Author Archives: basiltsiokos

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens today, Monday, November 18:
CONSCIENCE POINT

Director:
Treva Wurmfeld

World Premiere:
Hamptons 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC

About:
Native activists fight to preserve sacred land from rampant development for the elite in Southampton NY.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
As one of America’s wealthiest communities has developed around them in Southampton NY, the indigenous Shinnecock Nation of Eastern Long Island fights to maintain both their time-honored traditions and their land. After suffering years of indignation by the presence of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, a regular host of the US Open, the Nation’s leaders look to pass land-preservation legislation before it’s too late.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 15:
RECORDER: THE MARION STOKES PROJECT

Director:
Matt Wolf

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2019

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, AFI Docs, London, New Orleans, Melbourne, Montclair, Maryland, SF DocFest, Sidewalk, Heartland, Antenna

About:
The story of a woman who recorded television news around the clock for thirty years.

Beginning in 1979, during the Iran Hostage Crisis, Philadelphia-based librarian-turned-social activist Communist Marion Stokes began an unusual obsession. Noting how excessive news coverage of the crisis was simplifying the larger issues at play, and suspecting that the whole story was being reduced to black and white us vs them stakes, Stokes sought a visual record. As the coverage gave birth to ABC News’ pioneering NIGHTLINE, the forerunner for the soon-to-emerge 24/7 cable news era, Stokes expanded her own efforts, drawing in others in her circle to aid her efforts. Director Matt Wolf creatively makes use of her recordings, while also delving into Stokes’ personal history through interviews with family members and associates. What emerges is a compelling portrait of a woman on a mission that was part hoarding – reflective not just in her VHS taping, but in other, more familiar collections of newspapers and books – and part media and cultural researcher and critic. At the same time, it’s never exactly clear to what end Stokes saw her project – while it has been embraced after her death by the Internet Archive, and certainly seems prescient in this era of polarized, subjective news broadcasting and fake news, aside from maintaining her mission, she did not really do anything concrete with her recordings, resulting in a feeling that this is more curiosity than revelation.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 15:
ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS

Director:
Jenifer McShane

World Premiere:
SXSW 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, AFI Docs, Traverse City, IFF Boston, Berkshire, Woods Hole, Heartland, NewportFilm, Milwaukee, Nashville, Woodstock, Hot Springs Doc

About:
A profile of a pair of police officers on a mission to help the mentally ill.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
In confrontations between law enforcement and the mentally ill, the consequences are often traumatic, if not deadly. Recognizing that police officers are frequently the first responders to incidents involving people with mental illness, the San Antonio Police Department has developed an innovative mental health unit to divert the mentally ill away from jail and into proper treatment. Jenifer McShane’s film follows two officers in the unit, allowing audiences to witness firsthand how they de-escalate situations to help people in crisis.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 15:
SCANDALOUS

Director:
Mark Landsman

World Premiere:
Hamptons 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Austin, Kansas, Denver

About:
An exploration of the influential tabloid, the National Enquirer.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
At the forefront of tabloid journalism for more than 60 years, the National Enquirer has left an indelible mark on American culture. Its brand of attention-grabbing headlines and sensationalistic coverage captivates curious readers even as it stretches the limits of truth. Director Mark Landsman delves into the shocking yet true story of the most infamous newspaper in US history, detailing its wild history and its surprising continuing role in shaping what the news has become and what the enquiring public wants to know.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, November 15:
TO KID OR NOT TO KID

Director:
Maxine Trump

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, BechdelFest, Woods Hole

About:
A personal look at women’s decision not to have kids.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD via OVID.tv tomorrow, Friday, November 15:
JAY MYSELF

Director:
Stephen Wilkes

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018

Select Festivals:
deadCENTER, Newport Beach

About:
A renowned photographer prepares to leave his longtime home and studio.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

New to VOD this week:
AMÉRICA

Directors:
Erick Stoll and Chase Whiteside

World Premiere:
True/False 2018

Select Festivals:
IDFA, CPH:DOX, Full Frame, Sheffield, AFI Docs, BAMcinemaFest, New Orleans, Denver, Camden, Guanajuato, DokuFest, Hot Springs Doc, Ashland, Maryland, Sidewalk, Reykjavik, Adelaide, Docs Against Gravity

About:
Three brothers take on the role of caretakers for their grandmother.

I previously wrote about the doc here.