Burden of Dreams
A disconcerting account of the insane circumstances surrounding the filming of Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo. Set up as an ethnographic chronicle, this documentary shows us the real Herzog, hysterically defying the impossible.
Documentaries
Explore all films and interactive documentaries that have been shown at IDFA over the years. Many are available to watch online (by using the filter Watch Online), some for free! We're working hard to keep the selection as broad and accessible as possible, but unfortunately, some titles are available to stream within the Netherlands only.
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You Have No Idea How Much I Love You
During a mother and daughter’s intimately filmed sessions with a psychotherapist, blame, grief and anger gradually make way for reconciliation. Their uniquely personal relationship ultimately reveals itself to be deeply universal.
The Anticipation of Rain
Using animated brush strokes in a 3D environment, a soundscape and scents, Naima Karim brings the tropical thunderstorm to life. Climate change has made the once-romantic monsoon into a life-threatening phenomenon.
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A Dedicated Life
Mixed documentary-fictional portrait of the Japanese writer Mitsuharu Inoue (1925-1992).
More infoA Far Cry
In 1958, the 'Save the Children Fund' asked Stephen Peet to make a film about the Fund's work in South Korea, some years after the Korean War had ended. The purpose of the film was to raise funds. In order to keep the expenses as low as possible, Peet left for Korea alone with his Bolex camera and a few reels of black-and-white film, and worked with an interpreter there. He was shocked and angry because of what he saw in South Korea, particularly the bad living conditions of the people. He wanted to convey those emotions in his film. He filmed for two months in and around the city of Pusan.
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A Is for Autism
An animated collage of drawings, live-action sequences and voice-overs which offer insight into different aspects and forms of autism. A rare glimpse at the very private and personal worlds of autistic children and adults.
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A Man With HIV
After volunteering as a blood donor, the HIV virus is found in 31-year-old Li Ziliang. He is immediately fired by his boss for fear of infection. Every time he walks on the street, he is surrounded by groups of people that stare at him. ‘One touch and you’re finished’, one of them thinks. ‘People with AIDS should be cursed. Only immoral people get AIDS’, another one comments. Nobody wants to sell anything to Li, because they do not want to touch the money that has passed through his hands. Only in distant Beijing can he walk around undisturbed. His wife is at her wit’s end, too, because she also lost all her friends. One day, she gets on her bicycle and never returns. She leaves Li behind with three children, who will not find anyone to take care of them after he has passed away.
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A Movie
A seductive and jarring film montage from 1958 that still manages to enthral many a film student and Internet discussion group.
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A Show
Three times a week, Internet pioneer Ze Frank humorously deals the world while creating wonderful collaborative artworks with his Internet audience.
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A Strange Message From Another Star
Associative portrait of the 69-year-old Paavo Rahkonen, one of the designers of the Space Shuttle.
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