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Sundance Film Festival · 2017

Sundance Film Festival 2017

Documentary Premieres

Programme

12 films · 3 reviews

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500 Years

From a historic genocide trial to the overthrow of a president, the sweeping story of mounting resistance played out in Guatemala’s recent history is told through the actions and perspectives of the majority indigenous Mayan population, who now stand poised to reimagine their society.

(Country: Guatemala; Year: 2016; Director: Pamela Yates)

World premiere

Buena Vista Adios (The Flowers Of Life: Social Club Buena Vista)

A fond farewell chronicling the late-life careers of the Buena Vista Social Club musicians, many of whom have since passed away.

(Country: US, Cuba; Year: 2017; Director: Lucy Walker; Stars: Omara Portuondo, Jesus 'Aguaje' Ramos, Barbarito Torres, Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal)

World premiere. Screenings Cancelled

Cries From Syria

Review preview for Cries From Syria

Afineevsky doesn't pull his punches.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
Overview of the conflict in Syria.

(Country: US, Syria, Czech Republic; Year: 2017; Director: Evgeny Afineevsky; Stars: Bashar al-Assad, Abdul Basset Saroot, Riad Al-Asaad, Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb, Zaher Al-Saket, Kholoud Helmi, Ghiath Matar, Suzan Matar)

Full review

World premiere

Give Me Future: Major Lazer In Cuba

In the spring of 2016, global music sensation Major Lazer performed a free concert in Havana, Cuba — an unprecedented show that drew an audience of almost half a million. This concert documentary evolves into an exploration of youth culture in a country on the precipice of change.

(Country: US, Cuba; Year: 2017; Director: Austin Peters)

World premiere

Legion Of Brothers

Afghanistan, immediately post-9/11: Small teams of Green Berets arrive on a series of secret missions to overthrow the Taliban. What happens next is equal parts war origin story and cautionary tale, illuminating the nature and impact of 15 years of constant combat, with unprecedented access to US Special Forces.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Greg Barker)

World premiere

Oklahoma City

The bombing of the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995 is the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history. This documentary explores how a series of deadly encounters between American citizens and federal law enforcement — including the standoffs at Ruby Ridge and Waco — led to it.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Barak Goodman)

World premiere

Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman

Review preview for Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman

The film is stunningly beautiful.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A look inside the quiet revolution being led by ordinary people working the land and sea in the US.

(Country: US; Year: 2016; Director: Susan Froemke, John Hoffman, Beth Aala; Writer: Deborah Dickson)

Full review

World premiere. The New Climate

Take Every Wave

This is the remarkable story of an American icon who changed the sport of big wave surfing forever. Transcending the surf genre, this in-depth portrait of a hard-charging athlete explores the fear, courage and ambition that push a man to greatness — and the cost that comes with it.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Rory Kennedy)

World premiere

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story Of Black Colleges and Universities

A haven for Black intellectuals, artists and revolutionaries — and path of promise toward the American dream — Black colleges and universities have educated the architects of freedom movements and cultivated leaders in every field. They have been unapologetically Black for 150 years. For the first time ever, their story is told.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Stanley Nelson)

World premiere

This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous

Are there limits to your love for your family? One family's acceptance is tested when a champion diver, destined for the Olympics, announces he's transitioning into a woman — and invites his YouTube followers along for every moment. It's a story about unconditional love and finding the courage to be yourself.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Barbara Kopple; Stars: Gigi Lazzarato)

World premiere

TRUMPED: Inside The Greatest Political Upset Of All Time

In a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest political upset in recent history, Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon offer unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage of candidate Trump, from the primaries through the debates to the dawning realisation that the controversial businessman will become the 45th President of the United States.

(Country: US; Year: 2017; Director: Banks Tarver, Ted Bourne, Mary Robertson)

World premiere