My look at the World Cinema Documentary Competition continues: From Syria/Germany, Talal Derki’s stark frontline report from the front lines of the Syrian civil war, RETURN TO HOMS.
Category Archives: Film Festivals
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: RETURN TO HOMS
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE NOTORIOUS MR BOUT
Next up in the World Cinema Documentary Competition: From Russia, Tony Gerber and Maxim Pozdorovkin’s portrait of a convicted international arms smuggler, THE NOTORIOUS MR BOUT.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: MY PRAIRIE HOME
Launching into the second half of this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition: From Canada, Chelsea McMullan’s MY PRAIRIE HOME, following a transgender performer through a tour of personal and geographical history.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: Mr leos caraX
The first half of this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition profiles wraps up with Tessa Louise-Salomé’s Mr leos caraX, from France, about the enigmatic director of such films as HOLY MOTORS and THE LOVERS ON THE BRIDGE.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
New York Jewish Film Festival 2014: Documentary Overview
The 23rd edition of the New York Jewish Film Festival kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. A co-presentation of The Jewish Museum and the Film Society, the festival runs through Thursday, January 23, and presents more than 30 new and retrospective feature films, as well as shorts and special programs, such as symposium exploring film genres and identity-based programming, guest curation by Wim Wenders, a master class with Amos Gitai, and a celebration of the work of Otto Preminger and Saul Bass. Compared to last year’s edition, which saw about half the lineup focus on nonfiction programming, there are fewer documentaries screening, all noted below. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: LOVE CHILD
Today’s World Cinema Documentary Competition profiles wrap up with Sundance alum Valerie Veatch’s LOVE CHILD, a South Korean/US production, an in-depth look at the real life consequences of a young couple’s virtual reality.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: HAPPINESS
Continuing my spotlight on this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition with the first of three films that debuted at IDFA this past Fall: From France/Finland, HAPPINESS, Thomas Balmès’ illuminating look at the advent of modernity in a Bhutanese village.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On DVD: LINSANITY
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7: LINSANITY
Evan Jackson Leong’s look at the celebrated basketball player made its debut at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at SXSW, Hawaii, Hong Kong, NY’s Asian American, LA Asian Pacific, and Pacific Rim, among others, and to enjoy a limited theatrical release.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE GREEN PRINCE
Resuming 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.
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 