S1.E5 ∙ UA232 / Sioux City

The American public school system hangs in the balance. High-stakes testing and corporate reformers tipped the scales toward a culture of learning that favors standardization over innovation. Schools closed. Teachers fired. Students denied a culture of social, emotional and intellectual growth necessary to inspire lifelong learning. Defies Measurement ignites the topic of public school education in an insightful, new way. The documentary is framed around the story of students, parents and teachers at Chipman Middle School (where I was a teacher). It features home movies, still photographs, news stories and extensive interviews with renowned experts in national education and education policy. From high-stakes testing to corporate agendas, Defies Measurement aims to educate its audience about the damaging effects of education reform and to inspire action.

Lea is a 30 year old transsexual, a shemale, in the Hamra district of Beirut. In Liban, transsexuality is prohibited by law. The transgender community is constantly threatened which leads her to live at night, working as an escort girl and locked in her apartment at the Hotel Stars. She refuses to be a victim of her condition and finds a way to an existence that resembles as much as possible a 'normal' life, the life of everyone...

In this documentary film, five boys, world renowned break dancers known as Knèf Crew, try to pursue their dream in a city where dreaming is now a privilege for few.

A postman walks through the desert, his life flows slowly as does the desert sand. He is the only link between the secluded villagers, however, this is about to change due to a small technological device.

A Montreal-based theater troupe is working tirelessly to put on a play. The challenges they face are also a part of the usual drama behind any live show. There's the backstage politics, the forgotten lines, the missed cues, the romances and the rivalries. But for this troupe, the stakes are a bit higher - each cast member faces intellectual, developmental and mental health disabilities, ranging from Down syndrome to autism to schizophrenia.

Kayla is a transgender woman from New Hampshire and Shane is a transgender man from New York City. Both have to lose weight to be able to have their gender reassignment surgeries.