FOLLOWING HARRY (2026, doc)

October 12, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Watching someone work so diligently for the greater good and to make the world a better place is so inspiring. And these days, it feels revolutionary and strange. Documentarian Susanne Rostock previously filmed a Harry Belafonte biopic, SING YOUR SONG (2011), and fortunately for our sake and for history, she was able to spend time with him prior to his passing in 2023. Those discussions with the man (in his 90’s) provide insight into what made him tick, what drove his activism, and what he viewed as his final mission.

Many only know Belafonte through his music. “Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” and “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)” are two of his biggest hits that continually show up in modern day projects. He began entertaining at age 19, ultimately winning an Emmy, a Grammy, a Tony, and an honorary Oscar (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award). Yet despite the accolades, he begins the film by questioning how best to ‘look back on my life’, and wondering “was the time wasted”. Of course, we already know the answer is ‘not in the least’, but Ms. Rostock allows Mr. Belafonte the time to discuss what he worked on and what he accomplished as an activist for doing the right thing.

Archival video clips and photographs document Harry’s time alongside such historical figures as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, and the Kennedys as the work for Civil Rights proceeded. Belafonte founded The Gathering for Justice, an organization dedicated to mobilizing communities to ensure justice for all. We see Belafonte speaking out after the Trayvon Martin incident and Black Lives Matter movement, and his push for the Women’s March. Quite telling is his interaction with actor Jamie Foxx, who absorbs the lessons being taught by Belafonte.

We feel Harry’s frustration when, in 2016, he was organizing a concert, and many big stars reported that it was “inconvenient”, providing a crystal-clear example of how so many benefit from the sacrifices of those who come before, yet are unwilling to follow in those steps. The difference in eras is quite remarkable, and Belafonte worked until his final days in educating the new generation on history and attempting to pass the torch. He left a legacy of encouragement and inspiration meant to provoke thought, discussion, and ideas … even though speaking out carries a price. So, when Harry wonders if his time was wasted, we absolutely know that he made the world a better place. Harry Belafonte’s legacy lives on as an example of a uniter.

Releases nationwide and in Canada on Amazon, Apple TV and other major VOD platforms on October 13, 2026

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GRANDMASTERS (2026, doc)

October 9, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. As one of the most popular TV mini-series of the past few years, “The Queen’s Gambit” taught most of us what we know about competitive chess, including the decorum of tournaments and the mutual respect between players. Documentarian Liza Mandelup (JAWLINE, 2019) steps up to set the record straight by taking us inside the real world.

Competitive chess is filled with egos and characters you’d be better off not inviting to your house. It’s a cut-throat world where reputation is almost as important as winning. The film’s title refers to the highest level awarded in chess, and it’s a massive understatement to say these folks are experts. Much of the focus is deservedly on Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian known as the Mozart of Chess. He competes all over the world, and has won too many championships to list here. The other key players here are Hans Niemann, referred to as ‘the bad boy of chess’, and Wesley So from the Philippines (the most interesting personal story). Other than the remarkable ability to play chess, the three couldn’t be much different.

The three players focused on are all in their thirties, and it’s somewhat surprising that older players aren’t given more attention. Of course, the reasoning could be that it’s Carlsen who is driving the evolution of chess … pushing for changes that interest him. Now, if you are like me, you are curious as to what those changes might entail. Well, how about “Free Style” chess, where the back row pieces are set up randomly. This is done to minimize the advantage of those who have memorized the thousands of possible moves and scenarios on the board. And yes, these players are all in on ‘speed chess’, which moves so quickly, we neophyte viewers can hardly keep up.

FIDE is the International Chess Federation (formally known by its French acronym) fighting hard to maintain its status as the sole chess organization awarding the “World Championship” title, despite all the changes occurring. Most of us had no idea that there was this much dissension within the chess world, or that the tournament dress code strictly prohibits jeans (not unlike professional golf). It’s not surprising that the marketing efforts within the industry are geared towards new generations … you know those kids playing high-tech video games. IMDb lists this as three episodes, which explains why I thought, at almost 3 hours, it was a bit long for a documentary feature. The theatrical release will include all three chapters.

In select theaters on October 11 and 14, 2026

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YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE (2026, doc)

October 5, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Talk about perfect timing. Not only is this documentary from Sara Robin a must-watch for parents and a should-watch for everyone, the subject matter is incredibly timely as it displays how we somehow haven’t learned our lesson, leaving history to repeat itself. The film opens with footage of Mark Zuckerberg answering questions during a Congressional hearing on the effects of social media on the mental health of kids. Ms. Robin then proceeds to walk us through the backstory … the inspiration for the activists who pushed for change.

