Tag: documentary

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Documentary: Life According to Sam

“Life According to Sam”

Michael and I just finished watching this very touching, moving and thought-provoking documentary currently on HBO – Life According to Sam.

At the age of 2, Sam is diagnosed with progeria, a rare and fatal aging disease. The film documents the years in which he takes part in the first ever trial for a possible treatment, led by his mother.

Beyond the medical story, what is most emotionally compelling about the film is watching Sam do so much more than cope with this disease.  He achieves.  At his middle school graduation he wins honor after honor.  His dream of being in the high school drum corp becomes just one more challenge for him to conquer.

Sam shares his hopes and vision for his future throughout, as his mother works diligently to find a first ever treatment for progeria.

From Fine Films‘ description:

Life According to Sam follows one family’s courageous fight to save their only son from a rare and fatal ageing disease.

Eleven years of the parents breakneck research, (they both are doctors), has led to the first experimental drug trial for Sam and 28 other children from around the world, just as Sam has reached 13, the average age of death for children with progeria.

This highly personal and unexpectedly life affirming journey is championed by the captivating presence of Sam Berns himself.

Funny, perceptive and fiercely intelligent, Sam is the catalyst for his parents relentless drive to discover a medical breakthrough that may one day shed light on unlocking the aging process in us all. 

We all know there are more difficult lives than our own.  Somewhere.  Everywhere.

Watching the documentary, I marvel at Sam’s achievement after achievement – and then wonder “what did I do today?”  I think about the small slights or excuses so many of us hang onto, when we could have something REALLY big to cope with, like progeria or cancer, as many do.

The film is beautiful, thoughtful and honest in a very human way.  

Learn more about Sam and this powerful documentary at the official website here. 

And learn more about progeria and how you can perhaps get involved by visiting the Progeria Research Foundation.

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Documentary – “Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me”

Director Chiemi Karasawa crafts a candid portrait of the brash and brassy grand dame as she follows Stritch from rehearsals and a side gig playing Alec Baldwin’s mother on “30 Rock” to reveal the complex, wise and witty woman behind the legend in Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me.
Intimate verité footage is paired with interviews with Stritch’s friends and admirers (including Nathan Lane, Tina Fey and Hal Prince) to capture the struggles and triumphs in the life of an Emmy and Tony-winning performer, resulting in a documentary that is hilarious, poignant and inspiring.

Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is screening at festivals.

Sundance Selects will release the film February 21.

(h/t OUT)

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Trailer: “We Cause Scenes – The Rise of Improv Everywhere”

Documentary chronicling the evolution of Improv Everywhere.

From the clip description: Since their humble beginnings in New York City in 2001, Improv Everywhere has grown from a small gang of restless jokesters into an internationally recognized prank collective and a viral video-making machine.

From the No Pants Subway Ride to Frozen Grand Central to the MP3 Experiment and beyond, their publicly staged scenes of chaos and joy are beloved by the hundreds who witness them, the thousands who participate in them, and the millions who watch and share the videos online.

We Cause Scenes: The Rise of Improv Everywhere is the inside story of this groundbreaking group and its founder, Charlie Todd, who has turned the world into a stage, inventing an art form for the Internet age.

More info: http://wecausescenes.com/

(h/t JMG)

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Documentary: “Coming Out”

A documentary about coming out of the closet in the digital age.

Coming Out follows Alden Peters on a journey of self-discovery, both in person and online.

Shocked into action by Tyler Clementi’s suicide in the fall of 2010, Alden begins to come out of the closet and, in the process, discovers how a new LGBTQ generation finds community online.

Coming Out is a sponsored project of IFP

Find out more at the official Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ComingOutDoc 

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Trailer: Twenty Feet From Stardom

In the new film TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century.

With rare archival footage, TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few.

However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers—including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Claudia Lennear, Lisa Fischer, and Judith Hill—whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.

The film is now in theaters.

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Documentary – “Terms and Conditions May Apply”

Terms And Conditions May Apply examines the cost of so-called ‘free’ services and the continuing disappearance of online privacy.

How often do you scroll through a long “disclosure” of legalese and hit “accept?”

People may think they know what they give up when they click ‘I Agree’ on companies like Facebook and Google.

Could be they’re wrong.

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High school senior produces documentary based on 10 coming out stories of men aged 15 to 82

Devon Yaffe, a high school senior in L.A., recently completed his Senior Project, a 90-minute documentary in which ten gay men talk about their experiences growing up and coming out.

Writes Devon: “After finding out I could choose any topic for my Senior Project, I decided on one that was closer to home: Overcoming Adversities as a Gay Teen. As a member of this ever growing community I planned to branch out to the gay community in order to hear the stories of gay youth. This documentary tells the story of ten gay males, ages ranging from 15-82. We find out how each of them overcame their adversities as a gay teen throughout each generation. Please enjoy.”

I’ve watched much of it and while simple in format, the men’s stories are powerful in their telling.

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Beyonce HBO Documentary Teaser

Beyoncé is directing and executive producing a new HBO documentary that will give fans a better look into her life. The special will include personal footage, some of which was shot by Beyoncé on her laptop, and home movies that sheds light on her childhood in Houston, revealing the close bond she built with her family and charts the challenges Beyoncé felt when she decided to manage her career and build her own company.

The film will also show intense physical and emotional demands she goes through in the studio, preparing for live performances, running a business, and her family life including her return to the spotlight after the birth of her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, in January.

The feature-length film will debut on February 16, 2013.

(via Out.com)