Independent Lens Season 13 Episode 7 These Amazing Shadows

These Amazing Shadows is an episode of Independent Lens, a television series that airs on PBS. In season 13, episode 7, the series focuses on one of the most significant collections in American history, the National Film Registry.

The episode highlights the importance of film preservation and the role that the National Film Registry plays in protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of America through the art of filmmaking. The National Film Registry was created in 1988, and its mission is to preserve and safeguard America's film heritage. To date, the registry has preserved over 750 films, including feature films, documentaries, experimental films, and shorts, among others.

The episode introduces us to several film experts who share their insights on the importance of the National Film Registry and the significance of the films that have been selected to be preserved. Through their comments, we learn about the political and cultural contexts in which some of these films were made and the impact that they have had on American society over the years.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode is when the experts discuss some of the films that have been added to the National Film Registry over the years. Some of these films are famous classics, such as Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, and Gone with the Wind. Others are lesser-known works that have nevertheless had an impact on American culture, such as Duck and Cover, a civil defense film from the Cold War era, and Krazy Kat, a quirky animated series from the 1920s.

The episode also explores the process of selecting films for the National Film Registry. We learn that the selection process is highly competitive, and that only a select number of films are chosen each year. The experts explain how films are assessed based on their cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, and how the registry strives to ensure that it includes a diverse range of films that represent America's cultural heritage in all its depth and richness.

The episode also touches on some of the challenges facing the National Film Registry and film preservation more broadly. We learn about the impact that technological changes, such as the shift to digital, are having on the preservation of films. We also learn about some of the financial and institutional challenges that film archives and preservers face, such as the difficulty of securing funding and the risks that come with relying on private collectors for film preservation.

Overall, These Amazing Shadows is a fascinating and informative episode that sheds light on a crucial aspect of America's cultural heritage: its films. The episode provides insight into the work of the National Film Registry and the challenges facing film preservation in the 21st century. By highlighting the importance of preserving America's film heritage, the episode reminds us of the role that films play in shaping our cultural identity and values, and the need to safeguard this heritage for future generations.