Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films tonight, Wednesday, August 18 and to HBO/HBO Max this Sunday, August 22:
NYC EPICENTERS 9/11➔2021½
Director:
Spike Lee
World Premiere:
Rooftop Films (August 2021)
About:
A rich tapestry of New York City in the 21st century, weaving together the stories, memories, and insights of those who were eyewitnesses to New York’s greatest challenges.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to Netflix today, Wednesday, August 18:
MEMORIES OF A MURDERER: THE NILSEN TAPES
Director:
Michael Harte
World Premiere:
Netflix (August 2021)
About:
Serial killer Dennis Nilsen narrates his life and horrific crimes via a series of chilling audiotapes recorded from his jail cell.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to Paramount+ this Friday, August 20:
BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE
Director:
Lucy Walker
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
About:
A compelling and comprehensive essay exploring the history and causes of wildfires.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to Ovid.tv this Thursday, August 19:
MRS B, A NORTH KOREAN WOMAN
Director:
Jero Yun
World Premiere:
Jeonju 2016
Select Festivals:
Cannes ACID, IDFA, Zurich, Göteborg, New York Asian, Moscow
About:
A woman runs a business smuggling people out of North Korea.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Thursday, August 19:
BLOOD BROTHERS: MALCOLM X & MUHAMMAD ALI
Director:
Marcus A Clarke
World Premiere:
Rooftop Films (August 2021)
About:
From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, August 17:
THE SEER AND THE UNSEEN
Director:
Sara Dosa
World Premiere:
San Francisco 2019
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, New Horizons, Reykjavík, Melbourne, Camden, RIDM, Leeds, Palm Springs, Available Light, Big Sky Doc, Seattle, Ashland, Thessaloniki Doc
About:
An eccentric Icelandic environmentalist is on a mission to protect the natural habitat of elves from development.
The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Iceland, famed for lush landscapes and stunning scenery, is a mystic country where many believe in magic, trolls, and elves. Among them is Ragga, a colorful environmentalist and respected seer, who whispers with elves, providing a conduit to these otherworldly neighbors. When economic development threatens sacred volcanic rocks where many elves live, Ragga and her friends unite to protect the sacred land. This delightful film invites viewers to appreciate the possibilities of our wondrous world.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to HBO/HBO Max tomorrow, Wednesday, August 18:
IN THE SAME BREATH
Director:
Nanfu Wang
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, SXSW, MoMA’s Documentary Fortnight, Cleveland, San Francisco, Seattle, Human Rights Watch, Full Frame, Provincetown, Thessaloniki Doc, Docaviv, Doc10
About:
An investigation of the dual forces of propaganda and patriotism in the response to the coronavirus outbreaks in both China and the US.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, August 17:
THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS
Director:
Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Cannes, Telluride, Toronto, New York, San Sebastian, Zurich, Hamptons, Mill Valley, El Gouna, Aspen, Taipei Golden Horse, Thessaloniki Doc, Stockholm, Singapore
Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.
About:
Enter the secretive world of the only people–and dogs–who are able to find the elusive white Alba truffle, the most expensive ingredient in the world.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17:
TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION
Director:
Lisa Immordino Vreeland
World Premiere:
Telluride 2020 (unscreened)
Select Festivals:
Hamptons, Full Frame, NewFest, Seattle, Glasgow
About:
The work, lives, and personal journeys of two iconic American artists coalesce with creative combustion in this innovative dual-portrait.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to Netflix’s UNTOLD series tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17:
DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
Director:
Laura Brownson
World Premiere:
Netflix (August 2021)
About:
Christy Martin broke boundaries and noses as she rose in the boxing world, but her public persona belied personal demons, abuse, and a threat on her life.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
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