Today, we will present two touching films about heroic firefighters. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, “Only the Brave” tells the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, who lost 19 of the 20 members while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. “Only the Brave” is a moving tribute to these real-life heroes. As the climate changes, wildfires worldwide are much more frequent and devastating than ever. Bill

"This hurt me so deeply that something so beautiful is destroyed unconsciously this way. I simply cannot understand why so much is destroyed by humans. And above all, I’m a vegetarian, so I’m even sadder to learn that they use it for cattle farming, which consumes an incredibly large quantity of water and feed. This is not in harmony and in accordance with Mother Earth." "As the focus of the media

Matthias and Isabella believe that everyone must do their part to bring peace to Earth. Planting peace trees has been their calling to help heal the world and fulfill the prophesies passed down through the First Nations. "The prophecies are about a time when Mother Earth will clean herself, and a new people consisting of many colors, classes, nations, religions, young and old, poor and rich, will

The documentary “The Mamos and the Trees of Peace” introduces us to the Mamos, the spiritual leaders of the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta in Columbia. As the last survivors of the Tairona civilization, they are Wisdom Keepers of their ancient tradition and work as conscious caregivers of Mother Earth. “The Mamos and the Trees of Peace” was produced in 2015 by Matthias and I

Today, we are going to present two inspirational films about the mystery of the afterlife, namely “Soul” and “Hereafter.” Let’s first take a look at “Soul.” Joe Gardner is a middle school music teacher in New York City, yet what he really wants is to be a jazz musician. In shock and not ready to accept death just as his lifelong dreams had come true, Joe manages to escape and ends up in a region c

Acclaimed wildlife filmmaker and photographer Kim Wolhuter was born in South Africa. Kim Wolhuter always strives to create awareness “that wilderness is not something to fear, but it is a natural place for our being.” He hopes to inspire people to “act and be responsible for saving our wild areas.” Kim believes that when we lose our connection with nature, we lose our soul. In “Man, Cheetah

Today, May 22, has been sanctioned by the United Nations as the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. In celebration, we present amazing wildlife films made by renowned cinematographer Kim Wolhuter. Since 1988, he has made wildlife documentaries for National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet, winning numerous

Slash-and-burn, or fire-fallow cultivation, which involves cutting and burning forest or woodland to clear fields for livestock-raising, has devastated the Amazon Rainforest. As the largest terrestrial carbon dioxide sink on our planet Earth, the burning of almost 906,000 hectares of Amazon Rainforest in 2019 caught the media’s attention and caused international concern. Data from Brazil’s Nationa

In our presentation today, we’ll take a look at how the 2020 documentary “The Phenomenon” challenges the public’s perception of UFOs with never-before-seen footage and extensive interviews with eyewitnesses, experts, government officials, and high-ranking members of the military. Among the numerous compelling sightings featured in this documentary are the encounter experiences reported by astronau

Famous Hollywood performing artists and comedians Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were American favorites, an on- and off-screen couple, who together have created many legends. Today we will introduce to you one of their most popular sitcoms “I Love Lucy” as well as the comedy film “The Long, Long Trailer,” co-starring this lovely couple. Set in an apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper East S

Yesterday was the Lunar New Year, and to welcome the Year of the Ox, we will present two wonderful films about our bovine animal friends who, just like us, are born free and should be respected: “Ferdinand” and “Bovines or the Real Life of Cows.” Our first film, “Ferdinand,” starts in Casa del Toro, a ranch in Spain that raises and trains bulls for the arena. It is also where our hero, Ferd

Let’s first take a look at “Talk to the Animals,” a short film directed by Charlie Picerni and written by Gregory Crosby and Spice Williams-Crosby. The film begins as a lady feeds her dog in a park. She appears to live there with a few simple belongings. In a flashback, we learn that her name is Lucy. Lucy has been diagnosed with brain cancer and dementia, and she knows that her life on Earth may

Today we will present two inspiring spiritual movies about the venerated enlightened Master Paramahansa Yogananda. “Awake: The Life of Yogananda” is a 2014 documentary about the great Indian Guru who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s and inspired millions of people seeking spiritual awakening. The film begins prior to the birth of Mukunda Lal Ghosh, later known as Paramahans

Today we present two inspirational films about Mother Nature: “My Octopus Teacher” and “Gaia.” When Craig Foster, a filmmaker, videographer, and diver, experiences a very tough time in life, he can hardly work and finds it difficult to be a good father. He knows a radical change is needed. Following an inner calling to go to the ocean, he moves back to the place where he spent his childhood, happi

