WORLD PREMIERE An uplifting, entertaining profile of the grande dame of Cuban music, Omara Portuondo, the internationally beloved chanteuse best known in the States as a member of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. The filmmakers follow octogenarian Omara—feisty, charming, with a naughty sense of humor, and still in possession of her fantastic voice—on her […]
NYC PREMIERE Alanis Morissette’s first radio hits came when she was a teenager, but when she decided to center her personal truths and heartbreaks in 1995’s “Jagged Little Pill” she became a phenomenon. While the world struggled to pathologize the young artist’s “needless” anger, women growing up listening to the album, found in Morisette a […]
NYC PREMIERE Much like a tale straight from the lyrics of a country-western ballad, Wanita Bahtiyar rises from humble beginnings and makes her way to international stardom in Nashville—or that’s what Australia’s self-proclaimed “Queen of Honky Tonk” would hope will happen. I’m Wanita follows the singer as she attempts an international pilgrimage from Down Under […]
NYC PREMIERE “Revivify Fanny. And my work is done,” said David Bowie. Fanny was the first rock band of women to release an LP with a major label, putting out five albums in the early 70s. They broke barriers of race, gender, and sexuality in a group that included two Filipina American sisters and queer […]
US PREMIERE | For a brief but wondrous time in the late 1960s, Tiny Tim was, improbably, a household name. Generating attention for his distinctive falsetto vocal stylings and unusual appearance, the performer began appearing on various television programs, culminating in his wedding on The Tonight Show, which was watched by more than 40 million people. […]
Brothers and gifted musicians, pianist Aldo and violinist Ilmar were separated during childhood after Ilmar left their native Cuba to study abroad, beginning a lifetime of being physically apart, yet alway connected by music. Brief windows of open US/Cuban relations allow the brothers’ joyous reunions where they revel in each others’ company and create beautiful […]
WORLD PREMIERE | Blues and folk singer Karen Dalton was a prominent figure in 1960s New York. Idolized by Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, Karen discarded the traditional trappings of success and led an unconventional life until her early death. Since most images of Karen have been lost or destroyed, the film uses Karen’s dulcet melodies […]
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE | As the lead singer and songwriter of The Pogues, Shane MacGowan fused punk rock with Irish folk music to create timeless songs such as “Streams of Whiskey” and “Fairytale of New York,” while championing an unabashedly Irish identity. Filmmaker Julien Temple, who began his career making films with the Sex Pistols, is a perfect […]