Theatrical Releases

Every Friday we update you all with the week's theatrical documentary releases. Now, this is not a perfect process as our beloved genre prefers the rolling/limited release schedule instead of a big nationwide or international-wide release. So apologies if a film isn't out in your area or if you are a filmmaker and we missed the boat on announcing your documentary's big day (if that is the case, please let us know and we'll correct the mistake).

Now, with that introduction out of the way, here's this weekend's releases with their current rating on the amazing website Rottentomatoes.com:


The Cartel - (78% rating) The Cartel shows us our educational system like we've never seen it before. Behind every dropout factory, we discover, lurks a powerful, entrenched, and self-serving cartel. But The Cartel doesn't just describe the problem. Balancing local storylines against interviews with education experts, The Cartel explores what dedicated parents, committed teachers, clear-eyed officials, and tireless reformers are doing to make our schools better for our kids. Putting a human face on the harm done by the educational cartel, The Cartel takes us beyond the statistics, generalizations, and abstractions that typically frame our debates about education—and draws an unequivocal bottom line: If we care about our children's futures, we must insist upon far-reaching and immediate reform. (Rottentomatoes.com)

Exit Through the Gift Shop - (100% rating) Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner – with spectacular results. (Rottentomatoes.com)

Nobody's Perfect - (67% rating) Filmmaker Niko von Glasow, whose short arms identify him as a grown-up “child of Thalidomide”, documents in this film his search for eleven other people affected by Thalidomide, to join him in posing naked for a book of photographs. With humour and a surprising lightness of touch, Nobody’s Perfect is a portrait of twelve extraordinary characters, from childhood to today. These are people who have gotten used to furtive glances from passers-by, but now they have to stand completely unprotected in front of a camera, and look at their own bodies in a new light. (Rottentomatoes.com)

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo!

Doesn't that title make you want to scream "Godzilla!" No? Well clearly you don't understand good cinema. Those monster films were classic, timeless pieces.

Regrettably though, there are no actual giant monsters destroying cities for our documentary filmmakers to capture (does using the word 'regrettable' make me sound heartless?). And though I'm sure someone will make a documentary about the impact of the Godzilla films and monster classics, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo has nothing to do with that subject matter.

Jessica Oreck's documentary is actually about exploring the mystery and development of Japan’s obsession with bugs. The film appears to be quite unusual and reminds me a lot of Manda Bala in its approach. As the film's website says, "Using insects like an anthropologist’s toolkit, the film uncovers Japanese philosophies that will shift Westerners’ perspectives on nature, beauty, life, and even the seemingly mundane realities of their day—to—day routines."

I'm kind of impressed with this approach and I'm hoping it delivers something remarkable. If you're curious, head over to www.beetlequeen.com to learn more about the film and check out the trailer.

Werner Herzog in 3-D!

As if Werner Herzog needed another reason to feel good about himself and his career, it seems the filmmaker has decided his next project will be in 3-D, making it probably the first non-concert related documentary to attempt the feat.

Herzog's film will focus on the Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc in Southern France, a recently discovered treasure containing the earliest known cave paintings (dating back at least 30,000 years). More impressive than his 3-D venture is the access he's been given to the site, which has refused any visitors except scientists because of the fragile nature of the cave. Just how exclusive is this cave? There are rumors the renown filmmaker was only granted three hours to film inside!

But I digress, with the 3-D craze sweeping Hollywood, it was only a matter of time before a director tried to include it in the documentary genre, so I'm actually quite glad Herzog will be the first to attempt it. Say what you want about the man, but he is not into exploitation filmmaking or cheesy gimmicks so his careful hand should turn a 3-D idea into something really worthwhile (and no, the Hannah Montanah 3-D Concert does not qualify as 'quality filmmaking').

Head over to the Guardian to watch a few videos of Herzog talking about the project. Then tell us what you think: are you excited about this film? Will this project work in Herzog's hands? Discuss!

