Category Archives: Recommendations

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE INVENTOR: OUT FOR BLOOD IN SILICON VALLEY

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Drew Kelly

THE INVENTOR: OUT FOR BLOOD IN SILICON VALLEY
Alex Gibney examines the high-profile rise and fall of discredited health tech company Theranos.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On DVD: THE INSUFFERABLE GROO

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15:
THE INSUFFERABLE GROO

Director:
Scott Christopherson

Premiere:
Sheffield 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Sydney Underground, Calgary Underground

About:
A behind-the-scenes look at the life and work of a low-budget auteur.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: HALSTON

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Berry Berenson Perkins

HALSTON
Frédéric Tcheng explores the life and legacy of America’s first celebrity designer.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On TV: RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, January 14:
RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE

Directors:
Quinn Costello, Chris Metzler, Jeff Springer

Premiere:
DOC NYC 2017

Select Festivals:
Full Frame, Big Sky Doc, Wild and Scenic, Oxford, Washington DC Environmental, Salem, Indie Grits, Freep, Sarasota, IFF Boston, RiverRun, Doc Edge, SF DocFest, Woods Hole, Sidewalk, DocUtah, Yale Environmental, Tallgrass, Hot Springs Doc

About:
A wide-ranging look at efforts to protect Louisiana from a giant swamp rat.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE GREAT HACK

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

THE GREAT HACK
Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim present a disturbing investigation into data and privacy in the modern digital age.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE BRINK

Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

THE BRINK
Alison Klayman follows Steve Bannon’s right-wing barnstorming efforts after his departure from the White House.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: ASK DR RUTH

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by David Paul Jacobson

ASK DR RUTH
Ryan White profiles the world-famous sex therapist and Holocaust survivor, Dr Ruth Westheimer.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: STIEG LARSSON: THE MAN WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Per Jarl

STIEG LARSSON: THE MAN WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
Henrik Georgsson details the dangerous life of the posthumously bestselling crime author.

Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition

Country:
Sweden
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2019 Cinema Eye Honors Winners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 12th annual Cinema Eye Honors, recognizing achievements in non-fiction film from 2018, were celebrated at the Museum of the Moving Image at a ceremony last evening.

Below is the full list of winners announced at last night’s ceremony, which was hosted for the fourth (and theoretically final) year by documentarian Steve James. I once again served on the Nominations Committee for features. Congratulations to all the winners, nominees, and the hard-working Cinema Eye organizers.

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking
HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING
Directed by RaMell Ross
Produced by Joslyn Barnes, Su Kim, and RaMell Ross

Audience Choice Prize
FREE SOLO
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

Outstanding Achievement in Direction
Bing Liu for MINDING THE GAP

Outstanding Achievement in Editing
Joshua Altman and Bing Liu for MINDING THE GAP

Outstanding Achievement in Production
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes, and Shannon Dill for FREE SOLO

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
Jimmy Chin, Clair Popkin, and Mikey Schaeffer for FREE SOLO

Outstanding Achievement in an Original Music Score
Ishai Adair for SHIRKERS

Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design or Animation
Lucas Celler and Sandi Tan for SHIRKERS

Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film
MINDING THE GAP

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking
MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES
Directed by Charlie Tyrell

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Films Made for Broadcast
BALTIMORE RISING
Directed by Sonja Sohn, HBO

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Series Made for Broadcast
AMERICA TO ME
Directed by Steve James, STARZ

Spotlight Award
THE DISTANT BARKING OF DOGS
Directed by Simon Lereng Wilmont

Heterodox Award
AMERICAN ANIMALS
Directed by Bart Layton

Legacy Award
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Executive Producer Henry Hampton
Series Producer/Writer/Director Judith Vecchione, Series Producer Jon Else, Director/Writer/Producers Orlando Bagwell, Sheila Curran Bernard, Callie Crossley, James A. DeVinney, Madison D Lacy, Thomas Ott, Samuel D Pollard, Terry Kay Rockefeller, Jacqueline Shearer, and Paul Stekler

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2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: SHOOTING THE MAFIA

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

SHOOTING THE MAFIA
Kim Longinotto profiles an acclaimed Sicilian photographer and her lifetime bravely bearing witness to the Mafia’s crimes.

Festival Section:
World Cinema Documentary Competition

Country:
Ireland/USA
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