Independent Lens

Trailer | No Straight Lines

When Alison Bechdel received a coveted MacArthur Award for her best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home, it heralded the acceptance of LGBTQ+ comics in American culture. From DIY underground comix scene to mainstream acceptance, meet five smart and funny queer comics artists whose uncensored commentary left no topic untouched and explored art as a tool for social change.

Trailer | No Straight Lines

30s

  • Who Can Become American? | The History of White People in America, Episode 6: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Who Can Become American? | The History of White People in America, Episode 6

    5m 30s

    This catchy, musical short chronicles the arbitrary system of race in the United States, which kept people who were not white in an ongoing battle of identity. See how immigrants had to play "race roulette" with a biased court system due to the Alien Naturalization Act of 1790, which set the standard for citizenship in America and remained law for 175 years.

  • The Art of Clown | United States of Comedy, Ep 4: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Art of Clown | United States of Comedy, Ep 4

    22m 13s

    Get to know Los Angeles native Christina Catherine Martinez, a fascinating hybrid standup who walks the line somewhere between traditional comedy, modern clown, and performance artist.

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