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Documentary Shorts: Near and Far

  Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Nepal, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States     86 minutes

Synopsis

Using diverse methods of observation, animation, and essay, the filmmakers in this program showcase the flexibility of documentary form. Each zeroes in on a unique point of view, eliciting intimate first-person portraits about the broad spectrum of human experience and emotion. Featuring works by Haley Watson, Saurav Ghimire, Leo Berkeley, Samira Elagoz, Z Walsh, Ellie Land, and Assia Boundaoui.

Mary McGee shares stories from her life as the first American woman to race motorcycles in Motorcycle Mary (United States). In Songs of Love and Hate (Nepal, Belgium), the heartbroken host of a love advice radio show traverses the mountains, haunted by testimonies from his audience. Dark Matter (Australia) follows Leo Berkeley, a chronically ill Melbourne filmmaker, as he observes inner city apartment living and grapples with the nature of his existence. The first year of a love story between two long-haired trans men unfolds via messages and pics in You can’t get what you want but you can get me (Netherlands, Finland, Germany, United States). Plunge (United Kingdom) depicts a journey of mental health within the vast reaches of the ocean, where one woman finds peace in both her body and mind. In Estranged Letters (United States), Maryam Taghavi discusses her ideas and background as she prepares to open a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

Screenings & Events

Screening

Wed, Oct 23 @ 5:30pm CDT

at Gene Siskel Film Center, screen 2

Scheduled to Attend:
Dark Matter director Ptolemy Culvenor,
Estranged Letters director Assia Boundaoui, and
Songs of Love and Hate director Saurav Ghimire
Accessibility options for this screening:
  • Assistive Listening Devices available
Learn more about accessibility options...

Virtual Screening

Virtual programs will be available to stream from October 21-27 in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois. Learn more about streaming…

Sponsors

Documentary Program Partner

Logo: WTTW (2019)

Documentary Program Patron

Cynthia Stone Raskin

With Support From

logo: Finnish Film Foundation 165x100Logo: See NL / Eye Filmmuseum 160x85