Category Archives: Sundance

Coming to cable as part of the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Documentary Club next Thursday, March 1: FAMILY AFFAIR

Chico Colvard premiered his remarkable excavation of family secrets at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. During its subsequent festival run, the doc picked up awards at Atlanta, Silverdocs, Independent Film Festival Boston, and elsewhere, and also screened at other notable events such as Hot Docs and Full Frame.

In this incredibly raw and personal story, Colvard investigates the disturbing fallout from a particularly dramatic childhood accident in which, at the age of ten, he accidentally shot his eldest sister. While she survived, his sister revealed horrific child abuse taking place in their home – abuse from which Colvard was protected. Though Paula, Angelika, and Chiquita suffered at the hands of their father, as adults, they strangely maintain a staunch loyalty to him. Through his film, Colvard attempts to understand these intersections of trauma, forgiveness, and familial love. Mixing archival footage with frank present-day discussions with his sisters and parents, the director brings the audience along with him as he tries to make sense of what many would consider unthinkable, but which has in many ways defined his essential experience of family.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, February 21: SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME

Sam Pollard brought Douglas A Blackmon’s Pulitzer Prize-winner about shameful pseudo-slavery practices to the screen, premiering the doc at Sundance. Earlier this month, the film made its broadcast debut on PBS.

I wrote about the doc before Sundance here.

Opening at NYC’s Cinema Village today, Friday, February 17: PUTIN’S KISS

Lise Birk Pederson’s bracing look at politics and ideology in modern-day Russia through one young woman’s experience made its premiere at IDFA. The film came to Sundance for its US debut, claiming the World Cinema Documentary Award for Cinematography.

I wrote about the film prior to Sundance here.

Coming to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Peter D Richardson premiered his doc on the terminally ill and dying with dignity at Sundance last year, where it won the Documentary Grand Jury Prize. It went on to screen at numerous additional fests, picking up awards at Full Frame and Ashland Independent, before making its cable debut last Spring on HBO.

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

Coming to PBS’ Frontline and to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: THE INTERRUPTERS

My favorite film of 2011, Steve James epic exploration of violence prevention, debuted at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at a number of festival and has screened theatrically. It now comes to DVD the same day it will reach wide audiences through public television.

I wrote about the doc before Sundance here.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7: PROJECT NIM

Academy Award winner James Marsh’s poignant doc on the story of a young ape was one of the opening night screenings of last year’s Sundance where Marsh also claimed the Documentary Directing Award. Since then, it has screened to critical and audience acclaim at various festivals, and enjoyed a theatrical release last Summer. While the doc made the Oscar shortlist, it didn’t end up receiving the final nomination.

I wrote about the film before Sundance here.

Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, February 7: KNUCKLE

Ian Palmer’s longitudinal portrait of the Irish Traveller community premiered at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen extensively at festivals as well as in theatrical release in the UK, Ireland, and the US.

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

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 31: RESURRECT DEAD: THE MYSTERY OF THE TOYNBEE TILES

Jon Foy’s documentary mystery debuted at Sundance last year, where Foy claimed the jury award for Best Director. After a successful festival run, the film enjoyed a limited theatrical release last Fall.

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