This post is a pointer to the second lineup announcement for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, revealing Indie Episodic, Special Events, and Shorts programming, which may be found here.
Earlier lineup announcements include the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Documentary Premieres, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, and Kids sections.
Still to come is information on the New Frontier section.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
As the lineup of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival (January 24-February 3) is revealed, I’ll be including pointers here. The Features lineup, which includes the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, NEXT, Documentary Premieres, Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, and Kids, has just been announced today here.
Pointers for other sections – Shorts, Indie Episodic, Special Events, and New Frontier – will follow as they are announced in the coming weeks.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations, Sundance
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.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
New to VOD via iTunes this week:
OF FISH AND FOE
Directors:
Heike Bachelier and Andy Heathcote
Premiere:
Hot Docs 2018
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC
About:
An exploration of the tensions between traditional fishing practices and animal rights activism.
The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
One of Scotland’s last salmon fishing families is accused of animal rights violations. Constantly followed and recorded by environmental watchdog groups, the Pullar family attempts to pursue its livelihood using hunting practices passed down for generations. Tensions escalate when the government becomes involved. Is there a future for their traditional way of fishing? Nuanced and carefully balanced, Heike Bachelier and Andy Heathcote’s film questions where the line is drawn when trying to both preserve wildlife populations and support local industry.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, November 27:
JOHN MCENROE: IN THE REALM OF PERFECTION
Director:
Julien Faraut
Premiere:
Berlin 2018
Select Festivals:
Cinema du Reel, Art of the Real, Seattle, deadCenter, Las Vegas, Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand, Provincetown, Jerusalem, Jeonju
About:
The athlete’s 1984 French Open performance illustrates an essay on the linkage between tennis and cinema.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to DVD/VOD today, Tuesday, November 27:
SAVING BRINTON
Directors:
Andrew Sherburne and Tommy Haines
Premiere:
AFI Docs 2017
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Rotterdam, Thessaloniki Doc, Jeonju, BAFICI, Big Sky Doc, Hot Springs Doc, RiverRun, Julien Dubuque, Ashland, St Louis, Flyway, Anchorage
About:
A fascinating excavation of early film history and showmanship.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
