Category Archives: Film

June 7, 2011 · 12:01 PM

DocPoint NYC 2011 in Brief

In celebration of its tenth anniversary, DocPoint: Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, the largest non-fiction event in the Nordic region, has organized DocPoint NYC, a weeklong program of Finnish docs from the past decade from June 8-13, with screenings at MoMA, 92Y Tribeca, Scandinavia House, and Union Docs. In addition, Scandinavia House will host two panels: Digital Distribution on Thursday, June 9 and Doc Power on Friday, June 10.

The Helsinkini festival’s regular dates – during the second half of Sundance – have meant that I’ve never been able to attend. Unfortunately and coincidentally, the NYC event takes place the exact dates that I’m out of the country attending the Transilvania International Film Festival. Despite that, between festival appearances elsewhere and some handy screeners, I’ve been able to see quite a few of the dozens of films that are being offered up to New York audiences, many for the first time.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations

June 7, 2011 · 10:30 AM

indieWIRE @ Hulu Docs: The British Invasion

Hulu’s documentaries page has once again been updated with my curated selections for indieWIRE. Since Sheffield Doc/Fest starts this week, what better excuse to take a look at a range of non-fiction work from the British Isles?

For more information about the selections, see my iW article.

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June 6, 2011 · 10:30 AM

Special Screening: GRAB

Making its NYC premiere at the National Museum of the American Indian on Thursday, June 16 and Saturday, June 18: GRAB

Billy Luther premiered his doc at this year’s Sundance. It offers a striking, impressionistic look at a unique Native American celebration involving the throwing of food and other items from rooftops.

I wrote about the film before its Sundance premiere here.

Luther’s previous film, MISS NAVAJO, which also screened at Sundance and documents a Native American beauty and culture pageant, is also part of the Museum’s programming.

Note: Admission is free, but reservations are recommended – see Facebook page for details. A Q&A will follow the screening. Also, free GRAB bags will be distributed to select attendees at both screenings.

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June 3, 2011 · 11:43 AM

In the Works: YOU CANNOT KILL US, WE ARE A PART OF YOU

The fate of the unique autonomous community of Christiania in the heart of Copenhagen is the subject of this documentary.

Directors Robert Lawson and Richard Jackman have gained access to the residents of Christiania to tell the story of the “free state” founded forty years ago by anarchist squatters on an abandoned military base. Pressured by public sentiment, the Danish government allowed the community to continue to exist as a “social experiment,” and the residents developed their own unique collective culture and identity. Christiania has its own eye-catching flag (pictured), industries, laws, and open soft drug trade. Tensions have grown between the residents and the Danish government in recent years, as the property Christiania inhabits is valuable real estate seemingly ripe for development. Lawson and Jackman focus their film on this potential catastrophic change to the free state’s existence, speaking to residents, government officials, and Danes outside of Christiania’s boundaries.

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June 2, 2011 · 12:01 PM

On Cable: SONS OF PERDITION

Premiering on OWN tonight as part of Oprah’s Documentary Club: SONS OF PERDITION

I wrote about Jennilyn Merten and Tyler Measom’s look at exiled Mormon fundamentalists a few weeks ago here.

Support the OWN Documentary Club by tuning in tonight at 9pm!

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June 2, 2011 · 10:30 AM

Special Screening: BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN

Coming to NYC’s Brooklyn Film Festival tomorrow, Friday, June 3 and Rooftop Films next Thursday, June 9: BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN

Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley’s doc had its world premiere in Hot Docs and comes stateside (and back home) for the first time for BIFF and Rooftop. I included the film in my coverage for indieWIRE last month, saying:

Daniel Goldstein’s Brooklyn condo is the point of contention in Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley’s BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN, which makes its world premiere at Hot Docs. Goldstein’s building is in the footprint of Mayor Bloomberg’s ambitious Atlantic Yards’ economic development plan for the borough. While there are many uncertainties about the benefits promised by the project, developers and the city government are determined to move forward, making questionable use of eminent domain laws to essentially force people out. Not willing to go without a fight, Goldstein becomes an activist, little realizing that his battle will take seven years and cost him a relationship. Galinsky and Hawley found a great underdog in Goldstein and have constructed a thoroughly engaging look at the infuriating erosion of individual rights in the interest of corporate concerns and political maneuvering.

Notes: A Q&A is scheduled following the WIFF screening, while the Rooftop screening is free.

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June 1, 2011 · 10:30 AM

Special Screening: SENNA

Opening NYC’s documentary series Stranger Than Fiction’s first Summer Season next Tuesday, June 7: SENNA

Asif Kapadia’s portrait of Formula One world champion race car driver Ayrton Senna wowed audiences and critics alike at its debut this year at Sundance, claiming the World Cinema Audience Award.

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

Note: A Q&A is scheduled following the screening.

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May 31, 2011 · 10:30 AM

Silverdocs 2011 Overview

The US’s largest documentary event, Silverdocs, has announced the lineup for its ninth edition, running June 20-26 in Silver Spring MD. I’ve never been able to attend the event in the past due to scheduling conflicts, but I’m excited to be going this year as one of several guest curators of a handful of panels at the Conference that runs concurrent with the film screenings.

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May 30, 2011 · 10:30 AM

On TV: THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA

Returning to POV for an encore broadcast on Tuesday, June 7: THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS

This broadcast commemorates the 40th anniversary of the release of the Pentagon Papers and serves as a pre-season special before POV’s 24th season debuts on June 21. I wrote about Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith’s Oscar-nominated film prior to its POV premiere last fall here.

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May 27, 2011 · 10:30 AM

In Theatres: THE LAST MOUNTAIN

Coming to NY and Washington DC Landmark cinemas next Friday, June 3: THE LAST MOUNTAIN

Director Bill Haney’s environmentally focused film zeroes in on controversial coal mining practices and the activists who are working to prevent them. Following its exclusive engagements in NY and DC, the doc is expanding to select cities through the rest of the summer. For my take on the film before its world premiere at Sundance, click here.

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