Category Archives: Documentary

Special Screening & On TV/VOD: NYC EPICENTERS 9/11➔2021½

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.

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On VOD: MEMORIES OF A MURDERER: THE NILSEN TAPES

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.

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On VOD: BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE

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.

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On VOD: MRS B, A NORTH KOREAN WOMAN

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.

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Special Screening: BLOOD BROTHERS: MALCOLM X & MUHAMMAD ALI

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.

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On VOD: THE SEER AND THE UNSEEN

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.

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On TV/VOD: IN THE SAME BREATH

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.

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On DVD: THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS

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.

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On DVD: TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION

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.

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On VOD: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

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.

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