“To the End” begins with the following quote: “The old world is dying, and the new world cannot quite be born. In the meantime, all kinds of dreadful things are happening.” Though these words may sound to many as if they were expressed yesterday, they’re from Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, who wrote them in 1930.
Gramsci studied the ways in which political elites exploited ideology to institutionalize and retain power, which makes him a particularly apt touchstone for filmmaker Rachel Lears. Lears has come to specialize in verité documentaries about young and disenfranchised activists, motivated against long odds to challenge the establishment. Her last film, the often-thrilling “Knock Down the House,” followed the 2018 campaigns of four aspiring congressional representatives, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The latter is also featured in “To the End,” which tracks the anxieties and efforts of several young advocates as they aim to focus attention toward the...
Gramsci studied the ways in which political elites exploited ideology to institutionalize and retain power, which makes him a particularly apt touchstone for filmmaker Rachel Lears. Lears has come to specialize in verité documentaries about young and disenfranchised activists, motivated against long odds to challenge the establishment. Her last film, the often-thrilling “Knock Down the House,” followed the 2018 campaigns of four aspiring congressional representatives, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The latter is also featured in “To the End,” which tracks the anxieties and efforts of several young advocates as they aim to focus attention toward the...
- 12/8/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
"Now is the time to leverage our power." Roadside Attractions has revealed their trailer for the rousing new political documentary film To The End, which originally premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. This doc is the highly anticipated follow-up to the Aoc doc Knock Down the House from a few years ago, also focusing on young female politicians in the United States. Stopping the climate crisis is a question of political courage, and the clock is ticking. Filmed over four years of hope and crisis, To The End captures the emergence of a new generation of leaders and the movement behind the most sweeping climate change legislation in U.S. history - the "Green New Deal". Award-winning director Rachel Lears follows four exceptional young women—Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, activist Varshini Prakash, climate policy writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, political strategist Alexandra Rojas— as they fight to shift the narrative around climate,...
- 10/30/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Roadside Attractions has taken domestic rights for To The End, the follow-up film from Rachel Lears (Knock Down The House), and set a Dec. 9 theatrical-only release date.
The deal was announced by Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. The film, which premiered at Sundance, covers three years of both hope and crisis leading to the recent, historic passage of landmark climate legislation — The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
It focuses on four exceptional women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on the front lines of climate policy and advocacy with up-to-the-minute material.
“We are thrilled to be releasing To The End, said Roadside VP of Acquisitions Angel An. “These are the people, four young women from diverse backgrounds, often left out of the political deal-making narrative. Yet this film makes clear how these committed activists have worked to shift the narrative on climate that led to the [Act’s] passage.”
“We always wanted this immersive...
The deal was announced by Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. The film, which premiered at Sundance, covers three years of both hope and crisis leading to the recent, historic passage of landmark climate legislation — The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
It focuses on four exceptional women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on the front lines of climate policy and advocacy with up-to-the-minute material.
“We are thrilled to be releasing To The End, said Roadside VP of Acquisitions Angel An. “These are the people, four young women from diverse backgrounds, often left out of the political deal-making narrative. Yet this film makes clear how these committed activists have worked to shift the narrative on climate that led to the [Act’s] passage.”
“We always wanted this immersive...
- 9/23/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Acquisition
Factual content specialist Zinc Media Group has fundraised £5 million (6.1 million) and is using £2.1 million of it towards acquiring award-winning production company The Edge Picture Company, which operates from its bases in London, Doha, Vancouver and Paris. The rest of the cash will be invested in talent, potential IP, and in future acquisitions and collaborations. The Edge’s clients include Amazon, BT Group and FIFA.
The Edge joins Zinc Media Group at the end of August, subject to approval by Zinc shareholders. The Edge will continue to operate in line with other companies wholly owned by Zinc Media Group and it will continue to be run by the same management team, but benefit from the opportunities presented by being part of an enlarged organisation.
Zinc’s TV business includes the labels current affairs, contemporary history and investigations focused Brook Lapping, which was recently commissioned for “Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me,...
Factual content specialist Zinc Media Group has fundraised £5 million (6.1 million) and is using £2.1 million of it towards acquiring award-winning production company The Edge Picture Company, which operates from its bases in London, Doha, Vancouver and Paris. The rest of the cash will be invested in talent, potential IP, and in future acquisitions and collaborations. The Edge’s clients include Amazon, BT Group and FIFA.
The Edge joins Zinc Media Group at the end of August, subject to approval by Zinc shareholders. The Edge will continue to operate in line with other companies wholly owned by Zinc Media Group and it will continue to be run by the same management team, but benefit from the opportunities presented by being part of an enlarged organisation.
Zinc’s TV business includes the labels current affairs, contemporary history and investigations focused Brook Lapping, which was recently commissioned for “Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me,...
- 8/3/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
To the End Tribeca Festival Viewpoints Reviewed for Shockya.com by Abe Friedtanzer Director: Rachel Lears Writer: Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick Cast: Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Varshini Prakash, Alexandra Rojas, Rhiana Gunn-Wright Screened at: Village East Cinema, NYC, 4/9/22 Opens: June 12th, 2022 Climate change in today’s world has reached a disastrous point, one which many […]
The post Tribeca 2022: To the End Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Tribeca 2022: To the End Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 6/19/2022
- by Abe Friedtanzer
- ShockYa
In-person fest runs April 28-May 8 in Toronto.
Hot Docs on Tuesday (15) announced the first wave of Special Presentation films for its 2022 iteration running April 28-May 8 in Toronto, a list that includes world premieres of The Talented Mr. Rosenberg and Million Dollar Pigeons.
This year’s festival returns to the in-person format and in addition selections will stream to audiences across Canada on Hot Docs At Home.
The Talented Mr. Rosenberg directed by Barry Avrich takes a lurid look into the story of infamous Toronto conman Albert Rosenberg aka the Yorkville Swindler. World premieres include Gavin Fitzgerald’s Million Dollar Pigeons...
Hot Docs on Tuesday (15) announced the first wave of Special Presentation films for its 2022 iteration running April 28-May 8 in Toronto, a list that includes world premieres of The Talented Mr. Rosenberg and Million Dollar Pigeons.
This year’s festival returns to the in-person format and in addition selections will stream to audiences across Canada on Hot Docs At Home.
The Talented Mr. Rosenberg directed by Barry Avrich takes a lurid look into the story of infamous Toronto conman Albert Rosenberg aka the Yorkville Swindler. World premieres include Gavin Fitzgerald’s Million Dollar Pigeons...
- 3/16/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
In 2019, Rachel Lears electrified Sundance with “Knock Down the House,” a fly-on-the-wall look at a group of progressive candidates hoping to ride grassroots campaigns to Washington. That film, which played like cri de coeur while the Trump administration was at the height of its power, also benefitted from capturing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez while she was still a bartender turned upstart congressional hopeful, a bit of kismet that resulted in a $10 million sale to Netflix.
