Category Archives: Film

On TV: BRESLIN AND HAMILL: DEADLINE ARTISTS

Coming to HBO next Monday, January 28:
BRESLIN AND HAMILL: DEADLINE ARTISTS

Directors:
Jonathan Alter, John Block, and Steve McCarthy

Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018

About:
A profile of legendary newspaper NYC journalists Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill defined an era of New York journalism in the late 20th century. They were swashbuckling liberal newspaper columnists who spoke for ordinary people and brought passion, wit and literary merit to their brilliant reporting about their city and the larger nation.

Breslin’s column was a longtime fixture of the New York Daily News. His best-known reporting includes his chilling correspondence with the Son of Sam and his column after John F. Kennedy’s funeral, which provided an Everyman perspective on the tragedy. Pete Hamill was a columnist and editor for the New York Daily News and the New York Post. He moved with ease through different circles, from blue collar workers to Hollywood celebrities. Both men wrote novels, nonfiction and memoirs, covering a range of topics from politics to crime to sports, always deeply rooted in the neighborhoods of New York City.

Veteran journalist Jonathan Alter, author of several books including THE CENTER HOLDS: OBAMA AND HIS ENEMIES, teams with Emmy Award-winning filmmakers John Block and Steve McCarthy to plunge us into Breslin and Hamill’s times, while probing explosive issues of race, class and the practice of journalism that resonate powerfully in our own time. They capture the writers in their own words and with added insights from peers such as Gloria Steinem and Gay Talese, as well as devoted readers such as Spike Lee and Colin Quinn. It’s essential viewing for anyone who loves journalism or New York City.

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Slamdance 2019: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 25th Slamdance Film Festival

Dates:
January 25-31

About:
The smaller, alternative January Park City film festival has an anniversary year, screening 10 docs among its nearly 30 features. Continue reading

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN
Sacha Jenkins explores the history and cultural significance of the influential hip-hop collective.

Festival Section:
Indie Episodic
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On TV: THE KING

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens next Monday, January 28:
THE KING

Director:
Eugene Jarecki

Premiere:
Cannes 2017

Select Festivals:
Sundance, Nantucket, Nashville, Seattle, Martha’s Vineyard, London, Sarasota, Chicago DOC 10, Deauville, Zurich, Haifa

About:
A musical road trip across the US in Elvis Presley’s 1963 Rolls Royce explores the rise and fall of the American empire.

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

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: THIS IS PERSONAL

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

THIS IS PERSONAL
Amy Berg presents a candid look at the work and challenges of modern day feminist activism.

Festival Section:
Special Events
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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: LORENA

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

LORENA
Joshua Rofé investigates the notorious case of Lorena and John Wayne Bobbitt.

Festival Section:
Special Events
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In Theatres: THE 5 BROWNS: DIGGING THROUGH THE DARKNESS

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23:
THE 5 BROWNS: DIGGING THROUGH THE DARKNESS

Director:
Ben Niles

Premiere:
Montclair 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, SF DocFest, Sedona

About:
A unique family musical group reckons with the revelation of past trauma.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Five close-knit siblings, all piano virtuosos trained at Juilliard, form The 5 Browns, a musical group that takes the world by storm, touring and recording best-selling albums. The facade of their happy, all-American family is shattered, however, with the revelation of a dark secret. Laced with brilliant musical performances, this is the compelling story of how the gifted siblings struggle to save themselves and their music while confronting their disturbing past.

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: LEAVING NEVERLAND

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

LEAVING NEVERLAND
Dan Reed presents an intimate profile of two of Michael Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse victims.

Festival Section:
Special Events
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On TV: THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

Coming to CNN this Sunday, January 27:
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

Director:
Tim Wardle

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Miami, San Francisco, Sydney, Dallas, Montclair, Cleveland, Newport Beach

Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
The surprising, stranger than fiction tale of triplets separated at birth.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: MAIDEN

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Tracy Edwards

MAIDEN
Alex Holmes tells the story of a pioneering all-female yacht racing team.

Festival Section:
Spotlight
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