Festival:
The 76th Venice International Film Festival
Dates:
August 28-September 7
About:
Between its official selection and two autonomous sidebars, the world’s oldest film festival showcases just over 30 documentaries among its 100+ offerings. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
photo by Berry Berenson Perkins
Director:
Frédéric Tcheng
Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Tribeca, Seattle, Montclair, Sarasota
About:
An exploration of the life and legacy of America’s first celebrity designer.
My pre-Sundance doc profile may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
photo by Guy Le Querrec
Director:
Stanley Nelson
World Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
Sydney, Miami, Cleveland, Atlanta, RiverRun, Montclair, Krakow, Seattle, Munich, Indielisboa, Tallgrass, Milwaukee,
About:
An expansive portrait of the life and work of the jazz pioneer.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres and to Hulu tomorrow, Friday, August 23:
JAWLINE
Director:
Liza Mandelup
World Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, CPH:DOX, San Francisco, Sheffield, Thin Line Doc, BAMcinemaFest, Munich, New Zealand
About:
A portrait of a hopeful young online personality and the machine that drives success in this strange new world.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
New to DVD this week:
BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ
Director:
Pamela B Green
Premiere:
Cannes 2018
Select Festivals:
Telluride, New York, London, Deauville, Rio, Göteborg
About:
Unearthing the largely forgotten story of the world’s first female film director.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, August 20:
DONKEYOTE
Director:
Chico Pereira
World Premiere:
Rotterdam 2017
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, True/False, Full Frame, San Francisco, Edinburgh, AFI Docs, Munich, DocsMX, DocumentaMadrid
About:
A Spaniard sets off an a seemingly impossible journey with his animals by his side.
I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Director Chico Pereira’s 73-year-old Uncle Manolo dreams of walking the Trail of Tears with his beloved donkey Gorrión and his faithful dog Zafrana at his side. Transporting an aquaphobic donkey to America from Spain presents just one of a series of challenges, but Manolo won’t let that stop him from his quixotic quest. Donkeyote captures the distinct personalities of Manolo and his loyal companions in this charming portrait of unlikely adventure.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres and to Netflix tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21:
AMERICAN FACTORY
Directors:
Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
World Premiere:
Sundance 2019
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Tribeca, Sheffield, Full Frame, San Francisco, Cleveland, Sarasota, RiverRun, Ashland, Seattle, Documentary Edge, Biografilm, AFI Docs, Sydney, Traverse City
About:
An observational portrait of the culture clash that results when an Ohio factory is opened by a Chinese company.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20:
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
Director:
John Chester
Premiere:
Telluride 2018
Select Festivals:
Sundance, DOC NYC, Toronto, Berlin, Miami, Hamptons, Napa Valley, AFI Fest, Palm Springs, Thessaloniki Doc, CPH:DOX, Sarasota, Sun Valley, Newport Beach, Montclair
About:
For over eight years, John and Molly Chester find ways to work with nature to establish a biodynamic farm.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to NYC’s Stuart Cinema tomorrow, Saturday, August 17:
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
New to VOD via Amazon Prime this week:
INVENTING TOMORROW
Director:
Laura Nix
Premiere:
Sundance 2018
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Seattle, Sydney, Melbourne, San Francisco, Full Frame, AFI Docs, Woods Hole, Greenwich, Montclair, Dokufest
About:
A profile of several international students pursuing answers to environmental issues in their science fair projects.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
what (not) to doc 