Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, March 6:
THE BOOKSELLERS

Director:
DW Young

World Premiere:
New York Film Festival 2019

Select Festivals:
St Louis, Miami Jewish, RiverRun, Sebastopol Doc, Victoria

About:
An affectionate portrait of NYC’s community of rare book dealers and collectors.

In an age of ebooks and eBay, rare book collecting seems doomed – but there’s still room for hope in DW Young’s loving look at the antiquarian trade. When NYC once boasted hundreds of bookstores, there are now fewer than 80 left, and those who attempt to make a living as bibliophiles face more of a struggle when competing with the instant gratification of online book searching and shopping. The industry has certainly contracted, becoming decidedly more niche in recent decades, but there are still stalwart book dealers trudging along, helping collectors find their treasured tomes, and encouraging younger people to pursue the thrill of the hunt, sometimes in surprising directions. Young’s film may not be the flashiest, and prone to digressions of varying interest, but this fits its general milieu – older, white, rarefied – though an attempt is made to showcase a slow diversification of the field, from more women claiming prominence (they were always in the business, but often sidelined), to people of color and younger individuals carrying on the torch or blazing their own trail. Despite whatever minor shortcomings the film may have technically or structurally, it succeeds in capturing the love of books with infectious charm.

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, March 3:
1275 DAYS

Directors:
Katie Green and Carlye Rubin

World Premiere:
Heartland 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC

About:
An exploration of the impact of juvenile incarceration and harsh sentencing laws.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
In Elkhart IN, 16-year old Blake Layman attempts to rob a home, only to see his friend and accomplice, Danzele, lose his life to the homeowner’s gun. Even though Blake did not pull the trigger, he faces a 55-year prison sentence under the felony murder rule. Directors Katie Green and Carlye Rubin chart the unwavering efforts of Blake’s mother and his devoted girlfriend to appeal his conviction so that he doesn’t spend a lifetime behind bars for one bad decision.

Coming to VOD today, Friday, February 28:
WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE

Director:
Emily Harrold

Premiere:
New Orleans 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Springs Doc, Cucalorus, Toronto Black, Oxford,

About:
A portrait of a young African-American politician in the South.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to Showtime tomorrow, Friday, February 28:
THE KINGMAKER

Director:
Lauren Greenfield

World Premiere:
Venice 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, Telluride, Camden, London, El Gouna, Hamptons, Chicago, AFI Fest, Mill Valley, Warsaw

About:
A candid portrait of Imelda Marcos as she influences politics in the Philippines behind the scenes.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to NYC’s JCC Manhattan tomorrow, Thursday, February 27:
HUMAN NATURE

Director:
Adam Bolt

World Premiere:
SXSW 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Full Frame, AFI Docs, CPH:DOX

About:
An exploration of the potential implications of a major DNA technology.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Breakthroughs in scientific discovery have never been as potent, controversial, or radical as the gene-editing technology called CRISPR. With the ability to rewrite DNA and alter life as we know it, CRISPR also offers an opportunity to eradicate diseases and genetically engineer our children. Leading scientists, journalists, terminal patients, and bioethicists debate the significance of the science and the moral quandaries of CRISPR in this timely, cutting-edge documentary.