Today, December 24th, is Christmas Eve. We are going to present two cartoon films about this joyous and holy holiday season featuring our legendary animal friends: “The Star” and the 1948 “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The film “The Star” transports us back to “Nazareth, 9 months B.C.” A kind and loving Mary is visited by an angel telling her that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God, the Messiah. Just at that moment, a new star rises in the sky glowing brightly in the night, preempting a Light that will uplift the whole world. Our main character is a young donkey who is chained to a grinding wheel, walking around and around in a never-ending circle. Donkey’s best friend, Dave the Dove, is determined to help make his dreams come true. When they see the new star rising, they know that their time has come. Finally, they escape, chased vigorously by the miller. Donkey hurt his ankle during the pursuit and ends up looking for refuge in Mary and Joseph’s courtyard, where the couple have just gotten married. Directed by Timothy Reckart, “The Star” is a beautiful 2017 animation film that retells the Nativity of Jesus from the animals’ point of view and is a “must-see” for Christmas audiences.In 1939, Robert Lewis May worked for Montgomery Ward, a popular department store, and was assigned to write a “cheery” Christmas book for shoppers. Thus, the most famous reindeer, Rudolph, was created. In 1948, Robert May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, adapted the story into a song that immediately became a number one hit. Since then, the story has been published in various books and made into many movies. Today, we are going to present the short film made in 1948, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the very first telling of the story on screen. Directed and produced by Max Fleischer, this inspiring short film shows us that when we are different from others, it may be a special gift from God!

Today, we will present two poetic movies about cats: “Kedi” and “The Cat Returns.” Our first movie is the beautifully made 2016 Turkish documentary, “Kedi.” Hundreds of thousands of stray cats roam the streets of Istanbul. They are a distinct part of everyone’s life. This is the story of seven of them. Produced by Ceyda Torun and Charlie Wuppermann, this touching and poetic film affectionately por

Today, the 20th of November, is Universal Children’s Day, an exceptional day that celebrates international togetherness and promotes awareness among children in order to improve the welfare of the younger generation worldwide. Rejoicing on this special occasion, let us take a look at two films that ignite the pure, simple, and imaginative inner child in our hearts: “Mary Poppins” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” These enchanting features are based on Mary Poppins, the beloved magical nanny originally brought to life in the fictional book series of the same name by P. L. Travers. The first film, released in 1964, is one of the most popular American musical fantasy films and has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Full of music, dance, elation, and imagination, this irresistible 1964 Walt Disney classic features legendary actors Julie Andrews as the enchanting Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke playing the joyful Bert. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the movie combines live-action with animation. As Mary Poppins takes care of the children, she brings a spark of magic to the Banks family, helping them rediscover their happiness, love, and wonder in life. The 1964 “Mary Poppins” was such a success that a year later, Walt Disney attempted to produce a sequel. Despite several tries, it was 54 years later, in 2018, that the long-awaited sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns,” was finally released. Blending the endearing elements from the original film into the sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns” warms the hearts of all viewers, adults and children alike. Starring Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, the movie also features songs that are both charming and insightful, as well as spirited animation that marvelously joins the live-action cast. “Mary Poppins” and its sequel “Mary Poppins Returns” are two wonderful films that teach valuable lessons about family, love, and hope through the fantastic adventures, incredible imagination, and timeless song and dance.

