USERS
Natalia Almada offers a thought-provoking essay about the unexpected consequences of our dependence on technology.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Category Archives: Recommendations
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: USERS
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On DVD: A THOUSAND CUTS
Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, January 12:
A THOUSAND CUTS
Director:
Ramona Diaz
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, SXSW, AFI Docs, Full Frame, San Francisco, Cleveland
About:
A chilling look at the assault on fundamental democratic freedoms in the Philippines.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: TRY HARDER!
TRY HARDER!
Debbie Lum follows the graduating class of a competitive San Francisco High School through its college application process.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On VOD: CRACK: COCAINE, CORRUPTION & CONSPIRACY
Coming to Netflix today, Monday, January 11:
CRACK: COCAINE, CORRUPTION & CONSPIRACY
Director:
Stanley Nelson
World Premiere:
Netflix (January 2021)
About:
A provocative investigation of the crack epidemic of the 1980s-’90s.
America’s ill-conceived and ineffective “war on drugs” ramped up under Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush in the 1980s, largely as a response to crack. Draconian laws punished dealer and user alike, resulting in mass incarceration, disproportionately affecting people of color and laying siege to their communities and families, with the parallel militarization of the police. While crack use was hardly limited to Black people, with some estimating that as many as two-thirds of users were actually white, law enforcement and the media largely ignored the latter, instead demonizing people of color. Acclaimed documentarian Stanley Nelson revisits the origins of the crack epidemic and explores its legacy, offering astute historical and cultural context for how and why crack emerged and became central to mainstream, racist narratives of Black criminality and the expansion of the prison industrial system.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)
SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson revisits a long overlooked piece of Black music history.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition (Day One film)
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT
RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT
Mariem Pérez Riera profiles the pioneering, EGOT-winning star of stage and screen.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On VOD: THE DISSIDENT
Coming to VOD today, Friday, January 8:
THE DISSIDENT
Director:
Bryan Fogel
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Zurich, Aspen, Savannah, Stockholm
About:
An investigation of the shocking murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: REBEL HEARTS
REBEL HEARTS
Pedro Kos reveals the story of an unlikely group of radically progressive nuns.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
2021 Sundance Docs in Focus: HOMEROOM
HOMEROOM
Peter Nicks profiles an Oakland high school class in the tumultuous year of COVID and a widespread reckoning of racial injustice.
Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
In Theatres/Virtual Release: THE REASON I JUMP
Coming to select theatres and to virtual cinemas tomorrow, Friday, January 8:
THE REASON I JUMP
Director:
Jerry Rothwell
World Premiere:
Sundance 2020
Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Docs Against Gravity, London, ReelAbilities
About:
A profile of non-verbal autistic young people, based on the New York Times bestseller by Naoki Higashida.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
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