About.com Documentaries

Master Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Honored At IDFA

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:56:52 +0000

IDFA 2009's opening night ceremonies on November 19, were dedicated in part to honoring esteemed American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.

Presenting IDFA's first-ever lifetime achievement award, festival founder Ally Dirks presented Wiseman with an award statuette, a gold lapel pin and huge bouquet of flowers, and praised not only his cinematic accomplishments, but his generosity towards his subjects, other filmmakers and IDFA -- where he has presented his films, headed juries and given masterclasses, as well.

Wiseman celebrates his 80th birthday on January 1, 2010 and is currently engaged in the production on a new film. His most recent documentary, La danse - Le ballet de l'Op�ra de Paris premiered in 2009 and is being shown as one of ten films in IDFA 2009's Wiseman Retrospective, which also includes screenings of eight of the filmmakers other classics, including Titicut Follies (1967), High School (1968), Hospital (1969), Basic Training (1971), Welfare (1975), Model (1980), Missile (1987), Near Death (1989) and Belfast, Maine (1999). The selection of films for the retrospective was made by Wiseman, himself.

Wiseman has directed and produced dozens of documentaries, which often focused on social relations within American institutions. He is regarded as one of the major exponents of Direct Cinema.

In addition to the films in the Wiseman Retrospective, IDFA 2009 is presenting some 50 American-made documentaries, including two Mchael Moore films (Capitalism: A Love Story and Bowling For Columbine), as well as Crude, We Live in Public and several of the American-made documentaries on the 2010 Oscars short list, including The Cove and Food, Inc.. In all, about 300 documentares will be screened during the 10 day festival.

By the way, I am attending IDFA for the first time, honored to be serving as a juror for one of the festival's competitive categories. So stay tuned for the list of winners -- who receive 10,000 Euros, along with their trophy statuettes. The films being screened are very good, so making choices will be tough.

(PHOTO: IDFA logo. Courtesy IDFA).

Master Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Honored At IDFA originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 17:56:52.

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Oscars Short List for Best Documentary 2010

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:24:40 +0000

In case you're developing your own list of must-see documentaries of 2009, you'll want to include the fifteen films short listed by the the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be considered for the 2010 Best Documentary Oscar.

Voting members of the Academy's Documentaries Branch will now pick fine final nominees from the short list. The nominees will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The Academy Awards ceremony at which the winner will be announced will take place on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. It will be televised life in the US on ABC.

The Academy's short list includes films from my list of top documentaries from 2009, including The Cove and Food, Inc.. How does it compare with your choice of favorites?

Oscars Short List for Best Documentary 2010 originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 18:24:40.

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Defamation Opens in Theaters November 20

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:11:27 +0000

In Defamation, Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir poses the question: "What is anti-Semitism today? To find the answer, Shamir travels around the globe questioning a cross section of the world's citizens about their behavior and attitudes towards Jews and Judaisim.

Casting himself as a player in the film -- as a sort of no nonsense, somewhat naive and very open minded reporter whose aim is to stumble upon (rather than provocatively pursue) the truth about his subject, he investigates an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) case of gang violence against Jews in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, interviews ADL critic Norman Finkelstein, accompanies Israeli school children on a field trip to Auschwitz and chats with the wide range of people he meets randomly on his fact finding mission.

Shamir's breezy personality, casual manner and deft approach in Defamation (or Hashmatsa in Hebrew) works brilliantly. It encourages people to speak quite candidly, and their comments are shocking -- horrendous, really, but sometimes quite surprisingly funny, as well. The conversation gets intensely serious, though, on the subjects of Israel, Middle Eastern politics and the influence of American foreign policy and interests.

The film and Shamir's approach are reminiscent of Bill Maher's take on religious doctrine and practice in Religulous, which undermines the efficacy of dogma by showing it to be ridiculous.

Distributed by First Run Features, Defamation opens theaters in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on November 20. with future screening dates set for Boston, Fresno and Cleveland. The film has been nominated for Best Documentary in the 2009 European Film Awards. Meanwhile, you can watch the trailer. As you'll see, Defamation is an education!

(PHOTO: Yoav Shamir in 'Defamation.' Courtesy First Run Features.)

