Category Archives: Sundance

December 28, 2018 · 12:01 PM

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus

The 35th Sundance Film Festival takes place next month, running January 24-February 3, with a lineup consisting of 122 features, 73 shorts, 15 episodics, and 29 installations, performances, and VR experiences.

As I’ve done since 2011’s festival, I’ll profile each of the 50+ feature and long-form episodic documentaries in advance of the festival, beginning this Monday.

Please note that I am not reviewing these films – as a Documentary Programming Associate for Sundance, they are all very much recommended. These profiles simply provide some background about the creators of the class of 2019, noting past Sundance projects where applicable, and why readers should seek out the docs, either during the festival or later in the year at other festivals and/or in 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

December 27, 2018 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: BAD REPUTATION

Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, January 1:
BAD REPUTATION

Director:
Kevin Kerslake

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
BFI London, Cleveland, San Francisco, Montclair, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Outfest

About:
A portrait of the queen of rock ‘n’ roll, Joan Jett.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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December 20, 2018 · 4:03 PM

Sundance 2019: Additional Feature Programming Announced

This post is a pointer to the fourth lineup announcement for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Additional selections in the Premieres, Midnight, Special Events, and From the Collection sections have just been announced and may be found here.

Previous lineup announcements include the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Documentary Premieres, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, and Kids; Indie Episodic, Special Events, and Shorts; and New Frontier.

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

December 19, 2018 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: MATANGI/MAYA/MIA

New to DVD this week:
MATANGI/MAYA/MIA

Director:
Stephen Loveridge

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Berlin, True/False, CPH:DOX, New Directors/New Films, Docs Against Gravity, Biografilm, Sydney, New Zealand, Melbourne, Helsinki, Zurich, Seattle

About:
An insider perspective on the life and career of popular musician MIA.

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

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

December 17, 2018 · 6:15 PM

91st Oscars: Best Documentary Shortlist Announced

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced the Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short Subject shortlists today. Congratulations to all the filmmakers – in particular all of the Sundance, DOC NYC, and Nantucket Film Festival alumni represented.

The official lists are below, with links to my previous coverage, where applicable. The final nominees will be announced on January 22.

Documentary Feature:

CHARM CITY

COMMUNION

CRIME + PUNISHMENT

DARK MONEY

THE DISTANT BARKING OF DOGS

FREE SOLO

HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING

MINDING THE GAP

OF FATHERS & SONS

ON HER SHOULDERS

RBG

SHIRKERS

THE SILENCE OF OTHERS

THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Documentary Short Subject:
’63 BOYCOTT
BLACK SHEEP
END GAME
LIFEBOAT
LOS COMANDOS
MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES
A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN
PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.
WOMEN OF THE GULAG
ZION

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

December 11, 2018 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: QUIET HEROES

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, December 11:
QUIET HEROES

Directors:
Jenny Mackenzie, Jared Ruga, and Amanda Stoddard

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Frameline, BFI Flare, Portland QDoc, TLVFest

About:
A tribute to the only medical professionals in Utah who would treat patients with AIDS in the early years of the epidemic.

My pre-Sundance profile may be found here.

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

December 5, 2018 · 4:06 PM

Sundance 2019: New Frontier Announced

This post is a pointer to the third lineup announcement for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. This year’s selections in the New Frontier section may be found here.

Already announced are the films in the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Documentary Premieres, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, and Kids sections, as well as the Indie Episodic, Special Events, and Shorts lineups.

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

November 28, 2018 · 4:01 PM

Sundance 2019: Feature Lineup Announced

As the lineup of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival (January 24-February 3) is revealed, I’ll be including pointers here. The Features lineup, which includes the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Documentary Premieres, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, and Kids, has just been announced today here.

Pointers for other sections – Shorts, Indie Episodic, Special Events, and New Frontier – will follow as they are announced in the coming weeks.