Doc NYCSELECTED FILMS TO WATCH
Posted by Wilson Morales
November 2, 2011
DOC NYC, New York’s premier documentary festival, returns for its second year to Greenwich Village, featuring more days, more films, more panels and more guests than last year. From November 2-10, over 125 documentary makers and special guests are expected in person to present their New York premieres and, in many cases, US or world premieres. “Every day of the festival offers something special,” said DOC NYC artistic director Thom Powers. “If you’re looking for a memorable experience, you can’t beat the excitement and emotion of watching these documentaries with an audience.”
The largest festival of its kind ever held in New York, DOC NYC will showcase 107 events, including screenings of 52 feature-length films and 40 shorts as well as 15 doc-related panel discussions. All events will take place at IFC Center, New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts and NYU’s Kimmel Center.
GALAS
Centerpiece: LEMON, Laura Brownson & Beth Levison (US premiere) – Three-time felon and one-time Tony winner, Lemon Andersen struggles to mount a comeback show at the Public Theater. Directors, Lemon Andersen and executive producer Russell Simmons attending. Fri., Nov. 4, 6:30pm (NYU Eisner); Wed., Nov. 9 2:00pm (IFC Center)
VIEWFINDERS COMPETITION
BRINGING KING TO CHINA, Kevin McKiernan (NYC premiere) – The filmmaker’s daughter, Cáitrín McKiernan, travels to China and attempts to stage a play about Martin Luther King, Jr. amidst cross-cultural confusion and controversy. Director and Cáitrín McKiernan attending. Thu., Nov. 3, 9:30pm (IFC Center); Fri., Nov. 4, 11:15am (IFC Center)
METROPOLIS COMPETITION
I WANT MY NAME BACK, Roger Paradiso (World premiere) – Years after their breakthrough hit “Rapper’s Delight,” the original Sugarhill Gang members battle music industry corruption. Director and film subjects Master Gee and Wonder Mike attending. Sat., Nov. 5, 9:30pm (NYU Eisner); Tue., Nov. 8, 3:30pm (IFC Center)
ICONS
A GOOD MAN, Bob Hercules & Gordon Quinn – Tony-winning choreographer Bill T. Jones takes on an ambitious project to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial. Bob Hercules and Janet Wong (Bill T. Jones associate artistic director) attending. Sat., Nov. 5, 11:45am (IFC Center)
JOE FRAZIER: WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, Mike Todd (NYC premiere) – Years after his epic boxing matches with Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, Joe Frazier presided over a legendary Philadelphia gym that now has to close. Director and Joe Frazier attending. Tue., Nov. 8, 6:30pm (IFC Center)
AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES
BROOKLYN BOHEME, Nelson George & Diane Paragas – The cultural impact of Fort Greene, Brooklyn is examined in interviews with Chris Rock, Spike Lee and others. Directors attending. Wed., Nov. 9, 9:30pm (IFC Center)
I’M CAROLYN PARKER: THE GOOD, THE MAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Jonathan Demme (NYC premiere) – A poignant profile of a resident of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward struggling to rebuild her home after Katrina, filmed over several years. Director attending. Fri., Nov. 4, 7:00pm (IFC Center); Thu., Nov. 10, 4:45pm (IFC Center)
MOTHERS OF BEDFORD, Jenifer McShane – Women incarcerated in New York state struggle to be parents from behind bars, filmed over five years. Director and film subject attending. Tue., Nov. 8, 6:00pm (IFC Center)
SHORT-LIST
THE INTERRUPTERS, Steve James – Hoop Dreams director Steve James partners with writer Alex Kotlowitz (There Are No Children Here) following the organization CeaseFire that works to stop violence on the streets of Chicago. Courtesy of Cinema Guild. Director attending. Wed., Nov. 9, 9:00pm (IFC Center)
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD LEACOCK
THE CHILDREN WERE WATCHING (1961) and THE CHAIR (1962), Various – Two rarely screened classics from when Leacock worked with Drew Associates. The Children Were Watching documents violent clashes over school integration in Louisiana. The Chair follows the attorney Louis Nizer attempting to save African-American prisoner Paul Crump from the electric chair. Followed by a conversation with Richard Brody of The New Yorker. Fri., Nov. 4, 4:00pm (IFC Center)