“Casa de Carne” is a short film written, directed, and edited by filmmaker Dustin Brown for the non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA). Set in the fictional high-end restaurant Case de Carne, meaning “Meat House,” Eric comes to have dinner for the first time with friends who are familiar with the place. Handing Eric an apron and a knife, the waiter opens a door for him to enter. In the room stands a little pig who comes to him. The pig is so peaceful and cute, and Eric can’t help petting him and dropping the knife. At this moment, the door opens again and two people in white coats come and roughly take the defenseless and helpless pig who is scared and starts to scream, sensing what is going to happen. Back at the table, the dish Eric ordered is placed in front of him. His friends begin to eat, but Eric, having seen where his meal came from, is extremely shocked and feels miserable. He doesn’t seem to know what to say nor do. Directed by Sharon Boeckle, the 2019 documentary “Bucking Tradition” explores the rodeo. Thousands of rodeo events are held annually in the US and worldwide, in which animals are subjected to horrible cruelty. Calf roping is one of the brutal events of rodeo. Baby calves, sometimes un-weaned, are driven into the arena, roped, thrown, and tied, ruthlessly. Again and again, the helpless calves suffer tremendous fear and pain, both physically and emotionally, both in the arena as well as during practice rounds. In steer roping, the rider brutally wrestles the steer to the ground. Flank strap and metal spurs are painfully driven into the horse’s shoulder to make the horse buck. “The Farm in My Backyard” takes us to the Yarmouth region. Once a peaceful and beautiful area, it has now become heavily polluted by the intensive mink-raising facilities. “Microcystin is the name of the toxin it gives off, which kills. We’re here in Yarmouth County. The municipal bylaws say that you can’t have a mink pen within 500 feet of a body of water. Just look. That’s what they do anyway.” In the wild, minks are semiaquatic and can live between three to 10 years near water in territories of up to 2,500 acres. In a mink farm, they are crowded in small cages and will be killed after just six months, never having met their most basic need to swim. The poor living conditions are heart-wrenching to see, and the suffering of the helpless animals is beyond words.

Today we present not one film but two by the name “Underdog,” which follow the adventures of “human’s best friend,” our much-loved dogs. The first “Underdog” feature, also known as “A Dog’s Courage,” is a delightful Korean animated movie. The film gives viewers an opportunity to look at the unfortunate reality of abandoned canine friends, and to think about a world where humans and animals can coexist in love. Scriptwriter and director Mr. Oh Sung-yoon was inspired to create this movie when he saw the suffering images on television of stray dogs caged behind steel bars. “Basically, I thought the right to live was fundamentally a very important subject; we can make the connection between animal rights and human rights because both are about the same right to live.” “Underdog” won the Best Animation Award at the 2018 Silk Road Film Festival. In 2019, the screening of “Underdog” prompted the official closure of the last canine slaughterhouses in Seoul. The Honorable Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul and Shining World Leadership Award for Protection Laureate affirmed his determination to ban dog meat businesses in the capital, saying, “I believe in building a peaceful world that is also a safe place for animals.” His Excellency President Moon Jae-in, a Shining World Leadership Award for Peace Laureate, also lent his voice to a campaign against the dog meat trade in 2017, when he adopted a four-year-old dog named Tory, who was rescued from a dog meat farm. Let us now take a look at the 2007 American action-comedy “Underdog.” “Underdog” not only tells the story of an ordinary beagle who finds himself with extraordinary powers, but the film also sends a meaningful message about the cruelty and needlessness of animal experimentation, that can be appreciated by the whole family. Certainly, both “Underdog” films are eartwarming and entertaining, while reminding us of the deep compassion, courage, and preciousness of our canine friends.

Indigenous people all over the world still retain cultural traditions in their way of daily living, displaying ancient wisdom that we can learn from in modern times, as we see in these two inspirational films, “Wisdomkeepers, Paqo Andino” and “Pocahontas II: Journey to A New World.” The 2013 documentary “Wisdomkeepers, Paqo Andino” was written, directed, and produced by Paqo Jeffrey Wium. A Western-born professional in multimedia production, Paqo Jeffrey found a deep resonance with the maestros of the Andean Holy Mountain Tradition, one of the few remaining unbroken wisdom lineages on our planet. Andean Paqos are regarded as masters of the “Living Energy” and practitioners of celestially-integrated ways of life. The ancient lineage embodies animistic consciousness, acknowledging that all natural things in the world have a spiritual essence and conscious life force. Throughout this unprecedented documentary are the beautiful and powerful prayers that the wise Andean Paqos have shared with the world, helping people remember their origins and choose Truth over power, as well as showing us an eco-spiritual way of living. “We appeal to every soul in the universe to follow their inclination towards an honest and loving lifepath. …And with tenderness and humility, in every step we take and task we accomplish, help us recognize and know all of Your creation as we learn to live more harmoniously within You. Watch over us, Eternal One.” ― Paqo Adolfo Our second movie is “Pocahontas II: Journey to A New World.” Released in 1998, it is a sequel to the beloved 1995 Disney film “Pocahontas.” Loosely based on actual historical people and events, “Pocahontas II: Journey to A New World” follows Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan in Tsenacommacah. Together with Captain John Smith from London, UK, she has helped drive away Governor Ratcliffe. “Long ago, I told you to listen with your heart. It is time to listen to your heart. (But the spirits around me…) Can help. But only the spirit within can guide you. Listen to the spirit within.”