A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning. In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere. Co-directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie join us for a conversation on how their focus on the subject changed during the filming of SUGARCANE, getting know the dedicated people like Whitney Spearing and Charlene Belleau who devoted themselves to uncovering the repugnant history of St. Joseph’s Residential School, capturing the relationship between Julian and his father, Ed Archie NoiseCat and filming the disturbing meeting between the Rick Gilbert, Former First Nation Chief, and the Vatican’s Superior General Louis Lougen. For more go to: nationalgeographic.com/sugarcane

Now, 43 years after the 1980 release of historical epic CALIGULA, producer and reconstructionist Thomas Negovan has realized the creators' original vision with CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT, a version comprised of entirely never-before-seen footage shot in 1976. Shadowed by the murder of his entire family, the young, wary Caligula (Malcolm McDowell) eliminates his devious adoptive grandfather (Peter O'Toole) and seizes control of the declining Roman Empire, descending into a spiral of depravity, destruction, and madness. A treatise on the corrupting influence of power, this extensive reconstruction of the notorious 1980 spectacle, CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT restores the complete performances of Malcolm McDowell and Helen Mirren, as the promiscuous 'Caesonia', from an unprecedented amount of never before seen footage. Sumptuous set designs by two-time Oscar winner Danilo Donati. CALIGULA: THE ULTIMATE CUT aligns closely to Vidal's original script, especially with the addition of a prologue that illustrates one of Vidal's missing scenes, created by noted graphic artist Dave McKean (Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman). Nearly 100 hours of original footage was discovered by the film's re-constructionist, film historian Thomas Negovan, in the Penthouse archive, which showcases astounding performances from the film’s cast, fully realizing McDowell's complex, charismatic 'Caligula' and resurrecting Mirren's layered character arc, which now cements the film's final hour. Producer & Re-constructionist Thomas Negovan joins us to talk about his own daunting journey of reviewing the hundreds of hours of footage, his decision to use an enormous amount of never before seen footage in this final cut, seeking out many the surviving cast and crew, provide an artistic context to McDowell’s performance and to give the film a chance to be seen as flawed, but wildly ambitious cinematic journey into the heart of a darkness at the rotting core of the Roman Empire. For more go to: drafthousefilms.com/caligula

HAPPY CAMPERS chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life. In a waterfront campground off the coast of Virginia, residents spend their summers living spitting distance apart in rust-bitten RVs. They chuckle about the modest rent they pay for a million-dollar location, but what makes them the luckiest people in the world is more than just stunning sunsets, it’s the community they’ve created. Beneath cliched trailer park stereotypes lies an unlikely utopia where all are welcome. Neighbors help each other out, and share everything from power tools to simple pleasures. Loneliness and isolation are inconceivable. When their affordable paradise is sold to developers, the residents brace for eviction and the loss of friendships that span generations. They hold tight to their final days in the sun. The well-heeled crowd that takes their place will never be as wealthy. Director Amy Nicholson (Zipper: Coney Island’s Last Wild Ride) stops by to talk about how she discovered this magical community, gaining the confidence of the denizens, her own history vacationing there and why the loss of places like Inlet Park is undermining our connection with one another. For more go to: happycampers.film

WATER BROTHER: THE SID ABBRUZZI STORY follows the life of surf and skate core legend and cultural icon Sid Abbruzzi, and his commitment to protecting the sports’ history and culture. Through a mix of never-before-seen archival film, large format cinematic footage, and personal interviews from culture giants like Tony Hawk, Shepard Fairey, Selema Masekela and more; we are taken on a journey through surfing and skating history - from 1960s Newport to Santa Cruz, Cocoa Beach, South Africa's Jeffrey's Bay, and beyond. As Sid approaches the age of 72, the film captures the final days of his famous Water Brothers Surf & Skate shop as it is set to be demolished and the impact it had on the surf and skate community. WATER BROTHER emphasizes the importance of memory, personal history, and living in the moment, reminding us to cherish our past and preserve cultural heritage. The film is a poignant reflection on a life well-lived and a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of surf culture. It celebrates the individuals and places that transcend surfing and skating from mere hobbies, showing how one man's dedication can inspire an entire community. Co-directors Charles Kinnane & Daniel Kinnane join us to talk about the impact that Sid, his family and Water Brothers Surf & Skate shop has had on them, what was it about the surf and skate lifestyle that inspired them to pick up a camera and tell this story, and the love for Sid that permeates Water Brother: The Sid Abruzzi Story. For more go to: waterbrotherfilm.com

Academy-award winning director David Marsh (Man on Wire) takes viewers on cinematic journey through the life of literary genius Samuel Beckett. DANCE FIRST highlights his lived life of many parts: Parisian bon vivant, WWII Resistance fighter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, philandering husband, recluse. But despite all the adulation that came his, way he was a man acutely aware of his own failings. Titled after Beckett's famous ethos "Dance first, think later," The film is a sweeping account of the life of this 20th-century icon. It focuses on his relationships with the people he loved and who loved him back, but who he felt that he had wronged. Director David Marsh (The Theory of Everything) joins us for a conversation on why he chose to dive into the life of a notoriously private man, working with screenwriter Neil Forsyth, their decision to frame the various chapters of Beckett’s life from the perspective of his”mistakes”, using a black and white format in filming the story and finally assembling a terrific cast includes; Fionn O’Shea, Sandrine Bonnaire, Leonie Lojkine, Bronagh Gallagher, Grainne Good, Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, and Aidan Gillen as James Joyce. For more go to: magpictures.com/dancefirst To watch go to: magpictures.com/dancefirst/watch-at-home

Director John McDermott’s Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision  chronicles the creation of the groundbreaking recording studio, Electric Lady Studios. Rising from the rubble of a bankrupt Manhattan nightclub to becoming a state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Hendrix’s desire for a permanent studio, Electric Lady Studios was the first ever artist-owned commercial recording studio. Hendrix had first envisioned creating an experiential nightclub, inspired by the short-lived Greenwich Village nightspot Cerebrum, whose patrons donned flowing robes and were inundated by flashing lights, spectral images, and swirling sound. Hendrix enjoyed the Cerebrum experience so much that he asked its architect, John Storyk, to work with him and his manager, Michael Jeffery, to transform what had once been the Generation Club into “an electric studio of participation.” Shortly after acquiring the Generation Club lease however, Hendrix was steered from building a nightclub to creating a commercial recording studio. Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision includes never-before-seen footage and photos as well as track breakdowns of Hendrix classics such as “Freedom,” “Angel” and “Dolly Dagger” by recording engineer Eddie Kramer. In addition to Kramer the film also includes appearances by John Storyk (Architect, Electric Lady Studios), Billy Cox (Band of Gypsy bassist), Mitch Mitchell (Experience drummer), Steve Winwood  (Spencer Davis, Blind Faith), and Blues legend Buddy Guy. Director John McDermott joins us to talk about Jimi Hendrix’s burning desire to create music and provide a welcoming space for musicians to thrive. Electric Lady Studios has become the creative home to artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, David Bowie, Beyoncé and some of the most celebrated music of all time. For more go to: ajimihendrixvision.com Or go to: abramorama.com/electric-lady-studios To watch, go to: ajimihendrixvision.com/showtimes

WAR GAME sweeps audiences into an elaborate future-set simulation that dramatically escalates the threat posed by the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The film follows a bipartisan group of US defense, intelligence, and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations as they participate in an unscripted role-play exercise. Portraying a fictional President of the United States and his advisors, they confront a political coup backed by rogue members of the US military in the wake of a contested 2024 presidential election. Like actors in a thriller, but with profound real-world stakes, the players have only six hours to save American democracy. Some of the participants included; WAR GAME co-directors Jesse Moss (Boys State, Girls State, The Overnighters) and Tony Gerber (Full Battle Rattle, Notorious Mr. Bout, Kingdom of the White Wolf, Jane) join us for a spirited conversation on how they came into this project, the importance of VET VOICE in making this possible, the very challenging logistics of capturing the intensity of the exercise and how seriously all the participants were in regard to playing their individual roles. For more go to: wargamefilm.com For more on Vet Voice go to: vvfnd.org/campaigns/war-game To watch go to: wargamefilm.com/tickets

