This Thursday, April 9 kicks off year 18 for the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, which will present over 60 new doc features, plus shorts, retrospective programming, and several conversations before it wraps up on Sunday, April 12. In addition to a smartly curated lineup culling some of the best work from Sundance, IDFA, SXSW, and other previous events, the Durham NC fest also introduces its audiences to several notable premieres: Continue reading
Category Archives: Recommendations
Full Frame 2015 Overview
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
In Theatres: IN COUNTRY
Coming to theatres this Friday, April 10: IN COUNTRY
Mike Attie and Meghan O’Hara’s profile of an unlikely pastime debuted at Full Frame last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, and Camden, among other events.
I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program:
By now, the idea of Civil War re-enactment is familiar, but the subjects of Mike Attie and Meghan O’Hara’s intriguing film relive the battles of a far more surprising conflict: Vietnam. Drawing a mix of combat enthusiasts, Iraq War soldiers, actual Vietnam veterans, and even a former South Vietnamese Army officer, this band of brothers regularly recreates – by choice – a war that a whole generation would rather forget. What lies behind their compulsion to restage an unpopular war: therapy, nostalgia or something else?
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On DVD: HAPPY VALLEY
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7: HAPPY VALLEY
Amir Bar-Lev’s examination of the Penn State scandal’s impact on the local community made its debut at Sundance last year. Its festival circuit included Nantucket, DOC NYC, Hamptons, Camden, Traverse City, BAMcinemaFest, Philadelphia, Sarasota, True/False, and Nashville, among others.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On DVD: MAD AS HELL
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, April 7: MAD AS HELL
Andrew Napier’s chronicle of the rise of Cenk Uygur and the Young Turks had its world premiere at Hot Docs last year. Other screenings have included Tallgrass and Santa Barbara.
I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
In Theatres: THE HAND THAT FEEDS
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, March 3: THE HAND THAT FEEDS
Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick’s story of service workers uniting for fair treatment premiered at Full Frame last year. Its audience award win there was duplicated at DOC NYC, while additional screenings have included Traverse City, AFI Docs, Woodstock, Sidewalk, Cleveland, Workers Unite, Hardacre, Boulder, and Latino fests in San Francisco, Chicago, and San Diego, among others.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
In Theatres: LAMBERT AND STAMP
Coming to theatres this Friday, April 3: LAMBERT AND STAMP
James D Cooper’s profile of the men behind The Who debuted at Sundance last year. It went on to screen at Sundance London, Sarasota, Belfast, Knoxville, Whistler, and Chattanooga, among others.
I profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On VOD: LITTLE WHITE LIE
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, March 31: LITTLE WHITE LIE
Lacey Schwartz’s personal exploration of the impact of family secrets bowed at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, New Orleans, Sidewalk, Black Harvest, BlackStar, Martha’s Vineyard African American, and Philadelphia Jewish fests, among others. It now comes to iTunes.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On DVD: HOOP DREAMS
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31: HOOP DREAMS
Steve James’ classic exploration of the athletic aspirations of two young men debuted at Sundance in 1994, taking home the Audience Award for Best Documentary. It went on to screen at Toronto and the New York Film Festival. Though it was not recognized by the Academy, it won critical and audience acclaim and remains one of the seminal works of nonfiction of the past 25 years. Recently restored for its 20th anniversary, it now is re-released on home video formats.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On Cable: GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
Coming to HBO this Sunday, March 29: GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
Alex Gibney’s unearthing of the secrets of the contentious organization had its world premiere at Sundance this year. It has also screened at True/False, Big Sky, and Martha’s Vineyard, and has been released theatrically.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
In Theatres: FREEWAY: CRACK IN THE SYSTEM
Coming to NYC’s Maysles Cinema for a week run beginning today, Thursday, March 26: FREEWAY: CRACK IN THE SYSTEM
Marc Levin’s chronicle of one man’s pivotal role in the crack epidemic made its premiere at Los Angeles’ Pan African Film Festival. It also screened as part of NYC’s Stranger Than Fiction series and on Al Jazeera America.
I previously wrote about the film here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
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