SIFF 2012 Festival Preview: Documentary Film Picks

A feature-length documentary about Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, an influential and ground-breaking liberal artist considered a “God of Love” or the “Beijing Andy Warhol.” He controversially goes as far as giving the middle finger to the Motherland and telling it, “Fuck you.”

May 18th @ 6:30pm, AMC Pacific Place 11
May 19th @ 4:00pm, AMC Pacific Place 11

This documentary follows one of the most unconventional and influential American punk bands still going today.

May 20th @ 9:00pm, AMC Pacific Place 11
May 23rd @ 9:00pm, Harvard Exit

A documentary exploring how Chick Webb aided collaborations between blacks and whites during the swing era.

June 9th @ 6:00pm, Harvard Exit
June 10th @ 3:00pm, Harvard Exit

Five renowned musicians from various parts of the globe bleed past linguistic and stylistic differences to make sweet music.

June 3rd @ 5:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
June 4th @ 3:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
June 6th @ 6:00pm, Kirkland Performance Center

An exploration of the Aquarian tribe of Southern California and their lead guru Father Yod. See related music.

May 31st @ 6:00pm, Everett Performing Arts Center
June 8th @ 8:30pm, Harvard Exit
June 10th @ 11:30am, Harvard Exit

LSD was discovered accidentally in 1943 by Albert Hofmann but has since gone on to play huge roles in culture and science.

June 2nd @ 9:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
June 6th @ 4:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

Paul Simon’s Graceland remains one of the USA’s best loved rock albums of many years. This documentary follows the footsteps of Simon as he returns to South Africa 25 years after making his hit album.

May 20th @ 6:30pm, Egyptian Theatre
May 22nd @ 4:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

A homegrown look at the Israel-Palestine conflict, through the eyes of a Palestinian adult shooting on hand-held cameras, over the course of seven years.

May 24th @ 6:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 28th @ 3:30pm, Everett Performing Arts Center

What happens when you follow children from their youth into early adulthood? Seattle filmmaker Rick Stevenson followed several elementary school students for years, asking them similar universal questions every time. His films document their growth, and seems to be extremely supported by the Mormon community.

May 19th @ Noon, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 21st @ 3:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 26th @ 1:00pm, Everett Performing Arts Center

See full review of Bestiaire

May 18th @ 7:00pm, SIFF Film Center
May 19th @ 6:00pm, SIFF Film Center

A documentary about one National Geographic photographer’s attempts to capture some of the most visible evidence of the climate change and melting glaciers.

June 9th @ 6:30pm, Harvard Exit
June 10th @ 1:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

Joyce Carol Vincent, a woman died in her flat and wasn’t discovered for three years. This documentary looks backwards and discovers the remarkable woman that she was, while questioning how she fell into obscurity.

May 19th @ 11:00am, AMC Pacific Place 11
May 20th @ 5:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

See full review of Family Portrait In Black And White

May 20th @ 12:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
May 21st @ 6:30pm, Harvard Exit

What does hunger look like within U.S. borders? This documentary follows poor families throughout the country to examine what they are missing and how.

May 20th @ 3:00pm, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center
June 1st @ 7:00pm, Harvard Exit
June 3rd @ 2:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

The Invisible War reveals the consequences and prevalence of female rape in the U.S. military.

May 26th @ 6:30pm, AMC Pacific Place 11
May 27th @ 1:30pm, Egyptian Theatre

Human rights lawyer Claudine defends soldier Masamba, who she believes is innocent of a terrible crime, fighting an uphill battle against rampant corruption in the Congo’s convoluted judicial system.

May 22nd @ 6:30pm, Harvard Exit
May 29th @ 3:30pm, Harvard Exit

The visuals speak for themselves.

June 3rd @ 7:00pm, Pacific Science Center IMAX
June 4th @ 2:00pm @ Pacific Science Center IMAX

The real story behind the Breast Cancer Ribbon, with a deep commentary about corporations have co-opted the cause.

May 25th @ 4:00pm, Egyptian Theatre
May 28th @ 3:30pm, Harvard Exit

This tragic documentary chronicles a racially motivated homicide committed by police that highlights the racial struggles between Australians and the indigenous peoples.

May 28th @ 6:30pm, AMC Pacific Place 11
May 30th @ 3:30pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown

This documentary sheds light on one of the most powerful activists movements worldwide, the loose coalition of hackers known as Anonymous.

June 1st @ 9:00pm, SIFF Cinema Uptown
June 3rd @ 1:30pm, Egyptian Theatre
June 6th @ 8:30pm, Kirkland Performance Center

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