The Museum of Modern Art’s annual documentary showcase celebrates nonfiction film and video, covering a wide range of contemporary international issues and a multitude of styles. Recently there has been an enormous upswing in documentary production, fueled by a combination of technological and societal factors. Small, lightweight equipment, combined with an international scene roiled by war and the dislocation of peoples, are producing an outpouring of exciting and significant new work. Many of the emerging artists have become disenchanted with the conventions of traditional documentaries and are exploring new ways of interpreting the real world; others are following time-tested formats. Among this year’s many highlights is Heddy Honigmann’s Forever, a film exploring the impact of the Parisian cemetery Père-Lachaise on art and life. This year’s Director’s Tribute salutes American filmmaker David Sutherland, whose portrait films reveal him to be an artist of unique and uncompromising vision. He and many of the other filmmakers represented in the festival will be present to introduce and discuss their films.
Organized by Sally Berger, Assistant Curator; and William Sloan, consultant, Circulating Film and Video Library, Department of Film.