February 10, 2012 · 1:31 PM

In the Works: THE MYSTERY OF MARIE JOCELYNE

The stranger-than-fiction story of a scandal-ridden film festival organizer is at the heart of a filmmaking duo’s investigative quest.

After Dan Nuxoll, the Program Director of NYC’s Rooftop Films, had some less-than-satisfying business dealings with the Queens International Film Festival, he partnered with documentary filmmaker Martha Shane (BI THE WAY) to find out what was going on. The result of their multi-year investigation: a portrait of that festival’s director, Marie Castaldo, a charismatic figure who somehow has managed to work within the film industry for more than twenty years despite numerous allegations of fraud and failed festival after failed festival plagued by unpaid bills and other woes. Constructed as an investigative thriller, Shane and Nuxoll’s film aims to peel back the layers of the enigma that is Marie Jocelyne Castaldo and uncover (if possible) the real person behind the cons. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, In the Works

February 10, 2012 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: PIANOMANIA

Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, February 14: PIANOMANIA

Lilian Franck and Robert Cibis’ doc on Steinway & Sons’ piano tuner Stefan Knüpfer has had an extensive festival run since 2009, picking up prizes along the way from the European & German Film Awards. The film enjoyed a limited release stateside through First Run Features late last Fall.

I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

February 9, 2012 · 1:31 PM

On DVD: KORAN BY HEART

Released on DVD earlier this week: KORAN BY HEART

Greg Barker’s doc on the participants in an international Koran recitation contest made its world premiere at Tribeca last year. After additional festival exposure, the film made its broadcast premiere on HBO last summer.

I included the doc in my Tribeca roundup here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

February 9, 2012 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Coming to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Peter D Richardson premiered his doc on the terminally ill and dying with dignity at Sundance last year, where it won the Documentary Grand Jury Prize. It went on to screen at numerous additional fests, picking up awards at Full Frame and Ashland Independent, before making its cable debut last Spring on HBO.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

Leave a comment

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

February 8, 2012 · 1:31 PM

On TV: SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME

Coming to PBS next Monday, February 13: SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME

Sam Pollard’s adaptation of Douglas A Blackmon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning excavation of post-abolition African-American servitude made its world premiere last month at Sundance. It reaches widespread audiences during Black History Month via public television.

My pre-Sundance profile may be found here.

Leave a comment

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

February 8, 2012 · 12:01 PM

On TV/DVD: THE INTERRUPTERS

Coming to PBS’ Frontline and to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: THE INTERRUPTERS

My favorite film of 2011, Steve James epic exploration of violence prevention, debuted at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at a number of festival and has screened theatrically. It now comes to DVD the same day it will reach wide audiences through public television.

I wrote about the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

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

February 7, 2012 · 1:31 PM

On TV: THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975

Coming to PBS’ Independent Lens this Thursday, February 9: THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975

Göran Hugo Olsson’s unearthed the Swedish take on the Black Power movement, premiering the film at last year’s Sundance. Sundance Selects later brought the doc to theatres and VOD.

I wrote about the film pre-Sundance here.

Leave a comment

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

February 7, 2012 · 12:01 PM

On DVD/VOD: URBANIZED

Coming to DVD/VOD next Tuesday, February 14: URBANIZED

The third in Gary Hustwit’s design trilogy premiered at Toronto last Fall. Additional festivals followed, as well as a DIY theatrical release.

The film was included in my Toronto roundup here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

February 6, 2012 · 1:31 PM

On VOD: GNARR

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7: GNARR

Iceland’s Gaukur Úlfarsson brought his profile of comedian-turned-politician Jón Gnarr to Tribeca last year. The doc has gone on to screen at additional festivals, and now comes to VOD to reach wider audiences interested in the unusual story behind Reykjavik’s unlikely mayor.

I wrote about the film out of Tribeca here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases

February 6, 2012 · 12:01 PM

On DVD: PROJECT NIM

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7: PROJECT NIM

Academy Award winner James Marsh’s poignant doc on the story of a young ape was one of the opening night screenings of last year’s Sundance where Marsh also claimed the Documentary Directing Award. Since then, it has screened to critical and audience acclaim at various festivals, and enjoyed a theatrical release last Summer. While the doc made the Oscar shortlist, it didn’t end up receiving the final nomination.

I wrote about the film before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

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