Three years later, Lears returns to Sundance in a different key with “To the End.” It’s a more somber look at a group of activists who are trying to do everything possible to pressure the U.S. government to get serious about combatting the climate crisis. If “Knock Down the House” ended more triumphantly with Ocasio-Cortez being ushered in to a position of great influence, “To the End” premieres as President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is being held in limbo,...
Three years later, Lears returns to Sundance in a different key with “To the End.” It’s a more somber look at a group of activists who are trying to do everything possible to pressure the U.S. government to get serious about combatting the climate crisis. If “Knock Down the House” ended more triumphantly with Ocasio-Cortez being ushered in to a position of great influence, “To the End” premieres as President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is being held in limbo,...
- 1/24/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Returning to similar thematic territory as her previous 2019 documentary feature, “Knock Down the House,” director Rachel Lears turns to the climate crises in her follow-up, “To the End.” Much like that previous film, Lears follows four female climate activists — Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakesh, Justice Democrats Executive Director Alexandra Rojas, and Roosevelt Institute Policy Director Rhiana Gunn-Wright — as they work to write and institute the Green New Deal.
Continue reading ‘To The End’ Review: A Scattered, Occasionally Brilliant, Rallying Cry about the Climate Crisis [Sundance] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘To The End’ Review: A Scattered, Occasionally Brilliant, Rallying Cry about the Climate Crisis [Sundance] at The Playlist.
- 1/23/2022
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Playlist
Sundance may have been forced to cancel its plans to host an in-person festival, but the shift to a virtual event isn’t likely to stifle dealmaking. After all, the 2021 edition of Sundance saw films like “Passing,” “Summer of Soul” and “Coda” score record-breaking pacts despite the fact that all-night bidding wars were conducted over Zoom.
This year’s festival has a number of high-profile features that should attract buyers’ attention, either because they feature A-list stars like Lena Dunham, Dakota Johnson and Regina Hall or because they deal with hot topics like abortion rights and religion. There are also a number of documentaries exploring everything from the rise of TikTok to the fight to prevent a climate change catastrophe that could score major sales. With streaming services such as Disney Plus and HBO Max on the prowl for content and digital veterans like Amazon and Netflix still swinging their checkbooks around,...
This year’s festival has a number of high-profile features that should attract buyers’ attention, either because they feature A-list stars like Lena Dunham, Dakota Johnson and Regina Hall or because they deal with hot topics like abortion rights and religion. There are also a number of documentaries exploring everything from the rise of TikTok to the fight to prevent a climate change catastrophe that could score major sales. With streaming services such as Disney Plus and HBO Max on the prowl for content and digital veterans like Amazon and Netflix still swinging their checkbooks around,...
- 1/21/2022
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
When the 2022 Sundance Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, it’s set to be a sellers market for the 80 percent of the 83-film lineup seeking distribution. Buyers are hungry, and the lineup is heavy on documentaries and genre titles, which remain appealing to theatrical distributors and streamers alike. But will this year bring another “Coda”?
Don’t expect another blockbuster deal on opening night. Last year, “Coda” screened as the first slot in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, where it later won the top prizes, and Apple swooped in to pay a record-breaking $25 million for world rights. This time around, that slot is filled by “Emergency,” a comedy thriller from director Carey Williams produced by Amazon Studios, which will release the film later this year. The other high-profile opening night entry is Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut “When You Finish Saving the World,” from A24.
Agents and buyers are divided...
Don’t expect another blockbuster deal on opening night. Last year, “Coda” screened as the first slot in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, where it later won the top prizes, and Apple swooped in to pay a record-breaking $25 million for world rights. This time around, that slot is filled by “Emergency,” a comedy thriller from director Carey Williams produced by Amazon Studios, which will release the film later this year. The other high-profile opening night entry is Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut “When You Finish Saving the World,” from A24.
Agents and buyers are divided...
- 1/18/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Fresh from brokering a big Sundance deal for music doc Summer Of Soul, John Sloss’s Cinetic has signed blue-chip producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler and their Killer Films banner for representation in all areas.
Founded in 1995 by Vachon and Koffler, Killer Films is one of the pre-eminent indie film producers in the business, known for a string of festival and awards favourites such as Far From Heaven, Boys Don’t Cry, Velvet Goldmine, I’m Not There, Still Alice and Carol. TV hits have included This American Life, Mrs. Harris and five-time Emmy-winner Mildred Pierce.
The company recently wrapped Netflix’s Ryan Murphy limited series Halston and just signed a two-year first look deal with MGM for film and TV.
The representation pact cements a long-standing collaboration between Sloss, Vachon and Koffler who have worked together on numerous projects. It will see Cinetic exclusively rep the company as it...
Founded in 1995 by Vachon and Koffler, Killer Films is one of the pre-eminent indie film producers in the business, known for a string of festival and awards favourites such as Far From Heaven, Boys Don’t Cry, Velvet Goldmine, I’m Not There, Still Alice and Carol. TV hits have included This American Life, Mrs. Harris and five-time Emmy-winner Mildred Pierce.
The company recently wrapped Netflix’s Ryan Murphy limited series Halston and just signed a two-year first look deal with MGM for film and TV.
The representation pact cements a long-standing collaboration between Sloss, Vachon and Koffler who have worked together on numerous projects. It will see Cinetic exclusively rep the company as it...
- 2/5/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Three feature projects celebrating diverse voices and stories awarded up to $50,000 each.
Filmmakers First Fund, a Los Angeles-based fund and studio space supporting full-length narrative and documentary projects in early development, has announced its first round of awards.
Fund co-founders Martin Marquet, a producer and former international publicist who produced 2020 Sundance World Cinema – Documentary grand jury prize winner Epicentro, Tony-winning Broadway producer Rebecca Gang (Hadestown), and producer/actor/artist Gale M. Harold III invited a majority women-led board to select three projects.
The awardees will each receive grants of up to $50,000, as well as 12 months of access to the Fund...
Filmmakers First Fund, a Los Angeles-based fund and studio space supporting full-length narrative and documentary projects in early development, has announced its first round of awards.
Fund co-founders Martin Marquet, a producer and former international publicist who produced 2020 Sundance World Cinema – Documentary grand jury prize winner Epicentro, Tony-winning Broadway producer Rebecca Gang (Hadestown), and producer/actor/artist Gale M. Harold III invited a majority women-led board to select three projects.
The awardees will each receive grants of up to $50,000, as well as 12 months of access to the Fund...
- 1/5/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Cinetic Media has signed “Collective” writer-director Alexander Nanau for management, representing the filmmaker across scripted and documentary film and television.
After debuting at the Venice International Film Festival in 2019, Nanau’s documentary film “Collective” (from Magnolia Pictures and Participant) has earned widespread acclaim and has been designated as Romania’s official submission for best international feature at the 2021 Academy Awards.
