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Browse 72 movies from United States Information Agency (USIA)
This film, produced in Indonesia and based on the old Japanese folk saying that "a man's happiness depends upon a knife, house, horse, wife, and singing bird," tells the story of the restoration of a young man to his rightful place in his society and nation, and depicts basic Indonesian traditions while outlining Indonesia's successful fight against malaria (with U.S. cooperation). The film follows Amin, a village youth who attempts to earn a living in the city. However, he is unsuccessful, and so he returns to his village to live with his wife-to-be, Marlina. Before the couple can marry, Marlina falls ill with malaria, and only after she is cured are they able to wed. The film was directed by Miriam Bucher and is a joint production of the U.S. Information Service (USIS) and Produksi Film Negara (PFN).
Jul 1956
Jan 1956
Jan 1954
This film explores how the conflict with the North affects "South Vietnam's traditional culture, and seeks to explain why the South Vietnamese people still have the will to fight. Included in the film are a funeral procession, family life scenes, fishermen and farmers at work, soldiers moving single file along a dike, and a wedding procession" (US National Archives). A binational production between the United States and the (former) Republic of South Vietnam.
Jan 1969
Jan 1962
Burrito and Manolin defend their ranch against the cattle rustlers, Lios and Chente. A neighboring pig farmer named Don Inocente refuses to join their cause in the name of neutrality. In disguise, the cattle rustlers befriend Don Inocente, rob him of his pigs, and then use his farm as a means to sneak into the undefended side of Burrito and Manolin’s ranch. Once again, Burrito and Manolin stop the villians and come to the rescue of the unsuspecting neutral character. In this clip, Lios and Chente spy on their intended victim, Don Inocente.
Jan 1953
"This film examines immigration to the United States from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Ellis Island is the focal point of the program, which includes reminiscences by an immigrant as well as live action footage and old still pictures" (US National Archives). This documentary was a product of the Young Filmmaker Bicentennial Grant given by the US Information Agency.
Jan 1975
During the fertile early years of Drew Associates following the breakthrough of Primary, came this seldom-seen portrait of David Allen, a jazz trumpeter struggling in the Santa Monica drug rehabilitation center Synanon House. Pennebaker’s love of music drew him to David and the film prefigures later portraits such as Dont Look Back. He teamed with Life photographer William Ray and producer Gregory Shuker.
Jan 1961
"This film documents the U.S. tour of Lebanese singer Fayrouz (sometimes spelled Fairuz), and her troupe of 60 dancers and musicians, across eleven cities between September 29th and October 23rd, 1971. Fayrouz's husband and brothers composed all of the music for her tour, which was sponsored by the Forum for Arab Art and Culture of California" (US National Archives).
Jan 1972
Armando Lios recruits Chente to steal Manolín and Burrito's sheep under the premise of liberation
An anthology of five short films ("The Hands of a Stranger", "The Other War", "A Distant Province", "The Eighth District", and "PHILCAG"), made jointly by Vietnamese and American filmmakers. Collectively, the films "explore the faces of the Vietnam war that lie behind the fighting--those that must fight a war against fear, hunger, and despair. [They are] told through the stories of five "faces": a Filipino doctor and a Vietnamese child; a Vietnamese soldier and a Vietnamese villager; an American technical expert; a Saigon youth; and a Philippine Civic Action Group (PHILCAG) contingent" (US National Archives). The film is hosted by an unnamed man speaking to a Filipino audience (in English); so the anthology likely was screened in and/or partly produced with the Philippines.
Jan 1966
Journalist Burrito and scientist Manolin visit the “Red Planet” and are given special glasses with which to view the planet’s flourishing society. Burrito removes his glasses to reveal the “Red Planet” for what it really is, and Burrito and Manolin flee back to their home planet.
Jan 1955
Train conductor Manolin warns passengers Don Fiero and his daughter Ava about local bandits and asks them to bear arms in defense of the train. Don Fiero declares that defending the train is not their responsibility, and the two literally hide their heads in buckets of sand and post signs reading “Neutral, Do Not Disturb.” The neutral passengers are the first to be robbed by the bandits, Lios and Chente.
A beautifully photographed record of the yearly cycle of planting and growth which culminates in bountiful harvests across the farmlands of the United States. Panoramic in its treatment, the film shows something of the diversity of farming and harvesting techniques, rapid transport to the distant consumer, university research to increase crop yields and industrial ingenuity in devising improved machinery to lighten the farmer's task and increase the productivity of the land.
Jul 1967
"Kid" Manolin takes on El Chente (The "Red Star") in the boxing ring.
"This film, narrated by an elderly woman, shows how Oglala Sioux pictorially recorded their calendar histories on buffalo hides, called 'winter counts.'" (US National Archives). Directed, produced, and edited by Oscar-nominated editor, Stephen E. Rivkin. The film was made with the Young Filmmaker Bicentennial Grant provided by the United States Information Agency.
Jan 1976
"This film deals with South Vietnam's "Open Arms" program, designed to encourage communist defectors. The film presents three defectors who tell how Chieu Hoi leaflets persuaded them to desert the North. Their stories offer a candid and telling testimonial against the Viet Cong. The film was produced and directed by William Bayer" (US National Archives).
"This semi-animated documentary film portrays Czechoslovakian animator Paul Fierlinger's arrival to the United States and covers his production of a film that presents the history, legends, and significance of the American flag. The film was produced by Concept Films" (US National Archives).
Jan 1970