Platoon To Release THE PIGEON TUNNEL, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Available Digitally October 20

Posted on October 18, 2023 by admin

Platoon is set to release The Pigeon Tunnel – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, an original score from composer Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan composed for Errol Morris’ documentary THE PIGEON TUNNEL. In the film, AcademyAward-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell—better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “The Constant Gardener.”

The soundtrack will release October 20th, timed to the theatrical release and global launch on Apple TV+, and will be available on all digital platforms including Apple Music. The soundtrack has been nominated by the Critics Choice Association Documentary Awards for Best Score.

The film is produced by Errol Morris, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Steven Hathaway, Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, Hossein Amini, P.J. van Sandwijk, Michael Lesslie, Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, Michele Wolkoff and Katherine Butler serve as Executive Producers on the film.

“It is our pleasure to share The Pigeon Tunnel soundtrack,” say Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan. They add, “The orchestral journey this score took us on, combining the cimbalom of 60’s espionage soundtracks with symphonic orchestral work, led to 80 minutes of score, almost the entirety of the film.”
Continue reading →

Official Trailer for “The Lady Bird Diaries”, A Groundbreaking Documentary Film Released

Posted on October 14, 2023 by admin

A groundbreaking documentary film that uses Lady Bird’s audio diaries to tell the story of one of the most influential and least understood First Ladies in history has released an official trailer.

The powerful and award-winning all-archival new documentary is from acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter.

The Lady Bird Diaries”is set for release on November 13, 2023 on Hulu.

SFFILM Announces 2023 Doc Stories Program

Posted on October 11, 2023 by admin

American Symphony, Courtesy of Netflix; Copa 71, Courtesy of New Black Films and Dogwoof; Anselm, Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films

Ninth Annual documentary showcase runs November 2–5 in San Francisco and online. This year’s lineup features filmmakers including Lisa Cortés, Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss, Kaouther Ben Hania, Roger Ross Williams, dream hampton, and many more.

Today, SFFILM announced the program for their ninth annual documentary film showcase Doc Stories. The four-day program runs November 2–5, 2023 and includes 10 features, two shorts programs, and a very special tribute to the late trailblazing filmmaker, Julia Reichert. Several films will also be available for a limited streaming window November 6–7.

“This year’s line-up explores the powerful effects of institutional erasure and the unlimited possibilities of human determination,” said Jessie Fairbanks, the Director of Programming at SFFILM. “Documentaries offer a critical space in which audiences can contemplate challenging world issues, core ideological beliefs, and stories of inspiration. We are elated to host so many formidable documentarians who craft nuanced and thrilling stories that encompass these complex topics, while continuing to evolve the form of non-fiction storytelling.”

The 2023 Doc Stories selections explore a wide range of topics—professional and creative triumph, personal hardship and frailty, and the multi-generational impacts of human-made systems of control—through the most thrilling and incisive narrative nonfiction filmmaking this year. Opening Night is Matthew Heineman’s highly acclaimed American Symphony, featuring an intimate look into Grammy-winning musician, singer, and songwriter Jon Batiste. The Centerpiece film Copa 71 comes in hot off its debut at TIFF, telling the lost story of the first Women’s World Cup in soccer. Closing Night marks Wim Wenders return to SFFILM with his latest work Anselm, a 3-D presentation of the life’s work of astounding contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer. SFFILM is thrilled to welcome celebrated documentary filmmakers like Lisa Cortés, Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss, Kaouther Ben Hania, Roger Ross Williams, dream hampton, and many more.
Continue reading →

“The Youtube Effect” Documentary Set For Streaming On August 8th

Posted on August 6, 2023 by admin

The feature documentary from Director, Alex Winter explores the ascension and acceleration of YouTube, a video-sharing website that started with humble origins and has gone on to change how we experience the world. With exclusive access to some of YouTube’s biggest stars, the film presents an eye-opening and troubling look at the platform now so powerfully embedded in our lives.

The doc will be available on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu & more.

