Philip Harder

In 1940, Masaaki Takaoka works as a teacher in the agricultural division at a youth training institute. Although Japan’s defeat seems imminent, all of Masaaki’s students are drafted in a futile last-ditch effort. In an attempt to give the young men some hope, he makes everyone promise that they will all meet again under the cherry blossoms upon their safe return. Consumed by sadness over the fate of his students, Masaaki devotes the next 30 years of his life to develop a new species of cherry blossoms that could thrive in any climate in remembrance of his students.

Twenty-two and on the verge of entering high society, college graduate Billy Mitchell finds his plans changing when he falls in love with an inmate with multiple personalities at his father's mental institution.

Low Movie (How To Quit Smoking) follows the entire career of the iconic band Low and their relationship with director Philip Harder. For twenty years they made music videos and short films together, filming on ice, in railroad yards, and in rapidly disintegrating rooms. Low formed in 1993.

14 short films by 14 different filmmakers, from the music of Stan Ridgway.

Cue the Strings - a film about Low follows the entire career of the iconic band Low and their relationship with director Philip Harder. Low and Harder made music videos and short films together, filming on ice, in railroad yards, and in rapidly disintegrating rooms. Low formed in 1993. Before the band’s debut record, Harder, armed with a 16mm camera, filmed the band on Lake Superior in minus-30 windchill. At the time Low bucked rock protocol by turning their volume down and the haunting visuals helped define their minimalist approach. As Low matured they turned up and the lyrics grew more aggressive. The visuals followed suit. Year after year Harder continued to film Low’s music until the band’s last show in September 2022.

A documentary about legendary wrestler and all around supervillain Baron von Raschke by director Philip Harder.

Minneapolis filmmaker Al Milgrom has worn many hats throughout his career—documentarian, world traveler and cinema pioneer being a few. In this documentary feature from Phil Harder, we follow the now 95-year-old Milgrom through his life and living legacy. From his first introduction to film, via Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid, to a tour through his personal home “film museum,” A Work in Progress is an inspiring portrait of one of Minnesota’s leading artistic voices. Milgrom himself discusses his journey as a filmmaker and his current projects, including his continued work on the 1959 documentary Russian Journey: The Story of a Filmmaker’s Travels Behind the Curtain

It's midwinter in Minneapolis, and rock musician Thomas (Shane Barach) can't seem to commit to girlfriend Jessica (Lara Miklasevics). At a local coffee shop, he runs into Sabina (Rose Mailutha), whom he knows casually from the club scene, and a relationship develops. But responsibilities lurk in the background since he needs to find work, and she must take care of her young son. With a naturalistic style, filmed in 16mm black-and-white, the film recalls Shadows (1959) an independent films of the early '60s.

Small town obituary writer, Helena, must decide to face their past or run when their own death notice lands on the desk.