Docurama, one of the leading distributors of documentary films on DVD, celebrates it’s tenth anniversary with a special screening series presented at NYC's IFC Center, in conjunction with the Fall 2009 Stranger Than Fiction program. The Docurama series gives audiences a rare opportunity to see a superb selection of award-winning documentaries on the big screen.
The celebration begins with a one-time screening of the legendary documentary Jane, a lost gem from the cinema verite movement, on September 22 at 8 pm. The film will be followed by a Q and A moderated by Thom Powers with filmmakers Robert Drew, D.A. Pennebaker, and Hope Ryden. And there will be a private reception for filmmakers and members of the documentary film community to raise a glass to toast Docurama's decade of documentaries.
Here’s the rest of the program:
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Southern Comfort (2001) - The festival opens with Kate Davis's unique love story that follows wise-cracking cowboy Robert Eads as he falls headlong into a passionate romance with the vivacious and magnetic Lola. Robert happened to be born female, and Lola born male. Eight years after it won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, the acclaimed Southern Comfort seems to resonate even more in today's post-Prop 8 America. Screening October 2-4.
- Lost Boys Of Sudan (2003) - Winner of an Independent Spirit Award in 2004, Lost Boys Of Sudan, directed by Megan Mylan (Smile Pinki), follows two extraordinary young men orphaned by the Sudanese civil war as they come to America, a place some Sudanese call Heaven because of the hope and opportunity it offers. For Peter and Santino, their first life-altering year is full of abundance and alienation, safety and loneliness. For the viewer, the film offers a gripping and sobering peek into the myth of the American Dream. Screening October 9-12.
- Genghis Blues (1999) - A decade ago, this Oscar nominee introduced the world to the forgotten land of Tuva through the life-changing journey of blind blues musician Paul Pena to compete in their triennial throat-singing contest. Under the spell of this intensely beautiful, seemingly impossible form of singing, Pena bridges two vastly different cultures, an experience even more poignant to witness today in the wake of his passing. Screening October 23-25.
- Blue Vinyl (2002) - Winner for Best Cinematography at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and a trend-setting green documentary, Blue Vinyl begins in front of co-director Judith Helfand's parents' house as she earnestly pleas with her father not to replace their wood clapboard with vinyl siding. And so begins a sobering exploration into the underside of the vinyl industry, from Long Island to Venice, Italy. Balancing horror with humor, the film takes viewers on a unique exploration into what it takes to be a truly educated consumer. Screening October 30-November 1.
- The Atomic Cafe (1982) - Described as a nuclear-related Reefer Madmess, this pitch-black comedy and timeless documentary classic took the nation by storm upon its release. Through an artfully presented collage of newsreel footage, government archives, duck-and-cover propaganda and fifties music, The Atomic Cafe perfectly captures the atomic age. More than a quarter of a century later, with nuclear nonproliferation in the headlines once again, it's still perversely topical. Screening November 6-8.
- Best Boy (1979) - This Oscar winner for Best Documentary (1979) is a triumphant tale of love, courage and dignity, following filmmaker Ira Wohl and his family as they embark on a mission to enable his developmentally disabled adult cousin Philly to become more independent. Thirty years after its theatrical premiere (and with Philly now in his 80s!), it remains one of the most profoundly touching and life-affirming stories to be chronicled on film. Screening November 13-15.
- The Wild Parrots Of Telegraph Hill (2003) - Audiences and critics alike always seem to swoon when they mention this heartwarming, wondrous film, and for good reason. Packed with romance and comedy, the film follows the engaging and aging eccentric Mark Bittner as he befriends and defends the flock of red-and-green parrots which has taken up residence in San Francisco. Screening November 26-29.
- Bob Dylan Don’t Look Back (1967) - The finale of Docurama’s Tenth Anniversary Celebratiod.n is a seminal film of the cinema verite movement. Directed by D.A. Pennebaker, Don‘t Look Back, an intimate portrait of a 23-year-old Bob Dylan on his 1965 coming of age tour of England, is considered one of the best rock films ever made, setting new standards for the documentaries genre. Screening December 4-6.
Docurama‘s tenth anniversary screening series is presented at NYC’s IFC Center. Most of the screenings are at 11 am. Tickets cost $12.50, but all of the Docurama screenings are free for Stranger Than Fiction season passholders.
If you're unable to see these fine documentaries on the big screen, they are available on DVD, and you can purchase all of them and set up your own Docurama festival or viewing club.
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