Continuing my spotlight on this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition with the first of three films that debuted at IDFA this past Fall: From France/Finland, HAPPINESS, Thomas Balmès’ illuminating look at the advent of modernity in a Bhutanese village.
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: HAPPINESS
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On DVD: LINSANITY
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7: LINSANITY
Evan Jackson Leong’s look at the celebrated basketball player made its debut at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at SXSW, Hawaii, Hong Kong, NY’s Asian American, LA Asian Pacific, and Pacific Rim, among others, and to enjoy a limited theatrical release.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE GREEN PRINCE
Resuming my overview of this year’s World Cinema Documentary Competition: From Germany/Israel/UK, THE GREEN PRINCE, Nadav Schirman’s exploration of the unlikely relationship between would-be mortal enemies.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On TV: TO CATCH A DOLLAR
Coming to the WORLD Channel today, Monday January 6: TO CATCH A DOLLAR: MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANKS ON AMERICA
Gayle Ferraro’s exploration of the potential of microfinance to change women’s lives made its debut at Sundance in 2010. It went on to screen at CPH:DOX and Miami, among other fests, and to have a successful theatrical release around the country.
I previously wrote about the doc here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: CONCERNING VIOLENCE
This week’s profiles come to an end with the return of alumnus Göran Hugo Olsson to the World Cinema Documentary Competition: Sweden’s CONCERNING VIOLENCE, a provocative meditation on colonialism and liberation in 20th century Africa.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On Cable: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE
Coming to Al Jazeera America Presents this Sunday, January 5: THE DARK MATTER OF LOVE
Sarah McCarthy’s exploration of adoption and the science of love had its world premiere last year in Moscow. It went on to screen at Toronto, DOC NYC, Antenna, and Lone Star, picking up an award at the latter.
I previously wrote about the doc out of Toronto here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH
Expanding beyond the US, the 2014 World Cinema Documentary Competition kicks off with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH, from the UK, a hybrid portrait of singer/songwriter Nick Cave.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On DVD: INEQUALITY FOR ALL
Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, January 7: INEQUALITY FOR ALL
Jacob Kornbluth’s exploration of America’s widening economic disparity debuted at Sundance last year, picking up a special jury prize. Its fest circuit has included Seattle, Traverse City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, AFI Docs, Zurich, and Deuville, among others.
My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: WATCHERS OF THE SKY
The sixteenth and final film in this year’s US Documentary Competition sees the return of a two-time Sundance alum: Edet Belzberg’s WATCHERS OF THE SKY, a far-ranging exploration of the world’s response to genocide.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
Special Screenings: Cinema Eye Honors Nominees
Coming to NYC’s Maysles Cinema today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, January 3-4: The Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Film Series
The 7th annual Cinema Eye Honors, celebrating excellence in nonfiction film, will take place on January 8 ay the Museum of Moving Image. Thanks to filmmaker/occasional critic Robert Greene, the Maysles Cinema is offering New Yorkers a chance to view three of the criminally underseen nominees of this year’s Spotlight Award, which singles out films from the previous year that deserve more attention than perhaps they have received.
I’ve included links to my previous coverage of each of the films, together with their series screening date and time:
THE LAST STATION
Friday, January 3, 7pm
VALENTINE ROAD
Friday, January 3, 9pm
FUCK FOR FOREST
Saturday, January 4, 4pm (includes Q&A with director)
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
