Coming to DVD next Tuesday, September 15: THE JINX: THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF ROBERT DURST
Andrew Jarecki’s riveting investigation of the infamous murder suspect received a preview screening of its first episode at Sundance. The series was broadcast by HBO this past Winter, to a jaw-dropping conclusion.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc series may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 11: MEET THE PATELS
Geeta V Patel and Ravi V Patel’s funny look at love and tradition had its world premiere at Hot Docs last year, where it claimed an audience award. Its festival circuit also included DOC NYC, Los Angeles, Traverse City, CNEX Doc, Hamptons, Hot Springs Doc, Citizen Jane, San Diego Asian, Dubai, Sebastopol Doc, Bentonville, Seattle, and Sydney, among others.
I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Nearing 30, first-generation Indian-American Ravi Patel breaks up with his secret white girlfriend to seek the Indian woman of his parents’ dreams – who should also be named Patel, keeping with tradition. Eliciting the matchmaking skills of his hilarious, unforgettable parents, Ravi – with sister Geeta behind the camera – subjects himself to delightfully awkward blind dates across North America, a bride-hunting trip to India, and even a Patel convention, as he questions if he’s really doing this for himself or for his family.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
New to DVD this week: SHOWRUNNERS: THE ART OF RUNNING A TV SHOW
Des Doyle’s exploration of the television creative process made its premiere at Dublin’s Stranger Than Fiction doc festival. Screenings followed in Zurich, Austin, New York and Los Angeles.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Turning 40 this year, the Toronto International Film Festival kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, September 10, screening well over 275 new feature films in addition to retrospectives, shorts, and industry programming before it wraps on Sunday, September 20. This year sees a notable increase in nonfiction programming, with just over 50 new docs or hybrid projects by my count compared to approximately 35 last year. I’ll be in attendance for the first half of the festival, especially hoping to have a chance to catch up with the following highlights: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to theatres across the US tonight, Wednesday, September 9: HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Jerry Rothwell’s rousing history of Greenpeace made its world premiere at Sundance, where it picked up the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award. It has since screened at Nantucket, Hot Docs, True/False, DOXA, San Francisco Green, Sebastopol Doc, Sydney, and Telluride Mountainfilm, among others. More information on tonight’s screening may be found at Fathom Events.
I previously profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 8: BLACKOUT
Callie T Wiser’s revisitation of an infamous citywide power outage debuted as part of PBS’ American Experience series this Summer.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9: WELCOME TO LEITH
Michael Beach Nichols and Christopher K Walker’s in-the-moment investigation of an attempted community takeover debuted at Sundance earlier this year. Other festival appearances have included Nantucket, SXSW, Dallas, Ashland, RiverRun, Sarasota, Montclair, Telluride Mountainfilm, Sydney, AFI Docs, New Zealand, Melbourne, and Sidewalk, among others.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8: THE LAST IMPRESARIO
Gracie Otto’s profile of an unsung creative made its bow at BFI London in 2013. Other screenings have included DOC NYC, Hamptons, Dubai, Glasgow, Biografilm, and Sydney.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8: MISERY LOVES COMEDY
Kevin Pollak’s candid exploration of stand-up debuted at Sundance earlier this year. It went on to screen at Tribeca and to be released on VOD platforms.
I previously wrote about the film before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 4: A SINNER IN MECCA
Parvez Sharma’s clandestine chronicle of a pilgrimage made its debut at Hot Docs earlier this year. It has since screened at Sheffield and at Outfest, where it picked up an award.
Already marked as an infidel as a result of his previous film, A JIHAD FOR LOVE, which explored homosexuality among Muslims, Sharma has put himself at further risk in this far more personal follow-up. Despite a ban on photography and a death penalty for homosexuals, the filmmaker set out to secretly film his hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that is of the utmost significance to Islam. Carrying scars from his late mother’s rejection of his sexuality, Sharma hopes to find a way to reconcile his faith and his homosexuality, espousing an Islam that is more loving in contrast to the ultraconservative branch that characterizes the Saudi faith, and that of much of the rest of the Middle East. Traveling doubly incognito, hiding both that he is gay and that he is filming, Sharma’s struggles are largely internal – while others occasional notice his activity, there’s no consequence beyond disapproval, and no one picks up on his sexuality. The viewer is thrown into his hajj, selfie-style, complete with endless walking, massive crowds, and Sharma’s occasionally funny moments of snark, as when he points out the rampant commercialism that has placed a mall just adjacent to the holiest of sites. Even if the filmmaker’s post-pilgrimage epiphany that he’s somehow now a better Muslim is inadequately explained, the experience of going through the hajj with him is unique and transgressive – at least for non-Muslims – lending the project its primary fascination.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
what (not) to doc 