INDIE FILM GUIDE: March-April 2009

News and upcoming titles being released March through April 2009 in indie film, focusing mainly on documentaries.

NEWS

Eat this, Spurlock
Interview with Fat Head director Tom Naughton. Full story

Watching the deep Blu sea
Blu-ray titles feature natural wonders of the ocean.
Full story

Web sites help indie filmmakers promote films
Digital content increasing in popularity.
Full story

UPCOMING TITLES

March 10

Dee Dee Ramone: History on My Arms MVD prebook now; DVD $19.95 Documentary: A look at the life and career of the Ramones bassist.

Fractals: Hunting the Hidden Dimension PBS prebook now; DVD $24.95, BD $29.95 Science: This program looks at the rules that govern fractal geometry. The Blu-ray version will be released March 24.

The Story of India PBS/PARAMOUNT prebook now; DVD $34.99, BD $39.99 Documentary: Historian Michael Wood hosts this look at the history of India and its culture. The Blu-ray version streets March 24.

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days RAW FOR THIRTY prebook now; DVD $29.95 Documentary: Six diabetics reverse their condition by eating raw foods for 30 days in this film featuring Woody Harrelson, Morgan Spurlock and Anthony Robbins. www.SimplyRawMovie.com

Painters Painting VIRGIL prebook now; DVD $29.95 Documentary: The 1973 film about abstract expressionism, featuring Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol.

March 17

Vampire Secrets A&E/NEW VIDEO prebook now; DVD $19.95 Documentary: This program looks at the history of vampires, from Bram Stoker’s to Twilight.

Café Chavalos: Overcoming the Streets CINEMA LIBRE prebook now; DVD $19.95 Documentary: This film follows the Café Chavalos program, a culinary school, restaurant and rehab center in Nicaragua.

Desert Victory and The True Glory E1 prebook now; DVD $24.98 each Documentary: Two titles from the Imperial War Museum about World War II.

March 24

Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything ACORN prebook now; DVD $24.99 Documentary: The famous physicist and other scientists discuss black holes, the space-time continuum and new information on the origin of the universe.

A Galaxy Far Far Away CINEVOLVE prebook now; DVD $19.95 Documentary: A look at the phenomenon surrounding the Star Wars franchise.

March 31

The Bielski Brothers A&E/NEW VIDEO prebook now; DVD $9.95 History: Timed with the DVD release of Defiance, this program looks at how three Russian brothers built an elaborate village for rescued Jews during World War II.

The Great Depression A&E/NEW VIDEO prebook now; DVD $12.95 History: This four-part series examines the stock market crash of 1929 to the recovery period.

Phill Niblock: The Movement of People Working MICROCINEMA prebook now; DVD $24.95 Documentary: A collection of films that focus on the dynamics of motion involved in manual labor.

William Eggleston: Photographer MICROCINEMA prebook now; DVD $19.99 Documentary: A look at the pioneer of modern color photography.

The True Story of Palestine SISU prebook 3-3; DVD $19.95 Documentary: A look at the rebirth of Israel; in Hebrew with English subtitles.

April 7

From Russia to Hollywood CELEBRITY prebook now; DVD $11.99 Documentary: Gregory Peck and Mala Powers narrate this look at Russian-born Hollywood legends Michael Chekhov and George Shdanoff.

April 14

The Everglades NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/WARNER prebook 3-10; DVD $19.98 Documentary: Explore the 1.5 million-acre home to the world’s most unusual animals, including carnivorous plants, amphibious birds and fish that breathe air.

American Swing MAGNOLIA prebook 3-17; DVD $26.98 Documentary: A look at the rise and fall of ’70s New York nightclub Plato’s Retreat.

April 21

America Betrayed FIRST RUN prebook 3-17; DVD $24.95 Documentary: Richard Dreyfuss narrates this look at America’s crumbling infrastructure.

A Jihad for Love FIRST RUN prebook 3-17; DVD $24.95 Documentary: Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma talks with lesbian and gay Muslims.

Crossing Arizona PASSION RIVER prebook 3-17; DVD $24.95 Documentary: A look at those who illegally cross the border between Mexico and America through Arizona.

New Orleans Animal Rescue PASSION RIVER prebook 3-17; DVD $24.95 Documentary: Kevin Bacon narrates this film about the animal rescue that took place after Hurricane Katrina.

April 28

Warriors BBC/WARNER prebook 3-24; DVD $39.98 Documentary: The power quests of some of the most feared warriors, including Attila the Hun, Napoleon, Spartacus and Richard the Lionheart, are analyzed.

Earth Report: State of the Planet 2009 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/WARNER prebook 3-24; DVD $19.98 Documentary: A look at the effects development has had on the planet and what is being done.