Documentaries

Documentaries

Independent documentary films preserving cultural and social history: people, movements and moments often overlooked by mainstream media.

The documentary work in the New and Unique Videos® archive emphasizes careful observation, factual integrity and respect for lived experience, with each film grounded in its real-world context and historical moment.

Titles
09
Material from
1974–2024
Formats
Audio cassette, VHS and digital, restored for streaming
[IMAGE: 1993_darjeeling_2-Marks-Mural-2-e1766101866943.jpg]Director Mark Schulze with Director of Photography Marco Eveslage in Darjeeling, India
Director Mark Schulze with Director of Photography Marco Eveslage in Darjeeling, India, 1993

Scope of the collection

Fifty years of real stories

Produced across formats from VHS to digital distribution, these films reflect both technological change and continuity of purpose.

  1. 01Social and environmental advocacy
  2. 02Public health and community education
  3. 03Veterans’ experiences and post-service life
  4. 04Civic movements and public demonstrations
  5. 05Cultural history and contemporary issues

In the collection

Nine films

Documentaries · 1974–2024

[IMAGE: pm-07-nectarball.jpg]Nectarball title thumbnail
DOC–01 · 2024 · 80 MIN · FEATURED

Nectarball: The Story of Cannabis

A seven-year investigation from California to Uruguay, South Africa, the Netherlands and Argentina into the plant, the policy and the people. Best Feature Documentary, New York Movie Awards.

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[IMAGE: north-american-journey-1986-1920×1080-1.png]North American Journey (1986) title thumbnail
DOC–02 · 1986 · AWARD WINNER

North American Journey (1986)

Nine months and 25,000 miles through the United States, Canada and Alaska on one VHS camera. Best Feature Documentary at the London and New York Film Awards.

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[IMAGE: north-american-journey-too-1986-1920×1080-1.png]North American Journey Too title thumbnail
DOC–03 · 1986 · COMING 2027

North American Journey Too

The same expedition continues from Haines, Alaska to Niagara Falls, through Jasper, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and the Badlands.

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[IMAGE: pm-08-full-cycle.jpg]Full Cycle: A World Odyssey
DOC–04 · 1995 · 108 MIN · AWARD WINNER

Full Cycle: A World Odyssey

An “endless summer on wheels”: Mark and Patty mountain-bike nine countries, from San Diego and Moab to Costa Rica’s volcanoes, the Swiss Alps and the Himalaya, in search of the world’s best trail.

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[IMAGE: pm-09-invisible-ones.jpg]The Invisible Ones title thumbnail
DOC–05 · 2008 · 40 MIN · FEATURED

The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans

Why American veterans end up sleeping on the streets, and what we can do to help. Winner of a Telly and a Platinum Ava; remastered in 2025 with a new score by Patty Mooney.

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[IMAGE: pm-10-my-choice.jpg]My Choice title thumbnail
DOC–06 · 2004 · 33 MIN

My Choice: March for Women’s Lives

Front-row footage from the April 2004 march in Washington, D.C., the largest protest in U.S. history at the time, with speeches and songs from the National Mall stages. Remastered.

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[IMAGE: The-Making-of-CBH-e1790790830691.png]The Making of California Big Hunks title thumbnail
DOC–07 · SHOT 1985 · AWARD WINNER

The Making of California Big Hunks®

Rare behind-the-scenes VHS footage from the 1985 cult classic: impromptu dance-offs, backstage antics and the joyful spirit of Southern California’s underground video scene.

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[IMAGE: Fighting-Cancer-with-Cannabis.png]Fighting Cancer With Cannabis title thumbnail
DOC–08 · AWARD WINNER

Fighting Cancer With Cannabis

Scientists, nurses, cultivators and activists on how cannabis plant medicine can ease the symptoms of cancer. A companion to Nectarball.

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[IMAGE: Mother-Lode.png]Mother Lode title thumbnail
DOC–09 · RECORDED 1974

Mother Lode

A rediscovered 1974 cassette: a Catholic mother of six and a Jewish journalist talk candidly in a Detroit diner about liberation, marriage and motherhood, brought to life with home movies and archival film.

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Behind the scenes

Behind the camera

On location with Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney: a few moments from the making of the collection, from a Detroit family album to the San Diego shoot that started Nectarball.

[IMAGE: CNNC.png]Director of Photography Mark Schulze videotapes the CNNC conference in San Diego
Nectarball · San Diego, 2019Mark Schulze videotapes the Cannabis Nurses Network Conference, the shoot that started the seven-year Nectarball project.
[IMAGE: 2004_magi_at_march_P4250241-e1766186683216.jpg]Magi Mooney marching at the March for Women’s Lives, Washington, D.C., 2004
My Choice · Washington, D.C., 2004Magi Mooney, 82, marching on the National Mall while Patty filmed with press credentials from the front of both main stages.
[IMAGE: patty_magi_rock-e1766190580985.jpg]Producer Patty Mooney with her mother Magi Mooney
Mother LodeProducer Patty Mooney with her mother, Magi, whose 1974 conversation is the heart of the film.
[IMAGE: the-making-of-california-big-hunks-e1766360326234.png]The six dancers of California Big Hunks, 1985
The Making of California Big Hunks · 1985The six dancers of the 1985 cult classic, whose shoot Patty captured on her own VHS camera.
[IMAGE: canada-jasper-rock-patty-mark-2-e1766185621754.jpg]Patty Mooney and Mark Schulze on the road in Canada, 1986
North American Journey · 1986Patty and Mark on the road in Canada, nine months and 25,000 miles with one VHS camera.
[IMAGE: alaska-denali-mark-patty-e1766185402846.jpg]Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney in Alaska, 1986
North American Journey Too · 1986Mark and Patty in Alaska, on the leg of the journey that continues in the second film.
[IMAGE: david_ross_interview-e1766106500379.jpg]Interview with Dave “The Water Man” Ross for The Invisible Ones
The Invisible Ones · 2007–08On camera with Dave “The Water Man” Ross, one of the voices in the film.
[IMAGE: patty-mooney-tommy-chong-mark-schulze-e1766105312321.jpg]Patty Mooney, Tommy Chong and Mark Schulze
Fighting Cancer With CannabisPatty and Mark with Tommy Chong, who told them “the proof is in the pudding.”

Approach

Subjects and communities speak in their own voices.

These documentaries favor long-form storytelling. Rather than offering commentary-driven narratives, the films prioritize documentation, testimony and context.

The result is a body of work for educators, researchers, institutions and general audiences seeking thoughtful, independent perspectives.

Screen it, study it, license it

Documentaries are available for educational use, research, exhibition and licensing, depending on title and format.