Coming to theatres this Friday, July 27: AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY
Alison Klayman’s insider look at the internationally famous dissident Chinese artist made its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance, where the film picked up a special jury prize. It went on to screen at more than twenty fests since, including Berlin, True/False, Miami, Full Frame, Silverdocs, Hot Docs, and Human Rights Watch, opening the latter two.
I wrote about the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films next Wednesday, July 25: HER MASTER’S VOICE!
Nina Conti’s introspective look at her career as a ventriloquist and the influence of her late mentor made its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year, where the film picked up an audience award. Additional fest appearances have included Hot Docs, Atlanta, and the London doc fest, among others. The doc was recently acquired by Virgil Films for a theatrical and DVD release.
I wrote about the film out of Hot Docs here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Coming to NYC’s AMC Loews Village 7 through TUGG next Monday, July 23 and to PBS’ Independent Lens next Thursday, July 26: STRONG!
Julie Wyman’s portrait of three-time Olympic weightlifter Cheryl Haworth made its world premiere last month at Silverdocs. While her film is beginning its festival circuit, Wyman is also utilizing TUGG to crowdsource a multi-city tour.
I included the doc in my Silverdocs roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to HBO next Monday, July 23: VITO
Jeffrey Schwarz’s biography of influential LGBT activist and film scholar Vito Russo made its world premiere at the New York Film Festival last year. Since then, it’s had a limited theatrical release while also screening extensively on the festival circuit, with nearly fifty stops including Berlin, Big Sky, Cleveland, Dallas, Frameline, and Outfest. Along the way, the film has claimed awards at Palm Spring, Inside Out, and Seattle LGBT, among others.
I wrote about the doc upon its NY theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Coming to NYC’s Film Forum next Wednesday, July 25: PLANET OF SNAIL
Seung-Jun Yi’s portrait of a loving married couple with disabilities made its premiere at IDFA last year, where it won the top jury prize. Fest appearances since have included Thessaloniki Doc, Tribeca, Planete Doc, and Hot Docs, among others.
I wrote about the film out of IDFA here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, July 24: BETTER THIS WORLD
Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega’s in-depth investigation into a controversial case of domestic terrorism made its world premiere at SXSW last year. The film has toured extensively on the festival circuit, with appearances including Hot Docs, Full Frame, Silverdocs, San Francisco, DMZ Docs, and Camden, among many others. It’s claimed awards from the Gothams, IDA, and numerous fests.
I included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
My latest Indiewire curation for Hulu documentaries is inspired by the upcoming broadcast premiere on HBO next week of VITO, about beloved LGBT activist Vito Russo. The curated submissions highlight others passionately committed to their own causes, from women’s rights in Iran to the radical dismantling of US imperialism. Watch these now for free!
For more information about the selections, see my Indiewire article.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Indiewire @ Hulu Docs
Coming to NYC’s Film Society of Lincoln Center as part of its “Art of the Real” documentary series this Thursday, July 19: WAGNER’S DREAM
Susan Froemke’s behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera’s elaborate and innovative staging of the epic Ring Cycle made its premiere earlier this year at Tribeca. Since then, the Met has presented theatrical screenings around the world of the documentary as a companion to screenings of recordings of the four-part opera.
I wrote about the film out of Tribeca here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Coming to theatres this Friday, July 20: THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
Lauren Greenfield’s portrait of privilege facing the Recession made its premiere at this year’s Sundance, where it won the US Documentary Directing Award. Its gone on to screen at a number of other fests, including Los Angeles, RiverRun, Provincetown, and Karlovy Vary.
I wrote about the film before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, July 17: PATAGONIA RISING
Brian Lilla’s exploration of the environmental and societal impact of a proposed hydroelectric plan made its premiere at Newport Beach last year. After a festival circuit that included multiple Chilean fests as well as the Hot Springs and San Francisco doc fests, the film enjoyed a limited release earlier this Summer.
I wrote about the film upon its theatrical return here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
