Keri Pickett

A documentary portrait of Roy Blakey, a pioneering figure skater, collector, and photographer who became known for his influential male nude photography in New York’s art world. Through archival footage, photographs, and intimate present-day moments, filmmaker Keri Pickett reflects on her lifelong bond with the uncle who mentored and inspired her. As 93-year-old Roy faces life-threatening dementia and his memories begin to fade, she races to preserve his legacy — a figure skater, ice-show archivist, and gay photographer whose male nudes etched into history. Tracing Roy’s journey from Depression-era beginnings and international ice shows to his role documenting queer culture, the film becomes a tribute to an unconventional artist and a moving exploration of family, memory, and legacy before his final curtain call.

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In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world's best Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. Their rhythm revolution includes rock stars from the world of Taiko: Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kaoly Asano, Chieko Kojima, Megan Chao-Smith, and Jennifer Weir. Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles. Vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared-and we quickly see the bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate their way through differences in culture, age, language, and performing styles. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

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The “Prophecy of the 7th Fire” says a “black snake” will bring destruction to the earth. For Winona LaDuke, the “black snake” is oil trains and pipelines. When she learns that Canadian-owned Enbridge plans to route a new pipeline through her tribe’s 1855 Treaty land, she and her community spring into action to save the sacred wild rice lakes and preserve their traditional indigenous way of life. Launching an annual spiritual horse ride along the proposed pipeline route, speaking at community meetings and regulatory hearings. Winona testifies that the pipeline route follows one of historical and present-day trauma. The tribe participates in the pipeline permitting process, asserting their treaty rights to protect their natural resources. LaDuke joins with her tribe and others to demand that the pipelines’ impact on tribal people’s resources be considered in the permitting process.

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For decades, American touring ice shows dominated family entertainment with their dazzling production and variety acts. This documentary honors them through interviews and archival footage, and depicts one skater's quest to keep this history alive.

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A documentary portrait of Roy Blakey, a pioneering figure skater, collector, and photographer who became known for his influential male nude photography in New York’s art world. Through archival footage, photographs, and intimate present-day moments, filmmaker Keri Pickett reflects on her lifelong bond with the uncle who mentored and inspired her. As 93-year-old Roy faces life-threatening dementia and his memories begin to fade, she races to preserve his legacy — a figure skater, ice-show archivist, and gay photographer whose male nudes etched into history. Tracing Roy’s journey from Depression-era beginnings and international ice shows to his role documenting queer culture, the film becomes a tribute to an unconventional artist and a moving exploration of family, memory, and legacy before his final curtain call.

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In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world's best Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. Their rhythm revolution includes rock stars from the world of Taiko: Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kaoly Asano, Chieko Kojima, Megan Chao-Smith, and Jennifer Weir. Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles. Vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared-and we quickly see the bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate their way through differences in culture, age, language, and performing styles. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

Open details →

The “Prophecy of the 7th Fire” says a “black snake” will bring destruction to the earth. For Winona LaDuke, the “black snake” is oil trains and pipelines. When she learns that Canadian-owned Enbridge plans to route a new pipeline through her tribe’s 1855 Treaty land, she and her community spring into action to save the sacred wild rice lakes and preserve their traditional indigenous way of life. Launching an annual spiritual horse ride along the proposed pipeline route, speaking at community meetings and regulatory hearings. Winona testifies that the pipeline route follows one of historical and present-day trauma. The tribe participates in the pipeline permitting process, asserting their treaty rights to protect their natural resources. LaDuke joins with her tribe and others to demand that the pipelines’ impact on tribal people’s resources be considered in the permitting process.

Open details →