S1.E8 ∙ Unions

Shelter Dogs is a provocative and heartrending look at the complex issues surrounding animal sheltering through the tale of one shelter and its staff. This feature length documentary takes the viewer into the gray zone of the national animal welfare system where quality-of-life issues take center stage. At the heart of the documentary is Sue Sternberg, an animal welfare pioneer who has created Rondout Valley Kennels, a model animal shelter in Upstate New York. At Rondout Valley Kennels, dogs live in suites decorated with rugs and chairs. They listen to piped-in music and receive training. Each dog is carefully assessed and temperament tested. If a dog is mentally deteriorating in the shelter or shows aggression, Sue will euthanize the dog, believing that it is a more humane option than a lifetime in the shelter. As Sue agonizes over each animal, faces rising debt, and becomes increasingly worried, the audience is given a first-hand look at the difficult ethical choices shelter staff face every day. The result is an unprecedented view of animal sheltering in the United States.

Tucked away in central New York State is the Onondaga Nation, a sovereign Native American community known to produce some of the top lacrosse players in the world. Yet, the fear of leaving their community, substance abuse, and poverty have kept far too many of these players from venturing off the 'rez' and into the collegiate or professional ranks. A film six years in the making, The Medicine Game shares the remarkable journey of two brothers from the Onondaga Nation driven by a single goal; to beat the odds and play lacrosse for national powerhouse Syracuse University. The obstacles in their way are frequent and daunting, but the brothers love for the game and their family's unyielding determination, propels these boys towards their dream.

What do people do, when the law prevents them from protecting themselves? Documentary film on the small Irish village that stood up to Big Oil.

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown--to all intents and purposes, this should have been a match made in heaven. Both young, attractive, successful recording artists, seemingly with the world at their feet--how and why did it all go wrong? This 'perfect' love story went sour and the world was aghast. Petty jealousies, long-held resentments, the mismatch between fantasy and reality--all played their part. It is clear that Whitney's desire for the security of marriage and the need to be loved eventually obscured everything else. She gave up so much for Brown, including her extraordinary talent, and in many respects, Bobby Brown's life reads like a classic cautionary tale about the perils of fame and fortune. For Bobby, career envy reared its ugly head and played out in totally unacceptable behaviors. For Whitney, substance abuse to deal with the pressure she was under as a wife, mother, and singing star, lead to the unthinkable.

Ballet in Cuba is a national institution, revered by all. It is also a way to climb out of poverty and achieve a better life. Yet for one young ballerina, even that isn't enough. Also known as 'Hoop Dreams for Aesthetes,' SECUNDARIA immerses us sensually and deeply into the world of teenage Cuban ballet.

Two professional European gamers navigate the exploding world of electronic sports. Packed with youthful ambition and impeded by reality, the ProGamers struggle to thrive in the fledgling industry of eSports.