FLEE
Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells the affecting story of a former refugee who must confront the traumas of his past to move forward with his life.
Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition (Day One film)
Country:
Denmark/France/Sweden/Norway
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to VOD this Friday, January 15:
ASSASSINS
Director:
Ryan White
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Zurich, Warsaw, Stockholm, Full Frame, Double Exposure, Hot Docs, Brisbane, Hawai’i
About:
An investigation of the bizarre story behind the brazen assassination of the half-brother of Kim Jong-un.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
FAYA DAYI
Jessica Beshir crafts a poetic, sensorial journey into the highlands of Harar in eastern Ethiopia, the birthplace of khat.
Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition
Country:
Ethiopia/USA/Qatar
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
CAPTAINS OF ZAATARI
Ali El Arabi follows the soccer dreams of two teenage best friends living in the titular Syrian refugee camp.
Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition
Country:
Egypt
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
USERS
Natalia Almada offers a thought-provoking essay about the unexpected consequences of our dependence on technology.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 12:
A THOUSAND CUTS
Director:
Ramona Diaz
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, SXSW, AFI Docs, Full Frame, San Francisco, Cleveland
About:
A chilling look at the assault on fundamental democratic freedoms in the Philippines.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
TRY HARDER!
Debbie Lum follows the graduating class of a competitive San Francisco High School through its college application process.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson revisits a long overlooked piece of Black music history.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition (Day One film)
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT
Mariem Pérez Riera profiles the pioneering, EGOT-winning star of stage and screen.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to VOD today, Friday, January 8:
THE DISSIDENT
Director:
Bryan Fogel
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Zurich, Aspen, Savannah, Stockholm
About:
An investigation of the shocking murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 