Inspired by Marcus Aurelius' observation that time is like a river continually erasing the past, this is an inconsistent collection of documentaries and vignettes.
Jim Jarmusch's debunk of showbiz glamour and Wim Wenders' clumsily stylised road movielet are negligible, while neither the typically laconic Aki Kaurismaki nor Chen Kaige provide work as satisfying as the factual contributions.
Werner Herzog considers the impact of 'civilisation' on an Amazon tribe, while Spike Lee explores African-American disenfranchisement during the 2000 Florida election. But the highlight is Victor Erice's sublime Lifeline, in which every monochrome image is slowly given meaning and resonance through its meticulous composition and arrangement.