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A lesbian college graduate, trying to bankroll her own photography business, works as a high-priced New York City escort.

(Japanese with English subtitles) A disgraced warrior planning the murder of a Japanese diplomat, and a ninja in the employ of a navy official are about to land in San Francisco when a band of thieves steal the money the diplomats are carrying. The two set off on a chase across the American west to catch the robbers.

In May of 1997, Zubin Mehta conducts and Zhang Yimou directs Puccini's "Turnadot" in Florence. A year later, they stage nine performances in Beijing. This documentary focuses on the China production: a huge and elaborate set, hundreds of extras, three sets of principles, props and costumes matching the Ming Dynasty. Mehta, with his Indian roots and European training, revels in bringing disparate cultures together. Zhang wants the music to come through and anticipates the demands (and habits) of the Chinese audience. Rehearsals; production work; rain; talks with singers, crew, and local officials -- can it all come together? When the chorus is in full volume, no one sleeps.

Divided in five parts, 'The Art of Influence' registers fifteen artists' impressions on the life and work of other artists that influenced them. Part one 'Performers on Performers' covers Salerno-Sonnenberg's opinions on Maria Callas, and Cassandra Wilson's on Miles Davis. In part two 'Ways of Seeing', Fuentes talks about Luis Buñuel, Iturbide about Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Frankenthaler about Jackson Pollock, and Jackie Chan about Bruce Lee's films, Buster Keaton's stunts, Charles Chaplin's humor, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Sylvester Stallone. Part three 'Breaking the Silence' is dedicated to Fugard's admiration for Bertolt Brecht, and Oe's for Günter Grass. Choreographers Marin and Jones reflect on the influences of, respectively, Samuel Beckett and Marcel Proust, in part four 'Choreographers on Writers'. The last part, 'Artist and Visionairies' registers Anger's opinion of Jean Cocteau, Bo's admiration for Marcel Duchamp, Komar and Melamid's memories of Andy Warhol, and O'Connor's affectionate appreciation for Bob Marley.

A documentary of the Japanese film composer Toru Takemitsu, featuring interviews and clips from films he scored.

Host/conductor Mauceri replicates a symphony orchestra playing to film images to produce the film's score, and talks with historians, technicians and David Raksin about the process during the 30's and 40's.