Category Archives: Releases

Coming to PBS’s American Experience tonight, Tuesday, November 18: COLD WAR ROADSHOW

Robert Stone and Tim B Toidze’s look back at the unprecedented tour of the US by a Soviet leader has traveled the festival circuit under the title KHRUSHCHEV DOES AMERICA, with stops at Hot Docs and Hot Springs, among other events.

Toidze and Stone’s film recaptures a clear sense of 1950s America in all of its anti-Communist hysteria, and how Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s two week visit unexpectedly precipitated a cautious thaw in the Cold War. In the Fall of 1959, the leader of the USSR touched down in Washington DC with his family, and his unexpected gregariousness prompted a media circus through the then-relatively new medium of television, with regular news coverage following Khrushchev to NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Iowa, and Pittsburgh before a series of talks with President Eisenhower at Camp David. Though his initial reception in NYC , shown here, saw the Premier greeted by thousands of silent onlookers, unwilling to cheer for the leader of the country’s number one enemy, Khrushchev soon upended the average American’s expectations of the Godless, evil Communist. The rotund, jocular man knew how to turn on the charm for the camera, generating proto-reality television fascination as he visited a farmer’s cornfield or hugged a little girl presenting flowers. Still, as noted in the film, Khrushchev wasn’t one to brook insult, leading to tense exchanges with the jingoistic Mayor of Los Angeles, and exasperation when a trip to Disneyland was cancelled for security reasons. Utilizing fantastic archival footage, as well as interviews with Khrushchev’s son and Ike’s granddaughter, among others, Toidze and Stone present a revealing, unusual slice of Cold War history.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 18: WHAT NOW? REMIND ME

Joaquim Pinto’s intimate exploration of disease had its world premiere at Locarno last year, where it won the FIPRESCI and Special Jury Prizes. Its fest circuit also included New York Film Festival, Rotterdam, Vancouver, QueerLisboa, Hong Kong, Thessaloniki Doc, RIDM, DocLisboa, San Francisco, CPH:DOX, Edinburgh, and Seattle, among others.

I previously wrote about the film here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, November 18: HOTLINE

Tony Shaff’s exploration of the power of connections made between strangers debuted at Hot Docs. It has gone on to screen at DOC NYC, New Orleans, Denver, Portland, Rhode Island, Brooklyn, and Camden. Gravitas Ventures now releases the film on iTunes and other VOD platforms.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Once ubiquitous, but surprisingly still in regular use despite our increasingly detached digital world, telephone hotlines connect strangers for a multiplicity of purposes. Some are for profit, others for the public good – from the titillation of phone sex or the spiritual advice of Ms. Cleo, to the lifesaving potential of a suicide prevention line. Tony Shaff’s inquisitive film explores what motivates individuals to reveal personal details of their lives in conversations with faceless strangers.

Coming to Fusion tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18: TRUE SON

Kevin Gordon’s profile of a young politician bowed at Tribeca this Spring. It went on to SF DocFest, Oakland Underground, the United Nations Association, and Indie Memphis before a limited theatrical release.

I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.

Coming to HBO tonight, Monday, November 17: BANKSY DOES NEW YORK

Chris Moukarbel’s exploration of a month-long public art sensation debuted at the Hamptons last month. It went on to screen at DOC NYC this past weekend.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Last October, when infamous street artist Banksy revealed his New York City residency, he set off a daily scavenger hunt among curious fans, would-be art collectors, and, of course, the police. With camera phones at the ready, everyone wanted a piece of his ephemeral works before they were destroyed – or removed for profit. Chris Moukarbel tracks the course of Banksy’s secretly created public works from the Lower East Side to Staten Island, Williamsburg to Willets Point, and explores the unprecedented speed of the public’s reaction.

Coming to Audience DirecTV tomorrow, Saturday, November 15: LUCKY

Laura Checkoway’s portrait of an edgy aspiring model with a troubled past debuted at Hot Docs last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, BAFICI, Urbanworld, and Atlanta, among others.

I included the film in my Hot Docs coverage, which may be found here.