AMERICAN SIKH is the visual memoir of a crusading raconteur with the soul and essence of an empath. Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth are conveyed with such exceptional cinematic-animated finesse in this film that the result…
For the first time in Cine Las Americas’ history, all films in the narrative competition are directed by women and 2 out of the 3 documentary competition films are directed by women. Another first taking place during this year’s edition is the fact that both the Opening and Closing night selections are directed by women. – By Gregg W. Morris
… But Scaring the Bejesus Out of Audiences Wasn’t the Primary Goal Writer-Director Ryan Stevens Harris: “MOON GARDEN was always meant to feel like a film out of its time. As if an old dusty film reel were found in…
Celebrating the art of cinema in the home of the Harlem Renaissance, The Harlem International Film Festival (Hi) inspires and entertains by honoring dynamic films by anyone about anything under the sun. Conceived from the belief that we all have…
Tickets go on sale July 1 for the fully in-theater 20th anniversary edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), running from July 15–28, 2022 at FLC, as well as on July 23 and July 28–31 at Asia Society, which will be co-presenting a selection of key films and a Hong Kong marathon day. International stars and acclaimed filmmakers will return in-person to grace the NYAFF red carpet at FLC, receive awards, speak at Q&A sessions, and impart wisdom during masterclasses and special talks.
Another Film at Lincoln Center whopper: Mapping Bacurau is an extensive carte-blanche series by co-directors Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles on the occasion of their BACURAU theatrical release March 6 at the center. Their film was described by IndieWire’s David Ehrlich as a wonderfully “demented Western about the perils of rampant modernization” which exhilarated audiences at the the 2019 New York Film Festival and the 2019 Cannes Film Festival where it was awarded the Jury Prize. That remarkably demented zeitgeist infuses the March 13-24 series.
Neighboring Scenes spans a wide geographic range, highlighting the breadth of styles, techniques, and approaches employed by Latin American filmmakers. Opening Night selection is Joanna Reposi Garibaldi’s documentary Lemebel, an intimate portrait of pioneering queer writer and visual artist Pedro Lemebel, told with unprecedented access and footage.
The many fiercely smokin’, bitchin’, slam-dunkin’ scenes, comments, dialogues and conversations in this 98-minute gem by Director Rob Garver – using archival footage of interviews and scenes from films, collages of clips, shots of news and magazine pages plus contemporary interviews – generates visceral sensations one would expect from a get-down, in-your-face, action-adventure reality show.
By Gregg W. Morris
IN MY BLOOD IT RUNS features a 10-year-old Arrernte child prodigy narrating his life in this splendid documentary shot in the Northern Territory of Australia, providing a broad vista of, one, how the Arrernte deal with apartheid and oppression through the spirituality of tradition and custom, and two, the grim realities of inveterate racism and bigotry that subjugate his people. Director Maya Newell’s unflinching in-your-face portrait doesn’t have a shred of cynicism.
Review by Gregg W. Morris
CUNY’s Brooklyn College says it prepares students for real careers in the motion picture industry. From DOC NYC 2019 are seven movies, all shorts, that should be seen by those who want a headstart to witness the visions of the latest vanguard of documentarians who want to make a difference.