Category Archives: Releases

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, October 8:
THE ICE KING

Director:
James Erskine

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Frameline, Sydney

About:
A profile of a pioneering athlete.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Acknowledged as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time, John Curry was arguably the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Olympics, winning gold at the 1976 games. After he retired from competing, Curry cultivated a new art form, ice dancing, merging his two loves: ballet and skating. His dance company became an instant sensation, but success was short-lived as AIDS emerged. James Erskine’s film celebrates this pioneering figure and reintroduces him to a new generation.

Coming to PBS’s Frontline tonight, Tuesday, October 8:
ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS

Directors:
James Jones and Olivier Sarbil

World Premiere:
CPH:DOX 2019

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Sheffield, Melbourne, Human Rights Watch, Bergen, Raindance, Zurich, DokuFest,

About:
An inside look at Filipino president Duterte’s corrupt war on drugs.

Pledging zero tolerance for drug dealers and users within the Philippines, Duterte’s offensive resulted in the disturbing extra-judicial murder of thousands of people by police and vigilantes. Facing criticism and pressure, authorities promised to reign in excessive violence. In directors James Jones and Olivier Sarbil film, this comes in the form of new police chief Jemar Modequillo, tasked with overseeing the epicenter of the trouble, Caloocan, Manila. He berates his subordinates for firing excessively, pushes a watchlist program targeting suspected drug dealers and users, and, for awhile, the killings decrease. Modequilla and other police are not the sole focus of the film, however, as the directors also profile the leader of a small street crew, whose drug using father was murdered, as well as a mortician who’s been kept busy since the war on drugs began. The result is a sobering consideration of the impact on society by a leader who has abandoned the rule of law.

Coming to PBS’s POV tonight, Monday, October 7:
AMÉRICA

Directors:
Erick Stoll and Chase Whiteside

World Premiere:
True/False 2018

Select Festivals:
IDFA, CPH:DOX, Full Frame, Sheffield, AFI Docs, BAMcinemaFest, New Orleans, Denver, Camden, Guanajuato, DokuFest, Hot Springs Doc, Ashland, Maryland, Sidewalk, Reykjavik, Adelaide, Docs Against Gravity

About:
Three brothers take on the role of caretakers for their grandmother.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Wednesday, October 2:
CELEBRATION

Director:
Olivier Meyrou

World Premiere:
Berlin 2007

Select Festivals:
IDFA, True/False, Docs Against Gravity, Seattle, Vilnius

About:
A long-unreleased look at Yves Saint-Laurent at the end of his career.

Though commissioned by YSL’s business partner and former lover, Pierre Bergé, Olivier Meyrou’s film was prevented by him from screening again after its debut at Berlin over 12 years ago, until now. Finally having gotten the controlling Bergé’s blessing, this revealing behind-the-scenes portrait re-emerged at IDFA last year and has been playing several festivals since. Meyrou spent three years filming various aspects of YSL’s fashion house in the waning years of the visionary designer’s long reign, detailing the activities of the dedicated seamstresses, cutters, show organizers, and models, while YSL and Bergé observe and pass judgement. Largely observational, but tinged at times with telling moments of nostalgia for the heyday of the haute couture house, the film at the same time provides a rare inside glimpse of the world of high fashion while revealing the subtle power dynamics between Bergé and YSL.