Independent Lens
Tuesdays, January 12 at 9:00 p.m., January 19 & 26 at 11:00 p.m. on WPBT2

Encompassing the full spectrum of film — from history to drama to animation to shorts to social-issue films — this anthology series allows audiences greater access to powerful and innovative programs united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers. Maggie Gyllenhaal hosts the new season.

Young@Heart (January 12 at 9:00 p.m.)
The surprising, delightful, entertaining and inspiring members of the Young@Heart Chorus, a New England senior citizens chorus, has charmed audiences worldwide with their renditions of songs by everyone from the Clash to Coldplay. As Stephen Walker’s critically acclaimed documentary begins, the retirees, led by their demanding musical director, are rehearsing their new show, struggling with Sonic Youth’s dissonant rock anthem “Schizophrenia” and giving new meaning to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” What ultimately emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to friendship, creative inspiration and expectations defied.

Copyright Criminals (January 19 at 11:00 p.m.)
Computers, software and even cell phones have radically altered our relationship to mass culture and technology, providing consumers with the tools to become producers, or “remixers,” of their own media. But long before everyday people began posting their video mash-ups on the Web, hiphop musicians perfected the art of audio montage through a sport they called “sampling.” Copyright Criminals, a documentary by Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod, examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the ongoing debates about artistic expression, copyright law and (of course) money.

Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (January 26 at 11:00 p.m.)
Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes is a personal and heartfelt documentary that goes beyond the bling to explore gender roles in hip-hop and rap music through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback-turned-activist. In this “loving critique” from a self-proclaimed “hip-hop head,” Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture by talking with rappers, moguls and fans. Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes features revealing interviews with rappers, including Mos Def, Fat Joe, Chuck D, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes, and hip-hop moguls Russell Simmons and Chris Lighty, along with commentary from Michael Eric Dyson, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Kevin Powell and Sarah Jones.

Visit the website at www.pbs.org/independentlens.