what (not) to doc

This year’s DOC NYC launches tomorrow! As the shorts programmer for the festival, I’m sharing my thoughts on our six thematic shorts collections. This third program explores the universal bonds between family members.

DOC NYC Program Description:

FAMILY TIES:
Monday, November 12 at 7:00pm
The complex relationship between parents and their children is at the heart of this program. THE CAREGIVER (10 min, John Paul Su) profiles a woman who tends to sick children at work and at home. NOBODY’S OFF THE HOOK (28 min, Remy Weber) traces a difficult history of dysfunction and ambivalent reconciliation between a father and his children. CAPTIVE RADIO (23 min, Lauren Rosenfeld) gives hope to Colombian hostages by broadcasting messages from their families. THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR (36 min, Doug Block) examines the deep psychological scars inflicted on children by a horrific case of domestic violence.

Why You Should Attend:
Everyone can relate to the fundamental connection between mothers and fathers and their kids, even if the situations these films’ subjects are in are at times extreme. Of particular note here: Lauren Rosenfeld is in the running for an IDA Award for her film, while Doug Block is known for his personal films 51 BIRCH STREET and THE KIDS GROW UP.

More Info:
To purchase tickets, follow the link from the program page by clicking on the program title above.

DOC NYC‘s expanded panel series, Doc-A-Thon, begins this Friday! A previous post profiled the sessions on offer for Doc-A-Thon’s first day; today’s post looks at the Masterclasses which will be presented at the IFC Center on the second day. As noted before, Doc-A-Thon has a daily filmmaking theme that forms the backbone of the day’s four panels. The theme for Day 2, Monday, November 12, is “Shoot Your Doc.” Whether you’ve started filming, or are itching to get that production started, Day 2’s experts can offer invaluable information to inspire your doc, and hopefully help you make it better. Continue reading →

The countdown to DOC NYC continues with a look at the second of six thematic shorts collections that I programmed for the festival. Fittingly the city know internationally for its theatre, dance, and other arts serves as a host to a program that celebrates performers, their struggles, and their triumphs.

DOC NYC Program Description:

GREAT PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, November 10 at 11:00am
These shorts shine a spotlight on dance, music, and performance art. STILL MOVING: PILOBOLUS AT FORTY (38 min, Jeffrey Ruoff) reveals the surprising past and still vibrant present of the legendary Connecticut-based modern dance troupe. ROBOT MAN (15 min, Mark Scalese) offers a day in the life of a familiar street performer. A BROADWAY LULLABY (40 min, Barbara Rick) brings together Broadway luminaries like Vanessa Williams, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Stephen Schwartz, and Raul Esparza to create a benefit CD to combat breast cancer.

Why You Should Attend:
After the week New Yorkers have just had, not to mention our neighbors in New Jersey and elsewhere in Sandy’s path, audiences can definitely benefit from the uplift that these shorts provide. Artists practicing their passion, for either the love of the art itself, or to help others, will serve as either an escape, or an inspiration.

More Info:
To purchase tickets, follow the link from the program page by clicking on the program title above.