Category Archives: Recommendations

Hot Docs 2020 Overview

Festival:
The 27th Hot Docs

Dates:
May 28-June 6 (some selections until June 24) (online)

About:
North America’s largest documentary event goes online this year, presenting nearly 100 new features to Ontario audiences, including the world premieres noted below. Continue reading

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On DVD: ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND

New to DVD this week:
ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND

Director:
Daniel Roher

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Boulder, Miami Jewish, Calgary

About:
A candid recounting of the history of the legendary music group.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On VOD: ON THE RECORD

photo by Martyna Starosta

Coming to HBO Max today, Wednesday, May 27:
ON THE RECORD

Director:
Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
A groundbreaking investigation of sexual assault in the music industry.

My pre-Sundance doc profile may be found here.

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On DVD: MIDNIGHT FAMILY

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 26:
MIDNIGHT FAMILY

Director:
Luke Lorentzen

World Premiere:
Sundance 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, New Directors/New Films, Sheffield DocFest, CPH:DOX, Hong Kong, Cartagena, Ambulante, Guadalajara, Docville, Full Frame, San Francisco, Freep, Doc10, Sydney, Krakow

Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
A Mexico City family struggles to make a living as ragtag private paramedics, facing cut-throat competition to respond to patients in need of urgent help.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On DVD: THE TRADE (SEASON ONE AND TWO)

Season Two | photo by Ross McDonnell

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26:
THE TRADE (SEASON ONE AND TWO)

Director:
Matthew Heineman

World Premiere:
Sundance 2018 (Season One) and Sundance 2020 (Season Two)

About:
A gripping docuseries examining complex illegal activities – America’s opioid epidemic (Season One) and human trafficking (Season Two).

I profiled the docuseries before Sundance here and here.

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On TV: MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL

Coming to The WORLD Channel’s Reel South tonight, Monday, May 25:
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.

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In Virtual Release: THE RABBI GOES WEST

Coming to virtual theatrical this Sunday, May 24:
THE RABBI GOES WEST

Directors:
Gerald Peary and Amy Geller

World Premiere:
San Francisco Jewish 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Vancouver, Jewish fests in Boston, Birmingham, Jerusalem, and Miami

About:
A Brooklyn transplant to Montana attempts to evangelize his strand of Hasidic Judaism.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On TV: LANCE

Coming to ESPN in two parts, this Sunday, May 24 and next Sunday, May 31:
LANCE

Director:
Marina Zenovich

World Premiere:
Sundance 2020

About:
The rise and fall of Lance Armstrong.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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In Virtual Release: KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL

Coming to virtual theatrical via Alamo Drafthouse tomorrow, Friday, May 22:
KATE NASH: UNDERESTIMATE THE GIRL

Director:
Amy Goldstein

World Premiere:
Los Angeles 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, DOK.Fest Munich, Sheffield, Cleveland, St Louis, Hot Springs Doc, ZagrebDox, Krakow, Doc Edge, Minneapolis-St Paul, Salem, Bentonville

About:
A portrait of the musician and actress.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Director Amy Goldstein crafts an intimate and inspiring portrait of British darling and powerhouse musician Kate Nash, whose meteoric rise to fame is quickly followed by a soul-crushing release from her major record label and devastating financial developments. Determined to make music on her own terms, Nash self-funds her third album, pursues acting opportunities, and produces her own world tour. Unfiltered and unfettered, Nash’s resilience will make you laugh, cry, and sing.

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In Virtual Release: DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY

Coming to virtual theatrical tomorrow, Friday, May 22:
DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY

Director:
Elizabeth Carroll

World Premiere:
SXSW 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, San Francisco, Hawaii, Vermont, Tallinn Black Nights, Sedona

About:
A portrait of the nonagenarian British author, an expert in regional Mexican cuisine.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Diana Kennedy fell in love with Mexican food over 60 years ago, and has made it her mission to document and celebrate the regional varieties of Mexico’s cuisine ever since, becoming the world’s leading authority. Now in her 90s, the celebrated British-born chef and cookbook author is still as feisty and no-nonsense as ever, leading teaching workshops, advocating for environmental sustainability, and planning to turn her home into a foundation for culinary education in Mexico.

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