Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 11:
THE GIFT: THE JOURNEY OF JOHNNY CASH

Director:
Thom Zimny

World Premiere:
SXSW 2019

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Telluride, Nashville, Belfast, Melbourne, New Zealand, Mill Valley

About:
An oral history of and tribute to the legendary country musician.

Taking on a subject as storied as the Man in Black, director Thom Zimny wisely pares things back, opting for an intimate reflection that is largely told from Johnny Cash’s own perspective. While fellow musicians like Emmylou Harrison, Dwight Yoakum, and Bruce Springsteen and family members like daughter Rosanne Cash offer their appreciation for the man and his work, they are left unseen, with the film’s visuals instead reflecting evocative period footage and photos. At the heart of the film is Cash himself recounting his own story, and, further, the significance of the 1968 concert he gave at Folsom Prison. Zimny artfully and comprehensively conveys the scope of Cash’s life, including the demons he battled, and, of course, incorporating a remarkable amount of music, making this a must-see for fans of the artist.

Coming to OVID.tv today, Wednesday, October 9:
MISS KIET’S CHILDREN

Directors:
Peter Lataster and Petra Lataster-Czisch

Premiere:
IDFA 2016

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, True/False, DOXA, Munich Dok.Fest, Thessaloniki Doc, Melbourne Doc, Goteborg, St Louis

About:
A portrait of a Dutch grade school class made up of refugee children.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to PBS’s Nature today, Wednesday, October 9:
THE SERENGETI RULES

Director:
Nicholas Brown

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Hamptons, Jackson Hole, Bergen, Maui, Vancouver, Global Peace,

About:
Scientists explore the impact of keystone species on ecosystems.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
THE ICE KING

Director:
James Erskine

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Frameline, Sydney

About:
A profile of a pioneering athlete.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Acknowledged as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time, John Curry was arguably the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Olympics, winning gold at the 1976 games. After he retired from competing, Curry cultivated a new art form, ice dancing, merging his two loves: ballet and skating. His dance company became an instant sensation, but success was short-lived as AIDS emerged. James Erskine’s film celebrates this pioneering figure and reintroduces him to a new generation.

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.