Category Archives: Recommendations

Venice 2019: Documentary Overview

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

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On TV: HALSTON

photo by Berry Berenson Perkins

Coming to CNN this Sunday, August 25:
HALSTON

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.

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In Theatres: MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL

photo by Guy Le Querrec

Coming to theatres today, Friday, August 23:
MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL

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.

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In Theatres & On VOD: JAWLINE

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.

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On DVD: BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ

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.

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On VOD: DONKEYOTE

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.

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In Theatres & On VOD: AMERICAN FACTORY

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.

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On DVD/VOD: THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM

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.

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In Theatres: WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE

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.

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On VOD: INVENTING TOMORROW

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.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance