Author Archives: basiltsiokos

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About basiltsiokos

Basil Tsiokos is a Senior Programmer for the Sundance Film Festival, focusing on nonfiction features. He was most recently with DOC NYC for nearly a decade, where he served as Director of Programming since 2014, and with the Nantucket Film Festival as its Film Program Director. Prior to those positions, Basil was the longtime Artistic and Executive Director of NewFest. He has been affiliated with Sundance since 2005 as a Programming Associate. Basil serves on the feature nominating committees for the International Documentary Association Awards and Cinema Eye Honors. He has written about documentaries daily since 2010 on what (not) to doc. Basil holds a Masters degree from New York University and two undergraduate degrees from Stanford University.

Streaming: I AM VANESSA GUILLEN

Courtesy of Netflix

Coming to Netflix tomorrow, Thursday, November 17:
I AM VANESSA GUILLEN

Director:
Christy Wegener

World Premiere:
Netflix (November 2022)

About:
Vanessa Guillen was 20 years old when she was found murdered at a US Army base. Rather than submit to silence, her family fought for justice and change.

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Streaming: PEPSI, WHERE’S MY JET?

Courtesy of Netflix

Coming to Netflix tomorrow, Thursday, November 17:
PEPSI, WHERE’S MY JET?

Director:
Andrew Renzi

World Premiere:
Netflix (November 2022)

About:
When a 20-year-old attempts to win a fighter jet in a Pepsi sweepstakes, he sets the stage for a David versus Goliath court battle for the history books.

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RIDM 2022 Overview

Festival:
The 25th RIDM

Dates:
November 17-27

About:
Montreal’s premier nonfiction event showcases approximately 60 new and recent documentary features.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

Streaming: IN HER HANDS

Coming to Netflix tomorrow, Wednesday, November 16:
IN HER HANDS

Director:
Tamana Ayazi, Marcel Mettelsiefen

World Premiere:
Toronto 2022

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Camden, Hamptons

About:
In the months leading up to the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghanistan’s youngest female mayor, Zarifa Ghafari, deals with danger, uncertainty, and personal turmoil.

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On TV & Streaming: MASTER OF LIGHT

Coming to HBO and HBO Max tomorrow, Wednesday, November 16:
MASTER OF LIGHT

Director:
Rosa Ruth Boesten

World Premiere:
SXSW 2022

Select Festivals:
San Francisco, DOC NYC

About:
George Anthony Morton, a classical painter who spent ten years in federal prison, travels to his hometown to paint his family members, forcing him to face his past in a quest to rewrite the script of his life.

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On DVD: WHEN CLAUDE GOT SHOT

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 15:
WHEN CLAUDE GOT SHOT

Director:
Brad Lichtenstein

World Premiere:
SXSW 2021

Select Festivals:
Milwaukee, Hot Springs Doc, St Louis, Portland

About:
Three strangers’ lives become inextricably entwined by a weekend of gun violence.

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On DVD: KADDISH

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 15:
KADDISH

Director:
Steve Brand

World Premiere:
New Directors/New Films 1984

Select Festivals:
Sundance, New York Jewish

About:
A candid portrait of Yossi Klein Halevi, a young Jewish man who would go on to become a noted writer and activist, as he comes to terms with his father’s traumatic history as a Holocaust survivor.

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On DVD/VOD: MOONAGE DAYDREAM

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15:
MOONAGE DAYDREAM

Director:
Brett Morgen

World Premiere:
Cannes 2022

Select Festivals:
Toronto, Karlovy Vary, Deauville, Jerusalem

About:
An artful and life-affirming journey through David Bowie’s creative life, grappling with spirituality, transience, isolation, creativity, and time to reveal the celebrated icon in his own voice.

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Streaming: STUTZ

Courtesy of Netflix

Coming to Netflix today, Monday, November 14:
STUTZ

Director:
Jonah Hill

World Premiere:
Theatrical release (November 2022)

About:
In candid conversations with actor Jonah Hill, leading psychiatrist Phil Stutz explores his early life experiences and unique, visual model of therapy.

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On TV: TAKEN HOSTAGE

Coming to PBS’s American Experience today, Monday, November 14 and tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15:
TAKEN HOSTAGE

Director:
Robert Stone

World Premiere:
PBS broadcast (November 2022)

About:
Unfolding like a political thriller, the story of the Iran hostage crisis, when 52 American diplomats, Marines and civilians were held hostage at the American Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases