Category Archives: Sundance

2021 Sundance Docs in Focus

The 37th Sundance Film Festival takes place later this month, running January 28-February 3 both online and via satellite screens, with a lineup consisting of 71 features, 50 shorts, 4 episodics, and 14 exhibitions, performances, and VR experiences.

Once again, as I’ve done since 2011’s festival, I’ll profile each of the more than 30 feature and long-form episodic documentaries in advance of the festival, beginning tomorrow.

Please note: These are not reviews. As a Documentary Programming Associate for Sundance, I recommend every film in the 2021 lineup. These profiles instead provide background about the teams behind this year’s docs in anticipation of the festival and the films’ later release. For a sample, check out last year’s series, which began here.

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

On VOD: ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA

Coming to VOD via Topic tomorrow, Thursday, December 31:
ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA

Director:
Anabel Rodríguez Ríos

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Hot Docs, Docaviv, Miami, DocMontevideo, Cartagena, Shanghai, Lima, Atlanta, San Diego Latino, Vancouver, DocsMX, Denver

About:
An exploration of the socioeconomic and political crisis of Venezuela through the microcosm of a dying village.

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

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

In Theatres: THE DISSIDENT

Coming to select theatres this Friday, December 25:
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.

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Sundance 2021: Lineup Announced

The full lineup has been announced for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, taking place online and via select drive-ins, independent arthouses, and community partnerships January 28 through February 3.

Today’s announcement reveals the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, Special Screenings, New Frontier, Shorts, and Indie Series, and may be found here.

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

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15:
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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In Theatres & In Virtual Release: ASSASSINS

Coming to select theatres and to virtual cinemas today, Friday, December 11:
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.

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On VOD: GIVING VOICE

Coming to Netflix this Friday, December 11:
GIVING VOICE

Director:
James D Stern and Fernando Villena

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
An exploration of the impact of playwright August Wilson through an annual monologue competition for high school students.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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In Theatres & On VOD: COLLECTIVE

Coming to select theatres and to VOD today, November 20:
COLLECTIVE

Director:
Alexander Nanau

World Premiere:
Venice 2019

Select Festivals:
Sundance, DOC NYC, Toronto, IDFA, Zurich, Goteborg, Thessaloniki Doc, Docaviv, Docs Against Gravity, Docville, Moscow, Hamptons, Montclair

About:
An investigation reveals disturbing corruption in Romanian state agencies following a fatal nightclub fire in Bucharest.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On VOD: LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST

Coming to VOD via Shudder today, Thursday, November 19:
LEAP OF FAITH: WILLIAM FRIEDKIN ON THE EXORCIST

Director:
Alexandre O Philippe

World Premiere:
Venice 2019

Select Festivals:
Sundance, London, Sitges, Docs Against Gravity

About:
A dissection of the 1973 horror classic through an extensive conversation with its director.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On DVD: AGGIE

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 17:
AGGIE

Director:
Catherine Gund

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, MoMA Documentary Fortnight, Cleveland, San Francisco, Ashland, Salem

About:
The filmmaker profiles her mother, the influential art collector, philanthropist, and social justice advocate, Agnes Gund.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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