Category Archives: Documentary

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE GREEN PRINCE

green princeResuming my overview of this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition: From Germany/Israel/UK, THE GREEN PRINCE, Nadav Schirman’s exploration of the unlikely relationship between would-be mortal enemies.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On TV: TO CATCH A DOLLAR

Coming to the WORLD Channel today, Monday January 6: TO CATCH A DOLLAR: MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANKS ON AMERICA

Gayle Ferraro’s exploration of the potential of microfinance to change women’s lives made its debut at Sundance in 2010. It went on to screen at CPH:DOX and Miami, among other fests, and to have a successful theatrical release around the country.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: CONCERNING VIOLENCE

concerning violenceThis week’s profiles come to an end with the return of alumnus Göran Hugo Olsson to the World Cinema Documentary Competition: Sweden’s CONCERNING VIOLENCE, a provocative meditation on colonialism and liberation in 20th century Africa.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On Cable: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE

The Dark Matter Of LoveComing to Al Jazeera America Presents this Sunday, January 5: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE

Sarah McCarthy’s exploration of adoption and the science of love had its world premiere last year in Moscow. It went on to screen at Toronto, DOC NYC, Antenna, and Lone Star, picking up an award at the latter.

I previously wrote about the doc out of Toronto here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH

20000 daysExpanding beyond the US, the 2014 World Cinema Documentary Competition kicks off with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH, from the UK, a hybrid portrait of singer/songwriter Nick Cave.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On DVD: INEQUALITY FOR ALL

inequalityComing to DVD this coming Tuesday, January 7: INEQUALITY FOR ALL

Jacob Kornbluth’s exploration of America’s widening economic disparity debuted at Sundance last year, picking up a special jury prize. Its fest circuit has included Seattle, Traverse City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, AFI Docs, Zurich, and Deuville, among others.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: WATCHERS OF THE SKY

watchers of skyThe sixteenth and final film in this year’s US Documentary Competition sees the return of a two-time Sundance alum: Edet Belzberg’s WATCHERS OF THE SKY, a far-ranging exploration of the world’s response to genocide.

Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

Special Screenings: Cinema Eye Honors Nominees

cinema eye honors 2014Coming to NYC’s Maysles Cinema today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, January 3-4: The Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Film Series

The 7th annual Cinema Eye Honors, celebrating excellence in nonfiction film, will take place on January 8 ay the Museum of Moving Image. Thanks to filmmaker/occasional critic Robert Greene, the Maysles Cinema is offering New Yorkers a chance to view three of the criminally underseen nominees of this year’s Spotlight Award, which singles out films from the previous year that deserve more attention than perhaps they have received.

I’ve included links to my previous coverage of each of the films, together with their series screening date and time:
THE LAST STATION
Friday, January 3, 7pm

VALENTINE ROAD
Friday, January 3, 9pm

FUCK FOR FOREST
Saturday, January 4, 4pm (includes Q&A with director)

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: RICH HILL

RichHill2The penultimate film in the 2014 Sundance US Documentary Competition closes out today’s doc profiles: Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo’s RICH HILL, a deeply humanistic look at the lives of three adolescents and their impoverished rural town.

Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: PRIVATE VIOLENCE

private violenceThe US Documentary Competition heads into the homestretch: Cynthia Hill’s PRIVATE VIOLENCE, an intimate and powerful exploration of domestic violence.

Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance