Independent Lens

Watch Independent Lens

  • 1999
  • 24 Seasons
  • 7.9  (602)

Independent Lens is series on PBS that airs dramatic and documentary films. The series is always hosted by a well-known actor or actress. The films that the show airs usually have been on the independent theater circuit and have received wide-acclaim and awards. The show is called Independent Lens because the films highlighted in the series are all shot by independent directors and producers. There is no big studio or corporate influence. The films all deal with contemporary social issues or international political concerns. Some of the films that Independent Lens has shown have gone on to win Academy Awards for best documentary films. One example of this is the documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room. This film dealt with the rise and fall of the Enron corporation, which resulted in many of the firm employees losing their pensions because the company have been lying in its accounting. Each episode is a film dealing with a contemporary topic. Sometimes the series tackles difficult issues such as documentaries filmed in war-town regions or a drug abuser's home. Other episodes are more informative-based with a light-hearted look at an aspect of American life, such as episodes looking at popular cuisines. There are episodes that deal with the rise of hip-hop music and even one dedicated to teenagers preparing for prom. The stated goal of the series is to show viewers an aspect of the world by taking them to a corner that they otherwise would not see. The films shown on Independent Lens are of a diverse nature. There are episodes that focus on the historical backgrounds of comic book characters. There is episode that examines the difficulties between the rich and poor in America by focusing on one street in New York City that goes through bad neighborhood and good neighborhoods. Sometimes the series focuses on problems from a global perspective looking an political and finances and other issues that span several different countries. Other times, the episodes pick a town or a street and take a narrow focus on some issue there. Every year, viewers vote on what the best documentary film was and it receives the Audience Award.

Independent Lens
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Seasons
Mama Bears
18. Mama Bears
June 20, 2023
Conservative, Christian beliefs have defined their lives. Now they're championing their LGBTQ children.
Silent Beauty
17. Silent Beauty
May 15, 2023
One woman's journey to heal from childhood sexual abuse evolves into a family bonding over generational trauma.
Sam Now
16. Sam Now
May 8, 2023
In this coming-of-age documentary about generational trauma, follow Sam Harkness from age 11 to 36 as his middle-class Seattle family is heartbroken and unsure of what to do after his mother suddenly abandons them. Woven together with home movies lovingly crafted by Sam's half brother, director Reed Harkness, witness a boy grow up grappling with the ripple effects of a singular traumatic event.
Matter of Mind: My ALS
15. Matter of Mind: My ALS
May 1, 2023
Three people with ALS confront complex choices in this intimate exploration.
Free Chol Soo Lee
14. Free Chol Soo Lee
April 24, 2023
The rollercoaster life story of Chol Soo Lee, a Korean immigrant wrongfully convicted of murder.
Hidden Letters
13. Hidden Letters
March 27, 2023
Modern women in China keep alive the tradition of N?shu, a secret written language.
Maletero
12. Maletero
March 23, 2023
A porter drives more than 1000 miles a month to deliver goods between families separated by the U.S.-Mexico border.
Storming Caesars Palace
11. Storming Caesars Palace
March 20, 2023
How Vegas activist Ruby Duncan's grassroots movement of moms fought for a universal basic income.
Underground
10. Underground
March 2, 2023
In Underground, survivors of subway personal space violations share their stories in hopes of changing the stigma.
Love in the Time of Fentanyl
9. Love in the Time of Fentanyl
February 13, 2023
A safe injection site gives hope to a marginalized community ravaged by fentanyl deaths.
Outta the Muck
8. Outta the Muck
February 6, 2023
The people of Pahokee rise "outta the muck" to celebrate family history and big-time football.
The Picture Taker
7. The Picture Taker
January 30, 2023
The vibrant life of Ernest Withers—civil rights photographer, and FBI informant—was anything but black and white.
No Straight Lines
6. No Straight Lines
January 23, 2023
Five queer comic book artists journey from the underground comix scene to mainstream acceptance.
The Big Payback
5. The Big Payback
January 16, 2023
Robin Rue Simmons and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) pressure the government to deliver monetary justice for Blacks harmed by chattel slavery, systemic injustice and corporate exploitation.
Children of Las Brisas
4. Children of Las Brisas
January 2, 2023
In Venezuela, the power of music is put to the test for El Sistema youth orchestra.
Move Me
3. Move Me
November 7, 2022
Move Me
TikTok, Boom.
2. TikTok, Boom.
October 24, 2022
Gen Z influencers and experts help dissect the influential social media platform TikTok.
Hazing
1. Hazing
September 12, 2022
Filmmaker Byron Hurt embarks on a personal journey to understand the underground rituals of hazing, revealing the abuse and the lengths college students will go to fit in.
Description

Independent Lens is series on PBS that airs dramatic and documentary films. The series is always hosted by a well-known actor or actress. The films that the show airs usually have been on the independent theater circuit and have received wide-acclaim and awards. The show is called Independent Lens because the films highlighted in the series are all shot by independent directors and producers. There is no big studio or corporate influence.

The films all deal with contemporary social issues or international political concerns. Some of the films that Independent Lens has shown have gone on to win Academy Awards for best documentary films. One example of this is the documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room. This film dealt with the rise and fall of the Enron corporation, which resulted in many of the firm employees losing their pensions because the company have been lying in its accounting.

Each episode is a film dealing with a contemporary topic. Sometimes the series tackles difficult issues such as documentaries filmed in war-town regions or a drug abuser's home. Other episodes are more informative-based with a light-hearted look at an aspect of American life, such as episodes looking at popular cuisines. There are episodes that deal with the rise of hip-hop music and even one dedicated to teenagers preparing for prom. The stated goal of the series is to show viewers an aspect of the world by taking them to a corner that they otherwise would not see.

The films shown on Independent Lens are of a diverse nature. There are episodes that focus on the historical backgrounds of comic book characters. There is episode that examines the difficulties between the rich and poor in America by focusing on one street in New York City that goes through bad neighborhood and good neighborhoods.

Sometimes the series focuses on problems from a global perspective looking an political and finances and other issues that span several different countries. Other times, the episodes pick a town or a street and take a narrow focus on some issue there.

Every year, viewers vote on what the best documentary film was and it receives the Audience Award.

Independent Lens is a series that is currently running and has 24 seasons (504 episodes). The series first aired on August 9, 1999.

Where to Watch Independent Lens

Independent Lens is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Independent Lens on demand at Vudu and PBS.

  • Premiere Date
    August 9, 1999
  • IMDB Rating
    7.9  (602)