Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, April 8: I AM DIVINE
Jeffrey Schwarz’s love letter to the infamous star of John Waters’ trash cinema had its world premiere at SXSW last year. Its fest circuit also included New Orleans’ Film-O-Rama, Cleveland, Nashville, Sheffield, Sydney, and Provincetown, Inside Out, Frameline, and Outfest.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, April 4: THE GALAPAGOS AFFAIR: SATAN CAME TO EDEN
Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller’s mesmerizing stranger-than-fiction island murder mystery made its debut last year at Telluride. It went on to screen at the Hamptons, Berlin, New Orleans filmOrama, Palm Springs, Vail, and Bermuda, among others.
Goldfine and Geller recount the strange story of Floreana, an uninhabited island of the Galapagos – until a pair of Germans – Dr Friedrich Ritter, and his patient and partner, Dore Strauch – showed up in 1929, seeking an escape from civilization. Viewed as curiosities, reports of their life on the island spread by visiting seaman to newspapers internationally, eventually drawing fellow Germans Heinz and Margret Wittmer in 1931. Though the first couple had viewed Floreana as theirs exclusively, they begrudgingly helped the Wittmers when pregnant Margaret gave birth to their son, but largely kept to their own side of the island. The uneasy equilibrium the Germans tried to maintain was completely upset, however, when Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet arrived, an Austrian who claimed to be a Baroness. With two lovers in tow, the grandstanding Baroness announced her plans to build a hotel and turn Floreana into a tourist destination – anathema to the rest of the island’s inhabitants. These competing philosophies set up a powderkeg on the island, and what follows is contested, but serves as the crux of Goldfine and Geller’s intriguing history, which is further peppered with the unique experiences of modern-day Galapagos residents.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Tomorrow, Friday, April 4, sees the start of the 16th annual Sarasota Film Festival, the popular Florida film festival that runs through Sunday, April 13. Featuring approximately 200 films, Sarasota’s lineup typically includes a robust selection of nonfiction, with 50 feature docs included this year. Among these are two Sundance titles in key gala slots, Rory Kennedy’s opening night film, LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM and Andrew Rossi’s centerpiece, IVORY TOWER. While several more Sundance and SXSW titles figure in Sarasota’s selections, the following overview focuses on other nonfiction picks that perhaps haven’t already benefited from that kind of festival spotlight:
Women-centric films shine in the Through Women’s Eyes sidebar, including: Rebecca Barry’s profile of six diverse female experiences, I AM A GIRL (pictured); Mary Dore’s women’s liberation chronicle, SHE’S BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE’S ANGRY; Yasmin Kidwai’s story of female self-empowerment, NO PROBLEM! (SIX MONTHS WITH THE BAREFOOT GRANDMAMAS); and Jared Brock and Michelle Brock sex trafficking exposé, RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT.
The fest’s Acts of Valor section pays tribute to the American soldier and their post-combat experiences. Among the documentaries here are: Christine Anthony and Owen Masterson’s TERRA FIRMA, about female combat vets’ struggles with PTSD; and Mike Attie and Meghan O’Hara’s IN COUNTRY (pictured), exploring what drives veterans or enlisted men to re-enact the Vietnam War as a weekend hobby.
The local filmmakers section, Florida on Film, includes: Durand Adams, Charles Clapsaddle, and Charles Williams’ meditation on memory, THE ENDURING BEAUTY OF MEMORY (pictured); and Daniel Espeut’s circus family portrait, GREASEPAINT.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, April 7: BROTHERS HYPNOTIC
Reuben Atlas’ look at the band formed by the sons of a legendary jazz musician had its world premiere at SXSW last year. It went on to screen at Hot Docs, Montclair, Los Angeles, Urbanworld, Antenna, Sound Unseen, RIDM, Pan African, Big Sky, and Noise Pop, among others.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
The eighth Dallas International Film Festival begins tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, and runs through Sunday, April 13. A well-regarded larger regional event, the festival annually showcases nearly 200 films, panels, and other special events, and is led by well-liked fest circuit regulars Artistic Director James Faust and Senior Programmer Sarah Harris. Their nonfiction programming includes a number of recent hits from Sundance, SXSW, and elsewhere, while also showcasing several new and local films, such as the following highlights:
Among the less familiar entires in the eight-title Documentary Feature Competition are Sean Gallagher’s BROTHERS OF THE BLACK LIST (pictured), recounting a disturbing case of racial profiling on the campus of SUNY Oneonta in 1992; and Matt Livadary’s QUEENS & COWBOYS: A STRAIGHT YEAR ON THE GAY RODEO, following LGBT participants on the rodeo circuit. Also in the running for an award is Whitney Graham Carter, Anthony Jackson, and Jenna Jackson’s charming Texas Competition contender, TOMATO REPUBLIC, profiling the quirky candidates for mayor in a small East Texan town.
Several other new docs are screening out of competition, including the music docs of the Deep Ellum Sounds section, Teddy Cool’s WE FROM DALLAS, a chronicle of hip hop from the area; and Michael Cain and Miles Hargrove’s THE STARCK CLUB (pictured), a celebration of the legendary 1980s Dallas nightclub. Other new nonfiction programming includes Gabriela Obregón’s lucha libre focused THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK, from the fest’s Latino Showcase; and Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey’s nature film, BEARS, from the Family Friendly sidebar.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, April 1: AN UNREAL DREAM: THE MICHAEL MORTON STORY
Al Reinert’s chronicle of a wrongful criminal conviction debuted at SXSW last year, where it picked up an audience award. It also screened at Human Rights Watch, Dallas Videofest, Amnesty International Human Rights fest, and the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, and was broadcast on CNN last December.
