Docs opening this week (March 31 – April 6)

The power of the arts to reflect and change the world takes the stage in the energetic dance doc Mr. Gaga. This film by POV Heymann profiles Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin as he creates politically charged performances that electrify audiences and challenge the establishment. While reviewing Mr. Gaga at Hot Docs, we wrote: “Heymann thoroughly mines the archives for performances of Naharin’s numbers and this lively, unexpectedly political film is an exhilarating ode to cultural expression..” Read more in the POV review ofMr. Gaga.

One film that doc fans should be dying to see is the darkly funny and pleasantly inspiringObit. This doc by Vanessa Gould takes audiences into the machinery of the obit pages of theNew York Times as writers reveal the art of celebrating a life in a few columns. How does one capture the life of a man or a woman in print? Catch Obit to find out! Read more in the POV review of Obit.

Events outside of theatrical release include the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, which features Tickling Giants, Girl Unbound, Black Code and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice. In Vancouver, Just Film Festival screens Mali Blues and Occupation of the American Mind.

Opening this Week:

Fighting Through the Night
Dir. Sylvain L’Espérance | Canada | 285 min.
-Montreal, QC: Cinema du Parc – Fri, Mar. 31 – Sun, Apr. 2

Goodnight Brooklyn: The Story of Death by Audio
Dir. Matthew Conboy | USA | 83 min.
-Edmonton, AB: Metro Cinema – Tues, Apr. 4

I am Not Your Negro
Dir. Raoul Peck | USA/France/Belgium/Switzerland | 95 min.
-Ottawa, ON: ByTowne Cinema – Fri, Mar. 31 – Tues, Apr. 4

It’s Not Dark Yet
Dir. Frankie Fenton | Ireland | 78 min.
-Toronto, ON: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema – Wed, Apr. 5 – Thurs, Apr. 6
—>Ruth Fitzmaurice, spouse of film subject Simon Fitzmaurice, in attendance for post-screening Q&As.

Mr. Gaga
Dir. Tomer Heyman | Israel | 100 min.
-Toronto, ON: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema – Fri, Mar. 31 – Thurs, Apr. 6

Obit
Dir. Vanessa Gould | USA | 93 min.
-Toronto, ON: TIFF Bell Lightbox – Fri, Mar. 31 – Apr. 6
—>Director Vanessa Gould, producer Caitlin Mae Burke and _New York Times _writer and film subject Margalit Fox join for an introduction and post-screening Q&A on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 PM.

Retro Screenings:

Los Canadienses
Dir. Albert Kish | Canada | 1975 | 58 min.
-Cobourg, ON: Cobourg Loft –

Paradise Lost: The Child Murders of Robin Hood Hills
Dir. Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky | USA | 1995 | 150 min.
-Toronto, ON: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema – Tues, Apr. 4
—>Director Joe Berlinger will participate in a Skype Q&A following the screening moderated by film critic and author Geoff Pevere.

Power to the People
Dir. Sabine Lubbe Bakker | Netherlands | 2012 | 50 min.
-Ottawa, ON: Mayfair Theatre – Mon, Apr. 3

Via: POV Magazine