2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE FIGHT

THE FIGHT | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Sean McGing

THE FIGHT
Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres profile several ACLU attorneys as they challenge the Trump administration’s assault on civil liberties.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

Special Screenings: CITY OF JOEL

Coming to NYC’s JCC Manhattan for several screenings beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 3:
CITY OF JOEL

Director:
Jesse Sweet

World Premiere:
Hamptons 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Palm Springs, Jewish fests in San Francisco, Atlanta, Moscow, Rutgers, Boca Raton, Washington DC, and Phoenix

About:
An expansion plan by a Hasidic community leads to a turf war in a small New York town.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Located in the town of Monroe, NY, just over 50 miles north of New York City, the village of Kiryas Joel claims one of the fastest-growing Hasidic communities in the US. When the secular residents of the larger township – already wary of their insular neighbors – learn of Kiryas Joel’s desire to annex adjacent land to address its population growth, this sets off a turf war with political, economic, and religious implications, echoing the divide within our nation as a whole.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: FEELS GOOD MAN

FEELS GOOD MAN | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Kurt Keppeler and Christian Bruno

FEELS GOOD MAN
Arthur Jones traces the unpredictable development of an influential Internet meme.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD

DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by John Wakayama Carey

DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD
Kirsten Johnson approaches her father’s mortality with inventiveness and dark humor.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

2 Comments

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

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: CRIP CAMP

CRIP CAMP | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Steve Honigsbaum

CRIP CAMP
Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht chronicle the origins of America’s disability rights movement.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE COST OF SILENCE

THE COST OF SILENCE | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by John Wathan

THE COST OF SILENCE
Mark Manning exposes a nearly decade-long cover up of a public health disaster in the wake of Deepwater Horizon.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: CODED BIAS

CODED BIAS | Courtesy of Sundance Institute

CODED BIAS
Shalini Kantayya explores disturbing gender and racial bias prevalent in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: BOYS STATE

BOYS STATE | Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Thorsten Thielow

BOYS STATE
Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine offer an eye-opening look at divisive modern-day American politics through the long-running titular high school leadership program.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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

On TV: LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE

Coming to CNN tomorrow, Wednesday, January 1:
LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE

Directors:
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2019

Select Festivals:
Provincetown, AFI Docs, Atlantic

About:
A look back at the celebrated pop artist’s career.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

2020 Sundance Docs in Focus: BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS

BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS | Courtesy of Sundance Institute

BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS
Bill Ross and Turner Ross chronicle the patrons and staff of a dive bar on its final day.

Festival Section:
US Documentary Competition
Continue reading →

Leave a comment

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