Festival:
The 27th Hamptons International Film Festival
Dates:
October 10-14
About:
More than 30 new and recent documentary features screen at this well-regarded event, representing half of the lineup. Continue reading
Author Archives: basiltsiokos
Hamptons 2019: Documentary Overview
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
On DVD/VOD: THE ICE KING
Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
THE ICE KING
Director:
James Erskine
World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Frameline, Sydney
About:
A profile of a pioneering athlete.
I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Acknowledged as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time, John Curry was arguably the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Olympics, winning gold at the 1976 games. After he retired from competing, Curry cultivated a new art form, ice dancing, merging his two loves: ballet and skating. His dance company became an instant sensation, but success was short-lived as AIDS emerged. James Erskine’s film celebrates this pioneering figure and reintroduces him to a new generation.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On VOD: SEA OF SHADOWS
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
SEA OF SHADOWS
Director:
Richard Ladkani
Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, Ambulante, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Hong Kong
About:
An investigation into efforts to save an endangered whale species caught in the crossfire of a lucrative black market battle.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On TV: ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS
Coming to PBS’s Frontline tonight, Tuesday, October 8:
ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS
Directors:
James Jones and Olivier Sarbil
World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2019
Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Sheffield, Melbourne, Human Rights Watch, Bergen, Raindance, Zurich, DokuFest,
About:
An inside look at Filipino president Duterte’s corrupt war on drugs.
Pledging zero tolerance for drug dealers and users within the Philippines, Duterte’s offensive resulted in the disturbing extra-judicial murder of thousands of people by police and vigilantes. Facing criticism and pressure, authorities promised to reign in excessive violence. In directors James Jones and Olivier Sarbil film, this comes in the form of new police chief Jemar Modequillo, tasked with overseeing the epicenter of the trouble, Caloocan, Manila. He berates his subordinates for firing excessively, pushes a watchlist program targeting suspected drug dealers and users, and, for awhile, the killings decrease. Modequilla and other police are not the sole focus of the film, however, as the directors also profile the leader of a small street crew, whose drug using father was murdered, as well as a mortician who’s been kept busy since the war on drugs began. The result is a sobering consideration of the impact on society by a leader who has abandoned the rule of law.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On VOD: BLACK MOTHER
Coming to VOD today, Monday, October 7:
BLACK MOTHER
Director:
Khalik Allah
Premiere:
True/False 2018
Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Sheffield, New Directors/New Films, Sarasota, Montclair
About:
An essay offering a meditation on Jamaican identity, history, and spirituality.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Special Screening: THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED
Coming to NYC’s DCTV tonight, Monday, October 7:
THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED
Director:
Assia Boundaoui
World Premiere:
Tribeca 2018
Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, BlackStar, Camden, Glasgow, Double Exposure, GlobeDocs, Chicago, Woodstock, Milwaukee, Human Rights Watch London, Movies That Matter, Freep, CAAMFest
About:
A personal investigation of FBI surveillance of a Muslim American community.
Journalist Assia Boundaoui grew up in suburban Bridgeview IL in a close-knit Muslim American community. Before 9/11, members of the community suspected they were being monitored. Boundaoui sets out to investigate whether there was truth to this paranoia, and, despite resistance from neighbors and friends to talk, in the process uncovers the existence of Operation Vulgar Betrayal, a counter-terrorism surveillance program. Facing roadblocks that require Freedom of Information Act requests and disturbing conversations with the FBI, Boundaoui perseveres, even if the full picture remains frustratingly out of reach.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
On TV: AMÉRICA
Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, October 7:
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
In Theatres: MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN
Coming to theatres today, Friday, October 4:
MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN
Director:
Alexandre O Philippe
World Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, Karlovy Vary, BAFICI, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Melbourne, Seattle, Munich, Hawaii, Istanbul, Sitges, Taipei Golden Horse
About:
An expansive film essay on the origins of ALIEN.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On VOD: ONE NATION UNDER STRESS
New to VOD this week:
ONE NATION UNDER STRESS
Director:
Marc Levin
World Premiere:
Pure Nonfiction (March 2019)
About:
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta investigates why American life expectancy is on the decline.
With US life expectancy seeing a decline a surprising three years in a row, Dr Sanjay Gupta sets out to determine the root cause. Focusing on the corresponding increase in disturbing “deaths of despair” – including suicide, opioid overdose, and conditions related to alcohol abuse, like cirrhosis of the liver – Gupta hones in on one underlying culprit: stress. Speaking to a variety of medical, social, and even economic experts, the neurosurgeon explores the chronic stress resulting from today’s economic uncertainty and social instability, and its detrimental impact on health. Wisely acknowledging that such factors are multivalent, the film also explores mitigating factors, such as class, race, and community support structures. While fairly conventional in its approach, the film is informative and offers a sense of practical steps that may be taken to help alleviate chronic stress and reverse its ill effects.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
On DVD: RAÚL JULIÁ: THE WORLD’S A STAGE
New to DVD this week:
RAÚL JULIÁ: THE WORLD’S A STAGE
Director:
Ben DeJesus
World Premiere:
Los Angeles Latino 2019
About:
A tribute to the life and legacy of acclaimed Puerto Rican actor Raúl Juliá.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
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