SIDETRACK FILMS

On these notes.

MTV's James Montgomery talks with Michael Azerrad, author of Come As You Are, and director AJ Schnack about Kurt Cobain About a Son, "a documentary only in the loosest sense of the word. Rather, through Cobain's own, unguarded conversations, the film weaves a personal, haunting bio of the man very few knew." Slated to premiere in Toronto; via Matt Dentler.
– read more

From GreenCine Daily – Posted on August 23 2006

Favela Rising

'Favela Rising'

"Never doubt," Margaret Mead famously said, "that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." A vibrant documentary, "Favela Rising," makes the case for that philosophy in the strongest possible terms.

Winner of close to a dozen festival awards and one of the films short-listed for last year's documentary Oscar, "Favela Rising" is a remarkable story of transformation and challenge on several levels, some completely unexpected.
– read more

From Los Angeles Times – Posted on August 04 2006

KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON

Rock Stars, Blind Mountain Climbers And Iraqi Prisoners Featured In Powerful Line-Up Of International Docs

Toronto - 22 films will join five previously announced documentary titles screening as part of Real to Reel at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival. Among these compelling selections, 13 films will see their world premiere, 3 their international premiere, 3 their North American premiere, and 3 their Canadian premiere. The films announced today join Real to Reel, a showcase of the best non-fiction cinema from around the world. World premieres include Asger Leth's GHOSTS OF CITÉ SOLEIL; Lucy Walker's BLINDSIGHT; AJ Schnack's KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON... – read more

From Toronto International Film Festival – Posted on July 27 2006

KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON

Music, Humor, War and Personal Struggle Among 22 Docs Unveiled for Toronto Fest

The Toronto International Film Festival revealed 22 additional documentary films that will join five previously announced titles in the Real to Reel section at the 31st annual event. Thirteen films will screen as world premieres, while three each are international, North American and Canadian premieres. Docs making their world premiere in this year's Toronto fest, taking place September 7 - 16, include AJ Schnack's "Kurt Cobain About a Son" (US)... – read more

From indieWIRE – Posted on July 27 2006

Favela Rising

Bottom line: A daring and emotional documentary.

Many of the on-camera musings by the subjects of "Favela Rising" might draw eye rolls as part of a Hollywood script: "Somehow I had to fight for something better." "We're using music as an instrument of change." Rehearsed sound bites? Probably, but taken in context, those two quotes represent the heart of this daring and emotional documentary. – read more

From The Hollywood Reporter – Posted on May 24 2006

Favela Rising

Working with fancy post-prod digitals courtesy of HBO, filmmakers Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary bring the Brazilian ghetto experience to Middle America, complete with harsh-contrast City of God cinematography, bloody violence, and suspiciously manipulative editing. "Direct cinema" this ain't, but the heart, as always, is where it should be, and Favela Rising has an authentically inspirational tale to tell. – read more

From The Village Voice – Posted on May 23 2006

				KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON On these notes. MTV's James Montgomery talks with Michael Azerrad, author of Come As You Are, and director AJ Schnack about Kurt Cobain About a Son, "a documentary only in the loosest sense of the word. Rather, through Cobain's own, unguarded conversations, the film weaves a personal, haunting bio of the man very few knew." Slated to premiere in Toronto; via Matt Dentler. – read more From GreenCine Daily – Posted on August 23 2006

				Favela Rising 'Favela Rising' "Never doubt," Margaret Mead famously said, "that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." A vibrant documentary, "Favela Rising," makes the case for that philosophy in the strongest possible terms. Winner of close to a dozen festival awards and one of the films short-listed for last year's documentary Oscar, "Favela Rising" is a remarkable story of transformation and challenge on several levels, some completely unexpected. – read more From Los Angeles Times – Posted on August 04 2006

				KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON Rock Stars, Blind Mountain Climbers And Iraqi Prisoners Featured In Powerful Line-Up Of International Docs Toronto - 22 films will join five previously announced documentary titles screening as part of Real to Reel at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival. Among these compelling selections, 13 films will see their world premiere, 3 their international premiere, 3 their North American premiere, and 3 their Canadian premiere. The films announced today join Real to Reel, a showcase of the best non-fiction cinema from around the world. World premieres include Asger Leth's GHOSTS OF CITÉ SOLEIL; Lucy Walker's BLINDSIGHT; AJ Schnack's KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON... – read more From Toronto International Film Festival – Posted on July 27 2006

				KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON Music, Humor, War and Personal Struggle Among 22 Docs Unveiled for Toronto Fest The Toronto International Film Festival revealed 22 additional documentary films that will join five previously announced titles in the Real to Reel section at the 31st annual event. Thirteen films will screen as world premieres, while three each are international, North American and Canadian premieres. Docs making their world premiere in this year's Toronto fest, taking place September 7 - 16, include AJ Schnack's "Kurt Cobain About a Son" (US)... – read more From indieWIRE – Posted on July 27 2006

				Favela Rising Favela Rising Bottom line: A daring and emotional documentary. Many of the on-camera musings by the subjects of "Favela Rising" might draw eye rolls as part of a Hollywood script: "Somehow I had to fight for something better." "We're using music as an instrument of change." Rehearsed sound bites? Probably, but taken in context, those two quotes represent the heart of this daring and emotional documentary. – read more From The Hollywood Reporter – Posted on May 24 2006

				Favela Rising Favela Rising Working with fancy post-prod digitals courtesy of HBO, filmmakers Jeff Zimbalist and Matt Mochary bring the Brazilian ghetto experience to Middle America, complete with harsh-contrast City of God cinematography, bloody violence, and suspiciously manipulative editing. "Direct cinema" this ain't, but the heart, as always, is where it should be, and Favela Rising has an authentically inspirational tale to tell. – read more From The Village Voice – Posted on May 23 2006