I don’t recall having a more emotional response to a documentary (and I watch many). The remarkable Kristin Bride recounts the pain of losing her 16-year-old son to suicide after he was cyber-bullied. This sets her on the road to activism, where she is joined by others, including Trisha Prabhu, the founder of ReThink, as well as authors, educators, technologists, and parents. Some would argue that bullying and personal insults have been around for many years, and they’d be correct. The difference is that social media allows for anonymous and vicious attacks that spread widely and quickly. One approach is embarrassing, while the other can be devastating and life-altering.

Former United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy contributes his thoughts on the topic of how social media plays a role in the mental health of kids, and it’s ‘Facebook Whistleblower’ Frances Haugen who brought so much attention to this topic by exposing Big Tech’s knowledge of the impact they had. She did this by disclosing thousands of internal documents laying out company research. It seemed the time was ripe for action. However, for a government that has shown very little interest in protecting children from school shootings, should it be a surprise that the mental health of kids who are cyber-bullied or humiliated via social media is not the highest priority … especially when the system is generating big money and Big Tech is so politically influential?

As heartbreaking as teenage suicide stories are, it’s incredulous to think that Artificial Intelligence could have even more dramatic repercussions. Once again, politics is being ruled by power and money rather than protection of the country’s citizens. “What could go wrong?” Well, it’s already going wrong. AI chat bots have begun relationships with lonely teens … those already isolated socially thanks to online cruelty. And once again, the government is depending on these tech giants to ‘self-police’, an approach that has already proven to fail at protecting users.

The film fills us in on Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act passed in 1996 at the infancy of the internet. This has been used to insulate these providers, regardless of the research and damage. Ms. Robin follows the KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act) as it works its way through Congress, only to be stalled by politics, special interests, big tech, and big money. Those working for the bill have a goal of building a better/kinder internet with reasonable safeguards. For the providers, the goal is selling user attention to advertisers. Some have termed this exploitation, while others excuse it as the effects of free market.

The film takes a few side trips, with the most interesting being Amsterdam, where we learn about the “Offline Club”. Folks gather and voluntarily relinquish their devices in order to hang out and socialize in the old-fashioned way. It’s the counterpoint to what the film earlier describes as those who are ‘digitally connected and socially isolated’. The comparison has been made that this fight is similar to the ‘Big Tobacco’ hearings of the 1990’s. Watching this film sent me through multiple emotions, including heartbreak, anger, and hope. It leaves us with words from Kristin Bride’s son: “In the end, only kindness matters.” If he were to see his mother’s work, he would surely add ‘courage’ to the creed.

Available to rent or own on October 6, 2026 on Apple TV and other platforms.

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HOLDING LIAT (2026, doc)

October 1, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. It happened on October 7, 2023. Hamas attacked. People were killed. Hostages were taken. A war began or rather was reignited. Documentarian Brandon Kramer (THE FIRST STEP, 2021) details each of these and chooses to focus on the plight of one family. We all know about the still ongoing (and escalated) violence between Israel and the Palestinians (more than 75 years now) on the West Bank, and Kramer’s attention to one family makes this personal, emotional, and frightening.

Liat Beinen (a Holocaust history teacher and American citizen) and her husband Aviv Atzilli were among the 250 taken hostage during that October 7 siege. The film crew picks up with Liat’s father Yehuda and her mother Chaya two weeks after the attack as they desperately long for information about whether their daughter and son-in-law are still alive. It’s interesting to note that both families have been critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu, but mostly their frustration is on his lack of effort in bringing home hostages … rather than seizing the political opportunity afforded.

Yehuda is quite adept in front of a camera and in speaking his mind. In fact, he and his daughter Taj travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. politicians in hopes of making this an American issue. It’s a strategy that may have worked, although mostly what we see are Congressmen saying very little of substance. Yehuda is not interested in playing the game. He is blunt in his observations and criticisms, and makes it clear that he wants his daughter released and returned. We feel pain alongside the family as names are read for each hostage release.

Kramer notes the weeks as they pass, as well as whatever information the family receives from the military. The stress levels and frustrations are palpable and understandable. Even while watching, we struggle to understand the emotions of the family – or their strength. The family does express appreciation to President Biden, though it’s quite clear their lives will never be the same. The film offers us much, and regardless of one’s political affiliation, the pain and tragedy caused by war should be a united stance.

