DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
RED PENGUINS
Editor
DIRECTED BY GABE POLSKY
Red Penguins chronicles the fleeting joint venture between the Pittsburgh Penguins and famed Russian Red Army hockey teams in the wake of the Soviet Union’s collapse, shedding light on the tumultuous relationship between the two countries. Red Penguins premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened at several other festivals, including DOC NYC. The film was acquired by Universal Studios and nominated for Best Sports Documentary at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards, and Best Documentary Screenplay at the Writers Guild Awards. Though its run on Hulu has ended, it is available to rent on Apple TV+ and other platforms.
UNDER THE RADAR
“This documentary unspools a so-crazy-it-must-be-true yarn on the order of the Fyre Festival or the abusive cat breeders in 'Tiger King.'”
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“Two decades before his ally in the White House would threaten to delay the U.S. presidential elections, the newly christened Prime Minister wishes Russia a 'Happy New Century' on the eve of 2000. It’s as disquieting an epilogue as any I’ve seen this year.”
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-Matt Fagerholm
“Forget 'Tiger King.' I’m over 'Tiger King.' I want to see a big-screen, star-studded adaptation of 'Red Penguins.' ”
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“THIS IS A MOVIE.”
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“Polsky masterfully weaves in archival footage with present-day interviews... thanks to this superb film from director Polsky, we now have the definitive record of one of the craziest chapters in the history of ice hockey.”
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-Richard Roeper
“It’s a kick to watch Warshaw, affectionately (?) nicknamed 'weird little bastard' by his Russian partners, wheel and deal with a batch of Russians who seem a little more menacing every time Polsky gets them on camera. And in an era in which the collision of Russian and American interests is never far from the headlines, a weird little story about one crazy time those interests collided might even teach us a thing or two.”
- Steve Pond
“By leaving in awkward pauses and gaffes, moments of dreaded paranoia about mafia wrath, and surprising reactions to contradictory takes on the Russian Penguins' palace intrigue, the interview footage fully fleshes out characters that would have been relegated to talking heads in lesser hands.”
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- Kyle Mullin
“It's a remarkable – and funny – documentary that seems ripe for a quick pickup and entry into this year's documentay feature [Oscar] race.”
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- Pete Hammond
“A very entertaining feature. 'Red Penguins' tells the story of outrageous, larger-than-life players in a brisk, humorous fashion. Its assembly is always lively, aimed at engaging viewers with or with out any interest in hockey. It’s a fun movie.”
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- Dennis Harvey
“Red Penguins is not a nature documentary. Check that. Yes it is – human nature. Gangsters and oligarchs run crazed and lawless – a warped, vodka-drenched capitalism takes hold. Gonzo skates-and-sticks stuff, Slap Shot being dainty by comparison.”
- Brad Wheeler
“An involving, humorous, well-made, documentary… utterly stuffed with memorable stories and unforgettable people.”
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- Christopher Schobert
RIDERS ON THE STORM
DIRECTED BY JASON MOTLAGH AND MARK OLTMANNS
Editor
Khaiber Akbarzada is on the verge of becoming Afghanistan’s national champion of buzkashi, a sport where men on horseback compete for control of a headless goat, but the looming exit of U.S. forces from the country puts the buzkashi superstar at risk as his prominent status makes him a target for the Taliban regime. Haunted by his own history of family tragedy, Khaiber must make a critical decision about his future as massive change sweeps his nation.
The film had it's world premiere at SXSW and sold to Canal+ for distribution. It is currently available to watch on Kanopy.
SURVIVING OHIO STATE
DIRECTED BY EVA ORNER
Additional Editor
Produced by George Clooney and directed by Academy Award-winner Eva Orner, Surviving Ohio State delves into The Ohio State University’s 20-year sex abuse scandal surrounding athletics doctor Richard Strauss and the survivors’ ongoing fight to hold the school accountable.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is currently streaming on HBO Max.
“A compelling examination of the survivors of abuse and the mechanisms through which large-scale abuse can occur at a major university.”
- Daniel Fienberg
BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE
DIRECTED BY LUCY WALKER
Additional Editor
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker investigates the horror and heroism of the deadliest week of wildfires in California history. Featuring wildfire footage and interviews with survivors, firefighters and scientists, she looks to answer a question humanity can no longer afford to ignore: why are catastrophic wildfires increasing in number and severity around the world, and can anything be done to lessen the staggering death and destruction it causes?
The film had it's world premiere at Sundance and is currently available to watch on Paramount+.
"Walker is in complete control... It takes a lot of love to produce a film as confrontational about our failings as 'Bring Your Own Brigade.'"
- William Bibbiani
“It's a tough, smart, impressive movie... Human beings have a disastrous habit of ignoring our past, but Lucy Walker wants us to know that there's no ignoring the fires already destroying our future."
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- Manhola Dargis
“'Bring Your Own Brigade' is intelligent, harrowing, and poignant... By honoring a number of voices, Walker wrestles not only with the challenges of wildfires but also with the beauty and hard-to-iron-out wrinkles of human beings."
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- Lisa Kennedy
IN SEARCH OF GREATNESS
DIRECTED BY GABE POLSKY
Associate Editor
Top athletes, including Michael Jordan, Pelé, Jerry Rice, Serena Williams, and Wayne Gretzky, explore the importance of nature versus nurture in determining athletic ability and the role of creativity in athletic success.
The film is currently available to watch on Peacock.
“The film is a welcome tribute to vision, innovation, and knowledge as more important than technique and training, and encouraging imagination as more important for children than honing sports skills.”
- Nell Minow