We continue our preview series of the festival, this time breaking down the most exciting documentaries of the festival. With some very big names in the mix, this year’s fest has a strong chance of hitting big with audiences. Let’s dive into the mix of exciting documentaries at SXSW 2023. Wild Life - Directed by … Continue reading SXSW 2023 Preview: The Documentaries
Sundance 2023: ‘Twice Colonized’ Depicts an Activist’s Struggle with Her Trauma
We often imagine our civil rights leaders as infallible heroes. After all, the courage and will to stand up to oppression take incredible strength. Often we ignore just how difficult these decisions can become. Activists are not only fighting for their own reasons, but they often put themselves and their loved ones in danger. As … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Twice Colonized’ Depicts an Activist’s Struggle with Her Trauma
Sundance 2023: ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Shows the Horrors Experienced By Wartime Journalists
Almost one year ago, the world froze in fear. The war between the Ukraine and Russia drew the entire world's attention, and questions about intervention swam through conversations. As Russian soldiers advanced into the former USSR nation, horrifying videos and images began leaking out of Ukraine. The battles were terrible enough, but the true horrors … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Shows the Horrors Experienced By Wartime Journalists
Sundance 2023: ‘Fantastic Machine’ Bluntly Reveals the Beauty and Ills of Video
The camera remains one of the most powerful tools of the 21st century. For centuries, the ability to capture an image has shaped or altered the course of history. Yet in 2023, we have more access to take and create videos than ever before. However, with cameras running at all hours, what is the purpose … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Fantastic Machine’ Bluntly Reveals the Beauty and Ills of Video
Slamdance 2023: ‘Downwind’ Exposes Government Neglect Resulting in Decades of Radiation
The development of radiation-creating weapons became a turning point in World War II. Few would dispute that the bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the world. Yet, how these weapons and technologies were developed remains a source of contention. Throughout the past few decades, the effects of this development have continued to affect the residents … Continue reading Slamdance 2023: ‘Downwind’ Exposes Government Neglect Resulting in Decades of Radiation
Sundance 2023: ‘Willie Nelson & Family’ Is a Long Love Letter to the Legend
Always one for a practical joke, Willie Nelson became a four-quadrant celebrity. While Nelson began his storied career in country music, his persona and optimism made him larger than life. He helped establish a subgenre of Country music (known as "Outlaw Country") while providing mentorship to new and emerging artists. He became known for his … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Willie Nelson & Family’ Is a Long Love Letter to the Legend
Sundance 2023: ‘The Tuba Thieves’ Explores the Fallible Reliance on Sound
For non-d/deaf audience members, we often take the presence of sound for granted. It is not until it is stripped away that we find our lives disoriented by its presence (or lack thereof). Yet as d/deaf and hard-of-hearing artists have grown their representation in the film and television world, an inclusive cinematic approach has spawned. … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘The Tuba Thieves’ Explores the Fallible Reliance on Sound
Sundance 2023: ‘Iron Butterflies’ Confronts Disinformation in Tragedy
There's room for experimentation on topics that are well-known to the masses. Sadly, the tragedy of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 qualifies as one of those events. After Klondike made waves at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, Iron Butterflies puts focus back on the topic. As the war in Ukraine rages on, documentarian Roman Liubyi asks … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Iron Butterflies’ Confronts Disinformation in Tragedy
Sundance 2023: ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’ – The Women are Talking
Sometimes it's odd when works of art feel as if they were made to co-exist. The 2022-2023 Oscar season featured continual discussions of Sarah Polley's Women Talking, a film where women discussed the harms men do to them. While it was a fictional tale, the stories are too common to ignore. Meanwhile, thousands of miles … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood’ – The Women are Talking
Sundance 2023: ‘Murder in Big Horn’ Asks Hard Questions About the Epidemic of Violence Against Indigenous Women
Across America, there are issues of hate crimes and violence against non-white citizens. For indigenous communities, there has been a full epidemic of violence against women. A new documentary series, Murder in Big Horn seeks to draw attention to rising rates of death and disappearance in Big Horn County, Montana. From directors Razelle Benally and … Continue reading Sundance 2023: ‘Murder in Big Horn’ Asks Hard Questions About the Epidemic of Violence Against Indigenous Women