Producers include: Winter (Trouper Productions), Gale Anne Hurd (Valhalla Entertainment, Mankiller, The Terminator Trilogy and “The Walking Dead”), and Glen Zipper (Zipper Bros. Films, Undefeated, Challenger: Final Flight, What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, Zappa). Executive Producers include Michael Cho, Mimi Rode and Tim Lee of Olive Hill Media, Michael Y. Chow and Sue Turley of XRM Media, Kevin Lin of Metatheory and Ian Orefice, Rebecca Teitel and Mike Beck for TIME Studios.

Those featured in the doc include: Caleb Cain, Steve Chen, Hany Farid, Carrie Goldberg, Ian Hecox, Loann Kaji, Ryan Kaji, Shion Kaji, Talia Lavin, Dave Lauer, Becca Lewis, Anthony Padilla, Andy Parker, Nitasha Tiku Tyler, Susan Wojcicki, Brianna Wu, Natalie Wynn and Jillian C. York.

The documentary features an innovative electronic score from Emmy-nominated composer Paul Haslinger. Node Records, a subsidiary of Wise Music Group, will release the soundtrack album on July 7.

Gravitas Ventures Sets Release Of Documentary “Sorry We’re Closed”

Posted on August 3, 2023 by admin

Gravitas Ventures has set the release of its documentary “Sorry We’re Closed” on demand on August 8th.

Do”Sorry We’re Closed” takes a look into the personal trauma, mental health, and livelihood of some of the best chefs during the hardest time of their careers.

In the summer of 2020, when restaurants are doubly hit hard by Covid-19 and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Chef Elizabeth Falkner sets out across the country to check in with her renowned chef and restaurateur colleagues to find out how they are coping with the impossible task of keeping their doors open.The film explores how chefs pivoted, trying to stay afloat through new take-out menus and pop-up grocery stores.

Innovations abounded and yet the cracks in the system loomed large. What if all of our ‘go-to’ places were gone? What if we were permanently told, “Sorry, We’re Closed”?

The documentary is executive produced by Raymond Esposito with subjects featured Chef Elizabeth, Dominique Crenn, Nancy Silverton, Ann Kim, Gerald Sombright, Maneet Chauhan, and many more chefs from around the nation.

IMAX And Oscar-Nominated Filmmker Nathaniel Kahn Join Forces On “Deep Sky”, A Documentary On NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

Posted on July 13, 2023 by admin

IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) and Crazy Boat Pictures Ltd., together with Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn, today announced that they’ve completed production on “Deep Sky”, a new documentary on NASA’s Webb Telescope (JWST). The 40-minute short film is narrated by Oscar®-nominated actress Michelle Williams, and is currently slated for release across IMAX’s institutional theater network in October 2023.

This announcement was made today at the National Academy of Science in Washington, D.C., as part of the one-year anniversary of the release of the first images from JWST.

“‘Deep Sky’ represents an exciting return to form for IMAX Documentaries and our long tradition of immersive space films,” said John Turner, Head of Documentaries for IMAX. “Nathaniel Kahn’s Oscar-nominated documentary ‘My Architect’ is iconic and his Emmy-winning ‘The Hunt for Planet B’ served as the fascinating first step in telling the story of the people who built this telescope. Now we get to see the breathtaking images brought to life in a way that no one has ever seen before.”
Continue reading →

“RISE – The Siya Kolisi Story” Documentary Slated For World Premiere At 2023 Tribeca Film Festival

Posted on May 26, 2023 by admin

Today, award-winning athlete, entrepreneur and philanthropist Siya Kolisi announced that his documentary “RISE – The Siya Kolisi Story,” which chronicles his journey as the first black, South African rugby captain who overcame the odds to lead his national team to win the 2019 World Cup, is set to world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12.

The documentary is more than a sports story and pulls back the curtain on Kolisi’s tumultuous upbringing in South Africa, where he navigated through poverty, systemic racism from apartheid, neighbourhood violence and a complex relationship with his father.