In 1987, Austin resident Michael Morton found himself sentenced to life for the murder of his wife, Chris, which took place the day after his birthday, allegedly, prosecutors argued, because she denied him sex. Despite his unwavering claims of innocence and the lack of a murder weapon, some dodgy and since-discredited science made him the sole suspect, with the lead investigator’s files never released to his defense attorney. The case haunted the latter for years, who turned to the Innocence Project, an organization dedicated to using DNA testing to help exonerate wrongfully convicted prisoners. They, together with a respected Houston attorney, faced stonewalling from the prosecution and police, but ultimately proved victorious, gaining access to exculpatory evidence that saw Morton freed. Reinert’s restrained but effective telling of this increasingly enraging tale of injustice hinges on the participation of Morton himself, a remarkably peaceful presence, who recounts his ordeal from the very courthouse in which he was sentenced, aided by interviews from prison friends, and, most affectingly, the son who grew up believing his father had killed his mother – and whose suppressed eyewitness report of the murder at the age of 3 unexpectedly proves to be a significant lead to his father’s eventual exoneration.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
This Thursday, April 3 sees the São Paulo launch of Brazil’s premier non-fiction event, It’s All True for its 19th edition, with Rio hosting its own opening event the following evening. The festival runs concurrently in both cities through Sunday, April 13, with touring programming reaching other cities later in the month and in July. In total, more than 74 films will screen, representing 26 countries. The following briefly highlights both competitions, and a few selections from the non-competitive programming strand:
Among the seven feature docs in the Brazilian Competition are Carlos Nader’s ORDINARY MAN (pictured), a portrait of a truck driver and his family made over two decades; Jorge Furtado’s THE STAPLES OF NEWS, an examination of the media and its political function; and Leonardo Dourado’s FOR A HANDFUL OF DOLLARS – THE NEW EMIGRANTS, a profile of three families directly affected by economic migration.
A dozen films are included in the International Competition, including Robert Kirchhoff’s NORMALIZATION (pictured), an investigation into a 1976 murder of a Slovakian student; Li Youjie’s ALAO’S VILLAGE, following the educated director back to his native peasant village; and Eva Knopf’s MAJUB’S JOURNEY, an exploration of the story of an African WWI colonial soldier who appeared in 1930s German cinema.
Finally, nine features are presented in the out of competition Special Programs section, including: Gonzalo Arijón’s BATTLE FOR RIO pictured), about the controversial and gentrifying police crackdowns taking place in Rio’s favelas; Pamela Yates’ DISRUPTION, following coordinated efforts to bring sustainable economic development to poor women in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru; and David Teboul’s BARDOT, THE MISUNDERSTOOD, an authorized biography on the legendary French actress, on the condition that she is not interviewed.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to theatres this Friday, April 4: THE UNKNOWN KNOWN
Errol Morris’ reckoning with Donald Rumsfeld’s attempted shaping of history made its debut at Telluride last year. It went on to screen at Toronto, Venice, DOC NYC, Chicago, Dubai, CPH:DOX, and IDFA, among others.
I included the film in my Toronto coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to PBS’ America ReFramed on the WORLD Channel tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1: TOWN HALL
Sierra Pettengill and Jamila Wignot’s portrait of Tea Party activists made its debut at Seattle last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, Woodstock, Camden, and Philadelphia, among others.
I previously wrote about the film for the DOC NYC program, saying:
An unexpected consequence of the 2008 presidential election, the Tea Party emerged as an ostensibly grassroots conservative political movement focused on limiting government and a political force with which to be reckoned, as demonstrated by the midterm elections. With restraint and candor, TOWN HALL takes an impartial but pointed look at two impassioned Pennsylvania Tea Party activists in the lead-up to the 2012 election, determined to restore their version of a theoretically “lost” America, but faced with complicated, if not contradictory, decisions.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Durham NC’s Full Frame Documentary Film Festival opens its 17th edition this Thursday, April 3, and runs through Sunday, April 6, presenting nearly a hundred films and special events. Among the special programs this year are a tribute to Steve James, including screenings of six of his past films and a conversation about the 20th anniversary of HOOP DREAMS; and “Approaches to Character,” a subject-focused program curated by filmmaker Lucy Walker. Beyond this retrospective programming, the festival’s line-up includes several strong films from Sundance, SXSW, and IDFA, as well as several titles making significant premieres in Durham, spotlighted below:
Eight feature docs enjoy their world premiere at Full Frame, including: Doug Block’s meditation on marriage, 112 WEDDINGS, which opens the fest; Lucia Small and Ed Pincus’ personal confrontation with mortality and grief, ONE CUT, ONE LIFE; Joanna Lipper’s chronicle of Nigeria’s most influential political families, THE SUPREME PRICE; Abby Ginzberg’s portrait of a celebrated anti-Apartheid leader, SOFT VENGEANCE: ALBIE SACHS AND THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA; Stephanie Wang-Breal’s exploration of the bureaucracy of child protective services, TOUGH LOVE; Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick’s look at union organizing by NYC restaurant workers, THE HAND THAT FEEDS; Kenneth Price’s profile of a music producer turned Harvard scholar, THE HIP-HOP FELLOW, and Mike Attie and Meghan O’Hara’s exploration of Vietnam War re-enactors, IN COUNTRY.
Making its US premiere is Heilika Pikkov’s FLOWERS FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, following an octogenarian Russian Orthodox nun. Among the North American premieres are: Chai-Min Ahn’s WHERE IS MY SON? (pictured), in which a son returns to care for his elderly mother; Paul-Anders Simma’s OLGA – TO MY FRIENDS, about the sole woman on a Lapland reindeer brigade; Corinne van Egeraat and Petr Lom’s ANA ANA, in which four Egyptian women document their lives in Cairo; and Yotam Feldman’s THE LAB, an exploration of Israeli’s lucrative defense industry.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
