Category Archives: Releases

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 30:
KINSHASA MAKAMBO

Director:
Dieudo Hamadi

Premiere:
Berlin 2018

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, True/False, Sheffield, AFI Docs, Docaviv, BelDocs, Cinema du Reel, Zurich, Durban, Open City Doc, Dokufest, Zanzibar, Indie Memphis

About:
Three young activists struggle to bring free elections to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

When the Congo’s president, Joseph Kabila, attempts to rewrite the nation’s constitution to allow him to remain in power following the end of his second term in office, protests erupt to demonstrate opposition. Among the resistance are three young activists who each have different approaches. Ben, who has fled for his own safety after organizing rallies, returns to the Congo and contemplates uniting forces with the elderly leader of the opposition, also recently returned from exile. Jean-Marie, following a prison term for his own dissidence, resorts to ineffectual psychological warfare. Christian, far more radical than his friends, strongly dismisses any compromise. While the filmmaking tends towards the by now overly familiar, herky-jerky, immersive handheld variety, the protagonists’ competing approaches in the face of seeming hopelessness is what makes this project compelling.

New to DVD this week:
DOGTOWN REDEMPTION

Directors:
Amir Soltani and Chihiro Wimbush

Premiere:
Mill Valley 2015

Select Festivals:
Salem, Santa Monica

About:
An exploration of homeless individuals and their subsistence through recycling.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, November 30:
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF DESIRE

Director:
Hao Wu

Premiere:
SXSW 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Sheffield Doc Edge, Seattle, CAAMFest, Melbourne, Fantasia, Documenta

About:
A look at a disturbing online world of popularity and fandom in China.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
This stranger than fiction project explores the phenomenon of China’s live-streaming showrooms, where ordinary people can find legions of fans and financial rewards. Hao Wu profiles two unlikely stars of this online world – a karaoke singer and a rags-to-riches comedian – as they seek fame, fortune, and human connection only to find the same promises and perils online as in their real lives.

Coming to theatres this Friday, November 30:
BATHTUBS OVER BROADWAY

Director:
Dava Whisenant

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, AFI Docs, Traverse City, Nashville, Sidewalk, Mill Valley, Vancouver

About:
A comedy writer becomes obsessed with corporate musicals.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

New to VOD via iTunes this week:
OF FISH AND FOE

Directors:
Heike Bachelier and Andy Heathcote

Premiere:
Hot Docs 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC

About:
An exploration of the tensions between traditional fishing practices and animal rights activism.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
One of Scotland’s last salmon fishing families is accused of animal rights violations. Constantly followed and recorded by environmental watchdog groups, the Pullar family attempts to pursue its livelihood using hunting practices passed down for generations. Tensions escalate when the government becomes involved. Is there a future for their traditional way of fishing? Nuanced and carefully balanced, Heike Bachelier and Andy Heathcote’s film questions where the line is drawn when trying to both preserve wildlife populations and support local industry.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, November 27:
JOHN MCENROE: IN THE REALM OF PERFECTION

Director:
Julien Faraut

Premiere:
Berlin 2018

Select Festivals:
Cinema du Reel, Art of the Real, Seattle, deadCenter, Las Vegas, Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand, Provincetown, Jerusalem, Jeonju

About:
The athlete’s 1984 French Open performance illustrates an essay on the linkage between tennis and cinema.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD/VOD today, Tuesday, November 27:
SAVING BRINTON

Directors:
Andrew Sherburne and Tommy Haines

Premiere:
AFI Docs 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Rotterdam, Thessaloniki Doc, Jeonju, BAFICI, Big Sky Doc, Hot Springs Doc, RiverRun, Julien Dubuque, Ashland, St Louis, Flyway, Anchorage

About:
A fascinating excavation of early film history and showmanship.

I previously wrote about the doc here.