Category Archives: Releases

Coming to NYC’s IFC Center this Friday, October 12: THE IRAN JOB

Till Schauder’s story of an African-American basketball player in Iran had its world premiere this Summer at the Los Angeles Film Festival. While still on the festival circuit, the film has already opened theatrically in Los Angeles.

When Kevin Sheppard agrees to relocate from his home in the US Virgin Islands for a contract position on new Iranian basketball team, AC Shiraz, he leaves more than his girlfriend behind. As one of only two non-Iranians on the team, and the only African-American around, Sheppard sticks out, but he’s there to do a job, not serve as an ambassador for the freedoms of the West – or so he intends. When he meets Hilda, a physical therapist for AC Shiraz, and her friends Elaheh and Laleh, Sheppard forms an unexpectedly close friendship, one that demonstrates the social controls placed on women in the country. As the young women risk their reputations and potentially more to visit the apartment he shares with Serbian teammate Z and discuss taboo subjects, or show him around the city, Sheppard’s eyes open to the realities of the political situation in the region – something he witnesses as the Green Movement gains momentum in the lead up to the country’s contentious 2009 election. While basketball provides the narrative thrust, Schauder’s film transcends the typical sports film conventions to provide much more to think about than whether AC Shiraz will make it to the championships or not. As indicated by the title, Sheppard attempts to remain dispassionate about his presence in Iran, but beyond his outspoken friends, the gregarious young man is confronted with other characters who offer insight into Iranian society, such as his bemused non-English speaking super, Abdullah, or a merchant who expresses kinship with African Americans.

Now available on DVD via Amazon: 11/4/08

Jeff Deutchman’s participatory doc on the historic 2008 US Presidential election made its world premiere at SXSW in 2010. It screened at Sarasota, Traverse City, Chicago, and at theatres across the country for a special one-night only event.

I previously wrote about the film here.

Coming to NYC’s Maysles Cinema for its US theatrical premiere beginning this Monday, October 8: IN MY MOTHER’S ARMS

Atea Al-Daradji and Mohamed Al-Daradji’s intimate look at an Iraqi orphanage premiered at Toronto last year. It went on to screen at CPH:DOX, Thessaloniki Doc, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, and Planete Doc Review.

The Al-Daradji brothers spend over two years following Husham, a man of modest means who has taken on the role of surrogate father to a group of more than thirty young orphans in Baghdad. All too aware of the dangers facing children on the streets – potential recruits into criminal or terrorist groups – or in the few state-sponsored institutions – potential victims of violence and sexual abuse – Husham sets up a de facto orphanage , renting a small house to provide shelter and safety for war orphans. Some of his charges are specifically singled out – unsurprisingly, because of the traumas that they have experienced, Sallah remains mute, Saif has anger issues, and Mohammed struggles with school though he is surprisingly on a competitive diving team. Spread thin, Husham, who already finds it hard to secure sufficient help or financing for his orphanage, soon faces imminent eviction. The film presents the orphanage in an appropriately raw and gritty light, allowing the viewer to become immersed in the children’s experiences, and generating undeniable empathy for Husham. Still, his task is decidedly Sisyphean – hanging over the film is the knowledge that, while his efforts are heartfelt, they are extremely limited – making this less a portrait of an inspirational change maker, and more an alarm calling for larger efforts to provide better lives to the thousands a single man cannot save.

Now available on VOD through Amazon: NEXT YEAR COUNTRY

Joseph Aguirre’s look at an unusual response to a long Montana drought had its world premiere at the 2010 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, where it also picked up an award. It also claimed an award at DocuWest, screened at other fests in Wyoming and Santa Cruz, and was broadcast by a number of PBS stations in the Summer of 2010. It’s been brought to VOD by FilmBuff beginning this week.

In Montana, where a drought has endangered farm operations and people’s livelihoods more or less since 1985, some farm families are pushed to desperate measures. The Fuhrmans seek the help of Matt Ryan, a rainmaker, who has hired his services out, helping unblock nature to regulate itself and encourage rain production. After Ryan’s apparent success at the Fuhrman’s, media reports lead to both enthusiasm from others in nearby communities, and deep skepticism from others when they learn of his price tag. In a land besieged by harsh weather conditions, Ryan brings hope to some, appealing to the farmers’ and ranchers’ eternal optimism that next year could be better. Aguirre’s portrait is well-constructed, offering audiences a glimpse at a pace and way of life that’s both individualistic and yet also inescapably tied to nature.