Coming to PBS’s POV today, Monday, December 27:
UNAPOLOGETIC
Director:
Ashley O’Shay
World Premiere:
BlackStar 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New Orleans, Black Harvest, St Louis, Cucalorus, Big Sky Doc, Athena, Cleveland, Human Rights Watch, Outfest Fusion
About:
Two fierce abolitionist leaders offer a deep look into the movement for Black Lives.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Friday, December 24:
TRY HARDER!
Director:
Debbie Lum
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, AFI Docs, Full Frame, CAAMFest, Milwaukee, Provincetown, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, Philadelphia, Virginia
About:
The graduating class of a competitive San Francisco High School is followed through its harrowing college application process.
I previously wrote about the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to HBO Max today, Thursday, December 23:
BEANIE MANIA
Director:
Yemisi Brookes
World Premiere:
HBO Max (December 2021)
About:
An exploration of the popularity of Beanie Babies, the stuffed toys created by Ty Warner that inspired a collecting craze in the late 1990s.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to Discovery+ tomorrow, Thursday, December 23:
DEAD MAN’S SWITCH: A CRYPTO MYSTERY
Director:
Sheona McDonald
World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2021
Select Festivals:
DOXA, Melbourne Doc, Calgary, Rocky Mountain Women’s
About:
A riveting cryptocurrency thriller unraveling the story of a Canadian blockchain wizard who mysteriously died on his honeymoon in India and the fate of his investors’ $200 million.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced the Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short Subject shortlists today. In addition, a documentary feature is included on the International Feature Film shortlist. Congratulations to all the filmmakers – especially the Sundance, DOC NYC, and Nantucket Film Festival alumni represented.
The official lists are below. The final nominees will be announced on February 8.
Documentary Feature:
Documentary Short Subject:
Águilas
Audible
A Broken House
Camp Confidential: America’s Secret Nazis
Coded: The Hidden Love of JC Leyendecker
Day of Rage
The Facility
Lead Me Home
Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day
The Queen of Basketball
Sophie & the Baron
Takeover
Terror Contagion
Three Songs for Benazir
When We Were Bullies
International Feature Film:
FLEE was also shortlisted in this category.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Wednesday, December 22:
THE VELVET QUEEN
Director:
Marie Amiguet
World Premiere:
Cannes 2021
Select Festivals:
IDFA, Camden, Zurich, Vancouver
About:
In the heart of the Tibetan highlands, photographer Vincent Munier brings writer Sylvain Tesson on his quest to find the snow leopard.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, December 21:
AMY TAN: UNINTENDED MEMOIR
Director:
James Redford
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
Select Festivals:
Cleveland, CAAMFest, DocLands, Seattle
About:
A profile of the life and career of the noted author.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres today, Friday, December 17:
PRESIDENT
Director:
Camilla Nielsson
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, AFI Docs, Docaviv, Thessaloniki Doc, Dokufest, Encounters, DMZ Docs, Melbourne, Docville, Zurich, Montclair, Philadelphia
About:
The leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party seeks a free and fair election.
I previously wrote about the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
New to DVD this week:
NEVER TOO LATE: THE DOC SEVERINSEN STORY
Director:
Kevin S Bright, Jeff Consiglio
World Premiere:
Cleveland 2020 (unscreened)
Select Festivals:
Full Frame, Nashville, Milwaukee, Virginia, Guanajuato, Mill Valley, BendFilm, Tallgrass, Portland, Sound Unseen
About:
A portrait of the legendary TONIGHT SHOW bandleader.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to HBO & HBO Max today, Thursday, December 16:
JUICE WRLD: INTO THE ABYSS
Director:
Tommy Oliver
World Premiere:
AFI Fest 2021
About:
An exploration of the life and legacy of the wunderkind rapper, following his quick rise to success and untimely passing soon after.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
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