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Dogwoof
Dogwoof, a powerhouse in documentary film distribution that specialise in thought-provoking content, they curate and disseminate socially relevant documentaries globally. With an eye for impactful narratives, Dogwoof fuels discourse on pressing issues, championing diverse stories that resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying their position as a vital conduit for cultural engagement and enlightenment. At Fopp we’re celebrating the best that Dogwoof has to offer with DVDs from £6 and Blu-ray from £8.
The Alpinist
The Alpinist
director(s) Peter Mortimer · Nick Rosen
language(s) english
format DVD and blu-ray
As the sport of climbing turns from a niche pursuit to mainstream media event, Marc-Andre Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Marc-Andre’s approach is the essence of solo adventure. Intrigued by these quiet accomplishments, veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (The Dawn Wall) sets out to make a film about Marc-Andre. But the Canadian soloist is an elusive subject: nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn’t own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let the film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. As Peter struggles to keep up, Marc-Andres climbs grow bigger and more daring. Elite climbers are amazed by his accomplishments, while others worry that he is risking too much. Then, Marc-Andre embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing. THE ALPINIST is an intimate documentary of a visionary climber who follows the path of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.
American Utopia
American Utopia
director(s) Spike Lee
language(s) english
format DVD and blu-ray
Do we get stupider as we grow up? In his wildly popular Broadway show American Utopia, David Byrne reflects on human connections, life and how on earth we work through it. He joins the dots with his music and it all starts making sense. Spike Lee here transforms the production into immersive, dynamic cinema that radiates with astounding performances, inventive contemporary dance and political urgency. American Utopia flows like an iridescent dream vision. Work by James Baldwin, Janelle Monae and Kurt Schwitters is highlighted among exhilarating renditions of Byrne’s solo work, as well as Talking Heads classics. According to the multi-hyphenate, we love looking at humans more than anything else. Anti-fascist and anti-racist, Byrne illuminates our responsibility to care for one another as he and his co-performers burn down the house.
Free Solo
director(s) Jimmy Chin · Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
language(s) english
format DVD · blu-ray
From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and world-renowned photographer and mountaineer Jimmy Chin, the directors of Meru, comes Free Solo, a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock … the 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park … without a rope. Celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, Honnold’s climb set the ultimate standard: perfection or death. Succeeding in this challenge places his story in the annals of human achievement. Free Solo is an edge-of-your seat thriller and an inspiring portrait of an athlete who challenges both his body and his beliefs on a quest to triumph over the impossible, revealing the personal toll of excellence. As the climber begins his training, the armour of invincibility he’s built up over decades unexpectedly breaks apart when Honnold begins to fall in love, threatening his focus and giving way to injury and setbacks. Vasarhelyi and Chin succeed in beautifully capturing deeply human moments with Honnold as well as the death-defying climb with exquisite artistry and masterful, vertigo-inducing camerawork. The result is a triumph of the human spirit that represents what The New York Times calls “a miraculous opportunity for the rest of us to experience the human sublime.”
The Act of Killing
The Act of Killing
director(s) Joshua Oppenheimer
language(s) english · Indonesian
format DVD · blu-ray
In the Academy Award-nominated documentary, director Joshua Oppenheimer confronts the chilling reality of the Indonesian death squads who perpetrated mass atrocities during 1965 and 1966. Central to the narrative is Anwar Congo, a former member of the death squads who openly boasts about his involvement in the killings, living amidst the families of his victims. Seeking to comprehend Congo’s disturbing mindset, Oppenheimer orchestrates a surreal experiment, asking Congo to reenact his heinous deeds with the assistance of the film crew. What unfolds is a haunting exploration of guilt, complicity, and the human capacity for cruelty. The film’s unflinching portrayal of genocide prompts profound introspection not only for the audience but also for the participants themselves. Garnering an Oscar nomination and the BAFTA for Best Documentary, this harrowing cinematic journey serves as a stark reminder of the horrors perpetrated in the name of ideology, urging viewers to confront the darkest depths of humanity.
