Tree with Deep Roots tells the story of King Sejong, the creator of the Korean alphabet, and a secret organization plotting to overthrow him. As the palace becomes a battleground for power struggles and assassins, a retired detective with a photographic memory sets out to uncover the truth behind a series of murders. Amidst the political conspiracy and palace intrigue, the drama explores themes of revenge, loyalty, and the fight for literacy in 15th-century Korea.
A linguist named Louise Banks is recruited by the military to help establish communication with extraterrestrial beings who have arrived on Earth in twelve spacecraft. As Louise learns their language, she starts to have visions of a little girl. The team discovers that the aliens' message is misunderstood, and they must race against time to prevent a potential global conflict. Louise also learns that her ability to see into the future is a result of the aliens' language, and she uses this knowledge to convince China to call off an attack. In the end, Louise decides to have a baby despite knowing its tragic fate.
Fry's Planet Word sees Stephen Fry finding out more about linguistic achievements and how our skills for the spoken word have changed. He dissects language in many of its guises.
Set in the 1930s, 'The Great Debaters' follows the journey of a debate team from a small African-American college challenging the racially segregated debate teams of larger and predominantly white universities. Inspired by the true story of Melvin B. Tolson and his Wiley College debate team, the film chronicles their struggle for recognition and equality in a divided society.
Do I Sound Gay? is a personal documentary that explores the insecurity and self-doubt felt by gay men due to the stereotypes associated with their voice. The film follows the filmmaker as he seeks answers and tries to change his voice to sound more masculine.
In 1938, a 70-year-old Romanian professor is struck by lightning and gains exceptional abilities. As he embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries of life, love, and time, he is pursued by mysterious organizations who also seek his powers. Through his journey, he must confront his past and face the consequences of his newfound abilities.
A college professor with a troubled past becomes the prime suspect after a high school cheerleader goes missing. As the evidence mounts and the police investigation intensifies, he must navigate the complex web of suspicion, deceit, and his own guilty conscience to unravel the truth.
Mockingbird Don't Sing (2001) is based on the true story of a 13-year-old girl who was abused by her father. The film explores her tragic life, including false accusations of child molestation, and her eventual escape and adoption. It delves into themes of child abuse, neglect, and the impact of a dysfunctional family. With elements of linguistics and the search for identity, it portrays the girl's struggle for survival and her triumph over adversity.
A linguistics professor bets that he can transform a poor flower seller into a refined, high society lady. As he takes on the challenge, he soon realizes that the task is more complicated than he anticipated.
Camouflage is a comedic drama that takes place in a summer school. A group of students start a rebellion against their strict professor, leading to a series of hilarious and chaotic events. As the students navigate through linguistic seminars, broken windows, drunken escapades, and even encounters with the police, they learn valuable lessons about life and friendship.
Project Nim is a documentary that tells the story of Nim Chimpsky, a chimpanzee who was raised like a human child and taught sign language. The film explores the nature versus nurture debate as Nim transitions from human society to a more natural chimpanzee setting.
Padre Padrone (1977) is a biographical drama that tells the story of a young shepherd in Sardinia, Italy, who struggles with his abusive father and the challenges of growing up. The film explores themes of illiteracy, friendship, and the complexities of family relationships. Based on a book, it depicts the harsh reality of rural life, highlighting the social and cultural issues of the time.
A man wakes from a coma speaking a fully formed but unrecognizable language baffling linguistic experts from around the globe.
Spell-Mageddon is an American spelling bee game show on ABC Family and is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro. It premiered on July 24, 2013. Its season finale aired on September 11, 2013.
Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? is a documentary that delves into the life and mind of Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist and philosopher. Through animated interviews and discussions, the film explores topics such as language, cognition, and the nature of reality.
Rich in humor and regional color, this sometimes hilarious film uses the prism of language to reveal our attitudes about the way other people speak. From Boston Brahmins to Black Louisiana teenagers, from Texas cowboys to New York professionals, American Tongues elicits funny, perceptive, sometimes shocking, and always telling comments on American English in all its diversity. (PBS)
A feature-length documentary chronicling the efforts of Cherokee activists, artists, and educators fighting to save the Cherokee language.
CodeSwitching is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the complexities of language and how it influences and reflects our identities. Through interviews and real-life examples, it examines the practice of code-switching, where individuals alternate between different languages or dialects depending on the social context. By highlighting the experiences of African Americans and other minority groups, the film sheds light on the impact of language on cultural identity, societal expectations, and opportunities.
Sherman's March is a comedic and autobiographical documentary that follows the filmmaker, Ross McElwee, as he goes on a road trip across the United States in search of love. Along the way, he encounters various eccentric characters and explores themes of romance, history, and personal growth.
Ismail Merchant's feature directorial debut addresses a subject close to his heart: the expressive Urdu language of Northern India, in danger of extinction as political trends and modernization obscure its contributions to Indian culture. Merchant 's treatment is wry and good humored , as his characters - an aging Urdu poet (Shashi Kapoor) and a worshipful young college lecturer - clash despite their shared passion for the beauty of words.