2015
From international politics and music to film industry professionals and cultural icons—this curated selection of biographical documentaries offers intimate, eye-level encounters with influential figures across diverse fields. Through the lens, we gain rare insights into their lesser-known sides, and follow them as they navigate cultural clashes, personal revelations, and shifting global contexts. Each film invites you to explore contemporary issues through the lived experiences of extraordinary individuals shaped by history.
Faith is a dwelling place of the heart—a quiet sense of belonging, of ease, of return. Do you believe the world is kind to you today? Have you ever wondered why you were born into this world? As a part of nature, of all living things—where do you stand?
To document an extraordinary soul through the lens is to constantly wrestle with the dilemma of completeness. How can one capture the vastness of a life within the limited time of a film? It challenges the filmmaker’s depth of understanding and precision of perspective. Rather than striving for an all-encompassing portrait, it may be more powerful to focus on select moments—those glimmers that illuminate the subject’s essence. The camera becomes not only a tool to pierce through the surface, but also a means for sincere conversation with the person in front of it.
Japan—a land of paradox and fascination—has long captivated travelers from afar. With deep-rooted traditions that have withstood over 150 years of rapid Westernization, Japan continues to preserve a unique national identity and way of life, while also giving rise to a distinct and globally influential pop culture. This month, Giloo Documentaries presents a curated selection of films that explore the many faces of Japan. Journey with us across mountains and oceans, through surface and depth—encountering the worlds of fashion, Takarazuka theater, love hotels, fine cuisine, robotics, and contemporary art. Modern Japan is vibrant, eclectic, and often wildly unexpected—and these films capture its raw, untamed spirit.