Category Archives: Documentary

June 14, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On TV/VOD: REVOLUTION RENT

Coming to HBO and HBO Max tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15:
REVOLUTION RENT

Director:
Andy Señor Jr, Victor Patrick Alvarez

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2019

Select Festivals:
Miami, Key West

About:
A Cuban American reconnects with his roots as he attempts to stage RENT on Cuba.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Theater director Andy is invited to bring the musical RENT to Cuba, his exiled parents’ homeland. Embarking on a personal journey to reclaim his complicated heritage, and to bridge cultural boundaries with Jonathan Larson’s inspiring musical, Andy is faced with the daunting task of opening the show just 12 weeks from first rehearsals. Will he be able to hone the raw young local talent he’s cast, contend with technical challenges and address RENT‘s controversial themes in Cuban society?

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

June 14, 2021 · 12:01 PM

In Virtual Release: LAND OF SILENCE AND DARKNESS

Coming to the Metrograph’s virtual cinema today, Monday, June 14:
LAND OF SILENCE AND DARKNESS

Director:
Werner Herzog

World Premiere:
Mannheim-Heidelberg 1971

Select Festivals:
Cannes, New York, One World, Thessaloniki Doc

About:
A blind and deaf woman is on a mission to help others with the same disabilities.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

June 11, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On VOD: PICTURE A SCIENTIST

Coming to Netflix this Sunday, June 13:
PICTURE A SCIENTIST

Director:
Sharon Shattuck, Ian Cheney

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
Athena, InScience, Science on Screen

About:
An exploration of systemic discrimination and bias against women and especially women of color in STEM fields.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

June 11, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On VOD: CITY HALL

Coming to MUBI today, Friday, June 11:
CITY HALL

Director:
Frederick Wiseman

World Premiere:
Venice 2020

Select Festivals:
Toronto, New York, IDFA, RIDM, Hong Kong, Busan, Jihlava, Camden, Hamburg, Denver, Glasgow, Philadelphia

About:
A kaleidoscopic look at the inner workings of the city of Boston explores larger ideas about a country’s steps toward inclusivity and social reform.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

June 10, 2021 · 1:31 PM

Frameline 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 45th Frameline

Dates:
June 10-27

About:
The oldest LGBTQ film festival in the world presents just under 50 new features and episodics in a hybrid format, including approximately 20 works of nonfiction.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

June 10, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: HOT HOUSE

New to DVD this week:
HOT HOUSE

Director:
Shimon Dotan

World Premiere:
Jerusalem 2006

Select Festivals:
Sundance, Human Rights Watch, Watch Docs

About:
A look at how Israeli prisons have encouraged the development of the next generation of Palestinian leaders as well as future terrorist threats.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

June 9, 2021 · 12:01 PM

In Virtual Release: UPHEAVAL: THE JOURNEY OF MENACHEM BEGIN

Coming to virtual cinema today, Wednesday, June 9:
Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin

Director:
Jonathan Gruber

World Premiere:
Heartland 2020

Select Festivals:
Jewish fests in Las Vegas, Miami, Atlanta, Denver, and Pittsburgh

About:
A portrait of the Nobel Prize-winning former Israeli Prime Minister.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

June 8, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On DVD: ALI & CAVETT: THE TALE OF THE TAPES

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, June 8:
ALI & CAVETT: THE TALE OF THE TAPES

Director:
Robert S Bader

World Premiere:
SXSW 2018

Select Festivals:
Traverse City, Milwaukee, Black Harvest

About:
Tracing the development of Muhammad Ali through his appearances on THE DICK CAVETT SHOW.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

June 8, 2021 · 12:01 PM

Tribeca 2021: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 20th Tribeca Festival

Dates:
June 9-20

About:
Approximately 100 features and episodic content – about half of that nonfiction – screens in a hybrid format in this anniversary year for the curiously renamed NYC event, which has dropped “film” from its title.

Continue reading →