“Encountering Alexander’s masterpiece ‘Collective’ at the Toronto International Film Festival last year was a revelation. He has a deep understanding of cinema and his skillful mastery of the different storylines about investigative journalism, human interest and politics in one powerful narrative endows him as master storyteller. We’re thrilled to represent him,” Kate Hurwitz, head of Cinetic’s management practice, said in a statement.
The film’s story centers on the 2015 fire at the Colectiv nightclub, which killed 64 people and injured hundreds, with Nanau leading audiences from the deadly tragedy,...
After debuting at the Venice International Film Festival in 2019, Nanau’s documentary film “Collective” (from Magnolia Pictures and Participant) has earned widespread acclaim and has been designated as Romania’s official submission for best international feature at the 2021 Academy Awards.
“Encountering Alexander’s masterpiece ‘Collective’ at the Toronto International Film Festival last year was a revelation. He has a deep understanding of cinema and his skillful mastery of the different storylines about investigative journalism, human interest and politics in one powerful narrative endows him as master storyteller. We’re thrilled to represent him,” Kate Hurwitz, head of Cinetic’s management practice, said in a statement.
The film’s story centers on the 2015 fire at the Colectiv nightclub, which killed 64 people and injured hundreds, with Nanau leading audiences from the deadly tragedy,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Rosanna Arquette, Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano and Idina Menzel are among dozens supporting those accusing Russell Simmons of rape and sexual misconduct in the documentary “On the Record.”
The music mogul has denied the accusations. The film will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25. The statement of support was organized by Equality Now, UltraViolet and V-Day.
“It takes great courage for any survivors of sexual assault to come forward, especially publicly,” the statement said. “We admire the bravery of all of the Russell Simmons’ survivors and the #silencebreakers who stepped up to share their story in the @OnTheRecordDoc. We are unequivocally united in supporting the survivors in the film and all survivors of Russell Simmons. We want them to know: We believe you. We hear you. You deserve to be seen. #MeToo”
Other signers include Alysia Reiner, Evan Rachel Wood, Frances Fisher, Gina Belafonte, Gloria Steinem, Marisa Tomei and Thandie Newton.
The music mogul has denied the accusations. The film will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25. The statement of support was organized by Equality Now, UltraViolet and V-Day.
“It takes great courage for any survivors of sexual assault to come forward, especially publicly,” the statement said. “We admire the bravery of all of the Russell Simmons’ survivors and the #silencebreakers who stepped up to share their story in the @OnTheRecordDoc. We are unequivocally united in supporting the survivors in the film and all survivors of Russell Simmons. We want them to know: We believe you. We hear you. You deserve to be seen. #MeToo”
Other signers include Alysia Reiner, Evan Rachel Wood, Frances Fisher, Gina Belafonte, Gloria Steinem, Marisa Tomei and Thandie Newton.
- 1/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
More than 100 luminaries have signed a statement in support of the multiple women who have accused hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault. The allegations will be further explored this week with the world premiere of Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering’s “On the Record” at the Sundance Film Festival, a documentary that Oprah Winfrey recently exited as executive producer, thereby killing the film’s distribution setup with Apple TV+.
The list of individuals supporting the more-than-20 women who’ve accused Russell Simmons — such as former music executive Drew Dixon, whose accounts are detailed in the new film — include Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano, Marisa Tomei, Gloria Steinem, Thandie Newton, Evan Rachel Wood, Liz Garbus, Idina Menzel, and Rosanna Arquette. See the full list below.
Organized by Equality Now, UltraViolet, and V-Day, the statement, which will be shared on social media, is as follows: “It takes great courage for any survivors...
The list of individuals supporting the more-than-20 women who’ve accused Russell Simmons — such as former music executive Drew Dixon, whose accounts are detailed in the new film — include Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano, Marisa Tomei, Gloria Steinem, Thandie Newton, Evan Rachel Wood, Liz Garbus, Idina Menzel, and Rosanna Arquette. See the full list below.
Organized by Equality Now, UltraViolet, and V-Day, the statement, which will be shared on social media, is as follows: “It takes great courage for any survivors...
- 1/23/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The directors of this awards season’s documentary hopefuls explain the ticking hearts at the center of their shortlisted films.
Apollo 11, Director: Todd Douglas Miller
Setting the Scene: The pre-launch sequence for the first mission in which humans landed on the moon, featuring Nasa workers and regular citizens alike.
“It encapsulates everything and highlights a lost time — a hot day in 1969 in a fidelity that hasn’t been captured before,” says Miller. “It’s the bridge between what is coming and what’s come before. It’s kind of the pinnacle of human evolution.”
American Factory, Directors: Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
Setting the Scene: Chinese billionaire and factory owner Cao Dewang reveals doubt in his life’s purpose.
“He says, ‘I’m not sure if I’m a contributor or a sinner,’” says Reichert. Adds Bognar: “He’s been a hard-charging entrepreneur, and now he’s questioning his whole life’s journey.
Apollo 11, Director: Todd Douglas Miller
Setting the Scene: The pre-launch sequence for the first mission in which humans landed on the moon, featuring Nasa workers and regular citizens alike.
“It encapsulates everything and highlights a lost time — a hot day in 1969 in a fidelity that hasn’t been captured before,” says Miller. “It’s the bridge between what is coming and what’s come before. It’s kind of the pinnacle of human evolution.”
American Factory, Directors: Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
Setting the Scene: Chinese billionaire and factory owner Cao Dewang reveals doubt in his life’s purpose.
“He says, ‘I’m not sure if I’m a contributor or a sinner,’” says Reichert. Adds Bognar: “He’s been a hard-charging entrepreneur, and now he’s questioning his whole life’s journey.
- 1/17/2020
- by Randee Dawn
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmakers Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama” (PBS) took top honors at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards at the Paramount Theatre Saturday night. The harrowing and intimate portrait of a young couple who continued to live in Aleppo with their new baby while under intense fire from government troops took home Best Feature. “It’s a dark time in the world,” said British filmmaker Watts, who helped Al-Kateab shape her extraordinary footage into a film. “When I think about documentaries right now I feel hope that things are going to get better.”
A show of enthusiastic Ida support came early in the evening with a rousing standing ovation when Al-Kateab accepted the coveted Courage Under Fire award, given to someone who demonstrates extraordinary courage in pursuit of the truth. The Channel 4 film has already notched documentary wins from the European Film Awards, the British Independent Film Awards,...
A show of enthusiastic Ida support came early in the evening with a rousing standing ovation when Al-Kateab accepted the coveted Courage Under Fire award, given to someone who demonstrates extraordinary courage in pursuit of the truth. The Channel 4 film has already notched documentary wins from the European Film Awards, the British Independent Film Awards,...
