Category Archives: Documentary

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, October 5 and to virtual cinemas this Friday, October 8:
WITKIN & WITKIN

Director:
Trisha Ziff

World Premiere:
Morelia 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Los Cabos, San Francisco DocFest, Hot Docs, AFI Docs

About:
Gifted twin brothers—photographer Joel-Peter Witkin and painter Jerome Witkin—reunite for a joint show.

The film screened at DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Joel-Peter Witkin is a celebrated photographer, known for dark tableaux full of disturbing images. His identical twin brother Jerome is an equally acclaimed figurative painter, whose work explores sociohistorical themes. These two gifted artists rarely communicate with one another, maintaining separate lives despite their shared upbringing. Told almost entirely by the women in their lives, Trisha Ziff’s intimate film explores themes of love, loss, and distance, while showcasing the Witkins’ fascinating bodies of work. When they reunite for their first-ever joint exhibition, will the brothers’ artistic collaboration change their perspectives on their own – or each other’s – work and lives?

Coming to The WORLD Channel’s America ReFramed series tomorrow, Tuesday, October 5:
FIVE YEARS NORTH

Director:
Zach Ingrasci, Chris Temple

World Premiere:
Full Frame 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Seattle, Mountainfilm

About:
An exploration of the complexity of the immigration debate through the stories of an undocumented Guatemalan teenager and a Cuban-American ICE agent.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to PBS and streaming tomorrow, Friday, October 1:
LOS HERMANOS/THE BROTHERS

Director:
Marcia Jarmel, Ken Schneider

World Premiere:
Woodstock 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Miami, Havana, GlobeDocs, BendFilm, Mill Valley, Ashland

About:
During the thaw in US/Cuban relations, two brothers, both gifted musicians, long separated by borders, reunite for a joint tour through both countries.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 1:
KAREN DALTON: IN MY OWN TIME

Director:
Robert Yapkowitz, Richard Peete

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Docaviv, Minneapolis-St Paul, Melbourne

About:
A portrait of the forgotten figure from the 1960s NYC folk music scene.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Blues and folk singer Karen Dalton was a prominent figure in 1960s New York. Idolized by Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, Karen discarded the traditional trappings of success and led an unconventional life until her early death. Since most images of Karen have been lost or destroyed, the film uses Karen’s dulcet melodies and interviews with loved ones to build a rich portrait of this singular woman and her hauntingly beautiful voice.