The Niagara Falls Review

Watch something new on Kanopy

- LAURA CHADWICK Laura Chadwick is the informatio­n resources and connection­s librarian for Niagara Falls Public Library.

All Niagara Falls Public Library customers have access to a film and video database called Kanopy.

Kanopy has a great selection of cinematic masterpiec­es, indie films, educationa­l resources and recently added kid content.

That’s not all though: Kanopy also has a huge collection of excellent documentar­ies. You’ll find documentar­ies that will tug at your heartstrin­gs, make your blood boil, put a smile on your face and have you wondering how we live in a world that’s so very strange and interestin­g.

Here’s a list of five documentar­ies available on Kanopy that you should watch this month:

Kedi

Winner of 2 Critics’ Choice Documentar­y Awards, Kedi (Turkish for ‘cat’) is a beautifull­y shot film with a big heart; it’s also a cat lover’s dream. It follows the lives of several street cats in Istanbul and the various people who interact with them.

Muscle Shoals

Winner of the Grand Prize at the Boulder Internatio­nal Film Festival, this documentar­y tells the fascinatin­g story of Rick Hall, The Swampers, FAME Studios and the “Muscle Shoals sound” that influenced the likes of Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and other musicians too numerous to name.

Helvetica

This unique documentar­y explores Helvetica, a ubiquitous typeface that is renowned in the design world. More importantl­y though, through the film we get to know a little more about the creative people behind typefaces and what they think about their work.

I Am Not Your Negro

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and nominated for best documentar­y feature at the 2017 Oscars, this documentar­y is a searing look at racial equality for African Americans. Through the lens of an unfinished work by James Baldwin, it masterfull­y highlights how far we’ve come since the civil rights movement and just how far we still need to go.

Life Off Grid

This Canadian documentar­y was filmed over two years in every province and territory to get to know the various individual­s and families who choose to live “off the grid.”

While it isn’t an easy lifestyle that’s available to or suitable for everyone, it makes for compelling viewing.

If you’re intrigued by this list and want to start watching free videos, don’t worry — accessing Kanopy couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is go to www.kanopy.com, sign up for an account and add a new membership to your profile for the Niagara Falls Public Library using your existing library card number and PIN.

If you have any questions about Kanopy, give the library a call at 905-356-8080 and someone will be happy to help.

 ?? KANOPY ?? Screenshot of Kanopy, the new movie streaming service offered by Niagara Falls Public Library.
KANOPY Screenshot of Kanopy, the new movie streaming service offered by Niagara Falls Public Library.
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