Category Archives: Documentary

In Theatres: SKID ROW MARATHON

Coming to theatres for one-night only via Fathom Events tonight, Friday, October 11:
SKID ROW MARATHON

Director:
Mark Hayes

World Premiere:
Santa Barbara 2017

Select Festivals:
Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Big Sky Doc, Napa Valley, Salem, Ashland, Woods Hole, Heartland, Boulder

About:
A Los Angeles superior court judge begins a running club to help motivate marginalized people on Skid Row.

After visiting Skid Row’s Midnight Mission, Judge Craig Mitchell organizes a running club, believing the regular routine and physical benefits would leave a bigger impact on the lives of those who participate, the homeless, formerly incarcerated, and people struggling with addiction. As further motivation, he promises a free trip to an international marathon for those who stick it out and stay clean. Aiming for inspiring territory, and generally achieving the goal, director Mark Hayes follows Mitchell and profiles several of the runners, who demonstrate what the activity means to them – though not without some serious setbacks.

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In Theatres Redux: EMANUEL

Coming back to theatres today, Friday, October 11:
EMANUEL

Director:
Brian Ivie

World Premiere:
Bentonville 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC

About:
The aftermath of the church shooting in Charleston.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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DOC NYC 2019 Lineup Announced

As DOC NYC’s Director of Programming, I’m excited to share the full lineup for this year’s 10th anniversary edition, expanded to ten days this year and running November 6-15.

DOC NYC 2019 includes 136 features, representing 28 world premieres, 7 international premieres, 7 North American premieres, 13 US premieres, and 59 NYC premieres, in addition to short films and our parallel DOC NYC PRO series of industry programming.

Our website has full information here, and ticketing is live now.

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On TV: DON’T BE NICE

Coming to Fuse tomorrow, Friday, October 11:
DON’T BE NICE

Director:
Max Powers

World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2018

Select Festivals:
AFI Docs, Palm Springs, Urbanworld, Bushwick, Black Harvest, Brisbane, Guelph, Vail

About:
The Bowery Slam Poetry Team prepares for the national championships.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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In Theatres: THE GIFT: THE JOURNEY OF JOHNNY CASH

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 11:
THE GIFT: THE JOURNEY OF JOHNNY CASH

Director:
Thom Zimny

World Premiere:
SXSW 2019

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Telluride, Nashville, Belfast, Melbourne, New Zealand, Mill Valley

About:
An oral history of and tribute to the legendary country musician.

Taking on a subject as storied as the Man in Black, director Thom Zimny wisely pares things back, opting for an intimate reflection that is largely told from Johnny Cash’s own perspective. While fellow musicians like Emmylou Harrison, Dwight Yoakum, and Bruce Springsteen and family members like daughter Rosanne Cash offer their appreciation for the man and his work, they are left unseen, with the film’s visuals instead reflecting evocative period footage and photos. At the heart of the film is Cash himself recounting his own story, and, further, the significance of the 1968 concert he gave at Folsom Prison. Zimny artfully and comprehensively conveys the scope of Cash’s life, including the demons he battled, and, of course, incorporating a remarkable amount of music, making this a must-see for fans of the artist.

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On VOD: MISS KIET’S CHILDREN

Coming to OVID.tv today, Wednesday, October 9:
MISS KIET’S CHILDREN

Directors:
Peter Lataster and Petra Lataster-Czisch

Premiere:
IDFA 2016

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, True/False, DOXA, Munich Dok.Fest, Thessaloniki Doc, Melbourne Doc, Goteborg, St Louis

About:
A portrait of a Dutch grade school class made up of refugee children.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On TV: THE SERENGETI RULES

Coming to PBS’s Nature today, Wednesday, October 9:
THE SERENGETI RULES

Director:
Nicholas Brown

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Hamptons, Jackson Hole, Bergen, Maui, Vancouver, Global Peace,

About:
Scientists explore the impact of keystone species on ecosystems.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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Hamptons 2019: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 27th Hamptons International Film Festival

Dates:
October 10-14

About:
More than 30 new and recent documentary features screen at this well-regarded event, representing half of the lineup. Continue reading

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On DVD/VOD: THE ICE KING

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
THE ICE KING

Director:
James Erskine

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Frameline, Sydney

About:
A profile of a pioneering athlete.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Acknowledged as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time, John Curry was arguably the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Olympics, winning gold at the 1976 games. After he retired from competing, Curry cultivated a new art form, ice dancing, merging his two loves: ballet and skating. His dance company became an instant sensation, but success was short-lived as AIDS emerged. James Erskine’s film celebrates this pioneering figure and reintroduces him to a new generation.

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On VOD: SEA OF SHADOWS

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
SEA OF SHADOWS

Director:
Richard Ladkani

Premiere:
Sundance 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, Ambulante, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Hong Kong

About:
An investigation into efforts to save an endangered whale species caught in the crossfire of a lucrative black market battle.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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