Roger M. Sherman Movies

Discover how some remarkable soldiers found the strength to face almost certain death to save the lives of others in this documentary tracing the history of the Medal of Honor from the Civil War to the Iraq war. It was during the Civil War that the Medal of Honor was first created. Though one woman was bestowed the Medal of Honor at that time, that commendation was soon revoked. Since then, many brave men have received the Medal of Honor. These are their stories. From the Holocaust survivor who single-handedly defended a hill from advancing enemy forces during the Korean War to the Navy Seal who swam two hours in the ocean with his wounded comrades in tow and the Marine who cleared a fiery path for his demoralized company at Iwo Jima, these tales are some of the most inspirational stories of bravery every to emerge from the battlefield. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Actress Rosie Perez makes her directorial debut with this documentary about her heritage, Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas! (I'm Puerto Rican, Just So You Know!), which she co-directed with acclaimed documentarian Liz Garbus (The Farm: Angola, USA). Starting with the focal point of New York City's famed Puerto Rican Day Parade, Perez examines her culture, both from a deeply personal perspective, interviewing her sister and cousin about their sense of pride in their background and exploring the journey of her own family from the island to New York City, and from a broader perspective, looking at the island's rich, neglected history. The film explains how Spanish conquistadors nearly wiped out the island's indigenous population, and made Spanish the official language and Catholicism the official religion. The U.S. eventually took over the island during the Spanish-American War, making it a commonwealth, in which residents pay taxes and can serve in the military, but can't vote in national elections. The U.S. prized the island for its sugar plantations and its strategic proximity to the Panama Canal, but a vast percentage of its residents live in poverty to this day. The documentary takes an honest look at how residents of the island were used as guinea pigs by pharmaceutical companies, at how the U.S. government utilized forced sterilization in an effort to control the island's population, and at the bloody struggle for independence led by Pedro Albiza Campos. Operation Bootstrap, a government program to move islanders to the mainland, is also explored. Perez also celebrates the Puerto Rican poets, artists, and musicians that have impacted American culture, along with the island's unique influence on our language. The film had its New York premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

This film is one of a series that profiles some of the great artists that America has produced. This segment features sculptor and mobile artist Alexander Calder. Calder became a major art force by the middle of the 20th century. His name is synonymous with the mobile, or moving, sculpture. Influenced by his contact with French artists like Mondrian, Miro, and Arp, Calder brought a freedom of shape and color to the American art scene. The film shows representative sculptural works in wire and mobiles in metal. There are interviews with colleagues and film clips of this consummate artist of kinetic motion. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

The creative community's commitment to fighting AIDS is beautifully documented in this film. In 1991, Metropolitan Home magazine organized ShowHouse, a benefit for Design Industries Foundation for AIDS (DIFFA). This unique project brought together artists and designers ranging from Geoffrey Beene to Tom Wolfe to Kenny Scharf. A Dream House tells the story of how a Manhattan townhouse is transformed by the talents of artists who are not only visually exciting, but dedicated to combating a devastating illness. ~ Cara Saposnik, All Movie Guide