Tulsa, Oklahoma is set to host a special one-night film festival featuring two highly anticipated films, Sugarcane and Look Into My Eyes. Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie, and Lana Wilson respectively, these films are expected to be major contenders in the upcoming awards season. Tulsa Hot Doks, presented in collaboration with the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and the Circle Cinema, aims to showcase groundbreaking documentaries to audiences in the heart of Oklahoma.
Sugarcane, which won the directing prize for U.S. documentary at Sundance, delves into the haunting investigation of unmarked graves at an Indian residential school in Canada. With a focus on unearthing secrets both above and below the ground, the film sparks a reckoning in the lives of survivors and their descendants. Director Julian Brave NoiseCat, himself a descendant of survivors, brings a deeply personal perspective to this critically acclaimed documentary.
Look Into My Eyes, directed by Lana Wilson, made its U.S. premiere at Sundance and international premiere at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen. The film offers an intimate glimpse into the world of a group of New York City psychics who conduct deeply personal readings with their clients. Wilson describes the film as a journey into the psychics’ lives, exploring their shared backgrounds in the performing arts, experiences with loss and loneliness, and the universal need for witnesses to better understand ourselves.
Brent Ortolani, executive director of the Circle Cinema, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, highlighting the rich history and dedication to documentary cinema that both organizations share. Ken Jacobson, executive director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute, emphasized the significance of bringing a taste of the renowned festival to Tulsa through the partnership with Circle Cinema. The inaugural Tulsa Hot Doks promises to be a platform for showcasing extraordinary films fresh from their Sundance premieres.
In addition to the special screenings of Sugarcane and Look Into My Eyes, Tulsa Hot Doks will feature special guests and a reception for attendees. As the festival unfolds, audiences can expect a diverse array of documentary films that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought. This event serves as a prelude to the 33rd edition of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, scheduled to take place in October in the picturesque town of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Known for its natural hot springs and historic charm, Hot Springs has long been a destination for film enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Tulsa’s Circle Cinema, dating back to 1928, stands as a testament to the city’s rich cinematic heritage. As the oldest and only nonprofit movie theater in Tulsa, Circle Cinema continues to be a cultural hub for documentary film lovers and cinephiles. The collaboration between Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Circle Cinema, and Tulsa Hot Doks exemplifies a shared commitment to showcasing innovative storytelling and diverse voices in the world of cinema.
The intersection of film and documentary at events like Tulsa Hot Doks offers a unique opportunity to engage with thought-provoking narratives and connect with filmmakers pushing the boundaries of storytelling. As audiences gather to experience the transformative power of cinema, it becomes evident that documentaries have the ability to not only entertain but also enlighten, inspire, and provoke meaningful conversations about the world we live in.
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