Category Archives: Film

It’s All True 2017 Overview

Festival:
The 22nd annual It’s All True

Dates:
April 20-30 (Rio de Janeiro), April 21-30 (Sao Paulo)

About:
The Brazilian documentary showcase includes more than 30 new and recent docs, including the following: Continue reading →

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Art of the Real 2017 Overview

Festival:
The 4th annual Art of the Real

Dates:
April 20-May 2

About:
The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s showcase of nonfiction and hybrid presents just over 20 new works: Continue reading →

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On DVD: JOHN LEWIS: GET IN THE WAY

get-in-the-wayNew to DVD this week:
JOHN LEWIS: GET IN THE WAY

Director:
Kathleen Dowdey

Premiere:
DGA, Los Angeles (October 2015)

Select Festivals:
St Louis, Woodstock, Nashville International Black Festival, International Family Film Festival, numerous university and museum screenings

About:
A portrait of the civil rights pioneer and Georgia congressman.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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Tribeca 2017: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival

Dates:
April 19-30

About:
Slimmed down slightly since last year’s edition, the NYC event includes just over 50 recent and new documentary features: Continue reading →

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On DVD: BEFORE THE FLOOD

before_the_flood_-_still_1_-_h_-_2016Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, April 18:
BEFORE THE FLOOD

Director:
Fisher Stevens

Premiere:
Toronto 2016

Select Festivals:
BFI London, Hamptons

About:
Leonardo DiCaprio reflects on his environmental activism.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On DVD: DON’T BLINK – ROBERT FRANK

01DontBlink-1600x900-c-defaultComing to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18: DON’T BLINK – ROBERT FRANK

Director:
Laura Israel

Premiere:
New York Film Festival 2015

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Palm Springs, Berlin, Portland, Hong Kong, Full Frame, IndieLisboa, Munich Dokfest, Provincetown, Jerusalem, Melbourne, London

About:
An impressionistic portrait of the pioneering documentary photographer and filmmaker.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On VOD: THE BABUSHKAS OF CHERNOBYL

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18:
THE BABUSHKAS OF CHERNOBYL

Director:
Holly Morris

Premiere:
Los Angeles 2015

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Sidewalk, Woodstock, Sun Valley, One World, DC’s Environmental, Florida, San Francisco Green, DOXA, Documenta Madrid

About:
A profile of elderly women who subsist on their beloved but toxic land in Chernobyl’s radioactive exclusion zone.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On DVD: RUBY RIDGE

ruby ridgeComing to DVD this upcoming Tuesday, April 18:
RUBY RIDGE

Director:
Barak Goodman

Premiere:
American Experience (February 2017)

About:
The story of a tragic standoff between US marshals and a separatist family.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On TV: SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, April 17:
SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY

Directors:
Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz

Premiere:
Washington DC’s Environmental Film Festival 2016

Select Festivals:
Nashville, Rhode Island, Princeton Environmental, Sheffield, Florida, DOXA, Woods Hole

About:
An overview of efforts to preserve seed diversity.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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In Theatres: CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, April 14:
CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY

Director:
John Scheinfeld

Premiere:
Telluride 2016

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, IDFA, Pan African

About:
An exploration of the life and music of the legendary jazz musician.

Though he only lived to 40 years of age, John Coltrane left an indelible mark in music, recognized as one of the most innovative and impactful jazz performers and composers of the 20th Century. Scheinfeld’s film pays tribute to his talent and vision, offering a biographical portrait brimming with music and atmosphere, and featuring the insights of a score of Coltrane fans, from his contemporaries to a new generation of musician, as well as admirers like Cornel West and Bill Clinton. While detailing the jazzman’s numerous achievements, Scheinfeld doesn’t shy away from the darker side of his biography, including Coltrane’s struggles with alcohol and heroin addiction, yet the focus always remains reverentially on its impact on his evocative, pioneering music.

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