Category Archives: Releases

On DVD/VOD: SEARCHING FOR MR RUGOFF

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 7:
SEARCHING FOR MR RUGOFF

Director:
Ira Deutchman

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2019

Select Festivals:
Palm Springs, Cleveland, Wisconsin, Galway, Mill Valley

About:
A look back at the outsized personality behind legendary art house distributor Cinema 5.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On VOD: A SEXPLANATION

Coming to VOD today, Monday, June 6:
A SEXPLANATION

Director:
Alex Liu

World Premiere:
Cinequest 2021

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, Frameline, Inside Out, Sebastopol Doc, NYC Asian American, Zurich, Anchorage, Honolulu, Tallgrass

About:
The filmmaker probes the failures of our country’s sex education, the proliferation of pornography, and the stigma that is still attached to sex in America today.

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On DVD: MAU

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 7:
MAU

Director:
Benji Bergmann, Jono Bergmann

World Premiere:
SXSW 2021

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, Tallinn Black Nights

About:
The unlikely story of design visionary Bruce Mau and his ever-optimistic push for massive change.

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In Theatres & On VOD: WE ARE THE THOUSAND

Coming to theatres and VOD today, Friday, June 3:
WE ARE THE THOUSAND

Director:
Anita Rivaroli

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Hot Docs, Melbourne, Docs Against Gravity, Thessaloniki Doc

About:
An uplifting, inspiring, and emotional music documentary about a seemingly impossible plan to record a song by the Foo Fighters with a thousand musicians.

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On TV: JOE PAPP IN FIVE ACTS

Coming to PBS’s American Masters tomorrow, Friday, June 3:
JOE PAPP IN FIVE ACTS

Director:
Tracie Holder, Karen Thorsen

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2012

Select Festivals:
AFI Docs, Rio, Brisbane, Ashland, San Francisco Jewish, Havana

About:
A portrait of the founder of The Public Theater, who believed in the democratization of theatre for all, spearheading free performances of Shakespeare in the Park and producing groundbreaking plays in his legendary NYC venue.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On DVD: THE RELUCTANT RADICAL

New to DVD this week:
THE RELUCTANT RADICAL

Director:
Lindsey Grayzel

World Premiere:
Big Sky Doc 2018

Select Festivals:
Guth Gafa, Salem, Ashland, Princeton Environmental, Thin Line, Planet in Focus, Wild & Scenic

About:
An activist combats climate change by facing off against the fossil fuel industry, ultimately breaking the law to make a stand for future generations.

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On TV: WORKHORSE QUEEN

Coming to Starz tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1:
WORKHORSE QUEEN

Director:
Angela Washko

World Premiere:
Slamdance 2021

Select Festivals:
Calgary Underground, San Francisco Doc, DocEdge, Florida, Milwaukee, LGBT fests in Austin, Tel Aviv, Vancouver

About:
After being cast on RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, 47-year old suburban telemarketer Ed Popil leaves his job to pursue a full-time entertainment industry career as his drag queen alter ego, 1960s era housewife Mrs Kasha Davis. 

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On DVD/VOD: THE WOBBLIES

Coming to DVD and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, May 31:
THE WOBBLIES

Director:
Stewart Bird, Deborah Shaffer

World Premiere:
New York Film Festival 1979

About:
The story of radical labor union the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), better known as the Wobblies, which championed the formation of “one big union” for all unskilled laborers, regardless of their race and gender.

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On TV: JULIA

Coming to CNN tonight, Monday, May 30:
JULIA

Director:
Julie Cohen, Betsy West

World Premiere:
Telluride 2021

Select Festivals:
Toronto, DOC NYC, Hamptons, Chicago, AFI Fest, Mill Valley, Philadelphia, Woodstock, Heartland

Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
A portrait of the trailblazing, exuberant chef who filled TV screens for decades. 

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Streaming: WE FEED PEOPLE

Coming to Disney+ today, Friday, May 27:
WE FEED PEOPLE

Director:
Ron Howard

World Premiere:
SXSW 2022

About:
The story of renowned chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen’s evolution over a 12 year period.

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