New to streaming this week:
BELLY OF THE BEAST
Director:
Erika Cohn
World Premiere:
Human Rights Watch NYC 2020
Select Festivals:
Mill Valley, Heartland, Double Exposure, Cucalorus, Rocky Mountain Women’s
About:
A woman sterilized without her consent while in prison teams with a dedicated attorney to stop the process.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to Netflix and to select theatres tomorrow, Friday, February 18:
DOWNFALL: THE CASE AGAINST BOEING
Director:
Rory Kennedy
World Premiere:
Sundance 2022
About:
An investigation of the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people, exploring both the root causes and the human cost, serves at once as a chilling portrait of a crumbling corporate culture and a fierce indictment of Wall Street’s corrupting influence.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
New to DVD this week:
RONNIE’S
Director:
Oliver Murray
World Premiere:
UK theatrical release (October 2020)
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, RiverRun
About:
The story of the legendary London night club and the musician for whom it was named.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to VOD this Friday, February 18:
PRESIDENT
Director:
Camilla Nielsson
World Premiere:
Sundance 2021
Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, AFI Docs, Docaviv, Thessaloniki Doc, Dokufest, Encounters, DMZ Docs, Melbourne, Docville, Zurich, Montclair, Philadelphia
Notable Recognition:
The doc has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards.
About:
The leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party seeks a free and fair election.
I previously wrote about the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to Netflix over three weeks, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 16:
JEEN-YUHS: A KANYE TRILOGY
Director:
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons, Chike Ozah
World Premiere:
Sundance 2022
About:
Kanye West in three acts. The story beyond the iconic music, and an intimate and empathetic chronicle featuring never-before-seen footage from 21 years in the life of a captivating figure.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to theatres and to VOD today, Friday, February 11:
RONNIE’S
Director:
Oliver Murray
World Premiere:
UK theatrical release (October 2020)
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, RiverRun
About:
The story of the legendary London night club and the musician for whom it was named.
The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
A chronicle of the life of saxophonist Ronnie Scott, from poor, Jewish kid growing up in 1940s East End, London to the owner of the legendary night club, Ronnie’s. Glorious clips from performances by jazz greats spanning decades—Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Chet Baker, and more—bring to life this story of a charming, talented man who secretly wrestled with his own inner demons.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Act one coming to theatres today, Thursday, February 10:
JEEN-YUHS: A KANYE TRILOGY
Director:
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons, Chike Ozah
World Premiere:
Sundance 2022
About:
Kanye West in three acts. The story beyond the iconic music, and an intimate and empathetic chronicle featuring never-before-seen footage from 21 years in the life of a captivating figure.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Festival:
The 72nd Berlinale
Dates:
February 10-20
About:
This A-list international cinema event returns its public event to the winter after shifting last year’s festival to the summer, and presents approximately 40 documentaries among its more than 130 new feature films.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, February 8:
SO LATE SO SOON
Director:
Daniel Hymanson
World Premiere:
True/False 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Cleveland, Big Sky Doc, Indie Memphis
About:
An exploration of the artistic process and life of a long-married couple.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Oscar nominations were announced this morning, including the documentaries listed below. Congratulations to all the nominees – particular Sundance winner FLEE, nominated in three categories – and good luck on Sunday, March 27.
Documentary Feature:
Documentary Short Subject:
Audible
Lead Me Home
The Queen of Basketball
Three Songs for Benazir
When We Were Bullies
International Feature Film:
Japan, DRIVE MY CAR
Denmark, FLEE (the sole documentary)
Italy, THE HAND OF GOD
Bhutan, LUNANA, A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM
Norway, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
Animated Feature Film:
ENCANTO
FLEE (the sole documentary)
LUCA
THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINE
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
what (not) to doc 