Director Lee Hirsch, who won both the Audience Award and the Freedom of Expression Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival (and later an Emmy) for his documentary AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN FOUR PART HARMONY, is currently finishing a new film on the violence facing young people in schools, THE BULLY PROJECT.
Author Archives: basiltsiokos
Special Screening: A FILM UNFINISHED
Coming to NYC’s Stranger Than Fiction this Thursday, February 24: A FILM UNFINISHED
My thoughts on Yael Hersonski’s accomplished debut documentary may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
In Theatres: ORGASM INC
Now playing in NYC’s Quad Cinemas: ORGASM INC
Liz Canner’s playful and insightful debut feature documentary premiered at Hot Docs in 2009, but has finally made its way to NYC theatres with an exclusive engagement at the Quad (which actually began last week).
A must-see for anyone concerned about the disturbing tendency our culture has to try to medicalize (and profit on) just about everything, ORGASM INC explores the race to develop what many refer to as “Viagra for women,” to combat the recently-discovered disorder “Female Sexual Dysfunction” – or, to put it in different (and more accurate) terms, the film charges that the pharmaceutical industry has fabricated a fictitious condition so that they can sucker insecure women into spending money on new drugs the companies are developing and greedily marketing – drugs which may not even help women achieve the orgasms they promise to deliver. If you’re in NYC, catch the film this week while you can!
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
On DVD: LAST TRAIN HOME
Coming to DVD this Tuesday, February 22: LAST TRAIN HOME
I wrote about Lixin Fan’s stunning multiple Cinema Eye Honors winner, cited on numerous Top Tens of 2010 lists (including my own), previously here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
In the Works: KINGS POINT
Emmy-nominated documentary film editor Sari Gilman, whose credits include Judith Helfand & Daniel B Gold’s BLUE VINYL, Hali Lee & Peter von Ziegesar’s PROM NIGHT IN KANSAS CITY, and Rory Kennedy’s GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB and THE FENCE, among others, is in the process of directing her first documentary feature, a portrait of a 15,000 person strong Floridian retirement community, KINGS POINT.
Filed under Documentary, Film, In the Works
Workshop Reminder: Documentaries & Film Festivals (Feb 23)
Just a quick reminder that my Raindance workshop takes place a week from tomorrow night, next Wednesday, February 23.
Sign up now for Documentaries & Film Festivals: What You Should Know.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
On DVD: KINGS OF PASTRY
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, February 22: KINGS OF PASTRY
I’ve offered my take on Chris Hegedus & DA Pennebaker’s behind-the-scenes look at the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France pastry competition upon its theatrical release last fall here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
On DVD: WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN”
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, February 15: WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN”
I wrote about Davis Guggenheim’s Sundance Audience Award-winning documentary on the eve of its theatrical premiere this past fall. Though passed over for an Oscar nomination, the film has done much to create a nationwide dialogue about the state of the American education system, and bears another look now that it’s coming to DVD. Take a look at my thoughts here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Workshop: From Script to Deliverables (Feb 16)
Julia Mintz, producer of Academy Award and Emmy Award nominated films such as NANKING and SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION, leads a workshop next Wednesday, February 16, on documentary production and post-production as part of Raindance New York’s Documentary Production Certificate. Mintz will address story, budget, crew, equipment, editing, and deliverables as part of her workshop.
Sign up for From Script to Deliverables: The Nuts and Bolts of Documentary Production and Post-Production.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Special Screening: FAST, CHEAP & OUT OF CONTROL
Coming to NYC’s Stranger Than Fiction next Tuesday, February 15: FAST, CHEAP & OUT OF CONTROL
Errol Morris’ portrait of four unique (and obsessive) men had its premiere at Toronto in 1997 and was acclaimed by many critics as one of the best documentaries of the year.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
