Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to PBS’s Frontline tonight, Tuesday, October 8:
ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS

Directors:
James Jones and Olivier Sarbil

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2019

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Sheffield, Melbourne, Human Rights Watch, Bergen, Raindance, Zurich, DokuFest,

About:
An inside look at Filipino president Duterte’s corrupt war on drugs.

Pledging zero tolerance for drug dealers and users within the Philippines, Duterte’s offensive resulted in the disturbing extra-judicial murder of thousands of people by police and vigilantes. Facing criticism and pressure, authorities promised to reign in excessive violence. In directors James Jones and Olivier Sarbil film, this comes in the form of new police chief Jemar Modequillo, tasked with overseeing the epicenter of the trouble, Caloocan, Manila. He berates his subordinates for firing excessively, pushes a watchlist program targeting suspected drug dealers and users, and, for awhile, the killings decrease. Modequilla and other police are not the sole focus of the film, however, as the directors also profile the leader of a small street crew, whose drug using father was murdered, as well as a mortician who’s been kept busy since the war on drugs began. The result is a sobering consideration of the impact on society by a leader who has abandoned the rule of law.

Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, October 7:
AMÉRICA

Directors:
Erick Stoll and Chase Whiteside

World Premiere:
True/False 2018

Select Festivals:
IDFA, CPH:DOX, Full Frame, Sheffield, AFI Docs, BAMcinemaFest, New Orleans, Denver, Camden, Guanajuato, DokuFest, Hot Springs Doc, Ashland, Maryland, Sidewalk, Reykjavik, Adelaide, Docs Against Gravity

About:
Three brothers take on the role of caretakers for their grandmother.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Wednesday, October 2:
CELEBRATION

Director:
Olivier Meyrou

World Premiere:
Berlin 2007

Select Festivals:
IDFA, True/False, Docs Against Gravity, Seattle, Vilnius

About:
A long-unreleased look at Yves Saint-Laurent at the end of his career.

Though commissioned by YSL’s business partner and former lover, Pierre Bergé, Olivier Meyrou’s film was prevented by him from screening again after its debut at Berlin over 12 years ago, until now. Finally having gotten the controlling Bergé’s blessing, this revealing behind-the-scenes portrait re-emerged at IDFA last year and has been playing several festivals since. Meyrou spent three years filming various aspects of YSL’s fashion house in the waning years of the visionary designer’s long reign, detailing the activities of the dedicated seamstresses, cutters, show organizers, and models, while YSL and Bergé observe and pass judgement. Largely observational, but tinged at times with telling moments of nostalgia for the heyday of the haute couture house, the film at the same time provides a rare inside glimpse of the world of high fashion while revealing the subtle power dynamics between Bergé and YSL.

Coming to Starz tomorrow, Tuesday, October 1:
SILICONE SOUL

Director:
Melody Gilbert

World Premiere:
Thessaloniki Doc 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, One World, Fargo, SF DocFest, Minneapolis-St Paul, Sofia, BendFilm, Chagrin Doc, AmDocs, DocuWest

About:
Profiles of individuals who have developed attachments to lifelike dolls.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Romance traditionally has been the domain of humans. This film, however, shows it is possible between men and the life-size dolls. Disarmingly candid interviews highlight the bonds formed between synthetic beings and lonely souls who have struggled to find the “one,” while other subjects profiled reveal unexpected attachments to eerily lifelike dolls. Melody Gilbert’s documentary sensitively explores the meaning of and desire for companionship and emotional connection.