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
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 