Category Archives: Releases

December 14, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On TV: BROOKLYN INSHALLAH

Coming to The WORLD Channel’s America ReFramed today, Tuesday, December 14:
BROOKLYN INSHALLAH

Director:
Ahmed Mansour

World Premiere:
Telluride Mountainfilm 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Chicago Palestine, Toronto Palestine

About:
A Palestinian American Lutheran pastor campaigns for political office in NYC.

The film previously screened at DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Khader El-Yateem is a Palestinian American, a practicing Lutheran pastor and, he hopes, the first Arab American on the New York City Council. Having grown up amidst conflict before emigrating to the US, Father K works to alleviate the mounting fears of the diverse but marginalized Arab-American community of Bay Ridge following the 2016 presidential election. With the support of political activist Linda Sarsour, he mounts the campaign of a lifetime, taking viewers into the heart of identity politics.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

December 13, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On TV/Streaming: STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET

Coming to HBO and HBO Max today, Monday, December 13:
STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET

Director:
Marilyn Agrelo

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Seattle, San Francisco

About:
A look back at the origins of the pioneering children’s television powerhouse.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

December 10, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On TV: THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Coming to Showtime tomorrow, Saturday, December 11:
THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Director:
James Spinney, Peter Middleton

World Premiere:
Telluride 2021

Select Festivals:
BFI London, Camden, Zurich, Hamptons, AFI Fest

About:
The definitive story of cinema’s most iconic figure, from an impoverished childhood in London through a spectacular rise to fame, and onto the Hollywood limelight and a self-imposed exile.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

December 10, 2021 · 12:01 PM

In Theatres: BEIJING SPRING

Coming to theatres today, Friday, December 10:
BEIJING SPRING

Director:
Andy Cohen, Gaylen Ross

World Premiere:
FIFDH 2021 (International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights)

Select Festivals:
Leeds, St Louis, Montreal FIFA, Heartland

About:
An exploration of a brief period of greater freedom of expression in China following Mao’s death, between 1978-1980.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

December 9, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On DVD: LOVE IT WAS NOT

New to DVD this week:
LOVE IT WAS NOT

Director:
Maya Sarfaty

World Premiere:
Docaviv 2020

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Hot Docs

About:
The unbelievable and tragic love story of Helena, a young Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz, and Austrian SS officer Franz Wunsch.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

December 9, 2021 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: FILM ABOUT A FATHER WHO

New to DVD this week:
FILM ABOUT A FATHER WHO

Director:
Lynne Sachs

World Premiere:
Slamdance 2020

Select Festivals:
Doc Fortnight, Sheffield, Docaviv, Doclisboa, RIDM, Indie Memphis, Sarasota

About:
The filmmaker attempts to make sense of her wayward father.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

December 8, 2021 · 1:31 PM

On TV: DIRTY TRICKS

Coming to Showtime today, Wednesday, December 8:
DIRTY TRICKS

Director:
Daniel Sivan

World Premiere:
Hot Docs 2021

About:
When the best player in the elite competitive level of the card game bridge—a million-dollar cut-throat business—is accused of cheating, the ensuing scandal confounds experts, criminal science, celebrities, and basic belief in this hilarious true-crime thriller.