DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival announced the full line-up for its fifth edition, running November 13-20 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village and Chelsea’s SVA Theatre and Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas. Representing a dramatic growth from last year’s edition, the 2014 festival will showcase 153 films and events, with over 200 documentary makers and special guests expected in person to present their films to New York City audiences. This year’s program includes 19 world premieres, 7 US premieres and 40 New York City premieres among this year’s feature-length films.
Opening night will feature the US premiere of David Thorpe’s Do I Sound Gay?, a film that follows the director on his journey to unpack the layers of cultural baggage concerning sexuality, identity and self-esteem. In other words, what does it mean to “sound gay?” The film will show as an opening gala. For the closing night gala, DOC will show the US premiere of The Yes Men Are Revolting, directed by Laura Nix and The Yes Men. Both films made their debut in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In addition to an expanded Short List—DOC NYC’s selection of the best docs of the year— and the increase of the festival’s panel series, Doc-A-Thon, by two days—this year’s event debuts four new thematic programming strands: Fight the Power celebrates activism, Centerstage highlights performance, Jock Docs focuses on sports, and Docs Redux revisits classic films.
Notable films on the this year’s line-up include Emmy-Award winner Ric Burns’ documentary on the legendary tabloid publisher, Generoso Pope Jr., titled Enquiring Minds: The Untold Story of the Man Behind the National Enquirer; Diana Whitten’s Vessel, which follows Women on Waves, an organization using laws governing international waters to bring much-needed abortion and contraceptive services to those with no other recourse; Amy Berg’s An Open Secret, which is about the hidden exploitation of children in Hollywood; and of course, Chris Moukarbel’s Banksy Does New York, a film that follows the elusive Bansky on his residency in New York last fall.
The festival will be hosting a series of special events which include screenings of seven standout films, followed by high-profile conversations with the directors and special guests.
Above and Beyond
Dir: Roberta Grossman, 2014, NYC Premiere Reveals the hidden history behind the creation of Israel’s air force. International Film Circuit, opens Jan. 30. In person: Producer Nancy Spielberg
Back On Board: Greg Louganis
Dir: Cheryl Furjanic, 2014, NYC Premiere This strikingly candid profile explores the triumphs and tragedies of Olympian Greg Louganis, considered by many the greatest diver of all time. In person: Cheryl Furjanic, film subject Greg Louganis
Banksy Does New York
Dir: Chris Moukarbel, 2014, NYC Premiere Last October, when infamous street artist Banksy revealed his New York City residency, he set off a daily scavenger hunt among curious fans, would-be art collectors and, of course, the police. HBO Documentary Films, broadcasts Nov. 17. In person: Chris Moukarbel
Enquiring Minds: The Untold Story of the Man Behind the National Enquirer
Dir: Ric Burns, 2014, NYC Premiere Serving up a sensational exposé in line with his juicy subject, acclaimed multiple-Emmy Award-winner Ric Burns uncovers the strange history of the National Enquirer and the tabloid’s legendary publisher, Generoso Pope Jr. In person: Ric Burns
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
Dirs: Dave LaMattina & Chad Walker, 2014, NYC Premiere Sesame Street’s Big Bird may be one of the world’s most recognizable characters, but far less familiar is Caroll Spinney, the man who has brought to life the yellow-feathered Muppet—as well as the irascible Oscar the Grouch—since 1969. In person: Dave LaMattina & Chad Walker, film subjects Caroll & Debra Spinney An
An Open Secret
Dir: Amy Berg, 2014, World Premiere Every year, thousands of children swarm Hollywood in search of fame, but what they often find under the surface is a deep and disturbing underbelly of manipulation and abuse. In person: Amy Berg Soul Boys of the
Western World
Dir: George Hencken, 2014, NYC Premiere Spandau Ballet, one of the bands that defined the 1980s, tell their own story, set against a backdrop of evocative period footage, including never-before-seen home movies. In
For more information on the event and the full program, please visit http://www.docnyc.net/.
