Category Archives: Recommendations

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.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 30:
KINSHASA MAKAMBO

Director:
Dieudo Hamadi

Premiere:
Berlin 2018

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, True/False, Sheffield, AFI Docs, Docaviv, BelDocs, Cinema du Reel, Zurich, Durban, Open City Doc, Dokufest, Zanzibar, Indie Memphis

About:
Three young activists struggle to bring free elections to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

When the Congo’s president, Joseph Kabila, attempts to rewrite the nation’s constitution to allow him to remain in power following the end of his second term in office, protests erupt to demonstrate opposition. Among the resistance are three young activists who each have different approaches. Ben, who has fled for his own safety after organizing rallies, returns to the Congo and contemplates uniting forces with the elderly leader of the opposition, also recently returned from exile. Jean-Marie, following a prison term for his own dissidence, resorts to ineffectual psychological warfare. Christian, far more radical than his friends, strongly dismisses any compromise. While the filmmaking tends towards the by now overly familiar, herky-jerky, immersive handheld variety, the protagonists’ competing approaches in the face of seeming hopelessness is what makes this project compelling.

New to DVD this week:
DOGTOWN REDEMPTION

Directors:
Amir Soltani and Chihiro Wimbush

Premiere:
Mill Valley 2015

Select Festivals:
Salem, Santa Monica

About:
An exploration of homeless individuals and their subsistence through recycling.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, November 30:
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.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
This stranger than fiction project explores the phenomenon of China’s live-streaming showrooms, where ordinary people can find legions of fans and financial rewards. Hao Wu profiles two unlikely stars of this online world – a karaoke singer and a rags-to-riches comedian – as they seek fame, fortune, and human connection only to find the same promises and perils online as in their real lives.

Coming to theatres this Friday, November 30:
BATHTUBS OVER BROADWAY

Director:
Dava Whisenant

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Traverse City, Nashville, Sidewalk, Mill Valley, Vancouver

About:
A comedy writer becomes obsessed with corporate musicals.

I previously wrote about the doc here.