This film is part of Rentals
Riotsville, U.S.A.
The mid-1960s in America saw a dramatic surge in uprisings and unrest. The government’s response was paranoid and cynical. Welcome to Riotsville.
Director: Sierra Pettengill
Overview
Sierra Pettengill’s troubling documentary uses archival footage to explore the “riotsvilles” of the 1960s: fake towns that were built by the Army in an effort to train an increasingly militarized police force.
Staging elaborate re-enactments of protests in front of applauding spectators and rolling cameras feels farcical, deeply unsettling and archaic – but it’s worth noting that plans for two new “riotsvilles” in Chicago and Atlanta have recently been drawn up. Pettengill’s film is an urgent and damning insight into a pivotal decade that witnessed the Vietnam War and the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King.
references to racism, infrequent real injury detailRelated
Is There Anybody Out There? Is There Anybody Out There?
Documentary 2023 87 mins Director: Ella Glendining
Highlighting the importance of being seen, Ella Glendining invites us on a personal journey as she sets out to find others with the same rare disability as herself.
Angelheaded Hipster Angelheaded Hipster
Biopic 2023 99 mins Director: Ethan Silverman
Stomping documentary celebrating the revolutionary music of Glam Rock pioneer Marc Bolan and T. Rex, combining archive footage with new musical interpretations by renowned contemporary artists.
Kokomo City Kokomo City
Documentary 2023 73 mins Director: D. Smith
A bold first feature about Black trans sex workers that buzzes with passion, energy and intelligence.
Fragments of Paradise Fragments of Paradise
Documentary 2023 98 mins Director: KD Davison
Intimate portrait of the life and career of the pioneering filmmaker, poet and critic, Jonas Mekas, assembled from thousands of hours of his personal film footage and letters.
Tina Tina
Documentary 2021 118 mins Director: Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin
Classic live footage and engaging interviews create a powerful film that celebrates icon Tina Turner's tumultuous career.
Squaring the Circle The Story of Hipgnosis Squaring the Circle The Story of Hipgnosis
Documentary 2022 101 mins Director: Anton Corbijn
Celebrated photographer, filmmaker, and art director Anton Corbijn's homage to the creative geniuses behind the iconic album art design studio, Hipgnosis, responsible for some of the most recognisable album covers of all time.
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World The Most Beautiful Boy in the World
Documentary 2021 94 mins Director: Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri
Björn Andrésen reflects on his role in Luchino Visconti's classic Death in Venice, in this fascinating exploration of how childhood fame shapes a life.
My Old School My Old School
Documentary 2022 105 mins Director: Jono McLeod
An astonishing and engrossing documentary about 90s Scottish school legend and imposter Brandon Lee, played by Alan Cumming.
Lynch/Oz Lynch/Oz
Documentary 2022 109 mins Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not on Mulholland Drive anymore…
Subject Subject
Documentary 2022 97 mins Director: Camilla Hall and Jennifer Tiexiera
A thought-provoking dive into the ethics and potential exploitations behind documentary filmmaking.
Kokomo City Kokomo City
Documentary 2023 73 mins Director: D. Smith
A bold first feature about Black trans sex workers that buzzes with passion, energy and intelligence.
Is There Anybody Out There? Is There Anybody Out There?
Documentary 2023 87 mins Director: Ella Glendining
Highlighting the importance of being seen, Ella Glendining invites us on a personal journey as she sets out to find others with the same rare disability as herself.
Eismayer Eismayer
Drama 2022 87 mins Director: David Wagner
Drill sergeant Eismayer has a reputation as the toughest training officer in the Austrian military, but when he starts to fall in love with a new recruit, his closeted existence is shaken to the core.
Is There Anybody Out There? Is There Anybody Out There?
Documentary 2023 87 mins Director: Ella Glendining
Highlighting the importance of being seen, Ella Glendining invites us on a personal journey as she sets out to find others with the same rare disability as herself.
His Lordship His Lordship
Comedy 1932 73 mins Director: Michael Powell
A plumber discovers to his horror that he is, in fact, a hereditary Lord in Michael Powell's riotous satirical musical.
The Fire Raisers The Fire Raisers
Crime 1934 78 mins Director: Michael Powell
Michael Powell’s atmospheric thriller about an insurance man in over his head with a gang of arsonists.
Punch Punch
Drama 2022 99 mins Director: Welby Ings
New Zealand filmmaker Welby Ings’ powerful film is a beautifully shot and moving story about finding queer love and identity in the face of overwhelming odds.
Talk to Me Talk to Me
Horror 2022 95 mins Director: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Australian filmmaking brothers Danny and Michael Philippou’s feature film debut nods to their background as viral-video sensations.