Cannes: Roberto Minervini transitions to fiction

by Elisa Giudici

THE DAMNED © Okta Film Pulpa Film

In 2018, Italian documentarian Roberto Minervini adeptly captured the underlying tensions of American society amidst the backdrop of Trumpism and racism in What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?, which premiered at Venice. Having called the United States home since 2000, Minervini demonstrates a keen understanding of the nation's profound anxieties, skillfully depicting them in his documentaries, often anticipating topics later dissected by journalists and political commentators.

THE DAMNED by Roberto Minervini
It comes as no surprise then that Minervini, in transitioning to fiction with a historical film, chose to confront the Civil War, a pivotal moment in American identity formation...

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In Competition: Documentaries at the London Film Festival

by Sean McGovern

The end of summer is an annual tragedy, but at least it means that you don't have to go to the cinema just for the air conditioning. With Venice ongoing and TIFF beginning tomorrow (Chris & Nathaniel are already on the ground), Film Festival Season (and by extension, Awards Season!) is well and truly upon us. Arrving in early October for the 62nd time is the London Film Festival, the biggest one on my calendar and the one closest to my house. Amongst the glitzy galas and special presentations is a stellar programme and not just because I played a small part in programming the shorts this year.

Something that excites me in particular is the impressive lineup of the films in the Documentary Competition. And since I haven't got to see them yet, join in my excitement in a preview of some the titles, some of which are opening soon in the USA...

BISBEE '17 (dir. Robert Greene, USA) [Glenn's Review]
[Opening today in NYC] From the director of Kate Plays Christine, Robert Greene investigates the mysterious tragedy of a small American mining town, which one hundred years previously, had 1200 migrant workers rounded up and left to die in the desert...

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