The Hamptons International Film Festival wrapped up its 19th edition yesterday, with awards announced at a ceremony the previous evening. Because of scheduling issues, it had been quite a few years since I’d been able to attend the festival, but I was happy to make it this year for a couple of nights. The fest has an easy-going feel while still remaining true to its upscale setting, especially with regard to its party locations. Even if the weather in October doesn’t match that of the summer season, just being in East Hampton feels like a welcome getaway from the city. While in town, I managed to see most of the docs I had hoped to, though I sadly had to leave PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY early to catch the jitney back into the city – for that reason, I’ll hold off writing about it until I see the epilogue. That said, my thoughts on seven other films: Continue reading
Category Archives: Film Festivals
Hamptons 2011: Docs in Brief
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief
On Cable: MISS REPRESENTATION
Premiering on OWN as part of Oprah’s Documentary Club this Thursday, October 20: MISS REPRESENTATION
Jennifer Siebel Newsom tackles media objectification of women in her documentary debut, which premiered earlier this year at Sundance and has gone on to a healthy festival run since. After an Oscar-qualifying run this summer via DocuWeeks, the film makes its cable bow with the endorsement of the queen of media, Oprah.
I profiled the film before Sundance here.
Support the OWN Documentary Club by tuning in Thursday at 9pm!
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres: BEING ELMO
Coming to theatres this Friday, October 21: BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER’S JOURNEY
Constance Marks brought her portrait of the man behind Elmo to Sundance for its world premiere, picking up a Special Jury Prize in the process. Additional awards have followed at other fests since then.
My pre-Sundance profile may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
On Cable: SING YOUR SONG
Coming to HBO tonight, Monday, October 17: SING YOUR SONG
Susanne Rostock’s biography on performer/activist Harry Belafonte premiered at the beginning of the year at Sundance. Since then, it has screened at numerous additional festivals, and makes its cable premiere with HBO.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
On DVD: BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, October 18: BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Michael Rapaport brought his documentary directorial debut to Sundance for its world premiere. It was released theatrically this summer by Sony Pictures Classics.
I profiled the film before Sundance
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
On DVD: PAGE ONE
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, October 18: PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES
Director Andrew Rossi premiered his in-depth study of the Gray Lady at Sundance. The film went on to screen at numerous other festivals and had a limited theatrical release this summer.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Hamptons International Film Festival 2011: Documentary Overview
For nearly twenty years, the Hamptons has served as a perfect opportunity to escape the city for a long weekend of well-selected films and well-heeled events in New York’s legendary getaway seaside communities. Taking place post-season, the festival caters more to the year-round locals than to the summer crowd, but also draws an impressive number of industry from NYC for a more casual cinema-going experience.
It’s been a few years since my schedule has allowed me to attend, but I’m hoping to make it for a couple of evenings later this week – the festival opens this Thursday and wraps on Monday. Documentaries are regularly represented in the fest’s “Films of Conflict & Resolution” strand, some of which are also part of the documentary competition. This year, the Hamptons screens thirty new feature-length docs. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
In Theatres: CONNECTED
Coming to NYC’s Angelika this Friday, October 14: CONNECTED
Tiffany Schlain’s directorial debut about technology and interdependence premiered at Sundance. The film already screened theatrically in California and Seattle, expanding for a one-week NYC run this Friday.
I profiled the film before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres (Again): HELL AND BACK AGAIN
Coming to theatres this Friday, October 7: HELL AND BACK AGAIN
War correspondent Danfung Dennis made his documentary feature debut at Sundance earlier this year with his portrait of a soldier back from war. After picking up two jury awards there, the film has screened extensively and had an Oscar-qualifying run this summer as part of Docuweeks.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres: SARAH PALIN: YOU BETCHA!
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 30: SARAH PALIN: YOU BETCHA!
Toronto played host to the world premiere of British doc bad boy Nick Broomfield’s search for the real Sarah Palin. Freestyle Releasing has picked up the film for theatrical release that begins in NY, LA, and SF tomorrow.
Earlier this month, I wrote about the film in my Toronto coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases
what (not) to doc 