Category Archives: Documentary

Released earlier this month on DVD and on Vimeo and now coming to iTunes and Amazon VOD tomorrow, Friday, September 30: MINIMALISM: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE IMPORTANT THINGS

Matt D’Avella’s look at life, pared down, debuted at the Los Angeles Art-House Film Festival last year. Other fest play has included Raindance, Lone Star, St Louis, Big Sky Doc, Fargo, and AmDocs.

Inspired by the adventures of its main protagonists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as the Minimalists, who have shared their story previously via their website, podcasts, and books, D’Avella’s film profiles individuals who have rejected a consumer-focused existence to live life more simply. As the Minimalists travel on a book tour, they reveal how they shed their previous ways and the stress it has alleviated. Expanding beyond their example, D’Avella interviews a range of others who have also embraced the concepts of minimalist living, which doesn’t advocate giving up everything but instead challenges people to be more thoughtful about consumption and the reasons for it. At its heart the concept is simple and pragmatic, and there’s an immediate and convincing appeal. If the film comes off as evangelical, that’s partly the point, but can be offputting to some viewers, as is the project’s somewhat unavoidable lack of visual dynamism. While professionally shot, the bulk of the film consists of people talking about the changes they’ve made rather than showing the viewer that process in practice.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 30: DO NOT RESIST

Craig Atkinson’s exploration of the militarization of law enforcement debuted at Tribeca, where it won Best Documentary. Its fest circuit has also included Hot Docs, Traverse City, AFI Docs, DOXA, Human Rights Watch, Telluride Mountainfilm, Bergen, Zurich, Dokufest, and Camden.

Taking a measured, restrained approach that only makes its content more chilling, Atkinson’s debut uses the protests to police brutality in Ferguson to launch into a nationwide look of the rapid expansion of state-sanctioned violence in the name of policing. Most disturbing is the federal government’s not-so-subtle encouragement of applying militaristic aggression on crime within even the smallest of communities. As a consequence of the war on terror, surpluses of military heavy equipment and other gear are routinely bequeathed by Homeland Security when there is both no obvious need nor community support, encouraging a mindset that even low-level offenders should be treated like enemy combatants, subject to lethal force. While the film’s survey approach lacks a central protagonist to help focus the project, it nevertheless conveys its urgent, cautionary message with strength.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 30: AMONG THE BELIEVERS

Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s candid exploration of jihadist indoctrination debuted at Tribeca last year. Screenings followed at IDFA, CPH:DOX, Sydney, AFI Docs, DMZ Docs, Vancouver, Tallgrass, Stockholm, Rio, Heartland, Human Rights Watch London, and St Louis, among other events.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres and VOD this Friday, September 30: DANNY SAYS

Brendan Toller’s look at a music world impresario made its bow at SXSW last year. Screenings have included BFI London, San Francisco Jewish, Provincetown, Sound + Vision, Big Sky, Montclair, Melbourne, CPH:DOX, and Athens, among other events.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres this Friday, September 30: HARRY AND SNOWMAN

Ron Davis’ story of a man and his horse debuted at Full Frame last year. The doc went on to screen at DOC NYC, Nantucket, New Orleans, Hamptons, Virginia, Provincetown, Sedona, and Hot Springs Doc, among other events.

I previously wrote about the film for Nantucket’s program, saying:
Seeking his fortunes in post-World War II America, Dutch immigrant Harry deLeyer became a riding master for an exclusive all-girls boarding school. In need of a new training horse, he arrived late at an auction and was only able to purchase one of the horses bound for the glue factory, an unassuming old white Amish plow horse he named Snowman. The outgoing Dutchman had no way of knowing his $80 investment would not only save the horse’s life, but lead to a champion showjumping career that lasted decades. Director Ron Davis reveals the special bond between a man and his beloved horse in this unforgettable underdog story.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 27: THE SEVENTH FIRE

Jack Pettibone Riccobono’s exploration of Native gang life had its world premiere at Berlin last year. Other screenings include New Orleans, Palm Springs, Documenta Madrid, Mar del Plata, Stockholm, Minneapolis-St Paul, Big Sky, Hawaii, Iran’s Cinema Vérité, Ashland, and Hot Springs Doc.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD Today, Monday, September 26: SERENA

Ryan White’s profile of the tennis icon had its premiere at Sheffield earlier this year. It went on to screen at Nantucket, was broadcast on EPIX, and now comes to Hulu and Amazon.

I previously wrote about the doc here.