Defamation Opens in Theaters November 20 originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 00:11:27.

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The End Of Poverty?, Asking The Question in Its Title, Opens Theatrically November 13

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:21:32 +0000

As Thanksgiving approaches, we'd be wise to reflect on how lucky we are to have evolved on this extremely rich and fertile planet that we call home. Earth, Gaia or Mother Nature may not always be kind, but she has been abundant. We've enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous environment replete with essentials that have sustained humankind for eons and countless generations, allowed us to develop sophisticated cultures and explore the universe beyond our own borders.

With that notion of natural abundance in mind, it's devastating to note that we've arrived at the moment in our evolution at which we must seriously consider whether or not we'll be able to meet our essential needs -- down to the very basics like fresh water -- in the future.

It's also peculiar and, frankly, startling to realize that the locales that have actually supplied humankind with many of the resources to which we attribute greatest value -- things like precious metals and essential ores, rare gemstones and much of the petroleum, coal other energy commodities that fuel our bustling lives -- are among the most poverty-stricken spots on our abundant planet.

For example, how does a country that mines most of the world's gold wind up with one of the world's poorest per capita populations? Or a region that abounds in diamonds have citizens who live in makeshift shanties? Or a nation with a wealth of oil not have the resources to provide fresh water for its people? Or a fertile 'bread basket' valley have starving residents?

While we Americans prepare to give thanks for our bounty, we might also take time to reflect on those who have been denied access to the natural riches that surround them -- and figure out if, how and why our two sets of circumstances are connected.

The End of Poverty? is a new documentary that will help us to do just that. In the film, director Philippe Diaz presents a fascinating history lesson showing that the world's wealth disparity began with the Europeans' military conquest of other continents, enslavement of indigenous people and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and other resources, and forced labor, and that it continues today due to the existence and enforcement of unfair debt, trade and tax policies. With Martin Sheen as narrator, and Nobel Prize-winners Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz, plus authors John Perkins, Eric Toussaint, Susan George, impoverished mine worker, mothers with starving and dehydrated infants and others as expert witnesses, and the timely sprinkling of shocking statistics, the film makes a compelling argument that our present economic system is the equivalent of human doom.

The End of Poverty opens in theaters New York on Friday, November 13 -- yes, Friday the 13th -- a good day, just coincidentally, to contemplate luck and thanksgiving, and the upcoming holiday season and what it means, and the adjustments that we can and must make to avoid man made human doom. The film also opens in theaters in Los Angeles on November 25, and other cities thereafter. But if you're not where The End of Poverty? is screening and want to see this excellent documentary, you might be able to arrange a screening in your town, or wait for the December release of the DVD. Meanwhile, you can watch the trailer.

(PHOTO: Impoverished miner in Potosi, Bolivia. Courtesy Cinema Libre).

The End Of Poverty?, Asking The Question in Its Title, Opens Theatrically November 13 originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 14:21:32.

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The Way We Get By on PBS for Veterans Day

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:02:22 +0000

Cinema certainly frames the way we look at life, understand our own humanity and foresee our future. Whether we like it or not, America is a country at war, and stories of our nation's battles are frequently acted out on screen.

Many recent feature films and documentaries about soldiers tell us about acts of heroism, but they also inform us that deployment to war zones and combat conditions traumatize our troops in extreme and sometimes hidden ways that we're just beginning to understand. The victims of war are not only those warriors who are killed or maimed. Men and women soldiers who return from Iraq and Afghanistan -- or wherever the next perceived threat may occur -- bring home with them the fear, anguish, anger, despair and sense of alienation that they've acquired while in service to their country. We all have kin or friends or friends of friends who've returned home with ongoing nightmares or ennui or terrifying intolerance that impairs social interactions. And, and whether we live with these soldiers or not, share our beds with them or not, work next to them or not, we are each affected by their traumatized post-deployment state of being.

This Veterans Day, after the parades and ceremonies to celebrate those who've served and survived and commemorate those who've fallen have passed, take time to reflect on what we, as a nation, can do to alleviate the woes of war -- whether you believe America's military missions to be necessary, warranted and righteous or you consider them transgressions against humanity, civilization and our higher power.