Rugby became Kolisi’s refuge as he honed his craft, becoming the first-ever, Black captain of South Africa’s national team in its 126-year history as well as one of the greatest superstars of his generation. In the process, Kolisi’s leadership on and off the pitch inspired a country that had been plagued by decades of segregation and injustice.

“I’m truly honored to be sharing my story with millions around the world,” said Siya Kolisi. “I hope my journey inspires people to chase their dreams and reminds others to never allow adverse circumstances to define our lives. We are more than products of our environments and we have the potential to change our respective narratives.”

See the trailer here.
Continue reading →

“Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive” World Premiere at ’23 Tribeca Festival on Friday, June 9th

Posted on May 23, 2023 by admin

“Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive follows the magnificent second act of Grammy Winner and global music legend, Gloria Gaynor as she pursues her decades-long dream of writing and recording a gospel album.

For more than fifty years, Gloria has inspired millions around the world with her song, “I Will Survive.” While she always believed in the timeless power of the song’s lyrics; they were never more impactful to Gloria herself until her sixties when she faced major upheavals in her own life.

The poignant documentary chronicles her struggles with ageism and financial ruin and through the power of faith and resilience embarks on a journey to not only ‘survive’ but to truly ‘thrive.’”

“Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive” is directed by Betsy Schechter. Betsy Schechter, David Zieff, Kieran Healy serve as producers.

Here are the public screenings for “Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive”:
Friday, June 9, 2023 at 8:15 PM at Spring Studios/The Indeed Theater
After the Movie: A performance by the one and only Gloria Gaynor.
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 5:45 PM at Village East Cinema – 03
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 5:15 PM at Village East Cinema – 07

“Queenmaker: The Making Of An It Girl” Sets Release On Hulu

Posted on May 7, 2023 by admin

In the height of heiress-era NYC, an anonymous blogger infiltrated Manhattan’s elite, brings socialite celebrity to new heights. When the website creator was unmasked, the mastermind was not the one anybody expected.

The documentary follows the early aughts ushered in a golden era for the New York social set, a generation of rich young women desperate to recreate the success of Paris Hilton and Tinsley Mortimer, keener than ever to show off their fortunes and one-up each other on nightly red carpets.

On the surface, “Queenmaker: The Making Of An It Girl” is a fun, nostalgic romp through the mid-2000s pop culture that dominated mainstream media and laid foundation for current reality TV and the influences of the social media generation.

“Queenmaker: The Making Of An It Girl” premieres May 17, only on Hulu.

Award-Winning Series ‘POV’ Announces 36th Season Lineup

Posted on May 6, 2023 by admin

Award-Winning Series ‘POV’ Announces 36th Season Lineup; Illustrates Commitment to Diverse Voices, Boundary-Pushing Nonfiction Forms of Storytelling

Season premieres with Jon-Sesrie Goff’s After Sherman on June 26; Features 16 titles including recent Oscar®-nominated documentary A House Made of Splinters and Oscar® Shortlisted feature Children of the Mist. POV airs on PBS, Mondays at 10p/9C and free streaming via the PBS App

Multi award-winning series POV, hailed as America’s longest-running non-fiction series on television, enters its 36th season with a slate of 16 feature documentaries with themes devoted to caregiving, transnationalism, activism, childhood aspirations, accessibility, and intergenerational relationships.

The series’ commitment to provide a public platform to showcase bold forms of nonfiction storytelling by filmmakers with diverse voices and perspectives brings audiences unforgettable protagonists with unique points of views. Half of Season 36’s films are directed by women, and over two-thirds by filmmakers of color.

Celebrated films previously announced this season include POV alumni director Simon Lereng Wilmont and producer Monica Hellström’s timely Oscar®-nominated documentary A House Made of Splinters. As the war in Eastern Ukraine takes a heavy toll on families living near the frontline, a small group of strong-willed social workers work tirelessly in a special kind of orphanage to create an almost magical safe space for kids to live in. In Vietnamese first-time director Hà Lệ Diễm’s riveting Oscar® Shortlisted feature Children of the Mist, she details the challenges facing a Hmong girl living in rural Northern Vietnam caught between tradition and modernity.