New to DVD this week: NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE
Andrea Kalin’s portrait of GYN surgeons who moonlight as a rock band has screened extensively since 2013. Fest engagements have included the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Awareness Film Festival, Cinequest, and Australia’s Big Picture Film Festival.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 12: HOW TO SMELL A ROSE: A VISIT WITH RICKY LEACOCK IN NORMANDY
Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht’s portrait of the pioneering documentary filmmaker made its debut at Telluride in 2014. Its extensive fest circuit included the New York Film Festival, IDFA, Hot Docs, It’s All True, Thessaloniki Doc, Cinema du Reel, San Francisco, DocAviv, Biografilm, and New Zealand, among others.
Blank’s last film documents a freeflowing meeting in 2000 with one of the originators of direct cinema, which doubles as both a biography and a documentary history lesson. Completed by Blank’s longtime creative partner and editor Leibrecht after his death in 2013, their portrait also serves as a joyful tribute to Leacock, who died in 2011, and who was something of a mentor to Blank. In the film, Leacock shares personal memories, demonstrates his French cookery, and reflects on his impressive body of work, illustrated through still captivating clips from classic nonfiction that reaches back to Robert Flaherty’s LOUISIANA STORY, which he shot in 1948. Throughout, Blank, following the lead of Leacock, provides the viewer with the wondrous, truthful feeling of “being there,” making for a buoyant appreciation of life and art.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Tuesday’s Sundance doc preview closes with: MAPPLETHORPE: LOOK AT THE PICTURES, Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey’s exploration of the life and work of the controversial photographer.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 12: THE LOOK OF SILENCE
Joshua Oppenheimer’s companion to THE ACT OF KILLING made its premiere at Venice in 2014. Screenings have followed at DOC NYC, the New York Film Festival, Toronto, Human Rights Watch, True/False, Hamptons, SXSW, and Abu Dhabi, among other fests. It has been shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award.
I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Next up in today’s Sundance Film Festival documentary profiles: LO AND BEHOLD, REVERIES OF THE CONNECTED WORLD, Werner Herzog’s meditation on the Internet.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 12: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
Avi Lewis’ climate change re-think debuted at Toronto last year. Other festival screenings have included Vancouver, Stockholm, CPH:DOX, and Atlantic.
I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Continuing my preview of Sundance documentaries: FILM HAWK, JJ Garvine and Tai Parquet’s portrait of beloved film industry vet Bob Hawk.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Today’s Sundance doc previews wrap up: EAT THAT QUESTION – FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS, Thorsten Schütte’s revealing look at the outspoken musician.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Moving on from the competition categories, my Sundance previews continue with the first film in the Documentary Premieres section: BECOMING MIKE NICHOLS, Douglas McGrath’s appreciation of the legendary filmmaker.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 12: MAKING ROUNDS
Muffie Meyer’s exploration of hands on cardiac care debuted theatrically this past Fall. First Run Features now releases the doc on DVD.
I previously wrote about the film upon its theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
what (not) to doc 