Category Archives: Documentary

Coming to HBO tonight Monday, December 26: EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey’s filmed version of Jonny Donahoe and Duncan Macmillan’s acclaimed and life-affirming fictional stage show made its debut at DOC NYC last month.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC, saying:
When he is only seven years old, a young boy’s mother attempts suicide for the first time. He responds the only way he knows how: he begins an enumerated list of “brilliant things” worth living for, from “things with stripes” to “water fights.” As he grows, so does the list, following him through subsequent suicide attempts by his mother as well as pivotal moments in his own life, and culminating in its development into a poignant and very funny one-man show featuring creative audience participation.

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, December 26: MEET THE PATELS

Geeta V Patel and Ravi V Patel’s comic doc about love and a South Asian-American family debuted at Hot Docs in 2014. Its fest circuit also included DOC NYC, Los Angeles, Traverse City, Hamptons, San Diego Asian, Dubai, Bentonville, Seattle, and Sydney, among other events.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

New to DVD this week: HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT

Kent Jones’ chronicle of the meeting between the auteur and the cineaste had its world premiere at Cannes last year. Screenings followed at DOC NYC, Telluride, Deauville, Toronto, San Sebastian, London, Mill Valley, Tallgrass, Chicago, AFI Fest, Tallinn Black Nights, and Denver, among others.

I previously wrote about the doc here,

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, December 20: ROSEANNE FOR PRESIDENT!

Eric Weinrib’s chronicle of the comedian’s bid for the White House debuted at Tribeca last year. Its festival circuit also included Traverse City, and it was released in select theaters and on VOD earlier this year.

When legendary sitcom queen Roseanne Barr threw her hat in the 2012 US Presidential race, many thought it was a publicity stunt, but for those who were paying attention, she was serious. Even if she didn’t expect to win as a third party candidate, Barr wanted to use her celebrity to call attention to strongly held beliefs and to build support for alternatives to the two leading political parties. Working closely with his subject – who serves as executive producer here – Weinrib documents Roseanne’s irreverent bid for first the Green Party nomination – which ultimately goes to Jill Stein – and then the Peace and Freedom Party, where legalizing marijuana becomes her signature issue. While it’s clear the comedian’s campaign is no joke, she resists the traditional barnstorming, choosing instead to Skype into events – noting, at one point, that this is not only environmental, but protects her from potential danger from crazed fans – or leaving these appearances to her overworked campaign manager, Farheen Hakeem, a welcome secondary character that provides viewers with an opener view of third party campaigns. Along the way, the film offers a tribute to Roseanne’s pioneering work as a stand-up and especially through her beloved sitcom, which championed LGBT representation and offered a candid look at the struggles of lower-income working families, making a further argument of Roseanne’s ability to impact the national conversation and affect lasting social change. As a whole, while remaining a fairly surface-level appreciation, Weinrib’s doc is a likeable look at the outspoken comedian who deserves a regular platform.

Now available on VOD: WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL

Ben Nabors’ portrait of an industrious young Malawian man premiered at SXSW in 2013, where it won the documentary grand jury prize. Screenings followed at Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Virginia, Ashland, Camden, Bahamas, Leeds, SF DocFest, Sydney, BAMcinemaFest, and Jerusalem, among other events. It is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and other VOD platforms.

I previously included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.