Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, June 7:
THE RAFT

Director:
Marcus Lindeen

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018

Select Festivals:
IDFA, London, Melbourne, Chicago, Doclisboa, Sao Paulo, Bergen, Antenna Doc, Dokufest, Haifa, Zurich, Athens, RiverRun

About:
A look back at an unusual social experiment from 1973.

In 1973, Mexican anthropologist Santiago Genovés launched a study that made international headlines, bringing together 11 diverse strangers to live in cramped quarters on a raft called the Acali on a voyage from the Canary Islands to Mexico over 100 days. The so-called Acali Experiment, though sounding like a prototypical REAL WORLD or BIG BROTHER reality television show, was intended as a scientific study to observe how individuals dealt with conflict, with Genovés on hand to push buttons, encourage sexual liaisons, and instigate quarrels. Coming at a time of women’s liberation and free love, the press was quick to dub the vessel “the sex raft,” but the reality, as revealed here through participants’ present-day recollections, archival footage, and Genovés’ journals, reveal a different story. The scientist’s approach took on dictatorial undertones, leading some participants to still harbor resentment for how he treated them. Lindeen skillfully creates a dialogue between the scientist, who died in 2013, and his surviving subjects, as they call into question Genovés’ “official” version of the proceedings while walking around a scale-model replica of their three-month home at sea. The result is a fascinating interrogation of his social experiment, presented in a compelling and creative manner.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, June 7:
GHOST FLEET

Directors:
Shannon Service, Jeffrey Waldron

World Premiere:
Telluride 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, Berlin, Doc Edge, Seattle, El Gouna, Hamptons, Palm Springs, Cleveland

About:
A harrowing look at slavery on the high seas.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
This suspenseful high-seas adventure follows a team of activists who rescue modern-day slaves in Thailand’s illegal fishing industry. Thai activist Patima Tungpuchayakul, nominated for the Nobel Prize for her work rescuing thousands of victims, tracks down escaped slaves who live like Robinson Crusoe on remote islands, helping to bring these long-vanished ghosts back to life and to their families.

Coming to HBO tomorrow, Wednesday, June 6:
THE COLD BLUE

Director:
Erik Nelson

Premiere:
AFI Docs 2018

Select Festivals:
New York, Traverse City

About:
A meditation on war composed of archival film of B-17 bombers shot by William Wyler.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, June 4:
OWNED: A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS

Director:
Giorgio Angelini

World Premiere:
Full Frame 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, St Louis, SF DocFest

About:
An investigation of how the American dream of homeownership has been corrupted.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
After World War II, US housing policy sought to create middle-class wealth through homeownership – but these benefits were largely intended for whites only. Today, we see the results: practices including redlining, predatory lending, and unchecked speculation have Americans – of all races – shut out from the dream or drowning in real-estate debt. Moving from Levittown to Orange County to Baltimore, this timely film exposes the greed, flawed economic policy, and systemic racism that distorted “the American dream” into a game only few can win.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4:
SCREWBALL

Director:
Billy Corben

Premiere:
Toronto 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Miami

About:
A true-crime comedy exposing a notorious Major League Baseball doping scandal.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 4:
BRAVE GIRLS

Directors:
Yashaswi Desai and Ellie Walton

Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018

About:
Schooling offers hope for a better future for three conservative Muslim girls.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Three young Indian women in a conservative Muslim town seek to change their futures through education and self-determination. The opportunity to continue their schooling has opened up the possibility of a different future for Karishma, Apsana, and Samira, but even as they prepare for final exams, their families threaten to pull them back into the prescribed roles of wives and mothers. At once inspiring and frustrating, Yashaswi Desai and Ellie Walton’s thoughtful film neatly captures the extraordinary challenge of breaking with cultural tradition.