Category Archives: Recommendations

On DVD: DESERT ONE

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8:
DESERT ONE

Director:
Barbara Kopple

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Double Exposure, Palm Springs, Full Frame, Big Sky Doc

About:
An up-close look at the mission to free American hostages during the 1979 Iranian revolution

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

On DVD: MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8:
MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL

Director:
Alexander John Glustrom

World Premiere:
Full Frame 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New Orleans, Hot Springs Doc, Washington DC Environmental, BendFilm, Raindance, Durban, Indie Grits, Montclair, Wild & Scenic, Planet in Focus

About:
An intimate profile of one man’s struggle against environmental racism.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

On DVD: AND SHE COULD BE NEXT

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8:
AND SHE COULD BE NEXT

Directors:
Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia

World Premiere:
AFI Docs 2020

About:
A behind-the-scenes look at the campaigns of six women of color political candidates in 2018.

I previously wrote about the project here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

SF DocFest 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 19th SF DocFest

Dates:
September 3-20

About:
Emerging after the postponement of its typical late May/early June dates, this Northern Californian event goes online with just under 30 nonfiction features. Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

In Virtual Release: HEALING FROM HATE: BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF A NATION

Coming to virtual cinemas tomorrow, Friday, September 4:
HEALING FROM HATE: BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF A NATION

Director:
Peter Hutchison

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2019

Select Festivals:
Martha’s Vineyard, Big Sky Doc

About:
Former hate group members help others attempting to leave behind radicalism.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

On VOD: FEELS GOOD MAN

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Friday, September 4:
FEELS GOOD MAN

Director:
Arthur Jones

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
True/False, SXSW, Big Sky Doc, Taipei, Fantasia, Sidewalk, Kyiv

About:
An exploration of the unpredictable development of an influential Internet meme.

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

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

Docaviv 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 22nd Docaviv: Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival

Dates:
September 3-12

About:
Rescheduled from its usual May dates, this well-curated Israeli event will present nearly 90 new documentary features in an online format, though some drive-in events are also being planned. Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

On DVD/VOD: THE MOLE AGENT

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, September 1:
THE MOLE AGENT

Director:
Maite Alberdi

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, Full Frame, True/False, San Sebastian, New Directors/NewFilms, Miami, Karlovy Vary, Cleveland

About:
An 83-year-old man becomes an undercover spy in a Chilean retirement home.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

Venice 2020: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 77th Venice International Film Festival

Dates:
September 2-12

About:
The world’s oldest festival is also the first major Fall event to take place in theatres in the COVID-19 era, albeit with a somewhat truncated lineup of approximately 60 new features – 15 of those nonfiction. In addition, the autonomous parallel sidebars offer eight documentaries among their approximately 30 selections. Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations

On VOD: BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1:
BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS

Directors:
Bill Ross, Turner Ross

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

Select Festivals:
Berlin, CPH:DOX, True/False, Big Sky Doc, Calgary Underground

About:
A chronicle of the patrons and staff of a dive bar on what is meant to be its final day.

I profiled the film before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance