The 38th edition of the Seattle International Film Festival – the US’ largest/longest film festival – kicks off this Thursday and runs for 25 days, closing on June 10. Presenting a staggering 273 features and 187 shorts, the festival boasts more than sixty documentary features in its line-up this year. More than half represent some of the best received films from Sundance, SXSW, and other notable fests, while the remaining include new US and international docs making their premiere here, including a number hailing from the Pacific Northwest. While I’ve never made it to the festival before, what follows are the films I’d be most interested in checking out if I were going this year (the intriguing, strictly hush-hush Secret Festival would definitely also be on my list). Continue reading
Seattle International Film Festival 2012: Documentary Overview
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Overviews, Recommendations
In Theatres: INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE
Coming to theatres this Friday, May 18: INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE
Lisanne Pajot and James Swirksy’s exploration of creativity and passion had its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance, where it picked up the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award. Additional festival screenings have included SXSW, RiverRun, and Hot Docs. After opening theatrically in Seattle April 27, the film expands to NYC, LA, SF, and Phoenix this week, with additional international engagements to come.
My pre-Sundance profile of the film may be found here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
On DVD: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH
Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday May 15: THE PRUITT-IGOE MYTH: AN URBAN HISTORY
Chad Friedrichs’ analysis of a high profile “failure” of urban renewal had its world premiere at last year’s True/False. After additional screenings, including Silverdocs and Stranger Than Fiction, the film had a limited theatrical release.
I included the film in my Silverdocs roundup here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
Hot Docs 2012 in Brief, Part Three: World Showcase & Rise Against
This post wraps up my reactions to Hot Docs with a look at select titles from World Showcase and Rise Against, a thematic section looking at activism. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
Indiewire @ Hulu Docs: A MANSOME Man
My latest Indiewire curation for Hulu documentaries primes the pump for next week’s theatrical release of Morgan Spurlock’s newest doc MANSOME with a selection of his previous films, TV shows, and interviews. Plus, fitting the grooming theme of the new film, a doc on a beard and moustache competition! Watch these now for free!
For more information about the selections, see my Indiewire article.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Indiewire @ Hulu Docs, Recommendations
On DVD: WINDFALL
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, May 15: WINDFALL
Laura Israel’s look at the controversy over wind power made its world premiere at Toronto in 2010. Since then, it has screened at numerous festivals, and picked up an award at DOC NYC. The film began its theatrical run in late January of this year.
I wrote about the film out of Toronto here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases
In Theatres: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES
Coming to NYC’s IFC Center today Friday, May 11: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES
Joe Berlinger’s look at the controversy around Paul Simon’s GRACELAND had its world premiere earlier this year at Sundance. It’s been on the festival circuit since, winning an award at Nashville.
I wrote about the film before Sundance here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Hot Docs 2012 in Brief, Part Two: International Spectrum, Special Presentations & Nightvision
My thoughts on documentaries at this year’s Hot Docs continues with a look at selections from the International Spectrum, Special Presentations, and Nightvision sections. I was very intrigued by the latter, a new section this year devoted to films that stretch the idea of documentary filmmaking, and was only sorry to have missed what sounded like a really fun title, FINDING TRUELOVE. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
On DVD: MY PERESTROIKA
Coming to DVD next Tuesday, May 15: MY PERESTROIKA
Robin Hessman’s look at last generation of Soviet Russians made its premiere at Sundance in 2010. It has screened extensively at festivals all around the world since, including New Directors/New Films, Full Frame, Hot Docs, Doha tribeca, Pusan, Camden, RIDM, Sheffield, and Rotterdam. The film screened on POV and also enjoyed a limited theatrical release last year.
I wrote about the film before its release here.
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance
Hot Docs 2012 in Brief, Part One: Canadian Spectrum & Next
Though I had a shorter visit in Toronto for Hot Docs than I usually do, and had to balance covering the Forum with fulfilling my duties as a juror for the Canadian Spectrum, I managed to find enough time to watch quite a lot of films – enough to warrant at least three separate posts. Today’s will cover a selection of films from my competition section as well as a few from the music- and art-focused Next section. Continue reading
Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, In Brief, Recommendations