In their cheeky social satire COUP! Co-directors Austin Stark & Joseph Schuman drop us into an isolated seaside estate during the 1918 Spanish Flu. The estate belongs to a wealthy couple, an entitled journalist, Jay (Billy Magnussen) and his socialite wife, Julie (Sarah Gadon).The couple hires a mysterious grifter as a their private cook, Floyd (Peter Sarsgaard). When the plague finally descends on the island, the wily cook rouses his fellow staff to rebel and take over the mansion. Their wealthy employer suspects the cook’s coup is part of a more sinister agenda, and mind games between master and servant escalate into boisterous class warfare. With a terrific cast, stars Peter Sarsgaard (currently on Apple+ hit series Presumed Innocent), Billy Magnussen (Road House remake), and Sarah Gadon, the film also stars Skye P. Marshall, Faran Tahir, Kristine Nielsen and Fisher Stevens. Co-directors and co-writers Austin Stark and Joseph Schuman joins us to talk about the tonal challenge of presenting this satirical tale that leans into the comedy of menace while embracing the themes of the class divide and revolution, as well as bringing Peter Sarsgaard into the project to play Floyd and to be the film’s Executive Producer. For more go to: greenwichentertainment.com/film/coup

In their sophomore feature film co-directors Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner track the story of New York yuppies Amy and Max during their time in the wealthy resort town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming while on a summer vacation. Amy wants to enjoy a romantic getaway with her fiancé. But Max neglects Amy to spend the week working, leaving her to wander town alone. Amy finds a friend in Loren, a local wilderness guide who takes her fly fishing. She’s immediately drawn to this magnetic, free spirited stranger. Both lonely and lost in their own lives, Amy and Loren share an instant connection. When Max is called away on business, Amy & Loren spend the week together exploring the Tetons. As her bond with Loren grows into something more than friendship, Amy questions whether she’ll return to NYC with Max after all. Co-directors Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner (The End of Us) stop by to talk about their inspiration for making the film, working with superb cast that includes; Claudio Restrepo, Derrick Joseph DeBlasis, and Ben Coleman, and why they decided to set the film in a mountain resort town. For more go to: visitfilms.com/peak-season For more: peakseasonfilm.com

SLEEP NO MORE is a Los Angeles neo noir crime thriller directed by Antonia Boganovich, and Executive Produced by Peter Bogdanovich. Warren, once a master Shakespearian actor, is now a gambling drunk. Puck-like Samuel enchants crowds on the 3rd Street Promenade, reciting Shakespeare. And brother Beckett, a master pickpocket, makes his way through the unsuspecting crowd. When Warren gets in deep with a loan shark, his sons need to find a way to escape and like Samuel’s beloved comic book hero, Phantom Halo, they must break free of the mud that traps them. There is counterfeit money, a Bentley, a beautiful woman, knives, guns and an ending that is more like a Shakespearean tragedy than a film about growing up in the urban decay of Hollywood. Featuring a cast that includes; Sebastian Roché, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Luke Kleintank, Rebecca Romijn (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Librarians, X-Men), Tobin Bell (The Saw series, The Flash), Ashley Hamilton (Gothic Harvest, Rules Don’t Apply) and Jordan Dunn (Read the Room). Director and co-screenwriter Antonia Bogdanovich joins us for a revealing conversation about the traumatic origin story for Sleep No More, working with her dad on the project, her decision to re-cut and re-release the film after nearly 10 years, and growing up in a household steeped in arts, literature and film. For more go to: thegmfilms.com/releases/sleep-no-more

