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In 2013 Sheffield Doc/Fest celebrates its twentieth year, and the international documentary festival just seems to go from strength to strength. It’s my favourite time of the year and between 12th-16th June Sheffield will be buzzing. For five days the city becomes a Mecca for film makers, documentary film fans and the media along with a whole host of well known faces. For delegates it’s a huge industry market of screenings, networking, parties and talks, but for everyone else it’s an unique chance to see some absolutely incredible films way ahead of their release dates. Not to mention the wonderful atmosphere around the Showroom, Library Theatre and Odeon.
Some of the highlights this year include:
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer
Pussy Riot’s brief performance inside a Russian caused scandal all around the world and the repercussions continue to rock the Russian state. Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovk documentary focuses on the ensuing trial, where three members stand accused of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QzblZ-Dg0UBasically, Johnny Moped
Basically, Johnny Moped explores the proto-punk scene of the 1970s. Including interviews with current and ex-Johnny Moped members, including Chrissie Hynde and Captain Sensible. The doc also features archive footage from the Roxy club in Covent Garden. Thursday sees the world premiere and Captain Sensible himself will be in attendance.
The Summit
There is a special screening of Nick Ryan’s film The Summit in High Peak Cavern, Castleton, which will be transformed into a cinema for the night. The Summit is the story of the most dangerous and deadly mountaineering mission on K2, hailed as the climbing film of the year.
The Big Melt
The Big Melt takes one hundred years of film from the BFI archives, the artistic temperament of film director Martin Wallace and the unique musical talents of Jarvis Cocker and his friends in the Sheffield music scene into The Crucible to forge a new live experience.
Mirage Men
Paul Bennewitz used to enjoy the view from his desert home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But when he began to see strange lights, and reported them as UFOs to the US Air Force, his troubles began. Thus began a dramatic journey which destroyed his family and eventually landed him in an insane asylum.
Particle Fever
The Large Hadron Collider successfully located the “god particle” in 2012, amidst much rejoicing. But how does it affect the way we think about the origins of the universe? Particle Fever introduces some of the greatest minds in today’s physics.
Blackfish
Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
Two Years at Sea
After working at sea, a man realizes his dream of moving to the middle of the forest.
There will also be free screenings on Howard Street including Spirit of ’45, Electro Moscow, Moo Man, Project Wild Thing, Google and the World Brain and Two Year At Sea,
For full details visit: http://sheffdocfest.com/view/films_overview