Available on VOD beginning October 2, 2026

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TRACES OF HOME (2026, doc)

September 17, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. The risk a filmmaker runs by producing a documentary to make sense of their own family is that it might easily turns into family therapy and/or personal therapy. However, in this case, it appears that’s exactly what Colette Ghunim was trying to do. She never had the close bond with her parents that she desperately wanted, so she set out to find out why those emotional defense mechanisms were in place. As with any therapy, the hope is that things get better, while the possibility exists that things get worse.

We first see Colette in a family video at Christmas in 1977. A grown Colette is not only the director of this film, she’s also the narrator … and she spent five plus years on the project. Her mother Iza is of Mexican descent, while her father Hosni was born in Palestine. Colette states she and her older brother Ramsey lived what appeared to be a typical suburban sitcom style childhood in Schaumburg, Illinois. Her complaint is that she never felt especially close to either of her parents, despite admitting they simply wanted to provide an American upbringing to the kids. Dad Hosni wanted to be a director, so he was rarely without a camera – providing plenty of clips of the kids from their childhood. Some of those clips show Mom Iza and Colette exchanging glances that carried silent messages.

Remarkably, Colette arranges a couple of family trips so that the parents can re-trace their roots. A trip to Palestine (Safed) finds Hosni emotional, despite cloudy memories of his time as a four-year-old, escaping war with his family. The sojourn to Mexico not only allows Iza to experience the joy of locating a childhood home, but also the pain of learning just how much her mother sacrificed in taking the kids from a dangerous environment. The emotions are rampant and that includes Colette’s own reactions.

Family dynamics are often bumpy, and we can’t help but wonder if Colette’s project was more for her than for her parents. Clearly, it was difficult for all. As viewers, we feel like eavesdroppers most of the time, and intruders some of the time.

Opens in theaters September 18, 2026 in NYC and September 25th in Los Angeles.

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KNIFE: THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SALMAN RUSHDIE (2026, doc)

September 17, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Seeing someone get violently attacked is horrifying, whether that be live or a video replay. An additional adjective can be added, ‘shocking’, when the attack occurs on a public figure in a public place. Such is the case when author Salman Rushdie was ambushed on stage at Chautauqua Institute (NY) in 2022. The attacker used a knife to stab Rushdie 14 times. One of the best documentarians working today, Alex Gibney (ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM, 2005; and an Oscar winner for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, 2007), brings this story to the screen based on Rushdie’s 2024 memoir “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder”.

Salman Rushdie makes for quite an eloquent narrator of his own story, and you are likely familiar with him as the target of Iranian Ayatollah Khomeini-issued fatwa in 1988, after Rushdie released his book, “The Satanic Verses.” A bit of quick math tells you that, at the time of this attack, Rushdie had lived more than thirty years with a death threat following him around. Mr. Gibney structures the film in intertwined pieces, including the attack, Rushdie’s hospital and recovery stint, the recordings by his wife, his earlier background as a writer, and his post-attack return to writing.

The film opens with Rushdie on stage at the event that would change his life, yet miraculously, not end it. Gibney elects not to show the video of the attack until much later in the film, however, the early images of Rushdie in the hospital bed make it clear just how violent this attack was. Rachel Eliza Griffiths is a renowned writer and Rushdie’s fifth wife. The video and photos she took of him in the hospital are incredibly personal, while also documenting his amazing recovery from a near-death attack. She understands the importance of documenting his recovery, and it’s clear these two adore each other.

Rushdie tries to recall those early days in the hospital, and one of his most vivid memories is a dream sequence involving Death from Bergman’s 1957 THE SEVENTH SEAL (a clip is included), and we also get scenes from TWELVE ANGRY MEN (1957) and PSYCHO (1960), two classic movies in which knives played a prominent role. Our first look at Rushdie’s injured eye is stunning, and as we learn more about his severe injuries, we can’t help but wonder just how he recovered so quickly and maintained such a positive outlook.

This is a man who uses language at an elevated level, and despite living most of his adult life under threats, his writings are often inspirational and about freedom of expression, especially in regard to religion. The archival footage of his early years provides a profile of a man who has always had the courage to write and say what he felt needed to be expressed. Amazingly, he was cleared to leave the hospital after six weeks, and Gibney films Rushdie’s return to the very stage (on Day 401) where the attack took place. It’s an emotional moment, and one Rushdie says brings him full circle and allows him to make peace … although neither Rushdie nor his wife mention the attacker’s name (a young man likely to spend the rest of his life in prison). Perhaps the most powerful words come not from the filmmaker or either of the talented writers, but rather when Rushdie recalls a lesson learned from his parents: “What can’t be cured, must be endured.”

