Doc Lovers, Rejoice!
By The Editors |
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It will be interesting to see what makes it to the final round; with a lack of something dominating the zeitgeist this year a la Fahrenheit 9/11, it's anyone's game, from films about a high-wire walker to films about Hurricane Katrina to films about women banding together to end civil war in Liberia. (And yes, those films in particular are very likely to make the final five.)
You, gentle reader, may be wondering, "How can I see these films?" Well, some are still in theaters, some can be found online, and some you will have to wait for on Netflix. Tribeca rounds up your options.
Need another resource? Try AJ Schnack's (Kurt Cobain About A Son) documentary and non-fiction film blog "All these wonderful things," where he has outlined some facts and figures about all fifteen docs that are possible nominees.
*Man on Wire
dir. James Marsh
Interview with James Marsh at TFF '08
Watch the trailer
Let's be honest: if critical consensus was enough, Man on Wire would be the runaway winner and should probably accept the Oscar right now. After all, if Philippe Petit is at the Oscars, wouldn't that be a potential acceptance speech to rival Roberto Benigni climbing over chairs? (Online pundits are saying this and Trouble the Water are the best shots so far, but we think Pray the Devil Back to Hell is being underestimated...) It's the best reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes of all time. It has been playing at New York's Sunshine Cinemas since its July opening, which is a ridiculously long run in these crazy cinema times.
Man on Wire is jaw-dropping and incredible on the big screen. Get to the Sunshine Cinemas!
Rent it in December!
Trouble the Water
dir. Carl Deal and Tia Lessin
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, this movie struck a chord at film festivals and independent theaters around the country: Kimberly and Scott Roberts' inspiring story of hope and survival registered with everyone who saw it.
Read Tribeca's interview with the filmmakers
Check this site to see if the film is playing nearby you. (Albany, you're in luck!)
*Pray the Devil Back to Hell
dir. Gini Reticker
Winner of the Award for Best Documentary at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, this film follows a group of brave and determined women who took civil disobedience seriously and changed political circumstances in Liberia. It's quite astounding.
Read Tribeca's interview with Gini Reticker
Video: Pray the Devil premieres at TFF '08
Go see Pray the Devil Back to Hell during its theatrical run at Cinema Village in NYC! Now playing!
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
dir. Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
You lucked out--this film is playing at IFC now!
Watch the trailer
*Standard Operating Procedure
dir. Errol Morris
Rent it today!
If Herzog (see below) and Morris are nominated together, wouldn't that be sweet kismet? After all, Herzog famously said he'd "eat his shoe" if Morris ever made a movie; Morris made a movie (1978's Gates of Heaven, about pet cemeteries) and Herzog, for real, ATE HIS SHOE—and Les Blank filmed it.
At the Death House Door
dir. Peter Gilbert (TFF Alum) and Steve James (Friend of TFF)
You may have missed it on IFC this spring, but they have clips online
Watch the trailer
Watch the whole movie on Amazon VOD: $3.99
Made in America
dir. Stacy Peralta
In this film, Peralta (Dogtown and Z-Boys, Riding Giants) turns a fresh and examining eye on the age-old gang wars in South Central LA.
Read the Variety review from Sundance 2008
Watch the trailer
They Killed Sister Dorothy
dir. Daniel Junge
This film, about the murder of an Ohio nun who fought for environmental justice in the Amazon, won both Grand Jury and Audience awards at South by Southwest 2008.
Read Indiewire's interview with director Daniel Junge.
Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh
dir. Roberta Grossman
Click Now Playing for a list of film festival showings in the near future
Click Host a Screening if you'd like to do so in your own home
Watch the trailer
Encounters at the End of the World
dir. Werner Herzog
Rent it today
Watch the trailer
Fuel
dir. Josh Tickell
Find the film in a city near you
Read Josh Tickell's blog
The Garden
dir. Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Film festival screenings
Watch an interview with Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts
dir. Scott Hicks
Is it playing at a theater near you?
Watch the trailer
I.O.U.S.A.
dir. Patrick Creadon (TFF Alum)
Fired up about the economy? Who isn't? Add fuel to your fire with this straight-talking exploration of the financial crisis and mismanagement that have saddled the US with its astronomical federal debt.
As usual, Roger Ebert has something smart to say
Watch the trailer
In a Dream
dir. Jeremiah Zagar
A son's loving and heartbreaking portrait of his father, a public-art muralist who worked for decades in the neighborhoods of Philadephia.
Read the hometown paper review
Watch the trailer
How many have you seen? Log in to MyTribeca and call out your favorite below.
