Available on VOD today, Tuesday, May 15: FAKE IT SO REAL
Robert Greene’s profile of would-be professional wrestlers premiered at last year’s True/False. After a festival run that included Sarasota, Camden, Rooftop Films, and CPH:DOX, the film was released theatrically beginning in January. It now comes to VOD via iTunes and numerous platforms, including Vudu, Amazon, Sony Playstation, and more.
I included the film in my T/F roundup
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres this Friday, May 18: BILL W.
Kevin Hanlon’s portrait of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous made its premiere earlier this year at Denton TX’s Thin Line Film Fest. The doc went on to screen at the Cleveland International Film Festival, where it claimed the Local Heroes award and was the runner-up for Audience Award.
When William G Wilson, the titular subject of this comprehensive biographical documentary, finally hit rock bottom, leaving he and his suffering wife Lois destitute, and nearly drinking himself to death, he came upon the idea that would become Alcoholics Anonymous. Working with Dr Bob Smith, Bill organized a support group for drinkers and developed the famous 12-step program that has helped innumerable people out of their addiction. Despite the success of AA, however, Bill was always plagued by depression and low self-esteem, ultimately costing him his life. Hanlon’s film utilizes an astonishing amount of rare archival audio to detail Wilson’s life, supplemented with period video, interviews, and re-enactments – while I’m not a fan of the latter in docs, they help add a visual element to the fascinating recordings of Bill, which are the strongest element of the project. As a whole, the film effectively captures the paradoxes and legacy of Bill W’s life.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 15: SOMETHING VENTURED
Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller’s exploration of the origins of venture capitalism premiered at SXSW last year. Other notable festival screenings have included San Francisco, Seattle, and Woodstock, among others.
I included the film in my SXSW roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases
The 38th edition of the Seattle International Film Festival – the US’ largest/longest film festival – kicks off this Thursday and runs for 25 days, closing on June 10. Presenting a staggering 273 features and 187 shorts, the festival boasts more than sixty documentary features in its line-up this year. More than half represent some of the best received films from Sundance, SXSW, and other notable fests, while the remaining include new US and international docs making their premiere here, including a number hailing from the Pacific Northwest. While I’ve never made it to the festival before, what follows are the films I’d be most interested in checking out if I were going this year (the intriguing, strictly hush-hush Secret Festival would definitely also be on my list). Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to theatres this Friday, May 18: INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE
Lisanne Pajot and James Swirksy’s exploration of creativity and passion had its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance, where it picked up the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award. Additional festival screenings have included SXSW, RiverRun, and Hot Docs. After opening theatrically in Seattle April 27, the film expands to NYC, LA, SF, and Phoenix this week, with additional international engagements to come.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday May 15: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH: AN URBAN HISTORY
Chad Friedrichs’ analysis of a high profile “failure” of urban renewal had its world premiere at last year’s True/False. After additional screenings, including Silverdocs and Stranger Than Fiction, the film had a limited theatrical release.
I included the film in my Silverdocs roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
This post wraps up my reactions to Hot Docs with a look at select titles from World Showcase and Rise Against, a thematic section looking at activism. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
My latest Indiewire curation for Hulu documentaries primes the pump for next week’s theatrical release of Morgan Spurlock’s newest doc MANSOME with a selection of his previous films, TV shows, and interviews. Plus, fitting the grooming theme of the new film, a doc on a beard and moustache competition! Watch these now for free!
For more information about the selections, see my Indiewire article.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Indiewire @ Hulu Docs, Recommendations
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, May 15: WINDFALL
Laura Israel’s look at the controversy over wind power made its world premiere at Toronto in 2010. Since then, it has screened at numerous festivals, and picked up an award at DOC NYC. The film began its theatrical run in late January of this year.
I wrote about the film out of Toronto here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to NYC’s IFC Center today Friday, May 11: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES
Joe Berlinger’s look at the controversy around Paul Simon’s GRACELAND had its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance. It’s been on the festival circuit since, winning an award at Nashville.
I wrote about the film before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 