Mike Sullivan describes the years-long process filmmakers Jessica Barnthouse and Stacy Buchanan undertook in making their first feature documentary, Something Wicked This Way Comes. The film featured at this year’s Boston Underground Film Festival. A revised version of the doc, titled The Man in the Mask, will be showing at festivals later this year.
The Independent’s Editor speaks with Gnimbin Ouattara, Associate Professor of History and International Studies at Brenau University on his new documentary Ali, mbomayé’s. The film centers on four African people who vividly remember the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight in Zaire, where Muhammad Ali, former heavyweight champion, defeated George Foreman, the undefeated world heavyweight champion in a knockout.
The Independent’s Senior Film Critic, Kurt Brokaw, was at this year’s New York Film Festival. In this article, he reviews his favorites in the narrative drama and documentary genres. Read about the films that captured Kurt’s attention.
Courtney Sheehan reports on digital media pioneer Katerina Cizek, who has brought a new documentary project to the Toronto International Film Festival. Cizek is leading the co-creation of the MIT Open Documentary Lab, a research center for emerging new media technologies. Sheehan discusses Cizek’s newest film project and the exciting innovations in documentary filmmaking that are being explored.
Courtney Sheehan talks with Serbian Director Mila Turajlic at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Turajilic’s new documentary, The Other Side of Everything (Druga strana svega) mines the depths of family history to offer an untold story of Yugoslavia’s past. The filmmaker shares about her process, her family’s fascinating story, and the role of documentary in representing and reflecting upon cultural complexities.
Backpack Full of Cash is a new documentary by Director and Activist Sarah Mondale. The film, which is co-produced by Vera Aronow, offers an unforgiving portrayal of the charter school movement in America. Marie-Emmanuelle Hartness was at the Boston screening and talks with Mondale and Aronow about making the film and about working with Nancy Carlson-Paige and her son, Matt Damon.
The Independent catches up with Yvonne Michelle Shirley, creator of the new documentary, Miasia: The Nature of Experience. The film, which featured at BlackStar Film Festival, chronicles the life of Brooklyn teenager Miasia Clark as she navigates her everyday world and prepares to present at the first ever Black Girl Movement National Conference. Miasia is joined in this effort by members of her activist group, Girls for Gender Equity.
Mike Sullivan reviews Liyana, a new documentary directed by Aaron and Amanda Kopp (former 10-to-watch series winners!) The film, which employs stunning animation, tells the story of five orphaned children living and dreaming in Swaziland. Liyana premiered at the LA Film Festival in June, where it won “Best Documentary.”
Senior Film Critic Kurt Brokaw reviews Water and Sugar, a ten-film retrospective on the life and work of Director Carlo Di Palma. Brokaw examines highlights of Di Palma’s biography, connecting these to the artist’s unique and celebrated output. Water and Sugar shows at the Walter Reade theater in Lincoln Center from Friday, July 28th through Thursday, August 3rd.