The Way We Get By, premiering on PBS' POV for Veterans Day on November 11, can lead the way to positive action. Directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, the documentary takes you to Bangor, Maine, the point of departure and return for most of America's troop deployments. The film follows a group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to greet American troops, thanking those departing and returning from Iraq for their service.

The film's three central characters -- Joan, Jerry and Bill -- set aside their own battles with aging, failing health, financial debt, and personal depression to show unconditional support for the soldiers by waving flags, shaking hands, sharing embraces and saying thank you to each and every man and woman who passes them. The soldiers are clearly moved -- many with huge smiles, others with tears -- by the greeters' actions, and you will be, too. The troop greeters are unsung heroes, and observing their generous behavior in The Way We Get By is a very good way to frame our experience of Veterans Day. Visit the POV Website for more details sbout the film, scheduling and geting involved. And, watch the trailer.

(PHOTO: Troop greeters, Joan, Jerry and Bill, in 'The Way We Get By.' Courtesy International Film Circuit).

The Way We Get By on PBS for Veterans Day originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 11:02:22.

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Virgin Mobile FreeFest Rocks On Through Documentaries

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:21:52 +0000

This past summer's 2009 Virgin Mobile FreeFest, held in Columbia, Maryland on August 30, 2009, will again be accessible via documentary film. During the free music festival, a team of 14 aspiring filmmakers between the ages of 16 and 22 were given the rare opportunity to create a behind-the-scenes "All Access" rockumentary that captures the high voltage energy of bands like Public Enemy, Weezer, Blink-182 and others as a way of boosting awareess about the problems of homeless youth. The free music festival and documentary project were sponsored by Kyocera Wireless, a company that's made public awareness about homeless youth its mission.

Music fans and the general public will have their own all access passes to see the star-studded rockumentary from November 10 through December 14, when the Indepenent Film Channel showcases the project in a series of six weekly vignettes that air every Tuesday night. Don't have IFC? That's no excuse for not watching these energy-packed vignettes -- they're also being shown at Billboard.com and Sasha Bruce House, a non-profit shelter for homeless youth in our nation's capital. November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and, yes, there are homeless kids in our nation's capital.

Virgin Mobile FreeFest Rocks On Through Documentaries originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:21:52.

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Michael Jackson Poll: Is This Is It All That?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:35:33 +0000

Michael Jackson's This Is It documentary has made its worldwide whirlwind tour, garnering huge box office income for Sony, AEG and others involved in feeding the final images of the King of Pop to devastated fans, everyone who's seen the film has had time to reflect on their first impressions of the footage that shows Michael rehearsing for his sold out comeback tour that never happened. So, what's everyone feeling about the experience of seeing the beloved King of Pop come alive again on the big screen? We'd like to know what you think, so please participate in the 'Is Documentary All That?' poll. And please feel free to leave comments if you feel the choices don't capture your feelings, or if you have more to say.

Michael Jackson Poll: Is This Is It All That? originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 17:35:33.

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Jazz Documentaries on DVD, Fresh for the Holidays

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:48:44 +0000

In November, fresh for the holidays, Medici Arts, a division of the BBC, will release the limited edition, digitally remastered DVD of Lady Day: The Many Faces of Billie Holiday, featuring performances by the one and only Lady Day, along with Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Bessie Smith, Artie Shaw and other jazz legends. Actress Ruby Dee narrates with passages from Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues.

Releasing simultaneously in limited edition, digitally remastered DVDs, Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker features Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Jay McShann, Frank Morgan and Chan Parker playing with Bird, one of the grestest jazz saxophonists of all time, and Thelonious Monk: American Composer presents performances of 'Round Midnight, Lulu's Back In Town, Epistrophy Blue Monk and more of the great jazz pianist's favorite compositions. Or, if you're up for an overview, The Story of Jazz gives you some Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk, along with a bit of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charles Mingus and many more.

Medici Arts doesn't sell DVDs on its Website, but you can compare prices and order by clicking: Lady Day, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and/or The Story of Jazz. If you're thinking of these as holiday gifts, it's probably best to order early.

(PHOTO: 'Lady Day' on DVD. Courtesy Medici Arts).

