Documentary Watch: September Theatrical Releases

Most highly anticipated among September's theatrical releases is Michael Moore's latest documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story, which opens in select cities on September 23, distributed by Overture Films. As the title indicated, the documentary is Moore's unique take on why our economy is failing, a subject recently covered in several documentaries, including the acclaimed I.O.U.S.A..

The failing economy is also targeted in American Casino, which opens in select theaters on September 4, distributed by Argot Pictures. In the documentary, filmmaker Leslie Cockburn shows how Wall Street gambled with their client's investments -- and lost.

On the month's must see list is the brilliant Joe Berlinger's Crude, a smartly crafted documentary that exposes Chevron's devastating petroleum contamination of Ecuador's Amazon region, reveals its disasterous effects on the environment and on tribal people who live near and depend on the river, and covers the lawsuit brought against the multinational giant by a heroic local lawyer. Distributed by First Run Features, Crude opens on September 9.

Also on the environmental theme, the New York-centric No Impact Man hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles, followed by a nationwide roll in ensuing weeks. Check Oscilloscope Pictures for the schedule. The documentary chronicles the year long commitment of journalist Colin Beavan and his family to live in Manhattan without environmental impact -- translate that into relinquishing refrigeration, electric lights, elevators, automobiles, television and other conveniences. It's an interesting investigation about what we think we need and what we actually do need -- materially and emotionally.

Also on September 11, The Horse Boy brings a fascinating personally challenging physical and emotional adventure to screens. Alternatively titles Over The Hills and Far Away, the film chronicles the journey of the Isaacson family who travel through remote Mongolia seeking a mysterious shaman who -- they believe -- can heal their autistic son. The film opens in Texas, where the Isaacson family resides, then platforms in other cities. Check Zeitgeist Films for the schedule.

Opening on September 25, The Providence Effect tells the story of urban kids seek better lives at Providence St. Mel, an inner city Chicago school that has, for the past 30 years, guided gifted youths' through kindergarten to 12th grade, and sends 100 percent of its graduates to college, with many accepted into the Ivy League. The graduating class of 2008 received more than $4.5 million in scholarships. The school and the film are inspirational!