DocFilms' Best of Full Frame Film Festival

I'd probably put more weight on the actual awards we listed earlier today, but here's a list of DocFilm's five personal favorite films of the Full Frame Film Festival (whew, that's a lot of 'f-words'):

Wasteland - there was a lengthy standing ovation from the entire crowd. For the record, that pretty much never happens.
Restrepo - apolitical, but certainly powerful. Think of it as a real life, more emotional Hurt Locker.
Waking Sleeping Beauty - I love Disney movies. Deal with it.
The Poot - the inner film nerd in me was dizzy with giddiness at the end. It's just chock-full of cool visuals and sounds.
Surviving Hitler: A Love Story- Hollywood is on notice: this NEEDS to be recognized (it's also the perfect date movie... and I'm not joking)

Full Frame Film Festival Winners

Well I just returned from the Full Frame Film Festival and I must say I was quite impressed with the entire event. Great films, great crowds and great organizers. For all you American documentary fans, I highly suggest making the pilgrimage to Durham, North Carolina next year.

My praises for the festival aside, there were some excellent films screened over the course of four days but only a few could receive the festival awards. Announced on Sunday, the Full Frame Awards are:

Anne Dellinger Grand Jury Award – Enemies of the People directed by Rob Lemkin, Thet Sambath
Special Jury Prize– The Oath directed by Laura Poitras
Special Jury Prize– Restrepo directed by Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger

- Full Frame Jury Award for Best Short – The Poot directed by Elham Asadi

- Full Frame Audience Award – Waste Land directed by Lucy Walker

- Center for Documentary Studies Filmmaker Award – My Perestroika directed by Robin Hessman
(This award honors a documentary artist whose work is a potential catalyst for education and change)

- The Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award – Enemies of the People directed by Rob Lemkin, Thet Sambath
Honorable Mention – Restrepo directed by Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger
(This prize honors a first-time documentary feature director)

- Full Frame Inspiration Award – Surviving Hitler: A Love Story directed by John-Keith Wasson
Honorable Mention – Summer Pasture directed by Lynn True, Nelson Walker
(the film that best exemplifies the value and relevance of world religions and spirituality)

- The Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights – 12th & Delaware directed by Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Honorable Mention – Dirty Business: ‘Clean Coal’ and the Battle for Our Energy Future directed by Peter Bull
(the film that addresses a significant human rights issue in the United States.)

- Full Frame President’s Award – Book of Miri directed by Katrine Philp
(Aimed at recognizing up-and-coming filmmakers, this prize is awarded to the best student film)

Theatrical Releases

Every Friday we update you all with the week's theatrical documentary releases. Now, this is not a perfect process as our beloved genre prefers the rolling/limited release schedule instead of a big nationwide or international-wide release. So apologies if a film isn't out in your area or if you are a filmmaker and we missed the boat on announcing your documentary's big day (if that is the case, please let us know and we'll correct the mistake).

Now, with that introduction out of the way, here's this weekend's releases with their current rating on the amazing website Rottentomatoes.com:

It Came From Kuchar – (80% rating) Long before YouTube, there were the outrageous, no-budget movies of underground, filmmaking twins George and Mike Kuchar. George and Mike grew up in the Bronx in the 1950’s. At the age of twelve, they became obsessed with Hollywood melodramas and began making their own homespun melodramas with their aunt’s 8mm camera. In the early 1960’s, alongside Andy Warhol, the Kuchar brothers shaped the New York underground film scene. Known as the “8mm Mozarts”, their films were noticeably different than other underground films of the time. They were wildly funny, but also human and vulnerable. It Came From Kuchar interweaves the brothers’ lives, their admirers, a history of underground film and a “greatest hits” of Kuchar clips into a mesmerizing stream of consciousness tale.(Rottentomatoes.com)

When You’re Strange – (57 % rating) When You’re Strange uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band’s history. The film reveals an intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison — four brilliant artists who made The Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between the band’s 1965 formation and Morrison’s 1971 death, When You’re Strange follows the band from the corridors of UCLA’s film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.(Rottentomatoes.com)

