Coming to NYC’s JCC for its CineMatters series tomorrow, Thursday, December 12: BRAVE MISS WORLD
Cecilia Peck’s profile of a former beauty queen’s mission to speak out against sexual violence debuted as a sneak preview at NYC’s Athena fest last February. It has gone on to screen at DOC NYC, AFI Docs, Sarasota, Dallas, Chicago, San Diego, Mumbai, Denver, Woodstock, SF Jewish, and Cleveland, among others.
I previously wrote about the film out of AFI Docs here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
The fourth and final pointer to the 2014 Sundance Film Festival lineup reveals the just-announced Shorts selections here.
Previously announced:US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions and NEXT; Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, New Frontier, and Sundance Kids; and Premieres and Documentary Premieres.
Filed under Film, Film Festivals, Sundance
Now on DVD: 30 FOR 30 SEASON II/VOLUME I
This post wraps up my capsule assessments of the newest boxed set of ESPN’s acclaimed sports documentary series, supplementing my thoughts yesterday on its first seven films. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, December 10: STREET JOURNEYS
Tracy Christian’s look at one woman’s mission to help Nairobi’s street children made its debut at Birmingham’s Africa World Doc fest last year. Other screenings have included the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Art of the Real series, LA’s Women’s International film fest, and St Louis. FilmBuff now brings the film to iTunes, Amazon, Movies on Demand, PlayStation, Google, Vudu, CinemaNow, and XBOX.
Christian’s hour-long doc focuses on Shangilia Mtoto Wa Africa, a home established by a well-known Kenyan actress, Anne Wanjugu, to get homeless children off of Nairobi’s streets. Harboring no illusions about life on the streets, Wanjugu’s goal is practical – she teaches theatre arts and skills to give her dozens of charges the tools to escape drugs and exploitation and break the chain of poverty. Filming over several years – profiled children Sam and Martha are shown as they grow from pre-adolescents to young adults – Christian spotlights the beloved Wanjugu until her untimely death about halfway through the film, then shifts to the efforts of others who take the reins at Shangilia, climaxing in a late 2000s performance and recording tour of the US by a selection of children, accompanied by professional African-American musicians. The project is well-meaning, with a welcome, affirming, and proactive message about making a difference even in the face of challenging circumstances, but, over all, it’s a workmanlike film, with the potential of its longitudinal aspect largely unexplored in favor of an overuse of the kids’ performances and timeworn developments like the US trip.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, December 10: UNHUNG HERO
Brian Spitz’s exploration of that size does in fact matter had its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year. It went on to screen at Seattle, Traverse City, Calgary, St Louis, Milwaukee, and Sydney Underground. The film also made its broadcast debut this Fall on Showtime.
I included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
This is the third of four pointers to the lineup announcements for the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Just announced are the selections for the Premieres and Documentary Premieres, located here.
The programming slate wraps up with one final announcement revealing this year’s Shorts programming.
Announced last week: US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions and NEXT, and Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, New Frontier, and Sundance Kids.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Sundance
Now on DVD: 30 FOR 30 SEASON II/VOLUME I
ESPN’s popular sports documentary series wrapped up its latest season last month. This new boxed set collects half of their most recent offerings, fifteen films covering athletic history, personalities, and issues related to a range of sports. This post and a follow up tomorrow offer very brief thoughts on this collection. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to HBO tonight, Monday, December 9: SIX BY SONDHEIM
James Lapine’s profile of the acclaimed composer and lyricist makes its debut as the final film in the HBO Docs Fall series.
Frequent collaborator Lapine joins with critic Frank Rich as executive producer to trace Sondheim’s career and talent, foregoing the standard parade of talking heads gushing about his genius to instead construct a decades-spanning interview with the man himself, culled from archival appearances and newly shot material. Supplementing this footage, in which Sondheim both relates autobiographical details and, more fascinatingly, details his creative process, are the titular set pieces that are meant to be the film’s selling point – a half dozen of his songs, from his Broadway debut WEST SIDE STORY, to his biggest mainstream hit, “Send in the Clowns.” Three of these performances are from past stagings or excerpts from other work, like DA Pennebaker’s COMPANY, while the others are brand-new, serving as an excuse to recruit performers like Darren Criss, America Ferrara, and even Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker (as directed by Todd Haynes). While these re-stagings add some variety, singling out these six songs feels fairly arbitrary, given the breadth of Sondheim’s work, and the inclusion of celebrities somewhat unnecessary in the face of the copious amount of past footage on hand. That said, for a viewer like myself, with virtually zero interest in musicals, the project is laudably accessible, with Sondheim concisely and engagingly able to articulate the fundamentals of his approach to craft, making this worthwhile viewing for a broader audience than one might expect.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to the Film Society of Lincoln Center today, Friday, December 6: MARVIN HAMLISCH: WHAT HE DID FOR LOVE
Dori Berinstein’s loving tribute to the multi-hyphenate musical genius made its debut at the BFI London Film Festival this Fall. It went on to screen at DOC NYC and the Hamptons, and now comes to Lincoln Center before its national broadcast debut at the end of the month on AMERICAN MASTERS.
I previously wrote about the film for the DOC NYC program guide, saying:
Before his untimely death last year, composer Marvin Hamlisch was a triple-threat in the worlds of music, film and theater. A Juilliard prodigy, he developed into a hit-maker, creating instant classics like THE WAY WE WERE and the score for A CHORUS LINE, winning every major award – Pulitzer, Tony, Grammy, Emmy and Oscar. His loved ones and collaborators, from Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon to Steven Soderbergh and a constellation of Broadway luminaries, offer an affectionate and entertaining tribute of the beloved showman’s life and work.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to Pivot TV this Sunday, December 8: WE ARE LEGION: THE STORY OF THE HACKTAVISTS
Brian Knappenberger’s exploration of Internet collective Anonymous debuted at Slamdance last year. It went on to screen at SXSW, Hot Docs, Sheffield, Traverse City, Silverdocs, and Seattle, among others, and to enjoy a limited theatrical as well as VOD release. Knappenberger’s new film on information activist Aaron Swartz, THE INTERNET’S OWN BOY, will premiere in competition next month at Sundance.
I previously included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
what (not) to doc 