- 12/8/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Filmmakers Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama” (PBS) took top honors at the 35th Annual IDA Documentary Awards at the Paramount Theatre Saturday night. The harrowing and intimate portrait of a young couple who continued to live in Aleppo with their new baby while under intense fire from government troops took home Best Feature. a
Al-Kateab also accepted the coveted Courage Under Fire award, given to someone who demonstrates extraordinary courage in pursuit of the truth. The Channel 4 film has already notched documentary wins from the European Film Awards, the British Independent Film Awards, and Cannes, as well as a PGA nomination.
Another Syrian film, “The Cave” (NatGeo) took home Best Writing for Alisar Hasan and Feras Fayyad. Dan Reed’s searing Michael Jackson exposé “Leaving Neverland” scored Best Multi-Part Documentary; HBO did not submit the Sundance premiere for the Oscars.
Other winners include Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert,...
Al-Kateab also accepted the coveted Courage Under Fire award, given to someone who demonstrates extraordinary courage in pursuit of the truth. The Channel 4 film has already notched documentary wins from the European Film Awards, the British Independent Film Awards, and Cannes, as well as a PGA nomination.
Another Syrian film, “The Cave” (NatGeo) took home Best Writing for Alisar Hasan and Feras Fayyad. Dan Reed’s searing Michael Jackson exposé “Leaving Neverland” scored Best Multi-Part Documentary; HBO did not submit the Sundance premiere for the Oscars.
Other winners include Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert,...
- 12/8/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Syrian Civil War diary “For Sama” has won the best feature award from the International Documentary Association for Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts.
The award was presented by Frances Fisher on Saturday night at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
The first-time award for Best Director went to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert for “American
Factory,” which explores a Chinese company taking over a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. The film was acquired by Netflix in association with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions following its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
“Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé,” directed by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Ed Burke, won the Best Music Documentary. The film centers on Beyoncé’s performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Beyoncé also wrote and executive produced the film, which premiered on Netflix on April 17.
HBO’s “Leaving Neverland,...
The award was presented by Frances Fisher on Saturday night at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
The first-time award for Best Director went to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert for “American
Factory,” which explores a Chinese company taking over a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. The film was acquired by Netflix in association with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions following its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
“Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé,” directed by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Ed Burke, won the Best Music Documentary. The film centers on Beyoncé’s performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Beyoncé also wrote and executive produced the film, which premiered on Netflix on April 17.
HBO’s “Leaving Neverland,...
- 12/8/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“For Sama,” Waad al-Kateab’s wrenching story of raising a young daughter in war-torn Syria, has been named the best nonfiction film of 2019 at the International Documentary Association’s 35th annual Ida Documentary Awards, which were handed out on Saturday night on the Paramount Pictures lot in Los Angeles.
Al-Kateab, who directed “For Sama” with Edward Watts, also received the Ida Awards Courage Under Fire Award at the ceremony. Last week, the film also won the top award at the British Independent Film Awards, a rarity for a documentary.
Steven Bognar and Julie Reichert received the Best Director Award, the first time the Ida has handed out that particular prize, for their look at the culture clash when a Chinese company took over an American auto glass factory in Ohio in “American Factory.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Film Review: Syrian Documentary Finds Wrenching Personal Take on Conflict
Two...
Al-Kateab, who directed “For Sama” with Edward Watts, also received the Ida Awards Courage Under Fire Award at the ceremony. Last week, the film also won the top award at the British Independent Film Awards, a rarity for a documentary.
Steven Bognar and Julie Reichert received the Best Director Award, the first time the Ida has handed out that particular prize, for their look at the culture clash when a Chinese company took over an American auto glass factory in Ohio in “American Factory.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Film Review: Syrian Documentary Finds Wrenching Personal Take on Conflict
Two...
- 12/8/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
When it comes to the film industry’s non-fiction arm, 2019 has proven to be the year of the woman. Not only are females behind the majority of this year’s high-profile documentaries, they are also, thus far, dominating the non-fiction feature awards race. Case in point, six of the 10 best doc noms selected from 375 submissions for the 35th annual Intl. Documentary Assn. awards were directed or co-directed by women.
They are: “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska), “One Child Nation” (Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang) and “Edge of Democracy” (Petra Costa).
Additionally, all the films nominated in the kudofest’s inaugural director category were helmed or co-helmed by women, while three of this year’s five feature doc Gotham Award nominees are directed by females. Meanwhile the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards gave “American Factory,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation” a combined total of 13 noms.
They are: “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska), “One Child Nation” (Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang) and “Edge of Democracy” (Petra Costa).
Additionally, all the films nominated in the kudofest’s inaugural director category were helmed or co-helmed by women, while three of this year’s five feature doc Gotham Award nominees are directed by females. Meanwhile the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards gave “American Factory,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation” a combined total of 13 noms.
- 12/6/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Back in early 2017 filmmaker Rachel Lears came up with an idea for a documentary that wound up changing her life.
“Rachel was looking for a subject to follow right after the 2016 presidential election,” her husband and filmmaking collaborator Robin Blotnick explains. “She read an article about a group called Brand New Congress that was recruiting ordinary people to run for congress…She thought if she followed these organizers something interesting would come up.”
Something interesting did indeed come up when Lears crossed paths with one of those fresh-faced political upstarts: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I met her in March of 2017 at a gathering of potential candidates in Kentucky,” Lears tells Deadline. “I was certainly very, very impressed with her and her ability to speak about really complex issues, and in ways that connected with regular people.”
Ocasio-Cortez and three other Democratic “insurgent” women candidates became the stars of Knock Down the House,...
“Rachel was looking for a subject to follow right after the 2016 presidential election,” her husband and filmmaking collaborator Robin Blotnick explains. “She read an article about a group called Brand New Congress that was recruiting ordinary people to run for congress…She thought if she followed these organizers something interesting would come up.”
Something interesting did indeed come up when Lears crossed paths with one of those fresh-faced political upstarts: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I met her in March of 2017 at a gathering of potential candidates in Kentucky,” Lears tells Deadline. “I was certainly very, very impressed with her and her ability to speak about really complex issues, and in ways that connected with regular people.”
Ocasio-Cortez and three other Democratic “insurgent” women candidates became the stars of Knock Down the House,...
- 11/28/2019
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
If you spontaneously tear up (or get red in the face) every time Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's face appears as a winner in the Democratic Party's primary election in the Netflix documentary Knock Down the House, you are not alone. "A lot of people say that," says director Rachel Lears, who followed the cultural phenomenon from candidacy announcement to election triumph.
While it was a powerful moment both onscreen and in real life, Lears doesn't believe the viewers' emotional reaction to Ocasio-Cortez's victory exists in a vacuum. "The secret sauce is the other characters and what ...
While it was a powerful moment both onscreen and in real life, Lears doesn't believe the viewers' emotional reaction to Ocasio-Cortez's victory exists in a vacuum. "The secret sauce is the other characters and what ...
