Category Archives: Documentary

July 29, 2021 · 12:01 PM

In Theatres & On VOD: ENEMIES OF THE STATE

Coming to theatres and to VOD tomorrow, Friday, July 30:
ENEMIES OF THE STATE

Director:
Sonia Kennebeck

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, CPH:DOX, Calgary, Glasgow

About:
Everything is not as it seems for an American family that flees to Canada to protect their hacker son from US government persecution.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Director Sonia Kennebeck investigates the strange case of Anonymous hacktivist Matt DeHart and his claims of persecution by the US government. He and his parents fled the US seeking asylum in Canada after law enforcement brought charges against him for child pornography. DeHart counters that he’s being framed, targeted for his support of Wikileaks, and that he was tortured in a US prison. Unfolding like an espionage mystery, the film follows a multiyear quest for truth, with unexpected twists and turns until the very end.

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July 28, 2021 · 3:02 PM

Special Screening: BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE

Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Friday, July 30:
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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July 28, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On VOD: KRABI, 2562

Coming to MUBI this Friday, July 30:
KRABI, 2562

Director:
Ben Rivers, Anocha Suwichakornpong

World Premiere:
Locarno 2019

Select Festivals:
Toronto, Rotterdam, BFI London, Busan, Vancouver, Hamburg, Vienna, Thessaloniki, Porto/Post/Doc, Singapore, Glasgow, Göteborg, Beijing

About:
In the popular Thai destination town of Krabi, the local folklore and histories are promoted as attractions, while the labor force is hidden from the tourists’ eyes.

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July 28, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: KENNY SCHARF: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

New to DVD this week:
KENNY SCHARF: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Director:
Malia Scharf, Max Basch

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Revelation, Provincetown, Montclair, Atlantic

About:
A portrait of artist Kenny Scharf, whose work fuses popular culture and fine art.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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July 27, 2021 · 3:02 PM

In Virtual Release: MY BEST FIEND

Coming to the Metrograph’s virtual cinema this Thursday, July 29:
MY BEST FIEND

Director:
Werner Herzog

World Premiere:
Cannes 1999

Select Festivals:
Telluride, Edinburgh, Montreal, São Paulo, Chicago, Portland, Singapore, Bergen, Jakarta, Thessaloniki Doc

About:
An exploration of the love-hate relationship between the director and the unforgettable actor of five of his best-known films, Klaus Kinski.

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July 27, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On VOD: FREEDOM FIELDS

Coming to MUBI today, Tuesday, July 27:
FREEDOM FIELDS

Director:
Naziha Arebi

World Premiere:
Toronto 2018

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, BFI London, Minneapolis-St Paul, Docs Against Gravity, BlackStar

About:
A profile of three women and their soccer team in post-revolution Libya, as the country descends into civil war and the utopian hopes of the Arab Spring begin to fade.

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July 27, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On VOD: FOR MADMEN ONLY: THE STORIES OF DEL CLOSE

Coming to Apple TV+ today, Tuesday, July 27:
FOR MADMEN ONLY

Director:
Heather Ross

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
Chicago, Cleveland, Portland, RiverRun, Boulder, Calgary

About:
Del Close, the hidden architect of modern comedy, reveals his creative process by writing an autobiographical comic book.

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July 26, 2021 · 3:02 PM

On TV: BUDDY GUY: THE BLUES CHASE THE BLUES AWAY

Coming to PBS’s American Masters tomorrow, Tuesday, July 27:
BUDDY GUY: THE BLUES CHASE THE BLUES AWAY

Director:
Devin Amar, Matt Mitchener, Charles Todd

World Premiere:
American Masters PBS broadcast (July 2021)

About:
An exploration of the life and career of the legendary blues guitarist, a pioneer of Chicago’s West Side sound and major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.

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July 26, 2021 · 1:31 PM

In Virtual Release: LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY

Coming to the Metrograph’s virtual cinema today, Monday, July 26:
LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY

Director:
Werner Herzog

World Premiere:
Telluride 1997

Select Festivals:
IDFA, San Francisco, Portland

About:
German-born Dieter Dengler relates his service as a US naval pilot in the Vietnam War, when he was shot down and taken prisoner by the Pathet Lao during his first mission.