Category Archives: Releases

On DVD: BARBARA LEE: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21:
BARBARA LEE: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Director:
Abby Ginzberg

World Premiere:
San Francisco 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, San Francisco Jewish, Pan African, Cleveland

About:
A portrait of the outspoken US Congresswoman.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
An intimate, inspiring, and timely portrait of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a true pioneer of American civil rights who was the lone voice in opposition to the authorization of military force after the September 11th attacks. A unique selection of political commentators, activists, politicians, and family members add depth to the story of the highest-ranking Black woman in the US Congress. Uncompromising and conscientious to the core, she is its most steadfast voice for peace, and for economic and racial justice.  

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On DVD: THE ONE AND ONLY DICK GREGORY

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21:
THE ONE AND ONLY DICK GREGORY

Director:
Andre Gaines

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2021

Select Festivals:
AFI Docs

About:
A revealing portrait of comedian/activist Dick Gregory, focusing on his many personal reinventions throughout the decades, from celebrity to civil rights hero and beyond, and how he has inspired others.

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On DVD: DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, September 21:
DOWN A DARK STAIRWELL

Director:
Ursula Liang

World Premiere:
True/False 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New Orleans, Human Rights Watch, BlackStar, Los Angeles Asian Pacific, San Diego Asian, Montclair, Hot Springs Doc, Milwaukee, Ashland,

About:
A death in a Brooklyn housing project sets off a complex fight for justice by two marginalized communities.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
In 2014, Peter Liang, a Chinese-American police officer, shot and killed an innocent, unarmed Black man named Akai Gurley in the dark stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project. In the midst of high racial tension surrounding police conduct, Liang becomes the first NYPD officer to receive a guilty verdict in such a case in over a decade. The highly publicized incident polarizes New York’s Asian and African American communities in this insightful look into the complexities of police reform.

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On TV: MUHAMMAD ALI

Coming to PBS beginning this Sunday, September 19:
MUHAMMAD ALI

Director:
Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon

World Premiere:
PBS broadcast (September 2021)

About:
A four-part docuseries providing an in-depth look at the life of the legendary boxer, activist, and philanthropist.

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On TV: FIASCO

Coming to Epix this Sunday, September 19:
FIASCO

Showrunner:
John Marks

World Premiere:
Nantucket 2021

About:
Spanning continents and time zones, this docuseries, based on Leon Neyfakh’s hit podcast, dives into one of the least understood of all political scandals and reveals the true scope of Iran Contra.

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On VOD: THE WONDERFUL: STORIES FROM THE SPACE STATION

Coming to VOD today, Friday, September 17:
THE WONDERFUL: STORIES FROM THE SPACE STATION

Director:
Clare Lewins

World Premiere:
DocEdge 2021

Select Festivals:
Moscow Doc

About:
Drawing on breathtaking archive and interviews with astronauts, cosmonauts, colleagues, and family members, the personal testimonies from the men and women who have been part of the International Space Station.

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In Theatres: CIVIL WAR (OR, WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE)

Coming to NYC’s IFC Center today, Friday, September 17:
CIVIL WAR (OR, WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE)

Director:
Rachel Boynton

World Premiere:
Peacock release (June 2021)

About:
An exploration of how America remembers the Civil War and what the stories we tell reveal about who we are, from President Obama’s final year in office through the present.

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In Theatres: IN BALANCHINE’S CLASSROOM

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 17:
IN BALANCHINE’S CLASSROOM

Director:
Connie Hochman

World Premiere:
FilmFest DC 2021

Select Festivals:
SF Dance, Woodstock

About:
A look back at the glory years of George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet through the remembrances of his former dancers and their quest to fulfill the vision of a genius.

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In Theatres: SAVIOR FOR SALE: DA VINCI’S LOST MASTERPIECE?

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 17:
SAVIOR FOR SALE: DA VINCI’S LOST MASTERPIECE?

Director:
Antoine Vitkine

World Premiere:
French release (April 2021)

About:
A journey on the hidden trails of money, power, and deception behind the disputed rediscovered masterpiece.

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In Theatres: BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, September 17:
BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER

Director:
Thomas Hamilton

World Premiere:
theatrical release (September 2021)

About:
An exploration of the life, career, and legacy of William Henry Pratt, better known by his stage name, Boris Karloff.

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