Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to PBS’s American Masters tomorrow, Friday, June 3:
JOE PAPP IN FIVE ACTS

Director:
Tracie Holder, Karen Thorsen

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2012

Select Festivals:
AFI Docs, Rio, Brisbane, Ashland, San Francisco Jewish, Havana

About:
A portrait of the founder of The Public Theater, who believed in the democratization of theatre for all, spearheading free performances of Shakespeare in the Park and producing groundbreaking plays in his legendary NYC venue.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to Disney+ today, Friday, May 27:
WE FEED PEOPLE

Director:
Ron Howard

World Premiere:
SXSW 2022

About:
The story of renowned chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen’s evolution over a 12 year period.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, May 27:
FANNY: THE RIGHT TO ROCK

Director:
Bobbi Jo Hart

World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2021

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, DOXA, Inside Out, Frameline, Outfest, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, Santa Barbara, Athena, Cleveland, In-Edit, Hawaii, Doc’n Roll, Woodstock, Florida

About:
Ferocious female rockers Fanny, who shattered glass ceilings in the ’70s, collecting fans like David Bowie before being buried in retro record bins, reunite fifty years later with a new record deal and a chance to rewrite history.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, May 24:
SINCE I BEEN DOWN

Director:
Gilda Sheppard

World Premiere:
Cleveland 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Big Sky, Freep, Sebastopol Doc, Portland, Thin Line, Montreal Black

About:
Despite serving life without parole, a man works to improve others’ lives. 

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to NYC’s Pure Nonfiction tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18, and to theatres and VOD this Friday, May 20:
HOLD YOUR FIRE

Director:
Stefan Forbes

World Premiere:
Toronto 2021

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Palm Springs

About:
Captives, cops, and robbers in New York City’s longest hostage siege reflect in this suspenseful and enlightening take on an event long misunderstood.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, May 13:
MAU

Director:
Benji Bergmann, Jono Bergmann

World Premiere:
SXSW 2021

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, Tallinn Black Nights

About:
The unlikely story of design visionary Bruce Mau and his ever-optimistic push for massive change.