1. "Tig":
An unflinching documentary look at comedian Tig Notaro, who underwent a
double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, but
has continued to tour rigorously while inspiring a new generation of
survivors.
2. "Dear Jack": The West Coast pop-punk quartet Jack's Mannequin experienced a sad and
difficult day in 2005, when frontman Andrew McMahon - then only 23 years
old - received a diagnosis from his physician that he had contracted
cancer. In response, McMahon began shooting a deeply personal,
self-reflexive video diary of the days in between that initial diagnosis
(which coincided with the first Jack's Mannequin album, Everything in
Transit) and the onset of his treatment; that footage appears in this
intimate release. The material also interpolates footage from McMahon's
childhood in the 1980s and 1990s, and behind-the-scenes material
documenting the production of Everything in Transit. Former Mötley Crue
drummer Tommy Lee narrates.
3. "Twinsters": This full-length documentary follows Samantha and Anaïs as they meet in
person for the very first time. Their unique experiences are documented
through a series of video blogs, Skype conversations, and real-time
footage. Every intimate moment is captured, from their first meeting,
the DNA test results, home visits, to their first visit back to Seoul.
The film explores the ideas of family, adoption, nature vs. nurture and
the power of social media.
4. "Louis Theroux Most Hated Family In America": Louis struggles to come to terms with the infamous family who pickets the
funerals of soldiers in protest against an America that tolerates
homosexuality.
5. "Mondays at Racine": Racine Salon de Beaute & Spa is a salon in the Long Island community
of Islip, New York owned by two sisters, Rachel Demolfetto and Cynthia
Sansone. Like most beauty salons, Racine offers a variety of hair care
and make-up services, as well as manicures, pedicures, and facials, but
on the first Monday of each month, they open their doors to a special
clientele. Rachel and Cynthia lost their mother to cancer, so once a
month, women living with cancer are welcome to come to Racine for a day
of beauty on the house. For these women, it's not just a chance for some
free pampering, but an opportunity to bond with other women with a
first-hand understanding of the long, painful journey of cancer
treatment, as well as knowing how devastating the treatment can be to
one's self image in a culture that puts a high price on appearance.
Filmmakers Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan introduce us to some of Racine's
regulars as they and their families confront cancer and the rough road
of treatment and recovery in the documentary Mondays at Racine. The film
was nominated for a 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short
Subject.
6. "Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream": A look at the life and music of singer Beyonce Knowles.
7. "The End": One of the most powerfully intimate films ever made about the final stages of life, The End is a profound and moving chronicle of five hospice patients whose stories are in turns honest, humorous, and heartbreaking.
8. "Citizenfour": In January 2013, Poitras (recipient of the 2012 MacArthur Genius
Fellowship and co-recipient of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Public
Service) was several years into making a film about surveillance in the
post-9/11 era when she started receiving encrypted e-mails from someone
identifying himself as "citizen four," who was ready to blow the whistle
on the massive covert surveillance programs run by the NSA and other
intelligence agencies. In June 2013, she and Greenwald flew to Hong Kong
for the first of many meetings with the man who turned out to be
Snowden. She brought her camera with her. The film that resulted from
this series of tense encounters is absolutely sui generis in the history
of cinema: a 100% real-life thriller unfolding minute by minute before
our eyes. Executive Produced by Steven Soderbergh.
9. "Spellbound": Eight kids of wildly disparate ethnic, class, and regional backgrounds
are followed from their individual hometowns to Washington D.C. for the
National Spelling Bee Finals.
10. "20 Feet From Stardom": Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his
compelling new film 20 Feet From Stardom, award-winning director Morgan
Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup
singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.
Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a
tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular
music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a
career spent harmonizing with others. These gifted artists span a range
of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely
fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of
superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless
soundtrack, 20 Feet From Stardom boasts intimate interviews with Bruce
Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few.
However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array
of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the
film.
No comments:
Post a Comment