Thompson on Hollywood

Cinedigm Takes 'Narco Cultura,' Sundance Documentary on Drug Cartels

News

Cinedigm has picked up North America distribution rights to Israeli photographer and filmmaker Shaul Schwarz' documentary "Narco Cultura," which premiered last week at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film looks at the influence of drug cartels on pop culture on both sides of the Mexican-American border, through the eyes of an L.A. narcocorrido singer and a Juarez crime scene investigator.

By Beth Hanna
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January 31, 2013 11:35 AM
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Sony Pictures Classics Nabs 'For No Good Reason,' Documentary on Gonzo Cartoonist Ralph Steadman with Johnny Depp

News

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all North American rights to Charlie Paul's directorial debut, "For No Good Reason." The documentary centers on British cartoonist Ralph Steadman, best known for his artwork with author Hunter S. Thompson, and features Johnny Depp observing Steadman's working process at his home studio.

By Beth Hanna
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January 30, 2013 11:44 AM
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Academy and MoMA Present Annual 'Oscar's Docs' Series, Features 50 Years of Oscar-Winning Feature and Short Documentaries

Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is again teaming with MoMA to present "Oscar's Docs, 1955-2002: American Stories" from February 2-14 in New York City. This annual collaboration highlights the Oscar-winning feature and short documentaries that explore culture and politics of the U.S.

By Beth Hanna
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January 29, 2013 11:59 AM
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Sundance Review: Garcia Bernal Mystery Doc 'Who Is Dayani Cristal?'

Reviews

An unidentified body is found in the Sonoran desert in Pima County, Arizona under the heat of an August sun—the body of a migrant, traveling north along a treacherous and uncertain path to the United States.

By Jacob Combs
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January 23, 2013 11:26 PM
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Zeitgeist Releasing Documentary on Former NY Mayor 'Koch' March 1

Video

Zeitgeist Films announces the theatrical release of "Koch," a documentary by Neil Barsky centering on former New York mayor Ed Koch, who governed Gotham in the down-and-dirty decade betweeen 1978 and 1989. Trailer below.

By Beth Hanna
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January 22, 2013 3:16 PM
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Watch: Trailer for Girl Empowerment Doc 'Girl Rising,' Narrated by Streep, Blanchett, Hathaway, Hayek, Moretz, Neeson & More

Video

"Girl Rising" is a new film directed by Richard E. Robbins that is at the center of 10x10, a worldwide campaign to help educate and empower girls. The film previewed at the Sundance Film Festival in conjunction with the release of its trailer, shown below.

By Sophia Savage
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January 22, 2013 1:18 PM
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Kirby Dick Talks Oscar-Nominated 'Invisible War,' Re-releasing This Weekend in NY and LA [UPDATE]

Interviews

Kirby Dick's "The Invisible War" has snagged one of the coveted five competing spots for the Academy's Best Documentary Oscar, and will be released January 18 at the Film Society at Lincoln Center and at Laemmle's Santa Monica, Pasadena and Claremont theaters January 19...

By Anne Thompson
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January 18, 2013 2:07 PM
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Trailer Watch: 2013 Sundance Selection 'Muscle Shoals' Looks at Legendary Alabama Music Town

Video

Check out this new trailer for Greg Camalier's documentary "Muscle Shoals," set to premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The film looks at the legendary Alabama town which, during the 1960s and '70s, boasted a handful of music studios that would forever alter the sound of soul and rock n' roll.

By Beth Hanna
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January 15, 2013 2:50 PM
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Catching Up With Foreign Language and Documentary Feature Nominees

Awards

Three categories - Foreign Language Film, Documentary Feature and Animated Feature - frequently have nominees that have received little or no U.S. theatrical play, and even sometimes no set playdate ahead. Things look better this year, but still not ideal for those who want to see all the nominees prior to the awards.

By Tom Brueggemann
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January 14, 2013 6:33 AM
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Cinema Eye Honors 2013: '5 Broken Cameras' Wins Outstanding Feature, 'Detropia' for Outstanding Direction, and 'The War Room' Honored with Legacy Award

Awards

The Cinema Eye Honors is a cozy event, packed with documentary filmmakers who go way back. Held at the sleek Museum of the Moving Image in New York, the group attending the sixth annual Honors ceremony is jovial, encouraging, and accepting -- exemplified by the range of attire. Co-chair Esther Robinson recounted the numerous phone calls from people asking what to wear and summarized the evening’s garb: “Well, Michael Moore wears a sweatshirt, and I wear a gown, so anything in between.”