Category Archives: Recommendations

New to DVD this week:
GAME FACE

Director:
Michiel Thomas

Premiere:
Miami LGBT 2015

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Frameline, QDoc, Inside Out, FilmOut San Diego, Vancouver LGBT, Real Affirmations, Mix Copenhagen, and Austin LGBT

About:
A look at the coming out process of two LGBT athletes.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, February 26:
TO END A WAR

Director:
Marc Silver

Premiere:
Colombia (September 2017)

Select Festivals:
Colombian Film Festival NY

About:
The Colombian government tries to broker peace with guerrilla forces to end a 50+ year conflict.

For 52 years, a Marxist guerrilla group, FARC, waged a civil war within Colombia, adding to instability in the nation. Since 2011, Colombian liberal progressive President Juan Manuel Santos engaged in peace talk negotiations with Timeleon Timochenko, the leader of FARC, a self-described ordinary man, on neutral ground in Havana, Cuba. The two camps agree that peace is the goal, and, in 2015, set a deadline of March 23, 2016 to come to an agreement, which is predicated on several controversial points, including the transition of FARC from its rebel structure into a political party. In trying to sell the peace plan to the nation, Santos finds expected resistance, as FARC has been positioned as the enemy for decades, with rightwing former president Álvaro Uribe, Santos’ predecessor, becoming something of a rallying symbol for Colombians angry at the idea of welcoming terrorists into the political process. Silver does an admirable job of condensing this background for viewers likely not familiar with the situation, and follows the process as Santos urges his citizens to vote for a peace agreement despite mounting opposition, achieving impressive access to both FARC and the government.

New to VOD this week:
LOTS OF KIDS, A MONKEY AND A CASTLE

Director:
Gustavo Salmerón

Premiere:
Karlovy Vary 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, IDFA, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Hamptons, Camden, San Sebastian, San Francisco, Docaviv, Encounters

About:
A film about the director’s eccentric mother as she reacts to the loss of one of her dreams.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, February 25:
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF DESIRE

Director:
Hao Wu

Premiere:
SXSW 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Sheffield Doc Edge, Seattle, CAAMFest, Melbourne, Fantasia, Documenta

About:
A look at a disturbing online world of popularity and fandom in China.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, February 22:
THE COMPETITION (LE CONCOURS)

Director:
Claire Simon

Premiere:
Venice 2016

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, True/False, CPH:DOX, Docaviv, Docs Against Gravity, London, Göteborg, Taipei

About:
An inside look at a French film school and its next generation of hopeful filmmakers.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC, saying:
Director Claire Simon goes behind closed doors during the months-long admissions period at France’s most selective film school, La Fémis, where thousands of hopefuls apply for only 40 available slots. The state-run institution, which teaches aspiring filmmakers their craft through hands-on training with working professionals, also turns to the latter to evaluate applicants. Simon captures entrance interviews and candid discussions among the selection committee, creating a revealing portrait of an institution and its gatekeepers.