VIEWFINDERS COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

DOC NYC’S Viewfinders Competition selection brings you films with a very distinct directorial vision. Don’t miss Ben Powell’s beautifully shot documentary BARGE who goes behind the scenes of an under- acknowledged slice of American industry, and follows the voyage of a Mississippi towboat and its precious cargo to its destination in New Orleans. The hardy crew, representing a diverse microcosm of American river culture, from ambitious newcomers to seasoned sea dogs, sign on for month-long tours of duty. Misfits on land, they find purpose – and a welcome paycheck – for their part in keeping this essential industrial economic ecosystem afloat. Ben Powell is expected to attend.

Viewfinders films are all up for the Viewfinders Competition Grand Jury Prize. The winner will receive a deliverables package provided by Technicolor-Postworks New York a comprehensive post facility offering data and film workflows, multi-format conform, color grading, sound mixing and digital cinema.

For Viewfinders film tickets, go here.

See the full description of the Viewfinders Competition films below:

BARGE

Dir: Ben Powell, NYC Premiere

A portrait of characters working on a Mississippi barge headed to New Orleans. In person: Ben Powell

BLUESPACE

Dir: Ian Cheney, World Premiere

An expedition to two planets: Earth, with its rising seas, and Mars, with the promise of colonization. In person: Ian Cheney

A GOOD AMERICAN

Dir: Friedrich Moser, North American Premiere

A profile of Bill Binney, who went from a NSA insider to a critic of government surveillance. In person: Friedrich Moser, subjects Bill Binney, Kirk Wiebe, Tom Drake

I AM SUN MU

Dir: Adam Sjöberg, US Premiere

After defecting from North Korea, a former propaganda artist applies his craft to satirical political pop art. In person: Adam Sjöberg

A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES: PEACEKEEPERS

Dirs: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Geeta Gandbhir, US Premiere

Three Bangladeshi policewomen serve with the UN peacekeeping mission in post-earthquake Haiti. In person: Geeta Gandbhir

MOTLEY’S LAW

Dir: Nicole Horanyi, NYC Premiere

The only Western lawyer licensed to work in Afghanistan’s courts, Kimberley Motley finds herself at a crossroads. In person: Nicole Horanyi, subject Kimberley Motley

NEWMAN

Dir: Jon Fox, NYC Premiere

A maverick inventor battles against the scientific establishment over a miraculous energy-producing machine. In person: Jon Fox

P.S. JERUSALEM

Dir: Danae Elon, US Premiere

Chronicling three years in Jerusalem with her family, Danae Elon uncovers the city’s tensions. In person: Danae Elon

THE ANTHROPOLOGIST

Dirs: Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, Jeremy Newberger, World Premiere

Parallel stories of two female anthropologists: trailblazer Margaret Mead and contemporary Susie Crate. In person: Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller, Jeremy Newberger, subjects Mary Catherine Bateson, Susie Crate, Katie Yegorov-Crate

THE SUNSHINE MAKERS

Dir: Cosmo Feilding-Mellen, World Premiere

A real-life Breaking Bad for the psychedelic set about the unlikely duo at the heart of 1960s drug counterculture. In person: Cosmo Feilding Mellen