- 11/8/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
If you spontaneously tear up (or get red in the face) every time Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's face appears as a winner in the Democratic Party's primary election in the Netflix documentary Knock Down the House, you are not alone. "A lot of people say that," says director Rachel Lears, who followed the cultural phenomenon from candidacy announcement to election triumph.
While it was a powerful moment both onscreen and in real life, Lears doesn't believe the viewers' emotional reaction to Ocasio-Cortez's victory exists in a vacuum. "The secret sauce is the other characters and what ...
While it was a powerful moment both onscreen and in real life, Lears doesn't believe the viewers' emotional reaction to Ocasio-Cortez's victory exists in a vacuum. "The secret sauce is the other characters and what ...
- 11/8/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On the Netflix Hollywood compound recently, a capacity crowd gathered in an amphitheater for an event with the crackling energy—and almost the look—of a Ufc title bout.
The contenders in the ring at Real to Reel: A Netflix Documentary Showcase Presented by Deadline were all heavyweights, not in Mma but nonfiction filmmaking—Oscar nominees, Emmy winners and Sundance honorees all with important new work streaming on the Netflix platform.
“Documentary filmmaking is about capturing truth,” declared Karim Amer in round 1 of Real to Reel. He and Jehane Noujaim directed The Great Hack, a film untangling the complex Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data scandal that exploded after the 2016 presidential election.
Deadline’s Awardsline editor Joe Utichi refereed the discussion, asking Amer and Noujaim about the truth they capture—that information shared by people through social media is “being bought and sold like stocks.”
“In many ways I think people...
The contenders in the ring at Real to Reel: A Netflix Documentary Showcase Presented by Deadline were all heavyweights, not in Mma but nonfiction filmmaking—Oscar nominees, Emmy winners and Sundance honorees all with important new work streaming on the Netflix platform.
“Documentary filmmaking is about capturing truth,” declared Karim Amer in round 1 of Real to Reel. He and Jehane Noujaim directed The Great Hack, a film untangling the complex Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data scandal that exploded after the 2016 presidential election.
Deadline’s Awardsline editor Joe Utichi refereed the discussion, asking Amer and Noujaim about the truth they capture—that information shared by people through social media is “being bought and sold like stocks.”
“In many ways I think people...
- 11/7/2019
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Documentary group Cinema Eye on Thursday unveiled nominations for the 2020 Cinema Eye Honors, with Netflix’s American Factory and Neon’s Apollo 11 leading the way with five nominations each. Netflix tops all distributors with 17 noms, the most ever in a single year.
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony January 6 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.
American Factory, which counts Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground among its executive producers, and Todd Douglas Miller’s deep dive into the 1969 moon mission Apollo 11 were nominated in the marquee Outstanding Nonfiction Feature category. They are joined there by For Sama, the PBS/Frontline Syrian drama from Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watt; Neon’s Honeyland, the Sundance-winning Macedonian beekeeper tale from Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevsk; 1901 Media’s Mexico City ambulance industry pic Midnight Family; and Amazon Studios’ Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize-winning One Child Nation.
Last year,...
Winners will be revealed at a ceremony January 6 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.
American Factory, which counts Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground among its executive producers, and Todd Douglas Miller’s deep dive into the 1969 moon mission Apollo 11 were nominated in the marquee Outstanding Nonfiction Feature category. They are joined there by For Sama, the PBS/Frontline Syrian drama from Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watt; Neon’s Honeyland, the Sundance-winning Macedonian beekeeper tale from Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevsk; 1901 Media’s Mexico City ambulance industry pic Midnight Family; and Amazon Studios’ Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize-winning One Child Nation.
Last year,...
- 11/7/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been said that the golden age of nonfiction filmmaking is upon us. From “The Jinx” to “CitizenFour” to “Free Solo,” the documentary sector has exploded creatively and commercially in the past few years. Key to the docu spike has been Netflix’s decision to enter the arena in a big way — and with a fat checkbook. When Amazon and Hulu followed, they helped raise the market value of documentary films to a new high.
Now streaming services from Apple, Disney and WarnerMedia are coming to town. While no one knows what effect they will have on the nonfiction space, if the past years are any indication, the field will become even more saturated, mainstream and perhaps less theatrical than ever before.
Last year was a banner year for documentaries at the box office. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Academy Award-winning “Free Solo” took in $29 million; Morgan Neville...
Now streaming services from Apple, Disney and WarnerMedia are coming to town. While no one knows what effect they will have on the nonfiction space, if the past years are any indication, the field will become even more saturated, mainstream and perhaps less theatrical than ever before.
Last year was a banner year for documentaries at the box office. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Academy Award-winning “Free Solo” took in $29 million; Morgan Neville...
- 11/5/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Women may be the gatekeepers of the documentary arm of the entertainment industry, but this year marks the first time they have helmed the majority of awards season’s high-profile documentaries.
The filmmakers include Irene Taylor Brodsky (“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements”), Petra Costa (“The Edge of Democracy”), Lauren Greenfield (“The Kingmaker”), Barbara Kopple (“Desert One”), Rachel Lears (“Knock Down the House”), Nancy Schwartzman (“Roll Red Roll”), Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang (“One Child Nation”).
In addition, there are also documentary frontrunners co-directed by women, including “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “After Parkland” (Emily Taguchi), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “The Great Hack” (Jehane Noujaim) and “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska).
In late October, when the Intl. Documentary Assn. announced the nominees for the 35th annual Ida awards, six of the 10 best doc nods and all of the films nominated in the inaugural director category were directed or co-directed by women.
The filmmakers include Irene Taylor Brodsky (“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements”), Petra Costa (“The Edge of Democracy”), Lauren Greenfield (“The Kingmaker”), Barbara Kopple (“Desert One”), Rachel Lears (“Knock Down the House”), Nancy Schwartzman (“Roll Red Roll”), Nanfu Wang and Lynn Zhang (“One Child Nation”).
In addition, there are also documentary frontrunners co-directed by women, including “Advocate” (Rachel Leah Jones), “After Parkland” (Emily Taguchi), “American Factory” (Julia Reichert), “For Sama” (Waad Al-Khateab), “The Great Hack” (Jehane Noujaim) and “Honeyland” (Tamara Kotevska).
In late October, when the Intl. Documentary Assn. announced the nominees for the 35th annual Ida awards, six of the 10 best doc nods and all of the films nominated in the inaugural director category were directed or co-directed by women.
- 11/5/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
In the 2010s, the use of fourth-wall breaking narration has become ubiquitous. From “House of Cards” to “Fleabag” protagonists, speaking directly to the audience has become so popular that “Robot Chicken” has riffed on it. Now, “Wolkenbruch,” a Swiss romantic comedy now on Netflix, uses it to poke fun at a Jewish teen’s act of romantic rebellion.
