Next month’s DOC NYC features three competitions – one for shorts, and two for feature-length films. The following runs down the eight films vying for the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the Viewfinders section, a tightly-curated selection from this year’s program demonstrating distinct directorial visions.
DOC NYC Viewfinders Competition
THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE
Director: Sarah McCarthy
US PREMIERE
An American couple struggles to forge family bonds with their newly adopted Russian children (pictured above).
Followed by a Q&A with the director.My previous coverage may be found here.
MISSION CONGO
Directors: David Turner & Lara Zizic
US PREMIERE
Allegations surface that influential televangelist Pat Robertson may have diverted funds earmarked for refugee relief for other, decidedly non-philanthropic, purposes.
Followed by a Q&A with the directors.My previous coverage may be found here.
SOLE SURVIVOR
Director: Ky Dickens
NYC PREMIERE
Four individuals share the unusual guilt, pressures, and questions that come from being the sole survivors of commercial airline crashes.
Followed by a Q&A with the director.
URANIUM DRIVE-IN
Director: Suzan Beraza
NYC PREMIERE
A small Colorado town faces off against environmental activists who attempt to block a new uranium mill that might mean prosperity for the struggling community.
Followed by a Q&A with the director.Screening with short film:
THE APOTHECARY
Director: Helen Hood Scheer
The sole pharmacist of a remote Colorado outpost reflects on his public and private lives.
Director and subject expected to attend.
WEB
Director: Michael Kleiman
WORLD PREMIERE
What happens when Peruvian children in remote communities become digitally connected for the first time?
Followed by a Q&A with the director.
WE ALWAYS LIE TO STRANGERS
Directors: AJ Schnack & David Wilson
NYC PREMIERE
A profile of four families of entertainers in Branson MO, the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
Followed by a Q&A with the directors.My previous coverage may be found here.
A WILL FOR THE WOODS
Directors: Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale & Brian Wilson
NYC PREMIERE
The impending death of a sensitive man provides a window into the green burial movement.
Followed by a Q&A with the directors.My previous coverage may be found here.
A WORLD NOT OURS
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
NYC PREMIERE
Humor and nostalgia infuse this personal reflection on life in a Palestinian refugee camp.
Why You Should Attend:
These films represent a diverse cross-section of themes, styles, and approaches to nonfiction, giving the Viewfinders jury, and our audiences, much to discuss. McCarthy, who screened her previous film, THE SOUND OF MUMBAI, at DOC NYC in 2011, just presented her new film at Toronto, while Fleifel’s doc is also a TIFF alumnus. Schnack and Wilson, both beloved documentary community champions, picked up a special jury prize at their film’s premiere at SXSW. Dickens’ doc debuted at Michael Moore’s Traverse City fest, and has since been picked up by CNN Films.
More Info:
To purchase tickets, click on the individual titles above, and follow links for ticketing. To assure access to weekday screenings and panels beginning at 5pm or earlier, plus more, consider buying an Insider Pass now!
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