sunday at 2:30am

Get your full dose of nature from the expert himself, Sir David Attenborough, this January on WETA TV26 & HD. Attenborough has been a naturalist and broadcaster for around 60 years and is the best-known natural history film-maker today. We are proud to announce that his timeless BBC documentaries are here on WETA as well as special PBS Nature documentaries delving into the history of Attenborough’s life and works. Read on for more information about each documentary including when it’ll air on WETA.

David Attenborough introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on the Earth, 4,000 species which have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on earth all in the same biological class as humans. Repeats Tuesdays at 4:00pm

This three-part retrospective of his life and work airs on consecutive Wednesdays, January 23, 30, and February 6, 2013 at 8:00pm. The mini-series focuses on three areas that Attenborough believes have been transformed most profoundly during his time: filmmaking, science, and the environment. With distinctive eloquence and enthusiasm for his subject, 86-year old Attenborough recounts all the wonders of the natural world he has been able to share with audiences and reveals his unique personal reflections about nature and the earth. Repeats Thursdays at 2:00pm

Part one: Attenborough’s Life Stories: Life on Camera – January 23 at 8:00pm

Attenborough revisits key places and events in his career and shows how various technical advances in filmmaking allowed for showing new revelations about the planet and the creatures that inhabit it. Underwater photography, infrared film cameras, stabilizing camera mounts, remote controlled camera, time lapse photography, and digital slow motion cameras are just some of the innovations. 

Part two: Attenborough’s Life Stories: Understanding the Natural World – January 30 at 8:00pm

Attenborough shares his memories of the scientists and the breakthroughs that helped shape his own career in translating these discoveries into film. Animal imprinting, continental drifts causing volcanos, pluming birds, DNA fingerprinting, chimpanzee behavior and Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection are some of these scientific breakthroughs.

Part three: Attenborough’s Life Stories: Our Fragile Planet – February 6 at 8:00pm

Attenborough reflects on the dramatic impact that humans have had on the natural world during his lifetime. Disappearing rain forests and coral reefs, endangered species, the creation of the World Wildlife Fund, the first international organization to spend money on conservation projects around the globe, sea ice melt caused by climate change are some of the positive and negative impacts we’ve had on the world.

Life in Cold Blood – Mondays at 9:00pm

In telling the epic story of the reptiles and amphibians, the most enduringly successful animals ever to walk on land, David Attenborough continues his overview of life on the planet. The very latest technology enables extraordinary and previously unseen behavior to be captured in intimate detail, overturning the myth that cold blooded life is slow, solitary, and primitive and revealing these creatures to be as dramatic, social, sophisticated, and passionate as warm blooded animals. Repeats Tuesdays at 4:00pm

JANUARY 2013

Nature episodes Wednesdays at 8:00pm & Fridays at 9:00pm

This PBS series consists of original, educational, natural history films. Episodes in January include: Cuba: The Accidental Eden, Magic of the Snowy Owl, Cracking the Koala Code, My Life as a Turkey, Animal Odd Couples, and the Attenborough Life Stories series.

FEBRUARY 2013

Nature episodes Wednesdays at 8:00pm

This PBS series consists of original, educational, natural history films. Episodes in February include: Cold Warriors: Wolves and Buffalo & A Murder of Crows.

Congo series Fridays at 9:00pm

To the west of the Serengeti and Lake Victoria, beyond the misty mountains of the Rift Valley, lies the second largest river system on earth: the Congo. This vast arena - the size of Europe - is home to an array of wildlife richer and more varied than any other region of Africa and yet it is hardly known. Today, parts of the Congo still remain inhospitable and virtually inaccessible. In a television first, the Natural History Unit has been given unprecedented access to film in this region.

Battle for the Elephants Wednesday February 27 at 8:00pm

The elephant, Earth’s most charismatic and majestic land animal, today faces market forces driving the value of its tusks to levels once reserved for gold. This groundbreaking National Geographic special goes undercover to expose the criminal network behind ivory’s supply and demand

Jungle series Wednesday February 27 from 9:00pm – 12:00am

Imagine being transported to a place with humidity above 90%, with more diseases than anywhere on Earth, and where every breath draws a cloud of insects. Charlotte Uhlenbroek takes up the challenge in this exploration of the world's rainforests. The rainforests of the Amazon, Congo, and Borneo contain half of the world's species of plants and animals. A combination of sheer adventure and the latest technology enables the viewer to experience the planet's most complex terrestrial habitat in all its glory.