Director Michael Steiner joined stars Joel Basman and Inge Maux at TheWrap’s Screening Series to discuss the new film, which has been selected as Switzerland’s entry into the Best International Film Oscar race. In the film, which has the full title “Wolkenbruch’s Wonderous Journey Into the Arms of a Shiksa,” Basman plays Motti Wolkenbruch, an awkward young Jew who is getting constantly set up for dates by his mother with women who, well, are practically clones of her. As he notes in a rapid-fire intro, the life of a...
Director Michael Steiner joined stars Joel Basman and Inge Maux at TheWrap’s Screening Series to discuss the new film, which has been selected as Switzerland’s entry into the Best International Film Oscar race. In the film, which has the full title “Wolkenbruch’s Wonderous Journey Into the Arms of a Shiksa,” Basman plays Motti Wolkenbruch, an awkward young Jew who is getting constantly set up for dates by his mother with women who, well, are practically clones of her. As he notes in a rapid-fire intro, the life of a...
- 10/25/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has revealed the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories, culled from 785 submissions: 375 documentary features, 153 documentary shorts, 124 documentary series, 89 student films, 44 podcasts, and 48 music documentaries. After winnowing down each list to up to ten nominees to be announced on Wednesday, October 23, online screeners will be accessible for viewing as of November 4, followed by the Ida membership voting.
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has revealed the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories, culled from 785 submissions: 375 documentary features, 153 documentary shorts, 124 documentary series, 89 student films, 44 podcasts, and 48 music documentaries. After winnowing down each list to up to ten nominees to be announced on Wednesday, October 23, online screeners will be accessible for viewing as of November 4, followed by the Ida membership voting.
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Aretha Franklin documentary “Amazing Grace,” the moon-mission chronicle “Apollo 11” and the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, “American Factory,” have made the short list for the International Documentary Association’s 2019 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Thursday.
The announcement narrows the field to 30 feature films and 21 shorts that will move on to a second round of voting.
The IDA’s short list of 30 feature films contains 10 films that were on Doc NYC’s recent 15-film list of the year’s likeliest nonfiction awards contenders: “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Apollo 11,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Cave,” “Diego Maradona,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation.”
Additional films on the Ida’s list include “Amazing Grace,...
The announcement narrows the field to 30 feature films and 21 shorts that will move on to a second round of voting.
The IDA’s short list of 30 feature films contains 10 films that were on Doc NYC’s recent 15-film list of the year’s likeliest nonfiction awards contenders: “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Apollo 11,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Cave,” “Diego Maradona,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation.”
Additional films on the Ida’s list include “Amazing Grace,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
In today’s film news roundup, Freida Lee Mock gets a lifetime honor, Isabelle Fuhrman and Penn Badgley get cast, AFI is unveiling rare footage of Alfred Hitchcock, and a faith-based baseball drama and a spy comedy get release dates. Career Honor The International Documentary Association has selected Freida Lee Mock as the recipient of its career achievement award, to be presented at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards on Dec. 7 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Mock has been nominated for five Academy Awards, winning for “Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision” in the documentary feature category. She received short subject nominations for “To Live or Let Die,” “Rose Kennedy: A Life to Remember,” “Never Give Up” and “Sing!” Mock’s television credits include the 2013 documentary “Anita” and Emmy winner “Lillian Gish: The Actor’s Life for Me.” Emmy nominated filmmaker Rachel Lears will be honored with the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award.
- 10/8/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The International Documentary Association (Ida) will present awards to its honorees for the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida 2019 Shortlists for Best Feature and Best Short categories will be announced on Thursday, October 10.
This year, the Ida will give the Career Achievement Award to Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock; the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award to Emmy nominee Rachel Lears; and the Amicus Award to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
Additionally, the Pioneer Award will go to New York’s film foundation and production company Cinereach, which since 2006 has developed, produced, co-produced, and/or financed over 15 films including “Shirkers,” “We The Animals,” “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild,...
This year, the Ida will give the Career Achievement Award to Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock; the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award to Emmy nominee Rachel Lears; and the Amicus Award to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
Additionally, the Pioneer Award will go to New York’s film foundation and production company Cinereach, which since 2006 has developed, produced, co-produced, and/or financed over 15 films including “Shirkers,” “We The Animals,” “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The International Documentary Association (Ida) will present awards to its honorees for the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida 2019 Shortlists for Best Feature and Best Short categories will be announced on Thursday, October 10.
This year, the Ida will give the Career Achievement Award to Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock; the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award to Emmy nominee Rachel Lears; and the Amicus Award to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
Additionally, the Pioneer Award will go to New York’s film foundation and production company Cinereach, which since 2006 has developed, produced, co-produced, and/or financed over 15 films including “Shirkers,” “We The Animals,” “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild,...
This year, the Ida will give the Career Achievement Award to Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock; the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award to Emmy nominee Rachel Lears; and the Amicus Award to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news-gathering rights of journalists.
Additionally, the Pioneer Award will go to New York’s film foundation and production company Cinereach, which since 2006 has developed, produced, co-produced, and/or financed over 15 films including “Shirkers,” “We The Animals,” “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association has revealed the honorees for their 35th annual Ida Documentary Awards honorees. The ceremony is set for December 7 and will take place at the Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
Academy Award and Primetime Emmy winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock will receive the Career Achievement Award while Rachel Lears who will receive the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award.
“We are so excited to be honoring such talented filmmakers and organizations that really make a difference in the world,” said Simon Kilmurry, executive director of the Ida. “Freida Lee Mock’s Career Achievement Award is overdue. Her films have tackled a wide range of topics with an insightful artistic vision, and her unparalleled body of work continues to inspire and impact the world. In her film Knock Down the House, Emerging Filmmaker Award...
Academy Award and Primetime Emmy winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock will receive the Career Achievement Award while Rachel Lears who will receive the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award.
“We are so excited to be honoring such talented filmmakers and organizations that really make a difference in the world,” said Simon Kilmurry, executive director of the Ida. “Freida Lee Mock’s Career Achievement Award is overdue. Her films have tackled a wide range of topics with an insightful artistic vision, and her unparalleled body of work continues to inspire and impact the world. In her film Knock Down the House, Emerging Filmmaker Award...
- 10/7/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Freida Lee Mock will receive the International Documentary Association’s Career Achievement Award, and “Knock Down the House” director Rachel Lears will be given the Emerging Doc Filmmaker Award at the 2019 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Monday.
In other honorary awards, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation for journalists, will receive the Amicus Award, an honor that goes to an individual or organization that supports nonfiction filmmakers. Cinereach, a nonprofit film foundation, production company and film funding organization based in New York, will receive the Pioneer Award.
The awards will be presented at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards, which will take place at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Also Read: 'Knock Down the House' Film Review: Rousing Documentary Follows Aoc and Three Other Women on the Road to Congress
Mock won the Academy Award...