Jazz Documentaries on DVD, Fresh for the Holidays originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 16:48:44.

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Documentaries Theatrical Releases November 13, 2009

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:18:30 +0000

Two excellent documentaries are opening this week in select theaters across the U.S.

William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe is a biodoc about the noted civil rights attorney, who was undoubtedly one of the most famous and controversial lawyers in American history. A self-styled 'radical' lawyer, Bill Kunstler represented a long list of famous and infamous clients -- Martin Luther King, H. Rap Brown, Angela Davis, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the Weather Underground, Chicago Seven, Catonsville Nine, Jack Ruby and Omar Abdel-Rahman ("the Blind Sheik") among them, in his ongoing mission to uphold First Amendment Rights.
Produced and directed by Kunster's daughters, filmmakers Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler, the documentary traces the lawyer's career, covering many of his biggest trials and his stint as president of the ACLU with archival footage and on camera interviews with admirers, including politicians Tom Hayden, Julian Bond and Herman Badillo. among others. The film is comprehensive, balanced and fascinating. In addition to their detailed investigation of their father's career, Kunstler's daughters bring a compelling sense of intimacy to this film. Released by Arthouse Film, it is opening on November 13 in New York and Boston, with wider release on November 20 in Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Francisco and D.C.

Ten9Eight: Shoot for the Moon is Mary Mazzio's compelling documentary about inner city teens who are trying to win the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's business plan competition. Picked from 24,000 submissions, 35 teens are in the final competition. Having overcome significant challenges in their lives, these enterprising kids have already got a head start on their business futures, and are looking for the win -- which comes with $10,000 to help with the start up of their fledgling business, and consults with leading entrepreneurs -- Arthur Blank of Home Depot, Tom Scott of Nantucket Nectars, Ralph Schlosstein of BlackRock, Kay Koplovitz of USA Network and Wyc Grousbeck, owner of the Celtics. The kids are terrific. Really, they're all winners, and so's the film. Opening on November 13 at AMC Theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, DC, Atlanta, Miami and Kansas City.

(PHOTO: 'William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe' Poster Art. Courtesy of Arthouse Film).

Documentaries Theatrical Releases November 13, 2009 originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 15:18:30.

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Cinema Eye Awards 2010 Nominees Announced

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:11:22 +0000

Nominees for the 2010 Cinema Eye Awards were announced on November 5 by at the Sheffield Documentaries Festival in the U.K.

Introduced in 2008, the Cinema Eye Awards are unique in recognizing excellence in artistic achievements in nonfiction filmmaking in categories including cinematography, editing, music, graphics and animation, as well as outstanding achievement in filmmaking and direction, production and other disciplines.

The Cinema Eye nominating committee is comprised of film festival and film society programmers. This year, committee members included Meira Blaustein (Woodstock Film Festival), Heather Croall (Sheffield Documentaries Festival), Sean Farnel (Hot Docs), Ben Fowlie (Camden), Tom Hall (Sarasota/Newport), Doug Jones (Los Angeles), David Kwok (Tribeca), Caroline Libresco (Sundance), Janet Pierson (SXSW), Thom Powers (Toronto International Film Festival), Rachel Rosen (San Francisco Film Society), Sky Sitney (Silverdocs), Sadie Tillery (Full Frame) and David Wilson (True/False). 98 films were eligible for consideration.

Leading the nominations in number, The Cove is nominated for seven awards, including Outstanding Achievement for Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking, Cinematography, Production, Editing, Original Musical Score, Debut Feature Film and Audience Choice.

Also nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking are Burma VJ, Food, Inc, Loot and October Country.

A new category, the Spotlight Award, is intended to honor films that have yet to receive the recognition they deserve -- but, unfortunately, the majority of films on the complete list of nominees have not been widely seen in the U.S. Obviously, the Cinema Eye Honors do raise awareness about the films and increase their chances for wider distribution.

The Cinema Eye Awards will be presented on January 15, 2010 at the Times Center in New York City, with the sponsorship of IndiePix

(PHOTO: Cinema Eye Awards Statuette. Courtesy Cinema Eye Honors).

Cinema Eye Awards 2010 Nominees Announced originally appeared on About.com Documentaries on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 01:11:22.

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