Beauty in Vulnerability: Richard Green and Claire Coulson-Ollivier on “I Know Catherine, the Log Lady”
This was one of two Log Lady quotes I incorporated into my speech while officiating my brother-in-law and fellow “Twin Peaks” fan Joe’s wedding last year in Washington state. It was “Twin Peaks” that brought my wife—Cinema Femme founder Rebecca Martin Fagerholm—and I together, and has helped preserve our sanity whenever the news cycle is […]
This Was the Fight: Emily Sheskin on “JessZilla”
One of my favorite films I saw in 2024 is finally kicking off its limited theatrical run before arriving on VOD. Last year, I had the privilege of serving on the documentary nomination committee for Slamdance’s inaugural awards ceremony, The Indies. As a result, I screened numerous magnificent pictures, yet none delivered a knockout punch […]
Sundance 2025: Cristina Costantini shows different kinds of bravery in her film “Sally”
While growing up, one of my heroes was Amelia Earhart. She defied expectations by attempting to fly around the world. Rumors were that she had disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle, but apparently no one has seen her since that day she disappeared in 1937. There is so much missing about her story that I would […]
Sally Aitken’s “Every Little Thing” is a cinematic beacon of hope
The wildfires in Los Angeles have been dominating our media streams. It’s truly been horrific to see people robbed of their homes as a result of our increasingly destructive weather patterns. It makes you question whether we are focusing our attention on the right things. The way these communities in Los Angeles are coming together […]
Shiori Ito’s “Black Box Diaries” is a Triumph
Sexual assault is sadly the most inclusive crime there is. I don’t know a single person, man or woman, who has not been somehow, whether they know it or not, affected by rape and sexual assault, and the impact of it is often intergenerational. Nancy Miller (Nancy Miller on “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark”, […]
“Sweetheart Deal” is a rallying cry for care
Seattle’s Aurora Avenue is infamous for being an epicenter of prostitution. However, this generalized reputation fails to recognize the individuality and humanity of the sex workers who inhabit the area. This issue is a microcosm of the general ambivalence and disdain with which American society treats vulnerable communities. “Sweetheart Deal,” directed by Elisa Levine and […]
Director Marci Darling and producer Dr. Sharon Gillen aim to rejuvenate your creativity with “The Nita & Zita Project”
My Great Grandmother was a maid at the Chicago Athletic Club in the early 1900s. She would collect the cigar wrappers that were left behind and make them into beautiful art. She was also a Cubs fan, and to commemorate their 1918 World Series win, she took those wrappers, along with some other materials, and […]
BIG EARS festival 2024: Clara Lehmann on her documentary “O Pioneer”
When I think about the region where I am from, many words come to mind. Some positive, some negative. In geographical terms the south is beautiful. My home, Tennessee, captures postcard-like mountain scenery and an amazing fall color palette.But the South is no stranger to deleterious stories about its inhabitants. This year, I have thought […]
What we have in common: Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss on the importance of “Girls State”
Our country is divided politically. This is no new news. I live in Chicago, which is predominately on the liberal side of politics, but when you drive into the farm areas of Illinois, out in Woodstock where my husband’s parents live, you see the Trump signs everywhere. Same with where my parents live in Michigan. […]
Nailah Jefferson on Her Empowering Documentary, “Commuted”
To celebrate the release of the film, we bring back our 2023 New Orleans Film Festival interview (originally posted on 11/2/23) with filmmaker Nailah Jefferson about her feature documentary “Commuted,” coming to PBS on April 1st. “Commuted” by Nailah Jefferson, which follows Danielle Metz, as she is freed by decree of President Obama after spending half […]
Sundance 40: Co-directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie capture the generational impacts of Native boarding schools in their award-winning doc “Sugarcane”
Co-directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie won the jury prize for directing in the U.S. documentary category for their debut feature as collaborators. A well-deserved award, NoiseCat and Kassie delicately weave together a multigenerational story about the long-lasting effects of Indian boarding schools on Native peoples. “Sugarcane” takes place largely on a reserve in […]
Sundance 40 Review: The beauty of pain is captured through Frida Kahlo’s art delicately and seamlessly in Carla Gutiérrez’ feature debut
I’ve been embarking on a new frontier in my self-journey. I’ve started to go through fertility treatments because my husband Matt and I want to try to have a biological child. I’m 41, and in a way, I feel it is exactly the right time in my life to get pregnant. It’s also scary as […]