Category Archives: Recommendations

New to VOD this week:
A NEW HIGH

Directors:
Samuel Miron and Stephen Scott Scarpulla

Premiere:
Los Angeles 2015

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Seattle, Salem, Twin Cities, Illuminate

About:
A group of Seattle addicts attempt to climb Mt Rainier to conquer their demons.

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission provides counseling and shelter for men and women in need, including individuals struggling with addiction. One of its recovery programs, led by Mike Johnson, a former Army Ranger, trains participants in mountain climbing over a year, with a select few qualifying for the biggest challenge: attempting the summit Mt Rainier. Miron and Scarpulla follow Mike and several of his charges as they challenge themselves, working under the simple idea that developing the strength to take on a mountain also gives them the tools to face their addiction head on and stay clean and sober. Not all of them make it through the program, whether because of relapse or physical limitations, but they find themselves changed by the experience, as captured with candor and immediacy in this engaging chronicle.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, March 3:
THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

Director:
Eddie Rosenstein

Premiere:
Frameline 2016

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hawaii, Savannah, Big Sky Doc, Sebastopol Doc, Jewish fests in SF, Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia, LGBT fests in Houston, Austin, Durham, Atlanta, Melbourne, and Seoul

About:
A behind-the-scenes look at the fight to legalize same-sex unions in America.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
After more than three decades of struggle, the same-sex marriage movement concluded one of the most successful civil rights campaigns in the world with a Supreme Court victory in June 2015. At its center was Evan Wolfson, the outspoken founder of advocacy organization Freedom to Marry. Eddie Rosenstein’s inspirational film follows Wolfson and attorney Mary Bonauto as the clock counts down to the Supreme Court decision, while recalling the victories – and setbacks – that set the stage for the landmark case.

New on VOD this week:
KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS

Director:
Jonathan Taylor

Premiere:
British TV (2016)

About:
The story of the famed female gorilla who has been taught sign language over the past several decades.

I previously wrote about the doc here,

Coming to VOD today, Wednesday, March 1:
DEEP RUN

Director:
Hillevi Loven

Premiere:
Frameline 2015

Seelct Festivals:
DOC NYC, Outfest, San Diego, Indie Grits, RiverRun, Belfast, Woodstock, LGBT fests in Austin, Denver, Stockholm, Atlanta, Miami, Melbourne, Seattle

About:
A portrait of transgender life in the rural South.

I previously wrote about the doc here.