Silverdocs announces full lineup

I'm excited to attend my first ever Silverdocs film festival next month. I'm from the East Coast originally but I've never had the opportunity to attend AFI's sister festival before. And there is lots to be excited about in the announcement of this year's lineup for sure. It's starting to look like a really solid year for documentary film. Here are a few highlights:

THE INFINITE BORDER -- Such an unusual/original thesis being proposed here, and one that can only really be well illustrated with the language of film. That thesis being that the border exists in an infinite emotional, physical and spiritual space. Stretching far past just the endless fences he photographs. The most moving and convincing argument is with his numerous interviews with amputees who will live forever bisected by their encounter with the border. This is by far the best Mexican doc I have seen in years. The film has a strong point of view, and it articulates is with the use of cinematic grammar.

THE TAILOR -- A laugh out loud uproarious portrait of an Indian tailor in Spain working out of a tiny shop front. As angry customers beleaguer him you see the kind of common arguments, which happens a million times a day in any job, which interacts with the public. Arguing over tiny fees and scraps of cloth, the comedy drawn from this is best viewed at a distance.

MILOSOVIC ON TRIAL -- This film consists almost exclusively of courtroom footage from Milosevic’s trail at The Hague for crimes against humanity. Of course this is of historical/cultural relevance but it also made for a surprisingly entertaining film. Mostly this is a result of the fact that he serves as his own attorney for the proceedings and tries every back handed sneaky trick in the book to prolong and delay his sentencing. Also Milosevic’s cronies provide entertainment as they deny and double speak and even in one memorable scene insult the trial repeatedly when the use of translation is not available. A unique and compelling portrait of modern evil. The Silverdocs screening includes a panel discussion with General Wesley Clark, retired four-star general who commanded Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo War when he was Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO.

Silverdocs this year will be hosting Werner Herzog, Frederick Wiseman and Spike Lee among its filmmakers. It looks to be a historic year in Silver Spring and I'm honored to be a part of it.