Category Archives: Documentary

In Theatres & On VOD: REBEL HEARTS

Coming to theatres today, Friday, June 25 and to Discovery+ this Sunday, June 27:
REBEL HEARTS

Director:
Pedro Kos

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Miami, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Milwaukee, Cleveland

About:
The story of an unlikely group of radically progressive nuns.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

On TV: LADY BOSS: THE JACKIE COLLINS STORY

Coming to CNN this Sunday, June 27:
LADY BOSS: THE JACKIE COLLINS STORY

Director:
Laura Fairrie

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2021

About:
An admiring portrait of novelist Jackie Collins’ trailblazing and glamorous life.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

On VOD: WONDERBOY

Coming to Netflix tomorrow, Saturday, June 26:
WONDER BOY

Director:
Anissa Bonnefont

World Premiere:
French TV (October 2019)

Select Festivals:
Tribeca, Paris Chéries Chéris, Compiegne

About:
French fashion house Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing allows the camera to become his confidante as he embarks on a search for his birth mother.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

Special Screening: PLAYING WITH SHARKS

Coming to Rooftop Films this Sunday, June 27:
PLAYING WITH SHARKS

Director:
Sally Aitken

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, Doc Edge, Boulder, Washington DC Environmental, EarthX, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, DocLands, Mountainfilm

About:
A tribute to a pioneering shark conservationist and underwater cinematographer.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

In Theatres & On VOD: KENNY SCHARF: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Coming to theatres and VOD today, Friday, June 25:
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.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Along with friends Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf grew from a graffiti artist into a major force in the 1980s NYC art scene. Obsessed with garbage, cartoons, and plastic, this playful Peter Pan’s roller coaster career flourished despite the decimation of the AIDS crisis and the fickle tastes of the art world. From street art to museums, Scharf continues to create colorful, complex work that puts him at the forefront of where popular culture meets fine art.  

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

On VOD: WOLFGANG

Coming to Disney+ tomorrow, Friday, June 25:
WOLFGANG

Director:
David Gelb

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2021

About:
A mouthwatering portrait of one of the first celebrity chefs and a pioneer in the world of California cuisine, Wolfgang Puck.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

In Theatres: LOURDES

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, June 25:
LOURDES

Director:
Alban Teurlai, Thierry Demaiziere

World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2019

Select Festivals:
Docville, Hof

About:
A portrait of the French pilgrimage site.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

On VOD: WHO ARE YOU, CHARLIE BROWN?

Coming to Apple TV+ tomorrow, Friday, June 25:
WHO ARE YOU, CHARLIE BROWN?

Director:
Michael Bonfiglio

World Premiere:
Apple TV+ (June 2021)

About:
Friends, family, cartoonists, and notable fans of the iconic PEANUTS celebrate honor creator Charles Schulz and celebrate the global popularity and long-lasting significance of the comic strip.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

In Theatres: SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

Coming to theatres in NYC and LA tomorrow, Friday, June 25:
SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

Director:
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, True/False, AFI Docs, Provincetown, DocLands, Minneapolis/St Paul, San Francisco Doc

About:
A joyous and thoughtful revisitation of a long overlooked part of Black music history.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

In Virtual Release: CHASING CHILDHOOD

Coming to virtual cinemas tomorrow, Friday, June 25:
CHASING CHILDHOOD

Director:
Margaret Munzer Loeb, Eden Wurmfeld

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Portland, San Francisco Doc, Cleveland, Harlem, Annapolis, Sarasota

About:
Reformed helicopter parents and education professionals reveal the benefits of allowing kids to have freedom to play unencumbered by schedules and structure.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Overprotected and overdirected, American children are wilting under the weight of well-meaning parents. In the pursuit of keeping them safe and creating an impressive resumé of extracurricular activities to wow admissions boards, over-parenting smothers children across socioeconomic classes. This thoughtful film follows education professionals and reformed helicopter parents who seek and offer solutions for developing more confident, independent young people while restoring some joy and freedom to childhood. 

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases