Festival:
The 72nd Berlinale
Dates:
February 10-20
About:
This A-list international cinema event returns its public event to the winter after shifting last year’s festival to the summer, and presents approximately 40 documentaries among its more than 130 new feature films.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
New to DVD this week:
THE BEATLES: GET BACK
Director:
Peter Jackson
World Premiere:
Disney+ (November 2021)
About:
This three-part docuseries covers the making of the Beatles’ 1970 album LET IT BE, drawing from never-released footage shot in-studio for the album’s accompanying documentary feature.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, February 8:
SO LATE SO SOON
Director:
Daniel Hymanson
World Premiere:
True/False 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Cleveland, Big Sky Doc, Indie Memphis
About:
An exploration of the artistic process and life of a long-married couple.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Oscar nominations were announced this morning, including the documentaries listed below. Congratulations to all the nominees – particular Sundance winner FLEE, nominated in three categories – and good luck on Sunday, March 27.
Documentary Feature:
Documentary Short Subject:
Audible
Lead Me Home
The Queen of Basketball
Three Songs for Benazir
When We Were Bullies
International Feature Film:
Japan, DRIVE MY CAR
Denmark, FLEE (the sole documentary)
Italy, THE HAND OF GOD
Bhutan, LUNANA, A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM
Norway, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
Animated Feature Film:
ENCANTO
FLEE (the sole documentary)
LUCA
THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINE
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to PBS’s American Masters tomorrow, Tuesday, February 8:
MARIAN ANDERSON: THE WHOLE WORLD IN HER HANDS
Director:
Rita Coburn
World Premiere:
American Masters broadcast (February 2022)
About:
A focus on the life, career, art, and legacy of the African American contralto and civil rights pioneer, in her own words.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to PBS’s American Experience today, Monday, February 7:
RIVETED: THE HISTORY OF JEANS
Director:
Anna Lee Strachan, Michael Bicks
World Premiere:
American Experience broadcast (February 2022)
About:
An exploration of the rich history of the iconic garment, the fabric on which the history of American culture and politics are writ large.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, February 7:
OWNED: A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS
Director:
Giorgio Angelini
World Premiere:
Full Frame 2018
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, St Louis, SF DocFest
About:
An investigation of how the American dream of homeownership has been corrupted.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Director:
Max Lowe
World Premiere:
Telluride 2021
Select Festivals:
Camden
About:
Seventeen years after his death, the body of the director’s famed mountain climber father is discovered, and the family sets out to recover it.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
New to VOD this week:
A TINY RIPPLE OF HOPE
Director:
Jason Polevoi
World Premiere:
Slamdance 2021
Select Festivals:
Riverrun
About:
A charismatic activist works to build a better Chicago for the teens in his neglected community even if it comes at the cost of his home, his family, and his safety.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
New to Mubi this week:
THE MONOPOLY OF VIOLENCE
Director:
David Dufresne
World Premiere:
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2020 (unscreened)
Select Festivals:
New York, Sheffield, Brussels, Toronto, Melbourne
About:
This exploration of police violence in contemporary France examines the ways in which a government justifies brutal acts against its own citizens, enacting totalitarian methods to keep the populace under its control.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
what (not) to doc 