Category Archives: Recommendations

New to DVD this week:
PIRIPKURA

Directors:
Renata Terra, Bruno Jorge, Mariana Oliva

Premiere:
Festival do Rio 2017

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Edinburgh, Docville Thessaloniki Doc, One World, Ambulante, Movies That Matter, EDOC, Margaret Mead

About:
A quest to locate the last survivors of an indigenous Amazonian tribe.

The nomadic Piripkura people roamed Brazil’s Mato Grosso region for generations before development largely destroyed their way of life. Now there are only three known members of the tribe – Rita, who left the forest; and remaining in the forest, her brother, Pakyi, and her nephew, Tamandua. While the land remains protected because of their presence, it’s a precarious situation, and once every several years, the men’s existence must be re-confirmed to stop the push to expand development. This strangely compelling film follows the efforts of Jair Candor to locate Pakyi and Tamandua, and then documents the fascinating crosscultural communication they share before the latter once again vanish into the rainforest.

New to VOD this week:
VIGILANTE: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF CURTIS SLIWA AND THE GUARDIAN ANGELS

Director:
David Wexler

Premiere:
DOC NYC 2017

Select Festivals:
Denver

About:
A look at the origins of the controversial crime-prevention organization.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
In 1979, Curtis Sliwa, a McDonald’s night manager in the Bronx frustrated with rampant crime, decided to take a stand. Recruiting a diverse crew, and adopting a distinctive uniform of a white t-shirt and red beret, the Guardian Angels were born. Targeting lawlessness on the New York City Subway, the Guardian Angels attracted praise and criticism alike, viewed as heroes to some, vigilantes to others. In David Wexler’s entertaining look back at a very different NYC, Sliwa presents his unfiltered take on his controversial organization and its enduring legacy.

New to DVD this week:
NO DINOSAURS IN HEAVEN

Director:
Greta Schiller

Premiere:
New York Academy of Sciences (Fall 2010)

About:
An exploration of the undermining of fact-based science education by religious groups.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Photo by Ann Ray

Director:
Ian Bonhôte

Co-Director:
Peter Ettedgui

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Seattle, Victoria, Nashville, Dallas, Biografilm, Sydney, Melbourne, Revelation Perth, Frameline, Provincetown

About:
A portrait of late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, December 4:
POPE FRANCIS: A MAN OF HIS WORD

Director:
Wim Wenders

Premiere:
Cannes 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Traverse City, Sydney

About:
A respectful profile of the current Pope as he travels around the world.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Oscar-nominated for three previous documentaries, Wim Wenders (THE SALT OF THE EARTH,

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, December 4:
PICK OF THE LITTER

Directors:
Don Hardy and Dana Nachman

Premiere:
Slamdance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Melbourne, New Zealand, Sydney, Cleveland, Seattle, San Francisco, Freep, Hawaii, Newport Beach

About:
A behind the scenes look at the training of guide dogs for the blind.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, December 4:
THE ATOMIC CAFE

Directors:
Kevin Rafferty, Jayne Loader, and Pierce Rafferty

Premiere:
Film Forum (March 1982)

Select Festivals:
SXSW 2018 (restoration premiere)

About:
A compilation of clips from the first decades of the nuclear era reveal an undercurrent of denial and anxiety.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, December 4:
UNITED WE FAN

Director:
Michael Sparaga

Premiere:
Hot Docs 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Docs

About:
An exploration of ardent fans and their efforts to save struggling television programs.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
When fans learned that STAR TREK was slated for cancellation in 1968, they spearheaded a letter-writing campaign in an attempt to save the show. Years later, passionate devotees of CAGNEY AND LACEY successfully rescued that series and, seeing the influence they wielded, formed an advocacy organization to protect other programs. Today, fans harness the power of social media in creative ways to save beloved but endangered shows. Entertaining and illuminating, Michael Sparaga’s film explores the powerful synergy between popular culture and fandom.