Coming to PBS’ Independent Lens next Monday, May 28: HELL AND BACK AGAIN
Danfung Dennis look at a veteran’s harrowing struggle with post-war life made its premiere at Sundance last year, where it won two awards. Additional festival screenings included Full Frame, Hot Docs, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Silverdocs. After a limited theatrical release, it made the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Saturday, May 26: KUMARÉ
Vikram Gandhi’s “true story of a false prophet” made its world premiere at SXSW last year, where it won an audience award. Other notable festival screenings included Woodstock, Hot Docs, Tallgrass, and Planete Doc.
I covered the film in my SXSW roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 22: WHEN CHINA MET AFRICA
Marc & Nick Francis’ look at the expansion of Chinese interests in Zambia has screened extensively since its premiere in 2010. Festival appearances have included IDFA, Margaret Mead, FESPACO, Full Frame, Encounters, Sheffield, and Rotterdam.
The makers of BLACK GOLD take a different approach to documenting globalization, focusing on African economic development by China. Their protagonists’s stories reflect the seemingly symbiotic but clearly imbalanced relationship between an economic superpower and a country rich in resources but lacking in infrastructure. On the African side is Felix Mutati, Zambia’s trade minister, leading the charge to facilitate the expansion of Chinese interests in his country, hopeful the these initiatives will provide a much needed economic boon. On the Chinese side are Mr Liu, a successful owner of multiple farms who complains of his Zambian farmhands’ work ethic; and Mr Li, an engineer contracted to complete a critical highway, but whose job is hampered by delays and budget cuts. More than a portrait of culture clash, the Francis’ smart film raises provocative questions around China’s involvement in Africa – will it benefit both, or instead lead to a form of economic colonization?
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Saturday, May 19: THE WAITING ROOM
Peter Nicks’ day in the life of an Oakland hospital emergency room had its world premiere at Full Frame last month, where it picked up the Emerging Artist Award. It’s also screened at True/False, Hot Docs, Ashland, and San Francisco, claiming both an Audience Award and a Golden Gate Award at the latter.
I included the film in my Hot Docs roundup
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
Coming to theatres this Friday, May 18: MANSOME
Morgan Spurlock’s lighthearted exploration of male grooming had its world premiere last month at Tribeca. Paladin is releasing the film around the country starting this weekend.
I included the film in my Tribeca roundup
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Available on VOD today, Tuesday, May 15: FAKE IT SO REAL
Robert Greene’s profile of would-be professional wrestlers premiered at last year’s True/False. After a festival run that included Sarasota, Camden, Rooftop Films, and CPH:DOX, the film was released theatrically beginning in January. It now comes to VOD via iTunes and numerous platforms, including Vudu, Amazon, Sony Playstation, and more.
I included the film in my T/F roundup
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
The 38th edition of the Seattle International Film Festival – the US’ largest/longest film festival – kicks off this Thursday and runs for 25 days, closing on June 10. Presenting a staggering 273 features and 187 shorts, the festival boasts more than sixty documentary features in its line-up this year. More than half represent some of the best received films from Sundance, SXSW, and other notable fests, while the remaining include new US and international docs making their premiere here, including a number hailing from the Pacific Northwest. While I’ve never made it to the festival before, what follows are the films I’d be most interested in checking out if I were going this year (the intriguing, strictly hush-hush Secret Festival would definitely also be on my list). Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
Coming to theatres this Friday, May 18: INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE
Lisanne Pajot and James Swirksy’s exploration of creativity and passion had its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance, where it picked up the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award. Additional festival screenings have included SXSW, RiverRun, and Hot Docs. After opening theatrically in Seattle April 27, the film expands to NYC, LA, SF, and Phoenix this week, with additional international engagements to come.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday May 15: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH: AN URBAN HISTORY
Chad Friedrichs’ analysis of a high profile “failure” of urban renewal had its world premiere at last year’s True/False. After additional screenings, including Silverdocs and Stranger Than Fiction, the film had a limited theatrical release.
I included the film in my Silverdocs roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
This post wraps up my reactions to Hot Docs with a look at select titles from World Showcase and Rise Against, a thematic section looking at activism. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
