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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to NYC’s DCTV screening series tonight, Monday, February 25:
TO KID OR NOT TO KID
Director:
Maxine Trump
Premiere:
DOC NYC 2018
About:
A personal look at women’s decision not to have kids.
The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Filmmaker Maxine Trump turns the camera on herself and her close circle of family and friends as she confronts the idea of not having kids. While exploring the cultural pressures and harsh criticism child-free women regularly experience, as well as the personal impact this decision may have on her own relationship, Maxine meets other women reckoning with their choice: Megan, who struggles to get medical permission to undergo elective sterilization, and Victoria, who lives with the backlash of publicly acknowledging that she made a mistake when she had a child.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Festival:
The 15th ZagrebDox
Dates:
February 24-March 3
About:
Approximately 75 new and recent features are presented in Croatia’s notable nonfiction event. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, February 22:
WRESTLE
Director:
Suzannah Herbert
Co-Director:
Lauren Belfer
Premiere:
San Francisco 2018
About:
An intimate look at a Huntsville AL high school wrestling team.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Festival:
The 14th Ambulante
Dates:
February 21-May 16
About:
Over nearly three months, Mexico’s traveling nonfiction event will present screenings of approximately 30 new and recent feature docs as well as shorts in eight states: Veracruz, Querétaro, Puebla, Coahuila, Jalisco, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
New to DVD this week:
THE LAST RACE
Director:
Michael Dweck
Premiere:
Sundance 2018
Select Festivals:
Hamptons, Hot Springs Doc, Gold Coast, Florida, Denver, Virginia
About:
An exploration of a once-thriving but now vanishing subculture of stock car racing in Long Island.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Festival:
The 18th Documentary Fortnight
Dates:
February 21-28
About:
MoMA’s annual nonfiction showcase has slimmed down a bit this year, with just 17 new and recent features in the lineup. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
SAMMY DAVIS, JR: I’VE GOTTA BE ME
Director:
Sam Pollard
Premiere:
Toronto 2017
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Chicago, Philadelphia, Woodstock, New York Jewish, RiverRun, St Louis,
About:
A star-studded roster of interviewees pay tribute to the legendary, multi-talented song-and-dance man.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
