Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres this Friday, September 30: HARRY AND SNOWMAN

Ron Davis’ story of a man and his horse debuted at Full Frame last year. The doc went on to screen at DOC NYC, Nantucket, New Orleans, Hamptons, Virginia, Provincetown, Sedona, and Hot Springs Doc, among other events.

I previously wrote about the film for Nantucket’s program, saying:
Seeking his fortunes in post-World War II America, Dutch immigrant Harry deLeyer became a riding master for an exclusive all-girls boarding school. In need of a new training horse, he arrived late at an auction and was only able to purchase one of the horses bound for the glue factory, an unassuming old white Amish plow horse he named Snowman. The outgoing Dutchman had no way of knowing his $80 investment would not only save the horse’s life, but lead to a champion showjumping career that lasted decades. Director Ron Davis reveals the special bond between a man and his beloved horse in this unforgettable underdog story.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 27: THE SEVENTH FIRE

Jack Pettibone Riccobono’s exploration of Native gang life had its world premiere at Berlin last year. Other screenings include New Orleans, Palm Springs, Documenta Madrid, Mar del Plata, Stockholm, Minneapolis-St Paul, Big Sky, Hawaii, Iran’s Cinema Vérité, Ashland, and Hot Springs Doc.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD Today, Monday, September 26: SERENA

Ryan White’s profile of the tennis icon had its premiere at Sheffield earlier this year. It went on to screen at Nantucket, was broadcast on EPIX, and now comes to Hulu and Amazon.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27: BREAKING A MONSTER

Luke Meyer’s look at the grooming of a new music band debuted at SXSW last year. The doc went on to screen at Hot Docs, Sheffield, BAMcinemaFest, Sydney, Traverse City, Melbourne, Camden, Mill Valley, CPH:DOX, RIDM, Big Sky Doc, IndieLisboa, and Durban. It now comes to VOD via iTunes.

I previously wrote about the film here.

Coming to PBS’s Doc World on the World Channel this Sunday, September 25: TOCANDO LA LUZ

Jennifer Redfearn’s portrait of three blind Cuban women debuted at Full Frame last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, Galway, Miami, and Bath, among other events.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC, saying:
Havana, Cuba. An up-and-coming singer searches for confidence, a young woman in love longs for motherhood, and a veteran of the Revolution comes to terms with the death of her husband. Three women, united by blindness and a desire for independence, guide us through Cuba’s current economic and social landscape while pursuing their dreams and breaking through personal and societal limitations.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 23: THE JAZZ LOFT ACCORDING TO W EUGENE SMITH

Sara Fishko’s look at legendary jazz history debuted at the New Orleans Film Festival last year. Its fest circuit also included DOC NYC, Rotterdam, Full Frame, Cleveland, Florida, BAFICI, and the Copenhagen Jazz Film Festival, among other events.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Between 1957 and 1965, former LIFE Magazine photojournalist W Eugene Smith obsessively photographed and taped the goings-on at the dilapidated Sixth Avenue loft he called home. As revealed in this astonishing WNYC-produced time capsule, what he captured is a treasure trove of NYC jazz of that period, including a three-week rehearsal by the legendary Thelonious Monk and jazz and classical music lessons given by the Juilliard-trained Hall Overton.