Apollo 11
director(s) Todd Douglas
language(s) English
format DVD · blu-ray · 4k uhd
Director Todd Douglas Miller, known for Dinosaur 13, presents a cinematic marvel fifty years in the making with Apollo 11. Drawing from a newly unearthed trove of 70mm footage and over 11,000 hours of previously uncatalogued audio recordings, the film offers an unparalleled glimpse into NASA’s most iconic mission—the one that propelled humanity to the moon and immortalized Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Through the eyes of the astronauts, the meticulous team in mission control, and the countless spectators on the ground, audiences are transported back to the historic days of 1969, experiencing firsthand the awe-inspiring journey that marked a giant leap for mankind. With stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, Apollo 11 captures the spirit of exploration, innovation, and collective achievement, inviting viewers to relive the triumphs and tribulations of one of humanity’s greatest feats—the moment when we ventured beyond the confines of Earth and into the vast expanse of space.
Janis: Little Girl Blue
Janis: Little Girl Blue
director(s) Amy Berg
language(s) English
format DVD
Janis Joplin remains a revered and iconic figure in the annals of rock & roll, her legacy enduring as a testament to raw talent and unbridled passion. A tragic and misunderstood soul, she captivated millions with her electrifying performances, pioneering a new path in music before her untimely death in 1971 at just 27 years old. In Janis: Little Girl Blue, Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg delves deep into Joplin’s narrative, offering a comprehensive exploration of her life for the first time on film. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, Berg crafts a poignant and revealing portrait of this complex artist. From her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise to stardom, the documentary unveils the inner workings of a driven and often tormented individual. Janis: Little Girl Blue shines a light on Joplin’s artistic genius, her struggles with fame and addiction, and her enduring impact on music and culture.
Marianne & Leonard – Words of Love
director(s) Nick Broomfield
language(s) english · Norwegian
format DVD
Marianne & Leonard – Words of Love is a beautiful yet tragic love story between Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse Marianne Ihlen. Their love began on the idyllic Greek island of Hydra in 1960 as part of a bohemian community of foreign artists, writers and musicians. The film follows their relationship from the early days on Hydra, a humble time of ‘free love’ and open marriage, to how their love evolved when Leonard became a successful musician. It was on Hydra in 1968 that director Nick Broomfield, then aged 20, first met Marianne Ihlen. Marianne introduced him to Leonard Cohen’s music and also encouraged Nick to make his first film and was an enormous influence on him. Marianne and Leonard’s was a love story that would continue for the rest of their lives. Along the way we learn of the tragedy that befell those that could not survive the beauty of Hydra, the highs and lows of Leonard’s career, and the inspirational power that Marianne possessed. Marianne and Leonard died three months apart.
A Glitch In The Matrix
A Glitch In The Matrix
director(s) Rodney Ascher
language(s) english
format DVD · blu-ray
What if we are living in a simulation, and the world as we know it is not real? To tackle this mind-bending idea, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Rodney Ascher (Sundance selections Room 237, The Nightmare) uses a noted speech from Philip K. Dick to dive down the rabbit hole of science, philosophy, and conspiracy theory. Leaving no stone unturned in exploring the unprovable, the film uses contemporary cultural touchstones like The Matrix, interviews with real people shrouded in digital avatars, and a wide array of voices, expert and amateur alike. If simulation theory is not science fiction but fact, and life is a video game being played by some unknowable entity, then who are we, really?
Max Richter’s Sleep
director(s) Natalie Johns
language(s) English
format DVD · Blu – ray
The film delves into the journey of acclaimed composer and musician Max Richter and his artistic collaborator, BAFTA-winning filmmaker Yulia Mahr, as they undertake a bold endeavor: a performance of Richter’s renowned 8-hour masterpiece, “Sleep,” at an open-air concert in Los Angeles. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Natalie Johns, the documentary intricately intertwines Mahr’s personal archive with performance footage captured in Berlin, Sydney, and Paris. Through this mosaic of imagery and narrative, viewers are offered a profound insight into the collaborative artistic process shared by Richter and Mahr. Additionally, the film sheds light on the scientific and narrative underpinnings of Richter’s work, enriching the viewer’s understanding of its significance. As the documentary unfolds, it unveils not only the complexities of creating such a monumental piece but also the deep emotional and creative connections that bind Richter and Mahr in their pursuit of artistic excellence.
