Festival:
The 58th New York Film Festival
Dates:
September 17-October 11
About:
This beloved program of Film at Lincoln Center presents approximately 45 new features in a hybrid online and in-person format, among them 18 works of nonfiction. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Festival:
The 45th Toronto International Film Festival
Dates:
September 10-19
About:
One of the world’s premier film events tackles the pandemic with a trimmed down schedule and a hybrid online and in-person model. Of its approximately 50 new features, 16 are nonfiction. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to Netflix tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9:
THE SOCIAL DILEMMA
Director:
Jeff Orlowski
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
About:
An exposé of the insidious hidden systems of control behind our increasingly networked world.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Festival:
The 19th SF DocFest
Dates:
September 3-20
About:
Emerging after the postponement of its typical late May/early June dates, this Northern Californian event goes online with just under 30 nonfiction features. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to VOD tomorrow, Friday, September 4:
FEELS GOOD MAN
Director:
Arthur Jones
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
True/False, SXSW, Big Sky Doc, Taipei, Fantasia, Sidewalk, Kyiv
About:
An exploration of the unpredictable development of an influential Internet meme.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Festival:
The 22nd Docaviv: Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival
Dates:
September 3-12
About:
Rescheduled from its usual May dates, this well-curated Israeli event will present nearly 90 new documentary features in an online format, though some drive-in events are also being planned. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 