Examining the ‘Ripple Effects’ of War Through “My Father’s Vietnam”
Filmmaker Søren Sørensen recounts what prompted him to explore the Vietnam War’s impacts on his father, other veterans, and us all.
Documentary
10 Filmmakers to Watch: Annie Berman
Director/Producer Annie Berman makes The Independent’s 10 to Watch list for her feature-length essay film, The Faithful, a fifteen-year journey through the world of images and representations of three global icons: Elvis Presley, Pope John Paul II, and Princess Diana.
Island on the Edge: Gina Abatemarco’s Kivalina
Abatemarco, who spent nearly seven years making Kivalina, advises first-time documentarians to recognize that some of the hardest work of making a film is not technical or financial, but interpersonal. “It’s about your relationship with your subjects over time. That is the real work and the real difficulty. Somehow you’ll find the money but the most difficult work is to carry the story for however long you have to carry it, because these are heavy subject matters.”
Nikolaus Geyrhalter confronts “Homo Sapiens”
There was some judgment in some way by the choice of the locations. By the facts we wanted to stress in our narration. None of the locations were there just for fun, they should all tell something for those who want to read between the lines, so there is some criticism of mankind. But besides that it’s true, the audience is very much invited to basically see their own film.
Working Together: The Land of the Enlightened (Part II)
De Pue was nervous about working with so many co-producers. “I was a bit afraid about it, I learned in school about it. When you have all these co-producers they bring in money but they also have their artistic choices and they can get involved at some point.
Perseverance of Vision: The Land of the Enlightened (Part I)
When De Pue returned by himself to Afghanistan, he realized he “had to rethink the way of filming and the way of working in Afghanistan, to go back to a really low profile way like we did in the preparations.”
The Lost Arcade: Video Games on Film
The Lost Arcade is the feature documentary debut of director Kurt Vincent and producer Irene Chin. The film captures the…
Sundance 2016: Films On Gun Violence
What has been an absence of cinematic dialogue about gun access and violence in the United States was filled with both documentaries and fiction features at Sundance 2016. The Independent’s Maddy Kadish and Neil Kendricks debate the merits and emotional impact of several titles.
New York Jewish Film Festival 2016 – Critic’s Choices
Senior film critic Kurt Brokaw selects his favorites from the 25th edition of the NYJFF, which runs January 13-26, 2016. Among them are Ellis, Rabin, The Last Day, Dear God, and The Law.