Category Archives: Documentary

Kicking off its theatrical release by closing out the season of NYC’s Stranger Than Fiction series today, Wednesday, June 25: THE PLEASURES OF BEING OUT OF STEP

David L Lewis’ profile of an influential music critic made its debut at Full Frame last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, where it won the Metropolis competition, New Orleans, IFF Boston, DocuWest, Palm Beach, St Louis, and Annapolis.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
A pioneer in music criticism, Nat Hentoff has spent more than six decades championing jazz in the pages of the Village Voice, The Wall Street Journal, Down Beat, and numerous other publications. Mirroring music’s free flow, he has also been an outspoken civil libertarian and free speech advocate, often taking principled, and idiosyncratic, positions that don’t always sit well with his readership. Director David L. Lewis’ profile reveals a singular figure who happily upends expectations in his pursuit of free expression.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, June 24 and already available on iTunes: ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME

Chiemi Karasawa’s profile of the noted performer debuted at Tribeca last year. Its festival run has included Traverse City, Montclair, London, DMZ Docs, Chicago, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Glasgow, and Palm Springs, among others.

I previously wrote about the doc out of Tribeca here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, June 24: CAUCUS

AJ Schnack’s candid profile of Republic presidential hopefuls premiered at Hot Docs last year. It went on to screen at AFI Docs, Camden, AFI Fest, Denver, Philadelphia, St Louis, and Virginia, among others. FilmBuff now releases the doc across various VOD platforms.

I included the film in my Hot Docs coverage here.

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24: HUNGRY

Jeff Cerulli and Barry Rothbart’s look at the world of competitive eating had its world premiere at DOC NYC last year. FilmBuff now releases the doc on iTunes and various VOD platforms.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
How many hot dogs could you eat in 10 minutes? Follow the jaw-dropping exploits of several competitive eaters, including the world famous Takeru Kobayashi, known for his six consecutive wins at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island. After a contract dispute with Major League Eating, the organization that holds a veritable monopoly on the sport, Kobayashi is banned from their events, but fights back to restore his tarnished reputation.

Coming to PBS’s America ReFramed on The WORLD Channel tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24: BROKEN HEART LAND

Jeremy and Randy Stulberg’s look at the impact of a homophobia on a small town just had its official world premiere at Frameline this past weekend. Sneak previews have also taken place in Norman and Oklahoma City OK.

In 2010, Zach Harrington, a young gay man in Norman OK, committed suicide. One week prior, Norman’s city council meeting was the site of unexpected controversy, as conservative community members spoke out against a proposal to recognize LGBT History Month in the town, often spouting anti-gay rhetoric and fear-mongering misinformation. The Stulbergs’ poignant film focuses on Zach’s sad action – including revelations from his diary – and its aftermath, as revealed through the unexpected politicization of his conservative Republican parents, who begin to campaign for LGBT-supportive candidates. While the Harringtons are genuine, relatable subjects who try to make their private tragedy into an impetus for larger community transformation, the film shines most when Zach’s story is instead allowed to take center stage, rather than haunting the background of the campaign.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24: AFTERNOON OF A FAUN: TANAQUIL LE CLERCQ

Nancy Buirski’s tale of the tragedy that felled a dancer premiered last year at the New York Film Festival. Its fest circuit also included Berlin, Palm Springs, Full Frame, and Bermuda, and was released theatrically and on VOD last week.

I wrote about the doc upon its release last week here.