Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Thursday, September 16 and to virtual cinemas this Friday, September 17:
I AM NOT ALONE

Director:
Garin Hovannisian

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Palm Springs, Oxford, Thessaloniki Doc, Hong Kong

About:
An exploration of the 2018 Armenian revolution through the citizen activists who refused to accept it.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
In 2018, Armenia experienced a peaceful revolution that’s inspiring to anyone challenging power. Nikol Pashinyan—a former journalist and political prisoner turned Member of Parliament—begins a march by himself to protest Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan trying to extend the reach of his power. The film observes how Pashinyan’s campaign slowly grows from one person into a mass movement. Briskly paced and offering a balance of perspectives, Garin Hovannisian’s film is a feat of nonfiction storytelling.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 14:
THE HUMAN FACTOR

Director:
Dror Moreh

World Premiere:
Telluride 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hamptons, Chicago, AFI Fest, Philadelphia, Cork, Jerusalem, Woodstock, Savannah

About:
A look back at peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine in 2000 through the memories of American diplomats.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films tomorrow, Wednesday, September 15:
WE ARE THE THOUSAND

Director:
Anita Rivaroli

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Hot Docs, Melbourne, Docs Against Gravity

About:
An uplifting, inspiring, and emotional music documentary about a seemingly impossible plan to record a song by the Foo Fighters with a thousand musicians.

Coming to HBO Max this Wednesday, August 15:
A LA CALLE

Director:
Nelson G Navarrete, Maxx Caicedo

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Docaviv, Human Rights Watch, Cleveland, Miamia, Movies That Matter, United Nations Association

About:
An on-the-ground account of the extraordinary efforts of ordinary Venezuelans to reclaim their democracy from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Venezuela’s recent political upheavals are made vivid in Maxx Caicedo and Nelson G Navarrete’s film, whose title translates to “to the street.” Covering multiple perspectives in the tradition of epic documentaries such as THE SQUARE and WINTER ON FIRE, the film captures history unfolding over several years. The filmmakers gain close access to Leopoldo López, whose arrest and imprisonment inspires a national movement against the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro. This vital chronicle not only helps us understand Venezuela, it also exemplifies a spirit of resistance against corruption that is universally inspiring.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14:
CAN YOU BRING IT: BILL T JONES AND D-MAN IN THE WATERS

Director:
Rosalynde LeBlanc, Tom Hurwitz

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Frameline, Vancouver, Milwaukee, SF Dance, Outshine Miami

About:
The story behind Bill T Jones and Arnie Zane’s titular performance piece on the devastation of AIDS.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to History this Sunday, September 12:
DESERT ONE

Director:
Barbara Kopple

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, AFI Fest, Double Exposure, Palm Springs, Full Frame, Big Sky Doc

About:
An up-close look at the mission to free American hostages during the 1979 Iranian revolution

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 10:
THE CAPOTE TAPES

Director:
Ebs Burnough

World Premiere:
Toronto 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hamptons, Rio, Provincetown, Docs Against Gravity, RiverRun

About:
Using audio recordings, animation, and new on-camera interviews with people who knew him, the film explores the impact of Truman Capote’s explosive final, unfinished novel.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Truman Capote was a singular figure in the 20th century. He presented himself unapologetically on television at a time when most gay men took pains to avoid scrutiny. His books Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood were bestsellers and critical darlings.

Now Ebs Burnough’s film delivers a fresh portrait that reinvigorates our understanding of this vital writer. Among the film’s revelations are newly discovered tapes of interviews that The Paris Review co-founder George Plimpton conducted with Capote’s friends after his death.

The film dwells strongly on Capote’s final uncompleted novel, Answered Prayers, which set out to expose Manhattan’s social aristocracy after he befriended them. Plimpton’s tapes shed new light on what happened. They are interwoven with Capote’s notorious television appearances and insightful interviews with the likes of Dick Cavett and Jay McInerney. One unexpected interview is with Capote’s assistant, Kate Harrington, who he treated like an adopted daughter.

Filmmaker Ebs Burnough brings an understanding of elite cultural circles from his own distinguished career, which includes a stint in Obama’s White House. He navigates the complexities of Capote’s life with great skill. The film doesn’t shy away from Capote’s darker side, but it gloriously celebrates his towering achievements.