Opening in theaters on September 17, 2026

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DON’T FORGET ME: EDDIE COCHRAN (2026, doc)

September 9, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. With new music being created every day, it’s important to keep alive the history of those early musicians who, decades later, are still influencing contemporary songwriters and musicians. This is exactly what Kirsty Bell accomplishes with her informative profile of Eddie Cochran, a young man whose stardom and artistic pursuits were cut short by a fatal car crash at age 21.

Most are familiar with “the day the music died”. On February 3, 1959, a plane crash in Iowa killed Buddy Holly (age 22), Richie Valens (17), and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson (28), each a talented and rising star. Not as many are familiar with the car crash that killed Cochran barely one year later, on April 17, 1960. Cochran wrote and performed the classic “Summertime Blues”, which charted for him, and has since been recorded and performed by many artists, including The Beach Boys, Blue Cheer, The Who (yes, at Woodstock) and Alan Jackson.

Filmmaker Bell serves up a true profile of Eddie Cochran, going back to his childhood and his formative years in music (studio sessions). Jack Harris appears periodically as Eddie in reenactments and as narrator, as does Frances Barber as his beloved mother. Eddie’s older sister is interviewed, reminding us that not only is his story musical history, it’s also a personal tragedy. We learn Cochran’s guitar playing was influenced by Chet Atkins and that he was enamored with the music of Ray Charles. He not only befriended Gene Vincent (of “Be-Bop-A-Lula” fame, and another too-soon passing), but also the aforementioned Buddy Holly, with whom he had a friendly competition that found the two passing musical notes and ideas to each other.

The list of icons interviewed here includes Keith Richards, Albert Lee, Ronnie Wood, Peter Frampton, Alice Cooper, Cliff Richard, John Waters, Suzi Quatro, Garry Tallent, Yungblud, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltrey, Sting, and Kiefer Sutherland (among others). It’s a partial lineup that demonstrates just how influential and respected Eddie Cochran was, despite his unfortunately short career. Of course, I’ve only mentioned “Summertime Blues”, but Cochran left other memorable tunes, including “C’mon Everybody”, and “Twenty Flight Rock”. Because of his age, we will never know what directions he might have gone – music production, film acting, and/or continued songwriting and performing.

The film travels back to Cochran’s hometown of Albert Lea, Minnesota and also goes into detail about his 1960 European Tour with Gene Vincent. We are fortunate to have the 1956 movie, THE GIRL CAN’T HELP IT, which features a performance from Eddie (and others). In a remarkable twist of fate, it was Police Officer Dave Dee who found Cochran’s guitar after the fatal crash. This police officer went on to be part of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, an English rock band from the 1960’s (and mentioned in Quentin Tarantino’s DEATH PROOF). The message delivered by Kirsty Bell’s film and Eddie Cochran’s story is that good music connects the generations … even if tragedy strikes far too often.

The film opens in UK cinemas on September 11, 2026

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WHO MOVES AMERICA (2026, doc)

September 9, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Whether it’s flight attendants, dock workers, or Amazon, we tend to think about, and dread, the inconvenience a labor strike will cause us personally. Documentarian Yael Bridge gives us a rare peek inside … sometimes behind closed doors … to show us how a potential work stoppage (strike) could affect those workers and their families. This time, the company is UPS, which according to the film handles approximately six percent of all goods in the United States.

The film opens with some archival footage of the first UPS strike in 1997, before jumping to 2023 when the 340,000 UPS workers are preparing for collective bargaining on a new contract. Coming off the post-COVID era where UPS profits soared, the Teamsters union members are requesting and expecting many favorable changes. Filmmaker Bridge focuses on three people: a relatively new UPS driver in California, a long-time New York employee who was around during the 1997 strike, and a struggling part-timer in Kentucky. It should be noted that part-timers make up about 60% of the UPS workforce, and based on some of what we learn here, the company may have been skirting legalities in this area.