Every Saturday night, WETA presents a movie festival of exciting and commercial-free movies for your enjoyment in the Washington, DC area. These compelling films begin at 9:30pm on Saturday, December 22 so read on and see what's on this week!

Change

Change is an inevitable part of life. Sometimes we seek it, but often we’re reluctant to change. This week, see distinct examples of change in our WETA Movies.

Change of Heart

Andy Griffith stars as a naïve but good-intentioned soldier who has managed to avoid the draft for quite some time. When the head of the draft board unexpectedly arrives at his home, Will Stockdale is persuaded to join the ranks of other American men and serve his country. He immediately finds a friend and confidante in Ben Whitledge a man who is passionate about following in the footsteps of his six brothers who have all served as infantrymen. Master Sergeant King is in charge and has an agenda that includes sabotaging Stockdale but as the plan unfolds; he must pay the consequences for his actions. Roles swap, friendships end and rekindle, and Will and Ben find themselves in a precarious situation which leads to a surprise ending.

Watch No Time for Sergeants Saturday, December 22 at 9:30pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Fighting for Change

It seems that today’s society accommodates the disabled with the various handicap accessible options like ramps, elevators, and reserved parking spots. However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for those living with a disability. Americans with disabilities had to fight for the respect, acceptance, and basic rights as the non-disabled.

Independent Lens: Lives Worth Living tells the story of the handicap movement following World War II, when disabled Americans were denied basic human rights and treated as inferior. Fed up, disabled Americans banded together (some literally chaining their wheelchairs together in protest) with a common cause. Seeking to defeat the notion that the disabled had no will or reason to live, they proved that they had the same goals and dreams as the non-disabled and that they could accomplish almost anything if only given the same opportunities and rights. Thanks to their efforts, The Americans with Disabilities Act was created, signed and implemented. However, the battle for inclusion and equality was, and still is, far from over for Americans with disabilities. Be inspired by the resilience and unwavering determination of one of the largest minorities’ fight for equality. 

Watch Independent Lens: Lives Worth Living Saturday, December 22 at 11:30pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Watch a preview of Lives Worth Living here!

Historical Change

Boyz n the Hood and Casablanca have a lot in common, believe it or not. Since the time of their release, both movies have been wildly popular. They've both been nominated for and won countless awards. Most impressively, the films are among a carefully chosen list comprising The National Film Registry. The Library of Congress is employed with the task of choosing those films which exemplify and fulfill being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. No genre is excluded, but making the cut is no easy feat since only 25 films are selected each year.

Independent Lens: These Amazing Shadows sheds light on the little-known world of The National Film Registry. Through interviews and film clips, learn the history of how and why The National Film Registry came to be, and identify with the impact of the notable films which comprise the Registry. The diversity of the films is wide, yet the films all reflect a slice of American culture, ideas and history. Thus, preserving them is integral and allows for future generations of audiences to experience the same emotions, connections and stories.

Watch Independent Lens: These Amazing Shadows Sunday, December 23 at 12:30am on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Watch a trailer of These Amazing Shadows here!

Change in America

Lawrence, Massachusetts has earned the nickname “Immigrant City”. It was founded by Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Potato Famine followed by waves of immigrants from Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, and Canada. As one of the poorest municipalities in the United States, it is still a welcoming place for newcomers including new immigrants mostly from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Independent Lens: Scenes From a Parish takes a look at issues of community, tolerance, and immigration from the perspective of a Catholic priest who is trying to hold his disparate congregation together. Meet the people that make up this town and learn that their idea of home and belonging is deeper than a simple matter of ethnicity.

Watch Independent Lens: Scenes From a Parish Sunday, December 23 at 1:30am on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

Learn more about the making of Scenes From a Parish from Director/producer James Rutenbeck here!

Every Saturday, WETA hosts the Fall Movie Festival where we compile exciting, free, and commercial-free movies for you to enjoy in your Maryland, Virginia, and DC homes. Watch these compelling films and documentaries this Saturday November 3!

