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.
January 19, 2012 · 1:31 PM

In Theatres: CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, January 20: CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE

Dori Berinstein brought her portrait of the effervescent star to Tribeca last year for its world premiere. Since then, the doc has screened extensively, including notable fests like Hot Docs, Vancouver, Outfest, NewFest, Chicago, and Palm Springs. It also picked up an audience award at the St Louis festival. Sadly, Channing’s husband – whose improbable late-in-life rekindled adolescent romance provided one of the most touching aspects of the film – recently passed away.

I wrote about the doc out of Tribeca here.

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January 19, 2012 · 12:01 PM

Special Screening: PINA

Coming to NYC’s MoMA as part of its series “The Contenders” next Thursday, January 26: PINA

Wim Wenders’ ode to choreographer Pina Bausch premiered at Berlin last year and went on to screen at Telluride, Toronto, and the New York Film Festival. It opened theatrically in select US markets last month. It has made the Oscar shortlist for both the Best Foreign Film and for the Best Documentary.

I wrote about the film before its release here.

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January 19, 2012 · 10:30 AM

In Theatres: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH

Coming to NYC’s IFC Center starting tomorrow, Friday, January 20: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH: AN URBAN HISTORY

Chad Friedrichs’ analysis of post-WWII urban renewal and its fate premiered at True/False last year. it went on to screen at Silverdocs and Stranger Than Fiction.

I wrote about the doc out of Silverdocs here.

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January 18, 2012 · 3:02 PM

2012 Sundance Docs in Focus: ROOM 237

The second of two documentaries in New Frontier’s on-screen offerings brings this doc-by-doc look at the 2012 Sundance line-up to a close, just in time for the festival to begin tomorrow: ROOM 237, Rodney Ascher’s playful exploration of the supposed hidden meanings of a genre classic.

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January 18, 2012 · 2:17 PM

2012 Sundance Docs in Focus: BESTIAIRE

Canadian filmmaker Denis Côté brings one of two documentaries to this year’s New Frontier on-screen offerings: BESTIAIRE, an experimental, observational study of animals and people.

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January 18, 2012 · 1:00 PM

2012 Sundance Docs in Focus: SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS

This year’s Park City at Midnight section’s sole documentary: SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS, Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace’s look at the last two days in the life of LCD Soundsystem.

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January 18, 2012 · 11:47 AM

On VOD: PAGE ONE

Available on VOD starting today, January 18: PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES

Andrew Rossi’s year-long look at the workings of the paper of record premiered at Sundance last year. It had a healthy festival run, enjoyed a limited theatrical release, and was released on DVD last Fall. It now comes to iTUNES, Amazon Instant Video, and Netflix streaming.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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January 18, 2012 · 10:30 AM

On DVD: SHUT UP LITTLE MAN!

Coming to DVD next Tuesday, January 24: SHUT UP LITTLE MAN! AN AUDIO MISADVENTURE

Matthew Bate brought his excavation of an underground viral phenomenon to Sundance last year. It enjoyed a limited theatrical release as well as VOD release last Fall.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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January 17, 2012 · 3:02 PM

2012 Sundance Docs in Focus: WEST OF MEMPHIS

Closing out this year’s Documentary Premieres: WEST OF MEMPHIS, Amy Berg’s investigation into the case of the West Memphis Three and their grassroots supporters.

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January 17, 2012 · 1:31 PM

2012 Sundance Docs in Focus: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES

The Documentary Premieres section hosts Sundance alumnus Joe Berlinger: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES revisits Paul Simon’s legendary South African album and the controversy that surrounded it.

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