AT THE READY
Maisie Crow profiles Latinx teens in El Paso as they contemplate careers in border patrol and law enforcement against the backdrop of increasing xenophobia.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Category Archives: Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: AT THE READY
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On TV: A THOUSAND CUTS
Coming to PBS’s Frontline this Friday, January 8:
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
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: ALL LIGHT, EVERYWHERE
ALL LIGHT, EVERYWHERE
Theo Anthony interrogates the idea of objectivity through the shared histories of cameras, weapons, policing, and justice.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: AILEY
AILEY
Jamila Wignot presents a revealing, moving portrait of pioneering choreographer Alvin Ailey.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, 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.
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.
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations, Sundance
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 