The ITVS Indies Roundup

Posted on August 3, 2012

A curated list of indie news and recommendations from ITVS’s Rebecca Huval.

 

Here it is, finally. The definitive viral documentary about viral videos. This PBS Off Book has some interesting nuggets for those viewers who are well versed in the Dramatic Chipmunk and Fridayremixes, but also serves as an inspiring primer for newbs. 

Ah, to screen your film in Venice. This new floating theatre would make the deal even sweeter. The “Archipelago Cinema” is a reference to American drive-in theatres, though it reminds me of the waterfront theatre in Cinema Paradiso. 

You might have heard that the seminal documentary director Chris Marker died this week at the age of 91. At least two of his films are available for free streaming: the 75-minute A.K. about Japanese director Akira Kurosawa and the 26-minute experimental film La Jetee that influenced generations of sci-fi filmmakers.

Warning: This trailer is a bit racy, possibly NSFW. This documentary about the illustrator Tomi Ungerer is screening at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, and it looks fascinating. Sharp graphics, and a compelling character: “When I draw, it’s a real need,” Ungerer says. “It’s a need like I have to go to the toilet.” 

If you’ve been itching to travel this summer but haven’t been able to get away, here’s an alternative: seven great travel documentaries. Also premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the trailer for David Mitchell’s epic novel Cloud Atlas makes the movie look as ambitious as the book — six interweaving storylines including the likes of Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Hugh Grant, with the guidance of Run Lola Run director Tom Tykwer and TheMatrix’s Wachowski siblings.

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