GAT at Hot Docs

Presented by VSC:

WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger – Directed by Joe Berlinger – International Premiere
WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger captures the sensational trial of infamous gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, using the legal proceedings as a springboard to explore allegations of corruption within the highest levels of law enforcement. Embedded for months with Federal Prosecutors, retired FBI and State Police, victims, lawyers, gangsters and journalists, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger examines Bulger’s relationship with the FBI and Department of Justice that allowed him to reign over a criminal empire in Boston for decades. Pulling back the curtain on long-held Bulger mythology, the film challenges conventional wisdom by detailing shocking, new allegations. With unprecedented access, Berlinger’s latest crime documentary offers a universal tale of human frailty, opportunism, deception, and the often elusive nature of truth and justice.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Joe Berlinger

Premiere – Sun, Apr 27 – 9:00PM – Bloor
Screening 2 – Mon, Apr 28 – 1:00PM – Lightbox 1
Screening 3 – Sun, May 4 – 9:30PM – Bloor

Presented by Kinosmith:

112 Weddings – Directed by Doug Block – International Premiere
For the past two decades, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Doug Block (51 Birch Street, The Kids Grow Up) has helped support himself by shooting weddings. Hired for his intimate documentary style, he found himself repeatedly bonding with his wedding couples on their big day, only to send off their videos and never see them again. 112 weddings later, having long wondered what’s become of their marriages, Block begins to track down some of his most memorable couples to find out first-hand. Juxtaposing rapturous wedding day flashbacks with remarkably candid present-day interviews, 112 Weddings explores timeless themes of love and marital commitment.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Doug Block

Premiere – Fri, Apr 25 – 7:00PM – Bader
Screening 2 – Sat, Apr 26 – 11:00AM – Bloor
Screening 3 – Tues, Apr 29 – 1:30PM – Bader

Presented by Kinosmith:

Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case – Directed by Andreas Johnsen – North American Premiere
In April 2011, world famous Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is kidnapped by the Chinese authorities and detained at a secret location. 81 days later he is released, but put under house arrest. The man we know as an unstoppable fighter for the freedom of speech is merely a shadow of himself. He suffers from sleeping disorder and memory loss. 18 cameras are monitoring his studio and home. Police agents follow his every move, and heavy restrictions from the Kafkaesque Chinese authorities weigh him down. Journalists, the art world and his family all want a piece of him. On top of it all he is met with a gigantic lawsuit from the Chinese government, soon to be named ‘The Fake Case’ in reference to the obvious false reasons behind the accusations.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Andreas Johnsen

Sat, Apr 26 – 4:30PM – Lightbox 1
Sun, Apr 27 – 1:00PM – Hart House
Fri, May 2 – 6:00PM – Bloor

Presented by Kinosmith:

Doc of the Dead – Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe – International Premiere
The definitive zombie culture documentary, brought to the screen by the makers of THE PEOPLE vs. GEORGE LUCAS. Shot and edited in a cinematically edgy, high-octane style, DOC OF THE DEAD will host a rich pop culture dialogue with zombie experts and celebrities, seek participation from YouTubers and indie filmmakers, and investigate the possibility and ramifications of an actual zombie outbreak.

Doc of the Dead will have a special 1-week digital release on iTunes 24 hours after it’s Hot Docs premiere on Sat, April 26.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Alexandre O. Philippe

Premiere – Sat, Apr 26 – 12:00AM Midnight – Bloor
Screening 2 – Sun, Apr 27 – 9:30PM – Hart House
Screening 3 – Sat, May 3 – 9:45PM – Royal

Presented by Kinosmith:

Ukraine is Not a Brothel – Directed by Kitty Green – Canadian Premiere
Ukraine’s topless feminist sensation Femen has stirred up a press frenzy across Europe. Outraged by the world’s image of Ukrainian women as either brides for sale or commodities of sex tourism, Femen bare their breasts in protest in order to disrupt this perception and agitate these brutal patriarchal forces. Now, for the first time, ‘Ukraine Is Not A Brothel’ offers an intimate glimpse inside the world’s most provocative feminist organization. A movement that began in the snow-filled streets of a corrupt, post-Soviet Ukraine, Femen’s naked war against patriarchy is gaining momentum across Europe. But before they take the world by storm, these bold and beautiful women must first confront the perverse and contradictory forces that power their own ‘titillating’ feminist organization.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Kitty Green

Sat, Apr 26 – 9:30PM – Lightbox 1
Mon, Apr 28 – 1:00PM – Hart House
Thur, May 1 – 8:30PM – Bloor

Divide in Concord – Directed by Kris Kaczor – World Premiere
This is a story about an eighty-four year-old-woman trying to take down the third largest industry in the world. Jean Hill, a self-proclaimed warrior, leads historic Concord, Massachusetts on a crusade to ban the sale of bottled water.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Kris Kaczor and Producer David Regos

Sat, Apr 26 – 9:30PM – Scotiabank 4
Mon, Apr 28 – 1:30PM – Lightbox 2
Sat, May 3 – 11:00AM – Bader

Love Me – Directed by Jonathon Narducci – International Premiere
Can people find love through the modern “mail-order bride” industry? Or is the international romance business just a scam? Sincere and unflinching, Love Me follows Western men and Ukrainian women as they embark on an unpredictable and riveting journey in search of love. Each character’s experience exposes the myths and realities of this unique industry, while also exploring the much deeper, human story that is too often overlooked.

Forget everything you think you know about “mail-order” brides and get ready for an outrageously funny, touching and unforgettable look at the extreme lengths people travel for love.

Attending Hot Docs: Director Jonathon Narducci. Others tbc.

Fri, Apr 25 – 9:30PM – Scotiabank 3
Sat, Apr 26 – 1:00PM – Scotiabank 4
Fri, May 2 – 7:00PM – Fox

For All Social Media Savvy Folks:

112 Weddings

Website: http://112weddingsmovie.com/

Twitter: @ 112weddings

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/112Weddings

Ai Weiwei The Fake Case

Website: http://www.aiweiweithefakecase.com/

Twitter: @ AWWFakeCase

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiweiweifilm

Doc of the Dead