Category Archives: Recommendations

In Theatres: THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

freedom_to_marryComing 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.

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Miami 2017: Documentary Overview

miamiTomorrow, Friday, March 3 kicks off the 34th edition of the Miami Film Festival. Before wrapping on Sunday, March 12, the popular event, which offers a particular focus on Ibero-American work, will present more than 130 films, including just under 30 feature docs, some of which are noted below. Continue reading →

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On VOD: KOKO: THE GORILLA WHO TALKS

kokoNew 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,

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In Theatres: THE SETTLERS

settlersComing to theatres this Friday, March 3:
THE SETTLERS

Director:
Shimon Dotan

Premiere:
Sundance 2016

Select Festivals:
New York, DocAviv, IDFA, Biografilm, Sheffield, SF Jewish, Bergen, Heartland

About:
A wide-reaching exploration of the impact of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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In Theatres: KIKI

kikiComing to theatres today, Wednesday, March 1:
KIKI

Director:
Sara Jordenö

Premiere:
Sundance 2017

Select Festivals:
Berlin, IDFA, CPH:DOX, Sheffield, Tempo Doc, Sarasota, Ambulante, Full Frame, Montclair, BAMcinemaFest, Tel Aviv, Outfest, Inside Out, Frameline, and LGBT fests in Torino, Portland, Atlanta, Sao Paulo, and Austin

About:
A profile of NYC’s vibrant LGBTQ youth ballroom scene.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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On VOD: DEEP RUN

deep runComing 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.

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On TV: TIME: THE KALIEF BROWDER STORY

time kalief browderComing to Spike TV tonight, Wednesday, March 1:
TIME: THE KALIEF BROWDER STORY

Director:
Jenner Furst

Premiere:
Sundance 2017

About:
A six-part docuseries exploring the consequences of the wrongful incarceration of a 16-year-old.

I profiled the series before Sundance here.

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True/False 2017 Overview

truefalseThe 14th edition of the True/False Film Fest takes place this weekend, starting Thursday, March 2 and wrapping on Sunday, March 5. More than 30 new and retrospective features, including several hush-hush “secret screenings,” will be showcased in the welcoming college town of Columbia MO, a line-up of highlights from notable events like Sundance, IDFA, Toronto, and elsewhere, as well as several new titles. While I’m sadly missing the festival this year, here’s a brief look at some of the new or under-the-radar titles I’d be checking out if I were in attendance:

donkeyote-featured-imageAmong these are Chico Pereira’s infectiously charming DONKEYOTE (pictured), which follows the director’s uncle as he sets off on a quixotic trip with his faithful donkey and dog; Viktor Jakovleski’s BRIMSTONE & GLORY, a portrait of a Mexican town known for its fireworks; Shevaun Mizrahi’s DISTANT CONSTELLATION, on life in an Istanbul retirement home; Florent Vassault’s LINDY LOU, JUROR NUMBER 2, which accompanies the titular figure as she revisits a trial that has haunted her for twenty years; Fan Jian’s STILL TOMORROW, a portrait of Chinese woman who experiences unexpected fame; and Lea Glob and Mette Carla Albrechtsen’s VENUS, which surveys 100 women on their sexual history.

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On DVD: RACHEL CARSON

rachel carsonComing to DVD today, Tuesday, February 28:
RACHEL CARSON

Director:
Michelle Ferrari

Premiere:
American Experience (January 2017)

About:
A portrait of the woman whose writing popularized the environmental movement.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On DVD: MAGNUS

magnus-documentary-tribeca-540x360Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, February 28:
MAGNUS

Director:
Benjamin Ree

Premiere:
Tribeca 2016

Select Festivals:
Munich, Traverse City, Moscow, Zurich, Vancouver, Hamptons

About:
A profile of Norwegian chess wunderkind Magnus Carlsen.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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