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Sundance Film Festival · 2015

Sundance Film Festival 2015

Documentary Premieres

Programme

11 films · 6 reviews

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Beaver Trilogy Part IV

A chance meeting in a parking lot in 1979 between filmmaker Trent Harris and a young man from Beaver, Utah, inspired the creation of an underground film that is now known as Beaver Trilogy. But the film itself is only part of the story.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Brad Besser; Stars: Trent Harris)

World premiere.

The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution

Review preview for The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution

The film is an interesting, timely, though ultimately dispiriting look at how the twin forces of institutional bigotry and internal discord fragmented one of the key organising forces in black America.

Owen Van Spall · 4 out of 5
Story of the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party.

(Year: 2015; Director: Stanley Nelson)

Full review

World premiere.

Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Story Of The National Lampoon

Three Harvard graduates start the first national humour magazine for adults, launching the careers of some of Hollywood’s most legendary talent. But success and excess among its brilliant and subversive contributors begins to challenge its existence.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Douglas Tirola; Writer: Mark Monroe, Mark Monroe, Douglas Tirola, Douglas Tirola; Stars: Judd Apatow, Kevin Bacon, John Belushi, Richard Belzer, Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, John Goodman, Al Jean, John Landis, Tim Matheson, Bill Murray, P.J. O'Rourke, Gilda Radner, Ivan Reitman, Matty Simmons)

World premiere.

Fresh Dressed

The history of hip-hop fashion from its birth in the South Bronx to its rise as a billion-dollar global industry.

(Country: US, France; Year: 2014; Director: Sacha Jenkins; Writer: Sacha Jenkins; Stars: Pharrell Williams, Nas, Damon Dash, Daymond John, Karl Kani)

World premiere.

Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief

Review preview for Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief

Informative - and frequently worrying - although not particularly cinematic.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
Exploration of the history and methods of the Church of Scientology, recounted by former members.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Alex Gibney; Writer: Alex Gibney, based on the book by Lawrence Wright; Stars: Leah Remini, Mimi Rogers, Riley Keough, Priscilla Presley, Jason Beghe, Paul Haggis, Lisa Marie Presley, Neil Gaiman, Diana Canova, Michael Fairman, Chaka Khan, MC Lyte, Amanda Palmer, Larry Anderson, Lawrence Wright)

Full review

World premiere.

The Hunting Ground

Review preview for The Hunting Ground

Even if Dick took away the interviewees and voiceovers from this film, the statistics alone would make for startling reading.

Owen Van Spall · 4 out of 5
Investigation of rape on US university campuses - and the institutional cover-ups.

(Year: 2015; Director: Kirby Dick; Writer: Kirby Dick; Stars: Diane Rosenfeld)

Full review

World premiere.

In Football We Trust

Four young Polynesian American football players struggle to overcome gang violence and poverty as they enter the high-stakes world of recruiting, competitive athletics and family pressures.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Tony Vainuku, Erika Cohn)

World premiere.

Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck

Review preview for Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck

Morgen creates a vivid, colourful and quite poignant rush through a life that was, at once, explosively creative and deeply troubled.

Owen Van Spall · 4 out of 5
Portrait of the Nirvana frontman, featuring home video footage.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Brett Morgen; Writer: Brett Morgen; Stars: Courtney Love, Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic)

Full review

World premiere.

Prophet's Prey

Review preview for Prophet's Prey

A fascinating but deeply disturbing film.

Rebecca Naughten · 3.5 out of 5
A look at the mega- lomaniacal leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

(Country: US; Year: 2014; Director: Amy Berg; Writer: Amy Berg)

Full review

World premiere.

Tig

Documentary exploring comedian Tig Notaro's extraordinary journey as her life unfolds in grand and unexpected ways, all while she is battling a life-threatening illness and falling in love.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Kristina Goolsby, Ashley York; Writer: Jennifer Arnold, Kristina Goolsby, Ashley York; Stars: Tig Notaro)

World premiere.

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Review preview for What Happened, Miss Simone?

It is more like a primer on her life than an in-depth study.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
The life of Nina Simone, mostly told through her own words.

(Country: US; Year: 2015; Director: Liz Garbus)

Full review

World premiere. Day One film.