Solidarity is built through education and communication, and it’s a slow process when the workers are spread throughout the country and the expectations vary widely. At the time, drivers averaged $39 per hour and part-timers averaged $16 per hour. Of course, higher wages were one demand, but so were better working conditions (breaks, holidays, etc). It’s pretty interesting to hear these discussions, and even more enlightening to see which employees take a leadership role. The Teamsters’ national President, Sean O’Brien, makes the rounds and provides video updates for the employees. He’s also the one who announces a ‘tentative agreement’ (one that not every employee loves) that is subject to voting passage. Since each subsequent labor contract is built upon previous negotiations, generations of workers play a role … and this time it appears the union will plan ahead for the next round coming in five years.

The film opens September 9, 2026 in NYC’s IFC Center, kicking off a nationwide release that expands to Los Angeles on September 24, followed by Philadelphia, Boston, Encinitas, and additional cities throughout the fall.

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OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD: THE FIRST CORAL REEFERS (2026, doc)

September 3, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. With the mere mention of Jimmy Buffett, we immediately envision a sea of ‘Parrot heads’ sipping margaritas and having a blast as they sing along to the feel-good coastal tunes being played at a sunny outdoor venue. The beloved singer passed away three years ago, and now documentarian John H Cunningham provides an in-depth look at the early days. This is the origin story of the cultural phenomenon that Buffett built with his band … The Coral Reefers.

Oscar winner Jeff Bridges is a fitting narrator, and throughout the film we hear from former band members, those who were influenced by Buffett, and those who collaborated. A partial list includes guitarist Roger Bartlett, singers Deborah McColl and Mac McAnally, music producer Norbert Putnam, songwriter Keith Sykes, and country music star Kenny Chesney. What is immediately obvious is the respect these folks had for Buffett and their appreciation for having been associated with him, and his role in creating his own genre of music.

The stories from the 1970’s are fascinating. Sure, partying was central to the lifestyle – especially after Buffett relocated from Nashville to Key West, but it’s the associations and exchanges between musicians of the era that really strike a chord. Connections with Glenn Frey of The Eagles and the great James Taylor were important, and in fact, legend has it that Timothy B Schmitt was the first to use the ‘Parrot heads’ moniker. Filmmaker Cunningham is correct in titling this ‘The First Coral Reefers’, because there was certainly band turnover – some of it caused by the excessive partying of the time.

What the film does best is recount the foundation of the music, the band, the early albums, the changes in attitude (get it?), and the growth of a loyal fan base. The film ends with a list of former Coral Reefers who have ‘sailed on’, and Cunningham’s film will live on as a history of how Jimmy Buffett’s music became synonymous with “fun”. That’s not such a bad legacy.

The film will begin its theatrical release in major cities in early September timed to Jimmy Buffett Day (September 4, 2026) with a TVOD/ digital release to follow in November in the US/Canada.

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THRESHOLD (2026, doc)

August 27, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. We envision the makeup of a champion to be confident, fearless, and to possess the heart of a lion. Documentarians (and brothers) Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema profile legendary cross-country skier Jessie Diggins who courageously shatters that myth while telling her very personal story.

Jessie begins by informing us of her desire to be perfect from a very early age. We assume this is going to be the tale of PA – Perfectionists Anonymous. Of course, her story takes a much different path. She’s from Afton, Minnesota, and trains there when she’s not traveling for events. Her parents, Clay and Deb, show us Jessie’s baby photos and family videos. They are clearly supportive … not just of her athletic endeavors, but also of her personal challenges.

Winning her first high school varsity race as a 7th grader “changed everything” for Jessie. She became obsessed with being the best, and defined that by working harder than anyone else and suffering for her art/sport/goals. In the 2018 Olympics, Jessie won the first ever Cross-Country Skiing gold medal for the United States. She also became the World Champion, widely acknowledged as the sport’s best. However, Jessie tells us that despite her successes and global adoration, she was facing issues with body image and an eating disorder. With the courage of a champion, she decided to go public.

The reason Jessie’s story is so important is because it acts as a cautionary tale. Until she went public, no one knew her struggles. We hear from her parents, her husband Wade, and her team coach Matt Whitcomb. These are the people closest to her and the ones who cared more for getting her ‘well’ … Jessie refers to it as being “sick”. Racing became the reason Jessie wanted to beat this. In fact, the race footage is stunning. This highly trained athlete experiences exhaustion at a level that more than 99% of human beings will never know. She builds up her body only to tear it down. Imagine doing this while battling a eating disorder and mental health issues. Jessie often hid behind a mask of big smiles, yet once the truth was known, those smiles could not be trusted. I go back to cautionary tale – know the truth about yourself and your loved ones.

Available on VOD beginning August 28, 2026

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