This post begins my annual film-by-film look at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, kicking off with the 2014 US Documentary Competition. Up first alphabetically: ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC & MEMORY, Michael Rossato-Bennett’s exploration of the power of music to awaken sufferers of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus: ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC & MEMORY
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance
On TV: HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE
Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, December 30: HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE
David France’s look back at the power of grassroots activism at the start of the AIDS epidemic debuted at Sundance last year. It went on to screen at True/False, Silverdocs, New Directors/New Films, San Francisco, and Outfest, among many others, in addition to a theatrical release. It picked up several awards, including a Gotham, and was an Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature.
My profiled the doc before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Special Note: Submit Your Project to w(n)td
Just a quick reminder: To have your feature-length documentary work-in-progress (in production or post) considered for a potential profile here as part of my regular In the Works feature, use the submission form on the Submit page. Note that preference is typically given to docs that are just beginning crowdfunding campaigns, in order to give readers a chance to become more engaged with projects.
Filed under Documentary, Film, In the Works
2014 Sundance Docs in Focus
Next month marks the 30th anniversary Sundance Film Festival. As I’ve done since 2011, I’m planning to profile each of the nearly fifty feature-length documentaries in the lineup, beginning with the US Documentary Competition this Wednesday, and continuing section-by-section before wrapping up in advance of the festival kick off on Thursday, January 16.
As a Documentary Programming Associate for Sundance, I will note that these profiles are not reviews – each simply features select background on the film and its filmmakers, noting past Sundance projects where applicable, and reasons why readers should add these films to their watch-lists. I hope those who are Park City-bound will see these, and as many other films at Sundance as possible, or catch them at other upcoming festivals, in theatres, TV/cable, or on DVD/VOD. For a sample, check out last year’s, which began here.
I’ve also prepared a Twitter list of 2014 Sundance filmmakers and films, allowing readers a chance to experience the festival through their eyes.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations, Sundance
2013 Top Ten Docs
Indiewire has posted the top ten lists of various film industry respondents, including mine. You can see the full list here and my picks here.
As has been usual for me for this Iw list for several years now, I restricted myself to non-fiction (I’ve yet to watch most of the big end-of-the-year narrative likely award-contenders) and to only those films that had official releases in 2013. Festival favorites like MANAKAMANA and 12 O’CLOCK BOYS, etc, will have to wait until next year’s list.
Here are pointers to what I’ve written about my top ten docs of 2013 on what (not) to doc in the past. They are unranked, and in alphabetical order:
+ Five More:
20 FEET FROM STARDOM
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
On TV: MARVIN HAMLISCH
Coming to PBS’s American Masters this Friday, December 27: MARVIN HAMLISCH: WHAT HE DID FOR LOVE
Dori Berinstein’s exploration of the life and work of the popular composer had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival this Fall. It went on to screen at DOC NYC and the Hamptons, before a limited theatrical engagement at the beginning of the month.
I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On DVD: MORE THAN HONEY
Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, December 24: MORE THAN HONEY
Markus Imhoof’s exploration of the honeybee debuted at Locarno in 2012. It went on to screen at Toronto, Palm Springs, Cleveland, Sarasota, Vancouver, and Seattle, among others, before a theatrical and and VOD release.
I included the doc in my Toronto coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
On TV: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI
Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens this coming Monday, December 23: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI
David Gelb’s study of the world’s best sushi chef debuted at Tribeca in 2011. It went on to screen at Berlin, Jerusalem, AFI Fest, and Silverdocs, among many others, before a very successful theatrical and ancillary release.
I included the doc in my Tribeca coverage here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Special Screenings: Documentary Oscar Shortlist
Coming to NYC’s Film Society of Lincoln Center this Friday, December 20 through next Thursday, December 26: For Your Consideration: Documentary Oscar Hopefuls
New Yorkers are given one more chance to catch all fifteen docs shortlisted for the Best Documentary Oscar on the big screen before the five nominees are announced on January 16.
My previous coverage of all of the feature doc shortlist titles may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations
On VOD: GRANITO
Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, December 17: GRANITO: HOW TO NAIL A DICTATOR
Pamela Yates’ exploration of her work’s impact on justice in Guatemala debuted at Sundance in 2011. It went on to screen at Latin American and human rights festivals around the world, including New York and Paris, and to enjoy a limited theatrical release, as well as broadcast on POV. The doc now comes to iTunes.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
