Christopher Sanders
Celebrating creative independence in Middle Eastern cinema
Using film to affect society — Filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat overcame a corrupt Afghan film industry to tell her own story – the award-winning movie Wolf and Sheep. Inspired by our profile of her in Huck 56 - The Independence Issue, we're saluting other directors who have fought to shed light on a deeply misunderstood part of the world.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
Washing away apartheid’s toxic legacy with surf
No black and white - just surfers — Before Apish and Noncedo took up surfing, violence and disorder dominated their world. Now they've had their lives turned around by Waves for Change, a charity providing surf therapy for Cape Town’s disadvantaged young. A new documentary, ‘Freedom Riders,’ traces this positive work, showing how Apish and Noncedo - who are now surf coaches - have freed themselves and others like them from the stresses and struggles of home life.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
The fiercely independent women making music you need to be listening to
Refusing the conventional — Natasha Khan (aka Bat for Lashes) shared the story behind her new album, The Bride, in Huck 56 - The Independence Issue. Here we celebrate other female musicians blazing a lone trail.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
The Kalbarri reef is on the brink of destruction, but one man is determined to save it
On the verge of oblivion — Humanity is on the edge, with a climate change armageddon on the horizon, and indicative of these changes is the destruction of the Kalbarri reef. The devastation was discovered by Dr Thomas Wernberg, who is now on a mission to save it.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
Running culture is transforming lives in Kenya and beyond
Pacing up that hill — Kenya is famed for its world-class runners. In his new documentary, Spencer MacDonald introduces us to some of those leading the way in their sport, and using their prowess to support their communities at home.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
Made In America: The artist taking action on the right to bear arms
"You’re not even American!" — When Australian-born artist CJ Hendry flew a 3,000 sq. ft. banner depicting a t-shirt twisted into the shape of a gun above a handful of U.S. cities - she did so as an act of protest. It's time to face facts, there's a crisis with gun control in the United States of America, and Hendry won't stop until the law is reformed.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
Transcending the cruel rhythms of life in Edmonton, Canada
Music-making in the “northern shitty oil-city” — Dave Ehrenreich’s documentary ‘Rhythm of Cruelty’ follows the Canadian band of the same name, duo and romantic partners Brandi Strauss and Ian Rowley. Ehrenreich shows how Strauss and Rowley are attempting to revise the negative stereotypes which they say are associated with Edmonton by following their dream of touring their experimental punk band.
Written by: Christopher Sanders