Category Archives: Film Festivals

On DVD/VOD: THE MOLE AGENT

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, September 1:
THE MOLE AGENT

Director:
Maite Alberdi

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, Full Frame, True/False, San Sebastian, New Directors/NewFilms, Miami, Karlovy Vary, Cleveland

About:
An 83-year-old man becomes an undercover spy in a Chilean retirement home.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

Venice 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 77th Venice International Film Festival

Dates:
September 2-12

About:
The world’s oldest festival is also the first major Fall event to take place in theatres in the COVID-19 era, albeit with a somewhat truncated lineup of approximately 60 new features – 15 of those nonfiction. In addition, the autonomous parallel sidebars offer eight documentaries among their approximately 30 selections. Continue reading

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On VOD: BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1:
BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS

Directors:
Bill Ross, Turner Ross

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Berlin, CPH:DOX, True/False, Big Sky Doc, Calgary Underground

About:
A chronicle of the patrons and staff of a dive bar on what is meant to be its final day.

I profiled the film before Sundance here.

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On TV: LOVE FRAUD

Coming to Showtime this Sunday, August 30:
LOVE FRAUD

Directors:
Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
An investigation of a notorious serial fraudster through the women he’s seduced, robbed, and abandoned.

I profiled the docuseries before Sundance here.

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In Virtual Release: EPICENTRO

Coming to virtual cinemas this Friday, August 28:
EPICENTRO

Director:
Hubert Sauper

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Docaviv, Dokufest, Vienna

About:
A meditation on postcolonial Cuba.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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Encounters 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 22nd Encounters: South African International Documentary Festival

Dates:
August 20-30 (hybrid)

About:
Just under 40 nonfiction features screen online, as well as in select Cape Town and Johanneburg venues, for Africa’s largest documentary event. Continue reading

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On VOD: MARINA ABRAMOVIC THE ARTIST IS PRESENT

Coming to OVID.tv this Friday, August 21:
MARINA ABRAMOVIC THE ARTIST IS PRESENT

Director:
Matthew Akers

World Premiere:
Sundance 2012

Select Festivals:
Berlin, Nantucket, CPH:DOX, BAFICI, DOXA, San Francisco, Silverdocs, Provincetown, New Horizons, Athens, Reykjavik, Valladolid

About:
An intimate look at the acclaimed performance artist’s famed MoMA show.

My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.

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BlackStar 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 9th BlackStar Film Festival

Dates:
August 20-26 (online)

About:
Focused on work by people of the African diaspora and other communities of color, this Philadelphia event presents just over 20 features in this online edition, the vast majority nonfiction. Continue reading

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On VOD: HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY: THE REN & STIMPY STORY

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Friday, August 14:
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY: THE REN & STIMPY STORY

Directors:
Ron Cicero and Kimo Easterwood

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Big Sky Doc, San Francisco, Cleveland

About:
An exploration of the groundbreaking animated series and its controversial creator.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On VOD: BOYS STATE

Coming to Apple TV+ this Friday, August 14:
BOYS STATE

Directors:
Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
SXSW, New Directors/New Films, AFI Docs, Nantucket, Full Frame, San Francisco

About:
A group of high school boys create a mock government at an annual civics program hosted by the American Legion in Austin.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance