ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED – Review by Diane Carson

The title of director Laura Poitras’ documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed announces the dual aspects of her profile of artist, activist Nan Goldin’s life. But, in truth, Goldin exhibits a through line to her personal and political work. In her own observation, she’s an outlier in her art and her protests. Goldin exposed the truth behind the Sackler name on many museum wings, rooms, and galleries, due to the money they’ve given from their deceptive OxyContin campaigns. For their activism, Goldin and those involved were snubbed and stalked, but undeterred channeled their frustration and anger into constructive action. To their credit, they’ve made a difference.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Laura Poitras to be Guest of Honor at IDFA – Brandy McDowell reports

Academy Award-winning director Laura Poitras has been named the Guest of Honor for the 35th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, set for Nov. 9-20 in the Netherlands. Poitras (Citizenfour, My Country, My Country) will be honored at the Dutch festival with Top 10 and Retrospective programs.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Laura Poitras’ ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED is NYFF’s Centerpiece – Brandy McDonnell reports

In her new film, Laura Poitras weaves two narratives: the fabled life and career of era-defining artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty Goldin personally took on in her fight to hold accountable those responsible for the deadly opioid epidemic.

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NY Film Fest 2022: 37.5% of Main Slate Films are Femme-Helmed – Jennifer Merin reports

The 32 films that comprise the Main Slate of the 60th New York Film Festival (NYFF), taking place September 30–October 16, 2022, at Lincoln Center and in venues across the city include 11 films directed by women and one that was co-directed by a woman — equaling 37.5 percent. In comparison, New York Film Festival’s 2021 Main Slate roster of 32 titles included eight films directed by women, two films co-directed by women — or 31.25 percent. This year’s femme helmed films represent a diverse selection of styles, genres and themes directed by filmmakers who are returning to NYFF and those whose work is being shown at NYFF for the first time.

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2014 AWFJ EDA Awards Winners

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists announces the 2014 AWFJ EDA Awards, with BOYHOOD named Best Film and BIRDMAN getting six awards. Ava DuVernay and Laura Poitras also get top honors for SELMA and CITIZENFOUR, respectively, and both are named Female Icons of the Year. Congrats to all the EDA Award winners. To see the complete list, and find out which film had the best depiction of nudity and who is this year’s Actress Most in Need of a New Agent, read on…

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52nd New York Film Festival: Provocation and Pleasure – Rania Richardson Comments

Many of the films in the recently concluded 52nd New York Film Festival will fill theaters, fuel discussions, and collect awards for months to come. Topping the list is Citizenfour, a late edition to the tightly edited festival’s main slate of 31 features. Other films of particular interest include Birdman, Inherent Vice, and The Wonder.

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