Category Archives: Recommendations

Currently in virtual cinemas:
IN SILICO

Director:
Noah Hutton

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX

About:
The filmmaker traces a project to build a brain simulation over a decade.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Director Noah Hutton embarks on a 10-year project following a visionary neuroscientist’s quest to build a computer simulation of a brain. With unprecedented access to the inner workings of a multimillion-dollar scientific project led by Henry Markram and a roster of characters that involves the who’s who of neuroscience, the audience is led on a journey that poses provocative philosophical, ethical, and scientific questions.

Coming to virtual cinemas today, Friday, April 30:
DOPE IS DEATH

Director:
Mia Donovan

World Premiere:
True/False 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Hot Docs, Denver

About:
The story of a pioneering acupuncture detoxification program led by the Black Panthers and the young Lords in 1970s South Bronx.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres and to virtual cinemas tomorrow, Friday, April 30:
DUTY FREE

Director:
Sian-Pierre Regis

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Big Sky, Miami, ACT Human Rights

About:
As his recently laid off mother struggles to find a new job at the age of 75, the filmmaker celebrates her lifetime of self-sacrifice.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
After stints as a contributor to CNN and MTV, Sian-Pierre Regis makes his directing debut with this poignant story about his immigrant mother, Rebecca Danigelis. At the age of 75, she’s fired from her lifelong job as a hotel housekeeper. She has scant savings after supporting two sons as a single mother. As his mother struggles to find a new job and faces ageism, Sian-Pierre cares for Rebecca by giving her an unforgettable adventure. Their story was covered in The New York Times article, “My Retirement Plan Is You,” and resonates for a whole generation of adults grappling with how to care for their parents.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 27:
OTTOLENGHI AND THE CAKES OF VERSAILLES

Director:
Laura Gabbert

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Sedona, Hot Springs Doc, Florida

About:
Renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi assembles a confectionary tribute to Versailles for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to virtual release today, Friday, April 23:
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS

Director:
Lisa Rovner

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2020

Select Festivals:
SXSW, Sheffield, AFI Fest, Punto de Vista, Dublin Feminist, Tampere, Jihlava

About:
An exploration of the pioneering influence of women on electronic music.

Faced with a lack of opportunities and often blatant sexism in the music field, many female composers turned to the non-mainstream world of electronic music to carve out their own niche. Even so, few of these pioneers have been given their due, and none is particularly well known, not even within the niche. Lisa Rovner aims to change that with this project, which functions mostly as a primer on the topic rather than an in-depth study. She puts the spotlight on several women to explore the history and development of electronic music through a distinctly female-focused lens. Though limited in its scope – its subjects are all white women, primarily American, and some receive more space than others – the film proves an informative corrective. Pointing out blind spots and intentional omissions in how the story of music has traditionally been told, Rovner’s doc should inspire curious viewers to seek out the wider story.