Documentary of the Week

For the film “Of Fathers and Sons,” Syrian filmmaker Talal Derki returned from exile to embed with Islamic militants in his homeland for over two years. He captures the life of a member of Syria’s Al-Qaeda and how his philosophy of jihad is passed down to his sons. The film is one of five Oscar nominees for Documentary Feature this year.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

The documentary “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists” profiles the legendary newspaper columnists Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. Directed by the trio of Jonathan Alter, John Block and Steve McCarthy, the film traces the last five decades of New York history through the prism of these two vibrant voices.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the official film web site.

In the documentary “What is Democracy?”, filmmaker Astra Taylor explores the meaning and challenges of our political system. She talks to thinkers such as Cornel West and Wendy Brown as well as average citizens ranging from Syrian refugees to American Trump supporters. Taylor explores the themes further in her forthcoming book “Democracy May Not Exist, But We’ll Miss it When it’s Gone.”

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

In the documentary “Hillbilly,” filmmakers Ashley York and Sally Rubin look at the people of Appalachia and counter stereotypes of the region. Kentucky born authors Silas House and bell hooks are among the diverse voices who bring a deeper understanding of the region.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the official film web site.

The documentary “People’s Republic of Desire” looks at live-streaming performers who attract hundreds of thousands of working-class fans as well as rich patrons. Filmmaker Hao Wu follows popular hosts and their followers for two years to better understand the secrets to this hidden world.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the official film web site.

The documentary “The Sentence” follows a family of three girls who grow up while their mother Cindy serves multiple years in prison due to the controversial system of minimum mandatory sentencing. The filmmaker is  Cindy’s brother, Rudy Valdez, who brings a personal perspective to one of the year’s most emotionally wrenching films.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

“Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes” examines how the creator of Fox News rose and fell by his quest for power. Filmmaker Alexis Bloom interviews a wide range of colleagues as well as women who accuse Ailes of sexual harassment over a span of several decades.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

The film “Springsteen on Broadway” documents Bruce Springsteen's one-man show, in which he tells stories from his life and sings acoustic versions of his classic songs. Filmmaker Thom Zimny directs with an intimacy that brings us closer than the front row. Springsteen more than lives up to his reputation as a master storyteller.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

The documentary “Amazing Grace” captures Aretha Franklin recording her eponymous gospel album in a Los Angeles church in 1972. The footage was shot by camera crews led by Hollywood director Sydney Pollack. After Pollack’s death, former record producer Alan Elliott took over the project. Now it’s finally being released to the public 46 years after being recorded.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

“The Truth About Killer Robots” looks at cases where automation has caused human deaths and eliminated human jobs. Filmmaker Maxim Pozdorovkin surveys multiple incidents from a self-driving car accident to the law firm Robot, Robot & Hwang.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.