Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 13:
DESOLATION CENTER

Director:
Stuart Swezey

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018

Select Festivals:
Sheffield, DokuFest, Big Sky Doc, Slamdance, DOXA, Indielisboa, Chicago Underground, Revelation, Sydney Underground, In-Edit Spain, Cork, Freep, Florida

About:
A look back at underground happenings stemming from the 1980s LA punk and industrial scene.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 13:
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.

After her son, Luis, is (perhaps unjustly) arrested for elder abuse, the care of 93-year-old América falls to her grandsons Diego, Rodrigo, and Bruno. The three brothers, itinerant circus performers, have been estranged, but try to put aside their differences for the sake of their beloved grandmother, who suffers from dementia. Erick Stoll and Chase Whiteside’s wistful, humanistic film follows the family over three years, capturing the young men as they dote on América, navigate the legal system to free their father, quarrel with one another, and, ultimately, demonstrate the deep bonds of familial love.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Friday, September 13:
TEDDY PENDERGRASS: IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME

Director:
Olivia Lichtenstein

World Premiere:
Philadelphia 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Sound Unseen, African Diaspora, Leeds, San Francisco Black, Melbourne Doc

About:
A look back at the triumph and tragedy of the R&B singer.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
The unforgettable voice behind “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Close the Door,” and “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” Teddy Pendergrass was poised to be the biggest R&B artist of all time with five consecutive platinum albums. But his career was halted by a 1982 car accident that left him paralyzed at age 31. This definitive biography, set to a soulful soundtrack, captures revealing interviews with his closest associates to trace his rise, fall, and post-accident comeback at Live Aid.

Coming to theatres this Friday, September 13:
CRACKED UP

Director:
Michelle Esrick

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018

About:
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE veteran Darrell Hammond opens up the impact of his childhood abuse.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
With courage and, of course, humor, master impressionist, comedian, and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE legend Darrell Hammond reveals his dark history as a victim of child abuse. Brilliant in the spotlight, Darrell was misdiagnosed and wrongly medicated for decades, struggling with drugs, alcohol, and nightmarish flashbacks. Michelle Esrick’s poignant film illuminates the devastating effects of childhood trauma and the importance of setting repressed memories free. She artfully balances humor and tragedy to craft a beautiful story of hope and resilience.