In other honorary awards, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which provides pro bono legal representation for journalists, will receive the Amicus Award, an honor that goes to an individual or organization that supports nonfiction filmmakers. Cinereach, a nonprofit film foundation, production company and film funding organization based in New York, will receive the Pioneer Award.
The awards will be presented at the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards, which will take place at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Also Read: 'Knock Down the House' Film Review: Rousing Documentary Follows Aoc and Three Other Women on the Road to Congress
Mock won the Academy Award...
- 10/7/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The International Documentary Association won't announce the shortlists for its best feature and best short Ida Awards until Thursday, but four winners of other Ida honors were announced by the organization Monday morning — one of which affects a top doc Oscar contender.
Rachel Lears, the helmer of Netflix's Knock Down the House, has been tapped for the Emerging Doc Filmmaker Award. That doc, which chronicles the 2016 congressional campaigns of four female long-shot candidates — one of them being Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez — is among 2019's most acclaimed.
That honor will be presented at the 35th annual Ida Awards, which will ...
Rachel Lears, the helmer of Netflix's Knock Down the House, has been tapped for the Emerging Doc Filmmaker Award. That doc, which chronicles the 2016 congressional campaigns of four female long-shot candidates — one of them being Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez — is among 2019's most acclaimed.
That honor will be presented at the 35th annual Ida Awards, which will ...
- 10/7/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The International Documentary Association won't announce the shortlists for its best feature and best short Ida Awards until Thursday, but four winners of other Ida honors were announced by the organization Monday morning — one of which affects a top doc Oscar contender.
Rachel Lears, the helmer of Netflix's Knock Down the House, has been tapped for the Emerging Doc Filmmaker Award. That doc, which chronicles the 2016 congressional campaigns of four female long-shot candidates — one of them being Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez — is among 2019's most acclaimed.
That honor will be presented at the 35th annual Ida Awards, which will ...
Rachel Lears, the helmer of Netflix's Knock Down the House, has been tapped for the Emerging Doc Filmmaker Award. That doc, which chronicles the 2016 congressional campaigns of four female long-shot candidates — one of them being Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez — is among 2019's most acclaimed.
That honor will be presented at the 35th annual Ida Awards, which will ...
- 10/7/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Next year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature will go to “Apollo 11,” “The Cave,” “Diego Maradona,” “For Sama,” “Knock Down the House” or one of 10 other nonfiction films, if the track record for Doc NYC’s annual Short List proves to be as accurate as it has been in past years.
Those five films were included on the documentary festival’s 2019 list, along with “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “The Elephant Queen,” “The Great Hack,” “Honeyland,” “The Kingmaker” and “One Child Nation.”
All of the films will screen at this year’s festival, which runs in New York City from Nov. 6 through Nov. 15, and will be eligible for juried awards in four categories for the first time.
Doc NYC has been compiling its Short List, which identifies the documentaries that its programming team considers to be the year’s strongest awards contenders,...
Those five films were included on the documentary festival’s 2019 list, along with “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “The Elephant Queen,” “The Great Hack,” “Honeyland,” “The Kingmaker” and “One Child Nation.”
All of the films will screen at this year’s festival, which runs in New York City from Nov. 6 through Nov. 15, and will be eligible for juried awards in four categories for the first time.
Doc NYC has been compiling its Short List, which identifies the documentaries that its programming team considers to be the year’s strongest awards contenders,...
- 9/26/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
January’s Sundance Film Festival is the most effective launchpad for any documentary Oscar hopeful. With a field overloaded by competitive non-fiction, it’s essential to get a head start, a distributor, an early release date and build a profile before narrative features grab the media attention in an overcrowded fall.
Some high-profile non-fiction features, like Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s box-office star and eventual Oscar-winner “Free Solo,” break out of fall festivals like Telluride, Toronto, and New York. However, titles like those are the outliers.
Sundance 2018 yielded four out of the five 2019 Oscar nominees: $14 million-grossing Ruth Bader Ginsburg doc “Rbg,” Sundance breakthrough filmmaker prize-winner Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” which follows three young skateboarders in the Rust Belt, photographer RaMell Ross’ languorous poetic portrait of a time and place, “Hale County: This Morning, This Evening,” and Talal Derki’s Sundance World Documentary Grand Jury Prize-winner “Of Fathers and Sons.
Some high-profile non-fiction features, like Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s box-office star and eventual Oscar-winner “Free Solo,” break out of fall festivals like Telluride, Toronto, and New York. However, titles like those are the outliers.
Sundance 2018 yielded four out of the five 2019 Oscar nominees: $14 million-grossing Ruth Bader Ginsburg doc “Rbg,” Sundance breakthrough filmmaker prize-winner Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” which follows three young skateboarders in the Rust Belt, photographer RaMell Ross’ languorous poetic portrait of a time and place, “Hale County: This Morning, This Evening,” and Talal Derki’s Sundance World Documentary Grand Jury Prize-winner “Of Fathers and Sons.
- 6/15/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
January’s Sundance Film Festival is the most effective launchpad for any documentary Oscar hopeful. With a field overloaded by competitive non-fiction, it’s essential to get a head start, a distributor, an early release date and build a profile before narrative features grab the media attention in an overcrowded fall.
Some high-profile non-fiction features, like Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s box-office star and eventual Oscar-winner “Free Solo,” break out of fall festivals like Telluride, Toronto, and New York. However, titles like those are the outliers.
Sundance 2018 yielded four out of the five 2019 Oscar nominees: $14 million-grossing Ruth Bader Ginsburg doc “Rbg,” Sundance breakthrough filmmaker prize-winner Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” which follows three young skateboarders in the Rust Belt, photographer RaMell Ross’ languorous poetic portrait of a time and place, “Hale County: This Morning, This Evening,” and Talal Derki’s Sundance World Documentary Grand Jury Prize-winner “Of Fathers and Sons.
Some high-profile non-fiction features, like Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s box-office star and eventual Oscar-winner “Free Solo,” break out of fall festivals like Telluride, Toronto, and New York. However, titles like those are the outliers.
Sundance 2018 yielded four out of the five 2019 Oscar nominees: $14 million-grossing Ruth Bader Ginsburg doc “Rbg,” Sundance breakthrough filmmaker prize-winner Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” which follows three young skateboarders in the Rust Belt, photographer RaMell Ross’ languorous poetic portrait of a time and place, “Hale County: This Morning, This Evening,” and Talal Derki’s Sundance World Documentary Grand Jury Prize-winner “Of Fathers and Sons.
- 6/15/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Knock Down the House is a rousing documentary about the future of our country, guided by the emboldened voices of four progressive female congressional candidates in the 2018 primary. Chief among them is beacon-of-hope Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (aka Aoc), who tells us, “For every 10 rejections you get one acceptance. And that’s how you win everything.” Her words resonate especially when the other three candidates—Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin, each worthy of coverage in their own right—lose out to the old guard. Producers Sarah Olson, Robin Blotnic, and producer/director Rachel Lears achieve a mix of optimism and heartbreak by juxtaposing three unsuccessful campaigns with Aoc’s DC-shaking victory.…...
