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What to Watch This September: 20+ Programs You Must See

KCET continues to serve a mosaic of thought-provoking documentaries, dramas, and films.
September 1, 2022
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This month, our KCET Original series "Fine Cut" makes its return, featuring exciting new works from Southern California's up and coming filmmakers in Season 23.

Three new dramas are also set to air, including "La Otra Mirada," an award-winning Spanish drama following the journey of brave women at a young girls' academy finding their own voice in 1920s Seville.

Plus, with Hispanic Heritage Month kicking off Sept. 15, explore our special lineup of programming on Hispanic and Latinx stories here.

See below for the full programming lineup.

Saturday, Sept. 3

Scattering CJ – 1 a.m.

One mother's efforts to heal after her veteran son's suicide unleashes humanity's goodness

When a heartbroken mom asked the world to help honor the memory of her beloved elder son, the loss of one became the journey of many. "Scattering CJ" is the story of how one mother's unexpected effort to heal unleashes the innate goodness of humanity. Watch Now.

POV: Faya Dayi – 9 p.m.

A hypnotic immersion in Harar, Ethiopia, where khat, a euphoria-inducing plant holds sway.

Enter the world of Harar, Ethiopia where a euphoria-inducing plant holds sway over everyday life. See moments from the harvesters of the crop, people lost in its narcotic haze and the younger generation searching for an escape from political strife. Watch Now.

Rise of the Bolsonaros – 11 p.m.

Follow the controversial rise to victory of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Bolsonaros are the world's newest political dynasty and for many in and outside of Brazil they are extremely dangerous. Unpick the Bolsonaros' meteoric rise to power and the scandals that accompanied it. Watch Now.

Sunday, Sept. 4

Becoming Trauma Responsive – 4 p.m.

Nathan Ross touches the sign marking Faxson Montessori elementary school in Kansas City, Missouri.

Explore the effects of childhood trauma on learning, behavior, and developing relationships. Significant increases in depression and general anxiety from students and educators alike during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for trauma-informed training, practices and resources. Watch Now.

Tuesday, Sept. 6

Tanzania: The Royal Tour – 7 p.m.

Animals graze in a savanna in Tanzania with a hot air balloon in the distance.
Tanzania: The Royal Tour

In this latest Royal Tour, Peter Greenberg travels through Tanzania with the country's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, relating stories of the often-hidden gems of Tanzania, along with its rich history, culture, environment, food and music. Watch Now.

Guilt on Masterpiece – Tuesdays, 9 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Will brothers Max and Jake get away with murder? Or will their guilt catch up with them?

In this four-episode series, a drunken drive home from a wedding lands two brothers in increasingly hot water, as they commit more and more serious crimes to hide their culpability in a hit-and-run. Watch Now.

Saturday, Sept. 10

American Experience: Big Burn – 9 p.m.

In 1910 the largest fire in U.S. history burned over 3 million acres. Premiering Feb 3.

In August 1910, a massive wildfire swept across the Northern Rockies, devouring more than three million acres in 36 hours. The catastrophe would define the fledgling U.S. Forest Service and the nation's fire policy for much of the 20th century. Watch Now.

Frontline: Lies, Politics and Democracy – 10 p.m.

A look at political leaders and choices they made that threatened American democracy.

The political leaders and choices they made that have undermined and threatened American democracy. How officials fed lies about the 2020 election and embraced rhetoric that led to political violence. Watch Now.

Sunday, Sept. 11

POV: Love & Stuff – 12 a.m.

A woman holds a baby in her arms as she sits on a couch in a room filled with boxes, baby supplies and miscellaneous items.

Experience Judith's multigenerational love story. As a daughter caring for her terminally ill mother and an "old-new mom" adopting a baby in her 50s, this film ultimately asks: "what do we really want to leave our children?" Watch Now.

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Can We All Get Along? The Segregation of John Muir High School – 8 p.m.

An alumnus returns to his formerly integrated school and discovers things have changed.

An alumnus returns to his formerly integrated school and discovers things have changed. Watch Now.

Fine Cut (New Season) – Wednesdays, 10 p.m.

"Fine Cut" is a collection of short films made by Southern California student filmmakers.

Now on its 23nd season, "Fine Cut Festival of Films" showcases promising new filmmaking talent from Southern California, chosen by eight industry professionals. Watch stories of fitting in, family struggles and rebellions. Watch Preview.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Facing Suicide – 9 p.m.

Explore the powerful stories of those impacted by suicide-one of America's most urgent health crises-and journey to the front lines of research with scientists whose work is leading to better prevention and treatment. Watch Preview.

Independent Lens: Hazing – 10:30 p.m.

Hazing reveals the tradition of underground rituals that are abusive and sometimes deadly.

Filmmaker Byron Hurt embarks on a deeply personal journey to understand the underground rituals of hazing, revealing the abuse and the lengths college students will go to fit in. Watch Preview.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Independent Lens: The First Rainbow Coalition – 12 a.m.

Across lines of race and ethnicity, alliances formed among Chicago activists in the '60s.

In 1969, the Chicago Black Panther Party began to form alliances across lines of race and ethnicity with other community-based movements in the city to confront issues such as police brutality and substandard housing. They called themselves the Rainbow Coalition. Watch Preview.

Singing Our Way to Freedom – 4 p.m.

Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez singing with his guitar at microphone, ca 1974.
Photo courtesy of Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez

Chronicle the life and music of Ramon "Chunky" Sanchez, from his humble beginnings as a farmworker in Blythe, California to the dramatic moment when he received one of our nation's highest musical honors at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Lion: The Rise And Fall Of The Marsh Pride – 10 p.m.

Follow the Marsh pride as it battles for survival in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Reserve.

Follow the epic story of the Marsh pride of lions as it battles for survival in Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve. This is a powerful tale of shifting loyalties, bloody takeovers, complex family dynamics and sheer resilience. Watch Preview.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Cobra (Season 2) – Tuesdays, 9 p.m.

Follow the emergency COBRA committee as it overcomes a major crisis in the UK.

Follow the British Prime Minister and his Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRA) committee, comprised of leading contingency planners and senior politicians, as they navigate the difficulties in overcoming a major national crisis. Watch Now.

La Otra Mirada – Tuesdays, 10 p.m.

Set in 1920s Seville, a woman with a mysterious past, flees to a young girls' academy.

Set in 1920s Seville, where Teresa, a woman with a mysterious past, flees to a young girls' academy with a secret goal related to the academy itself. This series portrays the journey of brave women finding their own voice. Watch Preview.

Saturday, Sept. 24

The U.S. and the Holocaust – 9 p.m.

Burns, Novick and Botstein give the story behind their most important film to date.

"The U.S. and the Holocaust" examines America's response to one of the greatest humanitarian disasters of the 20th century and how the Holocaust challenged the very ideals of our democracy in this three-part documentary series by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein. Watch Preview.

Sunday, Sept. 25

NOVA: Ending HIV In America – 10 p.m.

Almost 40 years after the discovery of HIV could we be on the verge of ending the AIDS epidemic in America? How did scientists tackle one of the most elusive deadly viruses to ever infect humans? Can innovative drugs bring new infections to zero?

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