Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, June 21:
TWO GODS

Director:
Zeshawn Ali

World Premiere:
Full Frame 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, BlackStar, Montclair, Hot Docs, Camden

About:
A Black Muslim casket maker mentors two boys.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, June 18:
A CRIME ON THE BAYOU

Director:
Nancy Buirski

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
New Orleans, San Francisco Jewish, Big Sky Doc, Atlanta Jewish, Hamptons Docs

About:
An unjustly arrested Black man and his young Jewish attorney form a lifelong friendship.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Filmmaker Nancy Buirski tells the story of a lasting bond formed between an unjustly arrested Black man, Gary Duncan, and Richard Sobol, his young Jewish attorney. In 1966, 19-year-old Duncan faces the white supremacist court system in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, for daring to touch a white boy’s arm. Standing united, the pair takes Duncan’s case all the way to the US Supreme Court to fight for the rights of all Americans to a fair trial.

Coming to virtual cinemas today, Friday, June 18:
THE AMERICAN SECTOR

Director:
Courtney Stephens, Pacho Velez

World Premiere:
Berlin 2020

Select Festivals:
Art of the Real, Docaviv, Camden, AFI Fest, RIDM, Maryland

About:
A road trip tracking several of the remnants of the Berlin Wall now held by American collectors and institutions.

Coming to Netflix today, Tuesday, June 15:
FTA

Director:
Francine Parker

World Premiere:
Theatrical release (July 1972)

About:
A chronicle of the controversial anti-Vietnam War political vaudeville tour of American military bases, fronted by Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to HBO and HBO Max tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15:
REVOLUTION RENT

Director:
Andy Señor Jr, Victor Patrick Alvarez

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2019

Select Festivals:
Miami, Key West

About:
A Cuban American reconnects with his roots as he attempts to stage RENT on Cuba.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Theater director Andy is invited to bring the musical RENT to Cuba, his exiled parents’ homeland. Embarking on a personal journey to reclaim his complicated heritage, and to bridge cultural boundaries with Jonathan Larson’s inspiring musical, Andy is faced with the daunting task of opening the show just 12 weeks from first rehearsals. Will he be able to hone the raw young local talent he’s cast, contend with technical challenges and address RENT‘s controversial themes in Cuban society?

New to DVD this week:
HOT HOUSE

Director:
Shimon Dotan

World Premiere:
Jerusalem 2006

Select Festivals:
Sundance, Human Rights Watch, Watch Docs

About:
A look at how Israeli prisons have encouraged the development of the next generation of Palestinian leaders as well as future terrorist threats.