DEVIL PUT THE COAL IN THE GROUND is a moving portrayal of resilience by the people of West Virginia that reveals – despite years of corporate greed and exploitation – how a deep love of family, community and tradition has carried them through it all. From the realities of a crumbling economy, to the ravages of the opioid epidemic, to the irreparable environmental damage and its tragic impact on human health –  the film is a cautionary tale of unfettered corporate power, and an elegy to a vanishing Appalachia. Uniquely structured upon personal storytelling of West Virginians, the film draws upon their rich experiences and diverse perspectives in order to create an informal, oral “People’s History of West Virginia”. These individuals run the gamut – from recovering opioid addict, to environmental activist, to U.S. Congressional candidate, to town judge, to recovery center nurse, to corporate environmental lawyer, to struggling local business owner – all of whom, despite their differences, remain linked by the love of their home state and the challenges that threaten their survival, and way of life. DEVIL PUT THE COAL IN THE GROUND features the iconic music of Steve Earle and Iris Dement, while blending intimate first-person storytelling with rare archival photography from DOCUMERICA luminary Jack Corn. Stunning aerial footage, bespoke animation, and an original score complete this heartfelt elegy to a vanishing Appalachia. Co-directors Lucas Sabean and Peter Hutchison stop by to talk about how this film started as an entirely different project and why the humanity and emotional rawness of the film’s subjects made it clear that they deserved to have a film built around their stories. For more go to: devilputthecoalintheground.com

GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE lovingly recounts the journey of Cymande, a group of Black British musicians who all came to the U.K. from the Caribbean as children, released three brilliant albums in quick succession in the early 1970s and were embraced in the USA. But in the U.K., they faced a music business beset by prejudice against homegrown Black talent and were largely ignored. They originally split in 1975, but their music lived on, as successive generations of artists and fans found and embraced their songs. Hip Hop, House, Drum and Bass, R&B, Rare Groove, and crate-digging communities all saw something in the songs of Cymande that inspired them. Through insightful interviews with band members and influential figures including Mark Ronson, Laura Lee and Mark Speer (Khruangbin), DJ Maseo (De La Soul), Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), Cut Chemist, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Louie Vega, and Kool DJ Red Alert, this stranger than fiction documentary explores the band's profound impact and enduring legacy. Director Tim MacKenzie-Smith stops by to talk about his own introduction to the music of Cymande, designing the look and feel of the film to seen as a big screen communal experience, how the band members kept each others hope, music and spirit alive over the years, and the joy of seeing the band and their music get the recognition it deserves. For more go to: cymandeofficial.com/film

MOUNTAIN QUEEN: THE SUMMITS OF LHAKPA SHERPA tracks Lhakpa’s storied mountaineering career in pursuit of her record-breaking 10th summit to reveal a rich personal history – from her childhood as a girl denied an education in rural Nepal, to her experience as an immigrant in America and survivor of intimate partner violence, to her fight to live as a fearless example to her teenage daughters. Through it all, Lhakpa climbs - her incredible strength and resilience inspired by her own mother goddess of the universe - Chomolungma, Mt. Everest. Lhakpa Sherpa has summited Mt. Everest more than any woman in history. The first Nepali woman to summit and descend in 2000, Lhakpa keeps climbing in pursuit of a better life for herself and her children and to champion Nepali women and girls. MOUNTAIN QUEEN: THE SUMMITS OF LHAKPA SHERPA highlights the incredible determination of mothers fighting to protect and inspire their children. Above all, Lhakpa’s story is one of a family surviving, healing, and climbing forward. Director and co-producer Lucy Walker (Bring Your Own Brigade, The Crash Reel, Waste Land, Countdown to Zero) stops by to talk how her previous documentary work brought her to tell Lhakpa’s story, capturing the steely determination of Lhakpa to follow her own path, and how her achievements have impacted her daughters, Sunny and Shiny.