- 5/2/2019
- by Dylan Kai Dempsey
- IONCINEMA.com
It’s almost impossible not to know who Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is if you pay even a little attention to politics. She’s a force of nature and a rock star. One day, a film may be made about her, biopic style. For the moment, we just have a stunning new documentary in Knock Down the House, which played to raves earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. Rightly so, too, as this is non fiction cinema at its finest. You don’t have to be a hardcore political aficionado or a left wing liberal to appreciate this. It’s far more about diversity, representation, and the middle class rising up than any political ideology. The doc is a look at a quartet of insurgent candidates in the 2018 midterm elections. They are a young bartender in the Bronx named Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia by...
- 5/2/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Knock Down The House. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
When director Rachel Lears started following four women candidates in the 2018 congressional primaries, she had no idea one of them would become the focus of national attention. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of four female political outsiders challenging Democratic incumbents that Lears pick to follow for this political wild ride, as they attempt to knock down the doors to power in the U.S. Congress. The resulting documentary, Knock Down The House, is as thrilling, gripping and inspiring, as it is ground-breaking.
Two of the four women candidates featured in the documentary, St. Louisan Cori Bush and Nevadan Amy Vilela, will appear at a question-and-answer session after the St. Louis opening of Knock Down The House, at 7:05 Pm at the Tivoli Theater, as the film begins its local theatrical run. Knock Down The House was a hot ticket at...
When director Rachel Lears started following four women candidates in the 2018 congressional primaries, she had no idea one of them would become the focus of national attention. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of four female political outsiders challenging Democratic incumbents that Lears pick to follow for this political wild ride, as they attempt to knock down the doors to power in the U.S. Congress. The resulting documentary, Knock Down The House, is as thrilling, gripping and inspiring, as it is ground-breaking.
Two of the four women candidates featured in the documentary, St. Louisan Cori Bush and Nevadan Amy Vilela, will appear at a question-and-answer session after the St. Louis opening of Knock Down The House, at 7:05 Pm at the Tivoli Theater, as the film begins its local theatrical run. Knock Down The House was a hot ticket at...
- 5/1/2019
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Netflix’s May release slate is a bit quiet compared to the average month, as it almost seems as if the streaming giant were ceding a little bit of viewers’ attention to the first onslaught of summer movies. But that doesn’t mean Netflix is leaving its subscribers high and dry for the rest of the spring, as the assortment of titles streaming over the next few weeks are a grab bag of new — and classic! — films that should offer a little something for everyone.
The new batch of Netflix Originals include “Knock Down the House” and “The Perfection”, and the mixed bag Ted Bundy biopic, “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.” On the older front, Netflix is also adding a handful of films that were formative in their respective genres, including “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” “Scream,” and “The Matrix.”
On top of that, it’s also worth...
The new batch of Netflix Originals include “Knock Down the House” and “The Perfection”, and the mixed bag Ted Bundy biopic, “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.” On the older front, Netflix is also adding a handful of films that were formative in their respective genres, including “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” “Scream,” and “The Matrix.”
On top of that, it’s also worth...
- 5/1/2019
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
In telling the story of a ‘historic moment’, Rachel Lears followed four female Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, during the 2018 midterms
The ninth of November 2016 was a transformative day for many Americans. The day after the election that sent Donald Trump to the White House spurred new personal resolve from coast to coast; for a new generation of political challengers, this was the road-to-Damascus moment that compelled them to take action and launch a campaign, and for Rachel Lears, this was her call to capture it all. She could smell change in the air, for worse but also for better, and wanted to create a living record of the latter.
Related: Knock Down the House review – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doc brings down the house...
The ninth of November 2016 was a transformative day for many Americans. The day after the election that sent Donald Trump to the White House spurred new personal resolve from coast to coast; for a new generation of political challengers, this was the road-to-Damascus moment that compelled them to take action and launch a campaign, and for Rachel Lears, this was her call to capture it all. She could smell change in the air, for worse but also for better, and wanted to create a living record of the latter.
Related: Knock Down the House review – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doc brings down the house...
- 5/1/2019
- by Charles Bramesco
- The Guardian - Film News
When Rachel Lears was chronicling the election campaigns of four progressive Democrats trying to upend the status quo she was very aware that all of the primary candidates could lose their races. Amy Vilela was trying to earn the nomination for a Las Vegas area congressional seat long controlled by the vaunted Harry Reid machine. Cori Bush was attempting to overcome one family’s hold on a St. Louis congressional seat for almost 50 years.
Continue reading ‘Knock Down The House’ Director Chronicles The Incredible Journey Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [Podcast] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Knock Down The House’ Director Chronicles The Incredible Journey Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 5/1/2019
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
For those that have gone through our massive summer preview, our monthly breakdowns may not bring a great deal of new surprises, but as we take a more granular look at the offerings, there’s certainly more to spotlight. Of course, much of the month will be dedicated to our Cannes coverage, but there’s also a wealth of excellent films coming to theaters and streaming, so check out our picks below.
Matinees to See: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (May 3), Long Shot (May 3), The Wandering Earth (May 5), The Silence of Others (May 8), Detective Pikachu (May 10), Charlie Says (May 10), Perfect (May 17), Photograph (May 17), Echo in the Canyon (May 24), Joy (May 24), The Perfection (May 24), The Fall of the American Empire (May 31), The Image You Missed (May 31), and Leto (May 31)
15. Knock Down the House (Rachel Lears; May 1)
Winner of the top festival favorite prize at Sundance Film Festival, Rachel Lears’ Knock Down the House...
Matinees to See: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (May 3), Long Shot (May 3), The Wandering Earth (May 5), The Silence of Others (May 8), Detective Pikachu (May 10), Charlie Says (May 10), Perfect (May 17), Photograph (May 17), Echo in the Canyon (May 24), Joy (May 24), The Perfection (May 24), The Fall of the American Empire (May 31), The Image You Missed (May 31), and Leto (May 31)
15. Knock Down the House (Rachel Lears; May 1)
Winner of the top festival favorite prize at Sundance Film Festival, Rachel Lears’ Knock Down the House...
- 5/1/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Serial killers and cuckoo soldiers, talking birds and friendly demons — it’s an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink month in streaming programming. Hulu and Amazon have both attempted to translate a complex literary treasure for the screen, while Netflix reintroduces Zac Efron as a bloodthirsty dreamboat and turns Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish into animated birds. Also: Ava DuVernay takes on the Central Park Five case, the notorious A.O.C. takes politics by storm and Phoebe Waller-Bridge finds religion. Check out your best streaming options for the month.
Catch-22 (Hulu, May 17th)
Any soldier deemed...
Catch-22 (Hulu, May 17th)
Any soldier deemed...
- 5/1/2019
- by Charles Bramesco
- Rollingstone.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.