Doc/Fest Blog
A podcast & Tribeca 2010
By Hussain Currimbhoy 11 March, 2010
You don't do Tribeca. Tribeca does you. My first time last year was a road paved direct to the doors of re-hab.
So I'm going back.
I shall be there in the flesh for first week in April. Of course the announcement of the first part of the official programme yesterday was ical marked.
The selection is tantalising. Docs from Iceland, (if you think its hard making a film in tough financial climate - just consider making a film in a country where the government is in the pawn shop -), co-pros from Italy and China grab my eye and, apart from Alex Gibney and his workinprogress, some new/first time directors to follow up on instead of the more well known usual suspects.
The one UK doc in this line up, 'The Arbor', particularly stands out its made by artist/filmmaker Clio Barnard. Known for blurring the lines, Clio is at home at the Tate Britain and MoMA as she is on Channel 4. Someone to shake up a story line is just what I'm in the mood for.
'Freetime Machos' (Mika Ronkainen) is one doc that will experience simultaneous virtual and cinema premiere - very interested to see how Tribeca's video channel fares. The VOD schema with docs online may simply need some muscle to make viewers pay attention - 'pay' being the imperative word here - and really start to challenge traditional dist lines in a noticeable way. Is their new distribution plan a 'reach around' or water shed? We'll see.
Check out the list of docs here but for ones that I'm booking tickets for now:
Into Eternity (Michael Madsen) cuz it seems that nuclear issues are back in the ether - couldn't be better timing.
Sons of Perdition (Jennilyn Merten/ Tyler Measom), I love docs about cults. I include 'Jesus Loves You' in this category, and polygamy is a toe away from having your own personal cult. Trying to separate yourself from it has similar consequences.
The Two Escobars (Jeff Zimbalist / Michael Zimbalist), I had no idea that football and drugs were connected like this...
There is a new blog on the Sheffield block AND its got a podcast component - halle-bloody-lujah. Andy Markowitz, American ex-pat, Czech-ist, lover, fighter, and all round lovely chap, is hosting a regular discussion on documentary and film related business on 'See It Loud'. Its informed, almost erudite, funny and will be featuring some names and voices you all know and love very soon. Book mark it, tag it, whadevatheheckugottado, it's worth it.