Winner of the 2023 SXSW Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature Dan Covert’s GEOFF MCFETRIDGE: DRAWING A LIFE focuses on one of the most prolific artists of his time, Geoff McFetridge, an artist who has undoubtedly influenced the way the world looks. His art is everywhere—on your Apple watch, in countless galleries around the world, in title designs for films by Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze, and in collaborations with Nike, Hermès, Warby Parker, and more. The antithesis of the archetypal artist fueled by drugs, alcohol, and chaos, what sets the prodigious McFetridge apart is his obsessive quest to balance family with a creative life. In GEOFF MCFETRIDGE: DRAWING A LIFE, director and fellow artist Dan Covert offers unprecedented access into Geoff's multifaceted world, painting an intimate portrait of a man guided by intention and authenticity. Director and Producer Dan Covert joins us for a conversation on what initially drew him to McFetridge’s work, how working with Executive Producer Spike Jonze impacted the final cut, getting to know McFetridge beyond his art, and his own background as an artist and graphic designer. For more go to: drawingalifefilm.com Drawing a Life is now available on VOD

From acclaimed director Levan Akin (AND THEN WE DANCED), CROSSING is a moving and tender tale of identity, acceptance and unlikely connection that transcends borders and generations. Lia, a retired school teacher living in the country of Georgia, hears from a young neighbor Achi that her long lost niece Tekla, a transgender woman, has crossed the border into Turkey. Hoping to bring Tekla home, Lia travels to Istanbul with the unpredictable Achi to find her. Exploring the hidden depths of the city, they cross paths with a transgender lawyer called Evrim, who helps them in their search. Humanistic and compassionate, Akin's third feature is a heartfelt portrayal of overcoming the degrees of separation that divide us. Director and writer Levan Adkin joins us for a conversation on his own connection to the setting for Crossing, Turkey, how the story lent itself to exploring the generational divide between Soviet era and Post-Soviet era attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ rights, his reaction to Crossing being selected by Sweden as their Oscar entry for 2024 Best International Feature and working with lead actor Mzia Arabuli as Lia. For more go to: mubi.com/crossing-2023-levan-akin Or go to: totem-films.com/crossing

HOLLYWOODGATE chronicles a sliver of the larger picture around the take over by the Taliban when the United States withdrew from its twenty-year old “forever war” in Afghanistan. In the time since the Taliban have re-established their control over the ravaged country, they located and pillaged an American military base loaded with weaponry - a portion of the over $7 billion in U.S. armaments still in the country. Unprecedented and audacious, HOLLYWOODGATE is the riveting result of the year director Ibrahim Nash'at spent with the Taliban in the wake of the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Risking his life in the war-torn nation, Nash'at is on the ground with the Taliban when they enter an American base loaded with a portion of the billions dollars worth of U.S. armaments left behind. Driving towards an astonishing and chilling end, Nash'at tracks Taliban leaders as they attempt to transform from a fundamentalist militia into a modern military regime, employing Hollywood-style propaganda to achieve their goals. Director Ibrahim Nash’at (Under the Sky of Damascus) joins us for a conversation on how he gained the access to the Taliban leader, Mawlawi Mansour, why he decided to embark on this very dangerous project and what he hopes people will take away from his remarkable documentary, HOLLYWOODGATE. For more go to: curzon.com/hollywoodgate

SORRY/NOT SORRY charts how an open secret about comedian Louis C.K.’s sexual misconduct evolved into a front page article on The New York Times. Following the story’s publication, Louis C.K. admitted “these stories are true” and faced initial repercussions, only to return to the stage nine months later. While the story of C.K.’s rise and fall largely played out in public, this film reveals the stories of three women who spoke out over the years about C.K.’s behavior. Through candor and surprising humor, the documentary gives voice to the nuanced and complicated experiences of Jen Kirkman, Abby Schachner, and Megan Koester. It presents new details about their encounters with Louis C.K. and unveils the extent of the personal and professional consequences they faced for speaking out about it. SORRY / NOT SORRY directors Caroline Suh and Cara Mones shed new light on questions about sex and power in the workplace, who gets to take the stage, and the role the public plays in these stories at large. Featuring interviews with the reporters who broke the original story – Melena Ryzik, Cara Buckley, and Jodi Kantor – along with comedians, gatekeepers and critics including Michael Ian Black, Michael Schur, Aida Rodriguez, Andy Kindler, Noam Dworman, and Wesley Morris, the film leaves viewers contemplating: who is afforded a second chance, and who is overlooked in the process? For more go to: greenwichentertainment.com/sorry-not-sorry

