Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Saturday, July 16: CONVENTO
I offered my thoughts on Jarred Alterman’s featurette about the 400 year old Sao Francisco monastery, and, more importantly, the eccentric family who call it home, out of SXSW earlier this year here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations
I may post again next week on the handful of additional non-fiction I saw at Karlovy Vary, but for now, I wrote about three docs in this article for indieWIRE looking at women-focused films.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief
Coming to POV next Tuesday, July 12: ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE
Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath took home the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize at Sundance last year for this penetrating exploration of the crimes of the Khmer Rouge.
My thoughts on this powerful film can be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to theatres this Friday, July 8: PROJECT NIM
MAN ON WIRE Oscar winner James Marsh returned to Sundance this year with this critical and audience favorite. His exploration of scientific ethics through the poignant story of a young ape has continued to resonate with audiences on the festival circuit since January.
My pre-Sundance profile may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to Magnolia Pictures On Demand today, July 1: MAGIC TRIP
Alex Gibney and Alison Ellwood brought their archival-rich exploration of Ken Kesey’s 1964 LSD (road)trip to Sundance for its world premiere. After additional festivals, including Hot Docs and BAMcinemaFEST, Magnolia is releasing the film on demand now, with theatrical coming next month.
I wrote about the film prior to its premiere
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres in New York and Los Angeles next Friday, July 8: BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Actor Michael Rapaport’s documentary directorial debut had its world premiere at Sundance and went on to screen at Tribeca and elsewhere. Along the way, his portrait of the influential hip hop group got picked up by Sony Pictures Classics and begins its theatrical release this summer.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film can be found
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Saturday, July 2: WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM
Heather Courtney premiered her film – about the impact of the war in Afghanistan on soldiers and their families back home – at SXSW this year, where she shared the Best Documentary Editing Award with Kyle Henry. It comes to Rooftop fittingly just before Independence Day.
I included the film in my wrapup of SXSW’s competition here.
Note: Director Heather Courtney will be joined by US veterans for a Q&A following the screening.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals
Coming to NYC’s IFC Center this Friday, July 1 and to Los Angeles and other cities later this summer: CRIME AFTER CRIME
Yoav Potash’s film is an indepth and emotional exploration of Deborah Peagler’s case – a battered woman who was sent to life in prison for the murder of her abuser. After its world premiere at Sundance, it’s been recognized with awards at San Francisco and Washington DC.
I covered the film in a post before its world premiere here.
Note: Filmmakers and special guests from the film are scheduled to be present for Q&As for the opening weekend at the IFC Center, and at select screenings around the country.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
Silverdocs closed out its ninth edition Sunday evening after seven days of documentary screenings, panels, and workshops in Silver Spring MD. The awards ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon, while audience award winners were announced today. Best World Feature went to FAMILY INSTINCT, with POSITION AMONG THE STARS recognized with a Special Mention; Best US Feature went to OUR SCHOOL (pictured), with Special Mentions to THE BULLY PROJECT and WHEN THE DRUM IS BEATING; the WGA Documentary Screenplay Award went to THE LOVING STORY; and the Cinematic Vision Award went to LIFE IN A DAY. The Feature Audience Award went to DONOR UNKNOWN.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief
Coming to POV next Tuesday, June 28: MY PERESTROIKA
Robin Hessman’s portrait of the last generation of Soviet era Russians had a wildly successful festival run, beginning at Sundance in 2010, and went on to a limited theatrical release this spring.
I posted about the film before its theatrical release here.
To find out more about the POV screening on PBS, click here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 