Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 12:
THE SENTENCE
Director:
Rudy Valdez
Premiere:
Sundance 2018
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, DOC NYC, Locarno, Traverse City, Montclair, Sarasota, Urbanworld, Thin Line, Provincetown, LA Latino, Aspen Ideas, SF Jewish, Freep, GlobeDocs
About:
A filmmaker reveals the personal impact of mandatory minimum laws on his own family.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
New to DVD and VOD this week:
CATWALK: TALES FROM THE CAT SHOW CIRCUIT
Directors:
Michael McNamara and Aaron Hancox
Premiere:
Toronto theatrical premiere (March 2018)
Select Festivals:
Seattle, Milwaukee
About:
An inside look at the world of competitive cat shows.
Following one season in the Canadian cat show circuit, filmmakers McNamara and Hancox craft a playful, at times knowingly self-deprecating look at the fortunes of two felines in the running to win it all. Kim’s Turksih Angora, Bobby, is poised for victory, but then frenemy Shirley comes around with the fluffy Persian, Oh La La, setting the judges’ hearts atwitter, and the race is on. The cats’ owners, helped by some simple animation, explain and track the scoring system and reveal the high stakes – bragging rights on the southern Ontario circuit. Never taking themselves too seriously, they’re mostly having fun – though Kim really wants to win. While on the whole the production feels more suited for the small screen, and should have cut back on the overly goofy score, it’s an enjoyable exploration of a subculture – and the cats are fun to watch.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Festival:
The 62nd BFI London Film Festival
Dates:
October 10-21
About:
This noted UK event presents more than 200 new features, but has reduced the number of nonfiction offerings substantially this year, with just over 40 docs compared to last year’s nearly 60. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, October 9:
DARK MONEY
Director:
Kimberly Reed
Premiere:
Sundance 2018
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Big Sky, Full Frame, AFI Docs, Boulder, Martha’s Vineyard, Florida, Ashland, Cleveland, Freep, Montclair, Dallas, Nashville, Telluride Mountainfilm
About:
Montana serves as a case study for the dangerous impact of Citizens United on politics.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to Starz tonight, Monday, October 8:
GETTING NAKED: A BURLESQUE STORY
Director:
James Lester
Premiere:
Venice 2017 (Venice Days)
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Cleveland, Newport Beach, Berkshire, Greenwich, Florida, SF DocFest
About:
An inside look at the lives of several contemporary burlesque performers.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to PBS’s Doc World this Sunday, October 7:
VISITOR’S DAY
Director:
Nicole Opper
Premiere:
AFI Docs 2016
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Miami, SF Latino, San Diego Latino, Guadalajara, Mill Valley
About:
A runaway tries to reconnect with his father.
I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Escaping an abusive home, Juan Carlos spent years on the streets of Mexico City before finding his way to a unique group home for runaway boys. As the 16-year-old adjusts to his new surroundings, receives educational and job training, and learns to trust adults again, he still longs for a connection to his father. With visitor’s day looming, will Juan Carlos find what he’s looking for, or only suffer disappointment once again?
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 5:
STUDIO 54
Director:
Matt Tyrnauer
Premiere:
Sundance 2018
Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Tribeca, Full Frame, CPH:DOX, Reykjavik, Provincetown, Santa Barbara, Hot Springs Doc, Savannah, Vancouver, Sidewalk, Outfest, Frameline
About:
A look back at the meteoric rise and crushing fall of the legendary NYC nightclub.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
New to DVD this week:
THE KING
Director:
Eugene Jarecki
Premiere:
Cannes 2017
Select Festivals:
Sundance, Nantucket, Nashville, Seattle, Martha’s Vineyard, London, Sarasota, Chicago DOC 10, Deauville, Zurich, Haifa
About:
A musical road trip across the US in Elvis Presley’s 1963 Rolls Royce explores the rise and fall of the American empire.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Festival:
The 26th Hamptons International Film Festival
Dates:
October 4-8
About:
This well-respected Long Island event presents 30 documentaries out of its 70 feature offerings. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
New to DVD this week:
WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL
Director:
Ben Nabors
Premiere:
SXSW 2013
Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Virginia, Ashland, Camden, Bahamas, Leeds, SF DocFest, Sydney, BAMcinemaFest, Jerusalem
About:
A portrait of an industrious young Malawian man.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