Chris Skotchdopole’s feature film debut, CRUMB CATCHER At a remote estate in upstate New York, where newlyweds Leah (Ella Rae Peck) and Shane (Rigo Garay) are about celebrate their honeymoon, when the appearance of two workers from their wedding reception brings an escalating sense of dread and menace. Leah works for the publisher who will be releasing Shane’s debut novel, a lightly autobiographical examination of family trauma, alcoholism, and the immigrant experience. Tensions over family trauma would be enough kindling for a blowup, but Leah and Shane’s marriage is truly tested by the appearance of two weirdos with entrepreneurial zeal and a half-baked blackmail plot: John (John Speredakos) and Rose (Lorraine Farris). They’re looking for investors for John’s latest invention, a culinary breakthrough called the Crumb Catcher — and they won’t take no for an answer. A gonzo home invasion thriller from Larry Fessenden’s Glass Eye Pix that pummels the American Dream into just desserts, Crumb Catcher director, co-writer, co-producer and editor Chris Skotchdopole stops by to talk about how constructs and de-constructs his films, working with his collaborators, including cinematographer Adam Carboni and co-writers Rigo Garay and Larry Fessenden, and what’s next for him as a filmmaker. For more go to: musicboxfilms.com/film/crumb-catcher

Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese first encountered the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger when he was a child, sitting in front of the family TV. When their famous logo came up on screen, Scorsese says, “You knew you were in for fantasy, wonder, magic - real film magic.” In the documentary film, Made in England, The Films of Powell & Pressburger, director David Hinton, with the help of Scorses tells the story of his own lifelong love-affair with their movies, including The Life and Death Of Colonel Blimp, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes and The Tales of Hoffmann. Drawing on a rich array of archive material, Hinton explores in full the collaboration between the Englishman Powell and the Hungarian Pressburger - two romantics and idealists, who thrived in the face of adversity during World War II but were eventually brought low by the film industry of the 1950’s. Scorsese celebrates their ability to create “subversive commercial movies” and describes how deeply their films have influenced his own work. Director David Hinton (Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men, Strange Fish) joins us to talk about how long it took this project to be completed, working with Scorsese and his role as the film’s guide through their work, Scorsese’s personal connection to Michael Powell and the impact their work continues to have on filmmakers. For more go to: cohenmedia.net/made-in-england-films-of-powell & pressburger

In his riveting feature documentary CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY director Ben Sturgulewski peels back the social, religious and community layers in the remote mountain villages of Bamyan, Afghanistan, to find what has created the newfound passion for skiing. This passion has attracted young athletes from rival ethnic groups who showcase their resourcefulness and skill on the slopes. Equipped with minimal gear, makeshift skis, and no chairlift, the determined ski coach Alishah Farhang organizes a ski race that unities the community in a moment of joy and camaraderie. However, when their country falls to the Taliban, many of the skiers are displaced across the globe as refugees, confronted with an uncertain future. In CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY filmmaker Ben Sturgulewski masterfully captures the thrill of a sports rivalry intertwined with the poignant narrative of a community grappling with profound change – revealing what it means to be a champion, in all its forms. Director, editor and cinematographer Ben Sturgulewski joins us to talk about his own long journey, figuratively and literally, to tell this amazing story of community, loss, rivalry, friendship, and how striving to be better can not only lift up an individual, like Alishah Farhang, Alishah Farhang, Mujtaba Hussaini, Raees Hussaini, Haji Hussaini, Mortiza Motahari and Hussain Ali Nazari, but those around them. For more go to: championsofthegoldenvalley.com