Action

When words fail, actions speak…and in many cases, the latter can be more attention-grabbing and successful than any combination of words, even from the most eloquent of mouths. Sometimes action is unexpected and though we are not prepared for it, our instincts kick in and we handle each situation accordingly. Other times, it knocks us down repeatedly and we must try again and again, never giving up. Action usually works and though it’s risky, when it pays off we cannot help but to revel in the chance we took.  This Saturday night on WETA TV26 and HD, see firsthand examples of taking action in a perfect blend of films. 

Taking physical action

Sometimes we feel stuck and an unexpected opportunity for action presents itself. This Saturday, Rocky, a struggling club boxer in Philadelphia supplements his passion and dream of becoming a big-time fighter by working as a debt collector. His talent is often doubted but former boxing trainer Mickey firmly believes Rocky could have succeeded had he worked harder. That knock at the invisible door arrives when the current world’s heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed, proposes the idea of providing a small-time and unknown boxer with the shot at his envied and prestigious title. Upon scoping out Philadelphia’s boxers, Apollo selects Rocky.  Hopes, dreams, and words soon turn into hard work, sweat, blood, tears and action as Rocky prepares for the match of a lifetime. Watch Rocky (1976) Saturday November 3 at 9:30pm on WETA TV26 or WETA HD. 

Rocky will also air on WETA TV26 and WETA HD on Sunday November 4 at 11:30am.

Long-awaited action

Protecting the planet is a defining feature of the Native American culture. So it should come as no surprise that when faced with the environmentally-harmful consequences of a practice benefiting the pockets of wealthy corporations, Arizona Native American tribes directly affected swiftly took action. The story serving as the inspiration of Power Paths begins in the 1960s when two coal mines opened on the Navajo and Hopi reservations in Arizona. The mines produced enough coal to supply the insatiable energy demands of Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles…but at a significant cost. Over the decades following the opening of the mines, the environment took a detrimental and irreversible hit as did local Native American tribes. The Southwestern skies were polluted, aquifers were drained, and sacred Native American land was scarred.  Not to mention, Native Americans living on the reservations had no running water and no access to basic electricity. The health of the Navajo nation’s people suffered also, and cases of cancers were common.  Independent Lens: Power Paths follows a tribal coalition’s modern day fight to alter their economies for the better by swapping coal mines and power plants with renewable energy technologies. Success in making the switch would preserve and protect their land, honor their culture, provide their reservation’s homes with basic electricity and create necessary jobs in their own community. Power Paths serves as an example of the entire planet’s current plight; finding alternatives to fossil fuels and going green. It may have taken decades but when action is finally taken, will it be all in vain or for the good of future generations? Watch Power Paths, November 3 at 11:30pm on WETA TV26 or WETA HD and see for yourself.

Watch a preview of Power Paths here!

Necessary action

They were sent to Iraq as cooks, clerks, and mechanics. Some were sent to provide supplies, and others logistical support, to the male troops. But when fighting unexpectedly broke out in the streets of Ramadi in April of 2004, those very women had no choice but to fight alongside their fellow soldiers. In fact, they were needed, and it did not seem to matter that they hadn't undergone combat training. After all, why would they be? The Department of Defense created a policy prohibiting women from ground combat. Despite this, since 2003, the United States military has been going against official policy and utilizing women in a variety of situations, from conducting house-to-house searches of Iraqis to fighting in some of the most violent and bloody battles to have taken place during the war.

Independent Lens: Lioness tells the story of five female U.S. Army soldiers who made history by becoming the first to be sent into direct combat. The group, members of “Team Lioness,” served one year together in Iraq. Told through personal accounts, journal excerpts, archival footage and interviews, Lioness reveals what the media time and again neglected to inform America of; that women are an integral and necessary part of the military in all facets. The women’s individual stories work in tandem to portray the effects of war from a female perspective. Watch Lioness Saturday November 3 at 12:30am on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.

In this scene of Lioness, the women are gathered together after returning from deployment and watch a documentary about the very battle they fought in. Surprisingly, they are purposefully edited out of any shots.