Memory – The Origins of Alien
Memory – The Origins of Alien
director(s) Alexandre O. Philippe
language(s) English
format DVD
Memory uncovers the largely untold origin story behind Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece, rooted in Greek and Egyptian mythology, underground comics, parasitology, H.P. Lovecraft, the art of Francis Bacon, and the symbiotic genius of Dan O’Bannon and H.R. Giger. On the eve of the film’s 40th Anniversary, Exhibit A Pictures will reveal a treasure trove of never-before-seen materials from the O’Bannon and Giger estates, including original story notes, rejected designs and storyboards, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and Dan’s original 29 page script from 1971, titled Memory. Bridging the ancient world with Ridley Scott’s complex futuristic universe through a mix of distinctly low-fi VHS aesthetic and stunning 4k Cinemascope aspect ratio footage, Memory will boldly go where no film essay has gone before, to deliver a revealing and wholly original take on one of Hollywood’s most beloved and iconic shockers.
Studio 54
Studio 54
director(s) Matt Tyrnauer
language(s) English
format DVD · blu-ray
Studio 54 stood as the pinnacle of 1970s hedonism, reshaping the nightclub scene and epitomizing an entire era. Its co-founders, Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, Brooklyn natives turned impresarios, emerged seemingly out of thin air to oversee a novel realm of New York social life. Nearly four decades since the velvet rope marked its entrance, a feature documentary delves into the authentic narrative behind this iconic establishment. Beyond the glitz and glamour, it explores the cultural impact, societal shifts, and personal tales interwoven within Studio 54’s legendary walls. From its inception to its eventual demise, the film unravels the layers of excess, ambition, and intrigue that defined not just a nightclub, but a cultural phenomenon.
Whitney: Can I Be Me?
director(s) Nick Broomfield
language(s) English
format DVD · blu-ray
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Nick Broomfield, the new film sheds light on the life of one of the greatest singers in history, Whitney Houston. Revered as the epitome of a superstar, she was often hailed as the “American princess” and remains the most awarded female artist to date. Despite amassing wealth, achieving consecutive number one hits surpassing even The Beatles, and being celebrated for possessing one of the greatest voices of all time, Houston grappled with inner turmoil and a lack of freedom to express her true self. Tragically, she passed away at the young age of 48. Whitney ‘Can I Be Me’ employs largely unseen footage and exclusive live recordings to narrate Houston’s remarkable yet poignant life story, offering insights from those who were closest to her. Through this intimate portrayal, the film unveils the complexities of Houston’s journey, showcasing her unparalleled talent, struggles, and the profound impact she left on the world.
Halston
director(s) Frédéric Tcheng
language(s) English
format DVD
Halston’s journey epitomises the quintessential American dream, a trajectory from modest beginnings in Iowa to the glitzy heights of Studio 54 and the prestigious corridors of Wall Street. As a prodigiously talented designer, he wielded immense influence over the fashion landscape of the 1970s, transforming himself into a household name synonymous with luxury and sophistication. His minimalist yet glamorous designs captured the essence of the era, defining a new standard of elegance that resonated globally.
Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over
director(s) Dave Wooley · David Heilbroner
language(s) English
format DVD · blu-ray
Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over traces the extraordinary life and career of the iconic songstress through the lens of her closest collaborators and confidants. From her meteoric rise to her pivotal role in shaping the sound of an era, the documentary delves into Warwick’s unparalleled impact on the music industry. Through intimate interviews with luminaries such as Bill Clinton, Clive Davis, and Gladys Knight, viewers gain insight into Warwick’s indomitable spirit and enduring legacy. With candid reflections from including Cissy Houston and Damon Elliott, the film explores the personal triumphs and tribulations that shaped Warwick’s journey. From her philanthropic endeavors to her enduring influence on generations of artists, Don’t Make Me Over celebrates the incomparable talent and resilience of the legendary Dionne Warwick, showcasing her as a true icon of music and culture.
River
director(s) Jennifer Peedom · Joseph Nizeti
language(s) English
format DVD · blu-ray