Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to theatres and to virtual cinemas tomorrow, Friday, May 14:
LOS HERMANOS/THE BROTHERS

Director:
Marcia Jarmel, Ken Schneider

World Premiere:
Woodstock 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Miami, Havana, GlobeDocs, BendFilm, Mill Valley, Ashland

About:
During the thaw in US/Cuban relations, two brothers, both gifted musicians, long separated by borders, reunite for a joint tour through both countries.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Brothers and gifted musicians, pianist Aldo and violinist Ilmar were separated during childhood after Ilmar left their native Cuba to study abroad, beginning a lifetime of being physically apart, yet alway connected by music. Brief windows of open US/Cuban relations allow the brothers’ joyous reunions where they revel in each others’ company and create beautiful classical, jazz, and Latin music together. Filmmakers Ken Schneider and Marcia Jarmel take the viewer on a delightful musical tour through Cuba and the US, with appearances from acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell.

New to DVD this week:
MARTIN MARGIELA: IN HIS OWN WORDS

Director:
Reiner Holzemer

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2019

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, New Zealand

About:
The elusive fashion designer reflects on his career.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, May 10:
THROUGH THE NIGHT

Director:
Loira Limbal

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New Orleans, Nantucket, AFI Docs, Double Exposure, Philadelphia Latino, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, Hawai’i, Hot Springs Doc

About:
A 24-hour childcare center proves indispensable for night-shift workers and single parents in this exploration of the personal cost of our modern economy.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, May 7:
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.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Filmmaker Dror Moreh proved himself an expert navigator of powerful figures in his Oscar-nominated film The Gatekeepers, about the leaders of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency. Now he employs his talents to probe the American-led negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in 2000. The main insiders on camera are six top American diplomats who testify to the human factor—the personal contact between the lead politicians Ehud Barak, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton—for a revelatory look at a lost opportunity.

New to DVD this week:
BLACK HOLES: THE EDGE OF ALL WE KNOW

Director:
Peter Galison

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2020

Select Festivals:
Bergen, Jackson Wild

About:
An international assemblage of scientists work together to capture the first image of a black hole.

In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope – a worldwide network of synchronized radio observatories – made history by revealing a photograph of a supermassive black hole in the M87 galaxy, 55 million light-years from Earth. Filmmaker Peter Galison goes behind the scenes to profile members of the team that made this groundbreaking event possible, individuals operating on the titular edge of human knowledge. Despite this, the film offers very clear explanations of basic scientific concepts at the core of their work, particularly how the EHT is set up to work as a de facto Earth-sized instrument, deftly using animation and graphics. Recognizing that the larger issues being addressed are both dry and far too advanced for the typical viewer, Galison wisely leans in on the human side of the equation, and if it’s not always riveting, the resulting project is a respectful and worthwhile attempt to acknowledge the importance of advanced scientific exploration.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, May 4:
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.