Independent Lens

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

How has Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, managed to court, coddle, use and abuse power for nearly four decades? News clips, propaganda films, home movies, verite footage and interviews with Marcos, her friends and her enemies reveal her methods.