Fresh - (no rating provided) is more than a film, it is a reflection of a rising movement of people and communities across America who are re-inventing our food system. Fresh celebrates the food architects who offer a practical vision of a new food paradigm and consumer access to it. Encouraging individuals to take matters into their own hands, Fresh is a guide that empowers people to take an array of actions as energetic as planting urban gardens and creating warm composts from food waste, and as simple as buying locally-grown products and preserving or freezing seasonal produce to eat later in the year. (Rottentomatoes.com)

NYC's new documentary festival

Your cries of pain and suffering have been heard New York City! Your pleas have been answered! Finally, a new documentary film festival is coming to the Big Apple! Huzzah!

All kidding aside, I’m actually quite excited for this new festival. Opening November 3rd and running till November 7th, the appropriately titled Doc NYC is already gearing up to make a big splash in the festival world. It probably won’t rival the U.S.’ big three (True/False, Full Frame and SilverDocs), but this could be exactly what filmmakers and fans want- a major documentary film festival at the end of the year.

The whole event will be hosted at the IFC Center in Manhattan and features the team behind the weekly Stranger than Fiction series hosted at the same venue. Interestingly enough, the inaugural year won’t feature an open submission process, so I’m curious to see what ends up screening at the festival.

If you’re curious, head on over to Doc NYC’s website for more information including information about the advisory board and when festival passes go on sale (hint: August).

Trailer: Phyllis and Harold

I'm just going to quote the official website for an explanation of the upcoming documentary Phyllis and Harold:

"Phyllis and Harold is an astoundingly frank journey through a disastrous 59-year marriage. Drawing on a lifetime of her family's home movies and interviews made over 12 years, filmmaker Cindy Kleine mixes reportage, cinema verité and animation to uncover family secrets and tell a story that could not be shown publicly as long as her father was still alive. Phyllis and Harold delves into the mystery of time passing, the nature of living a life, and the challenges of losing those we love. But it is also a loving, funny exposé on the sins of suburbia. Imagine Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage seen through the prism of I Love Lucy."

The film has been making the rounds at smaller festivals but might gain a nice little theatrical run if big name directors like Ken Burns continue to praise it. Head on over the website to watch the trailer and learn more about the film.

Freakonomics the movie!

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner’s (seriously, they couldn’t agree on the spelling of their first name? It’s beyond confusing to make sure you have the right spelling with the right person. Geez!) book Freakonomics has been out for nearly five years now and more or less continues to cause worldwide debate and intrigue with their ideas. I would dare say it’s the most influential book of the new millennium if it wasn’t for, you know, the Harry Potter and Twilight

But what does their book have to do with documentaries? Well it seems some wise producer decided to take the book’s idea, hire a bunch of highly regarded directors and make a documentary about Levitt and Dubner's opinions. Freakonomics (the movie!) will premier at the Tribecca Film Festival at the end of this month followed by a theatrical release later in the year.

For those of you curious enough, the film hired Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room; Taxi to the Dark Side), Morgan Spurlock(Super Size Me), Eugene Jarecki (Why We Fight) and Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady(Jesus Camp) to direct portions of the film with Seth Gordon (The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters) piecing together the entire documentary.Raise your hand if you’re excited!


Editor’s note: no longer able to write due to overwhelming excitement (i.e. both hands currently raised).

Trailer: Casino Jack and the United States of Money

Alex Gibney is back to doing what he does best: covering major political and financial scandals (yes, I know he won an Oscar for Taxi to the Dark Side, but I enjoyed Enron so much more, deal with it). I'm sure most of you already know about his upcoming film Casino Jack and the United States of Money, but in case you need more proof to see this film there's now a trailer posted over at Apple.com/trailers.

The trailer looks spectacular and I personally couldn't be more excited for its May 7th release date.

If you're not aware, Casino Jack covers former Washington super lobbyist Jack Abramoff from the beginning of his career to his ultimate imprisonment. It might sound boring, but Gibney is known for turning thousands of pages of documents into the most fascinating and enthralling stories imaginable. Don't miss this one!