Coming to theatres this Friday, October 21: WE ARE X
Stephen Kijak’s portrait of one of Japan’s biggest bands made its debut at Sundance this year, where it won an editing award. The film also screened at SXSW, Vancouver, Seattle, BFI London, Shanghai, Guanajuato, and the upcoming IDFA, among several others.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
This Thursday, October 20 sees the launch of the 14th Doclisboa, Portugal’s premier documentary film festival. The event closes on Sunday, October 30, with the debut of closing night film IN THE INTERSTICES OF REALITY OR THE FILMS OF ANTÓNIO DE MACEDO, João Monteiro’s portrait of a prolific and eclectic New Portuguese Cinema director. Approximately 70 other new documentary features will unspool in the ten days between, with some highlights noted below: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to POV tonight, Monday, October 17: HOOLIGAN SPARROW
Nanfu Wang’s portrait of intimidation against a Chinese human rights activist debuted at Sundance this year. Screenings followed at Nantucket, Hot Docs, Full Frame, Sheffield, Cleveland, Human Rights Watch, Dallas, One World, Thessaloniki Doc, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, Documenta Madrid, Encounters, and Traverse City, among other events.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 14: MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE
Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack’s tribute to the legendary poet and writer had its world premiere at Sundance this year. Its festival circuit has also included Full Frame, Black Harvest, RiverRun, Boulder, deadCenter, Sheffield, DOXA, Montreal Black, and Bentonville, among other events.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
The 17th edition of the Woodstock Film Festival opens tonight, Wednesday, October 13, and runs through Sunday, October 16. The Hudson Valley-based event presents over 50 feature films, including just under two dozen documentaries.
Debuts and less familiar titles appearing at the fest include: Rob Nelson’s MAGNIFICENT BURDEN, about a socialite turned crusading activist; Lorenzo Pisoni’s CIRCUS KID (pictured), a man’s reflections on growing up in a family circus; David Wachsmann’s FREEDOM RUNNERS, which profiles an Israeli running group for African refugees; Kathleen Dowdey’s GET IN THE WAY: THE JOURNEY OF JOHN LEWIS, a portrait of the notable civil rights leader turned US congressman; Olha Onyshko’s WOMEN OF MAIDAN, on the role women played in the Ukrainian revolution; Matthew Millan’s STRONGER THAN BULLETS, which chronicles the music of the Libyan revolution; Jen Heck’s THE PROMISED BAND, which unites Israelis and Palestinians through a fake music group; and Mickey Lemle’s THE LAST DALAI LAMA?, an intimate portrait of the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
As it enters its second decade, DocsDF, the International Documentary Film Festival of Mexico City takes on a new name, DocsMX, reflecting a broader view that encompasses the country beyond its capital. The event, which launches tomorrow, Thursday, October 13, will present more than 90 films at its 11th edition through its wrap on Saturday, October 22. Highlights from its programming follow: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
The Margaret Mead Film Festival turns 40 this year, opening tomorrow, Thursday, October 13 with Jessie Deeter’s A REVOLUTION IN FOUR SEASONS, which follows the paths of two notable women in the aftermath of Tunisia’s Arab Spring. The event, a program of the American Museum of Natural History, will showcase approximately 30 nonfiction features before it wraps on Sunday, October 16. The following offers additional highlights. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to theatres and to VOD this Friday, October 14: SKY LADDER: THE ART OF CAI GUO-QIANG
Kevin Macdonald’s portrait of the acclaimed Chinese pyrotechnic artist made its debut at Sundance at the beginning of the year. The film also screened at BFI London.
I previously profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
The 27th annual New Orleans Film Festival kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, October 12. More than 60 new feature films will screen over the course of the event before it wraps on Thursday, October 20, including more than 30 documentaries. This year’s edition is notable as the swansong of Executive Director Jolene Pinder, who (together with Director of Programming Clint Bowie) grew the event substantially since coming on board in 2011. Among the doc highlights are: Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, October 11: LIFE, ANIMATED
Roger Ross Williams’ coming of age portrait of a young autistic man bowed at Sundance this year, where it won an award. Its fest circuit also included Nantucket, True/False, Hot Docs, Tribeca, Full Frame, San Francisco, DocAviv, Transilvania, Sundance London, Los Angeles, Sheffield, and Sydney. It was recently announced as part of DOC NYC’s Short List.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
