DOCUTAH IS BACK!
Article By Adam Mast
Presented by DSU, DocUtah prides itself on the very best in documentaries from around the world. The mission statement is to present films that are as insightful and enlightening as they are bold and entertaining. Beautiful St. George, UT has served as host to DocUtah since the festival’s inception nearly a decade ago, making this six-day film event even more special. Take in a day of films and then take in the beauty of this lovely city and its breathtaking surrounding areas (Zion Canyon, Pine Valley, and Snow Canyon just to name a precious few.)
As for the lineup this year, there’s a lot to choose from and while we can’t cover everything in this article, here are a few highlights:
BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY
This is one of the few films from this year’s fest that I’ve actually been fortunate enough to see already, and it’s an absolute gem. It follows the life of the famed 30s’ and 40’s actress, glamour icon, and feminist (even though she didn’t really think of herself as such), but what some folks might not be aware of is that Lamarr always fancied herself as more of an inventor. And in fact, she was behind a secure guidance allied torpedo system that would ultimately lead to cell phone and Bluetooth technology. That’s right! Hedy Lamarr was a ravishing starlet by day and a genius (and grossly underappreciated) inventor by night. There’s a reason Gal Gadot wants to star as Lamarr in a proposed Showtime series. It’s because this woman was an icon.
NEVER BE BORING: BILLY WILDER
Billy Wilder is, arguably, one of the great film directors of all time having brought audiences wildly popular films like THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, SOME LIKE IT HOT, and THE APARTMENT, and through candid conversations, interviews with colleagues, and rare stock footage, NEVER BE BOING weaves together a fascinating tapestry centering around a man who was anything but boring. From his early days as a reporter in Berlin during the Nazi regime to his glory years as a celebrated Hollywood filmmaker, this intimate portrait of Wilder promises to be the most comprehensive look at this storyteller that you’re ever likely to see.
RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE
WILLARD it’s not but this documentary from the gifted Chris Metzler (this terrific filmmaker brought the Fishbone doc, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE to the fest during year one) and co-directors Jeff Springer, and Quinn Costello is probably the closest DocUtah will come to deliver a real-life horror movie. Particularly if you have a fear of rodents. Veteran and hard headed Louisiana fisherman Thomas Gonzales has faced years of hurricanes and oil spills but those awful experiences almost pale in comparison to his current foe(s): 20 pound swamp rats! RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE follows Gonzales and a team of bounty hunters as they attempt to take back their homeland from these pesky creatures. Quite frankly, they had me at “20 pound swamp rats”!
While DocUtah is clearly about the films and the amazing storytellers behind them, first and foremost, it should also be noted that the fest has plenty of other exciting events to offer including DocTalk, an intimate series of Q&A sessions that allow festival attendees to get inside the heads of directors and learn about various documentary-making topics including “If I Had to Do it All Over,” “Does Money Buy Happiness?,” “Stuck in Neutral,” and “Getting the Word Out.”
It should also be noted that DocUtah has a brand new venue this year. Alongside traditional venues such as The Electric Theater, Kayenta, and Eccles on the DSU campus, DocUtah has, in impressive fashion, revamped Red Cliffs Theaters and turned it into a documentary film haven for your viewing pleasure.
Yes, DocUtah is upping its game this year in terms of both film selection and showmanship but the excitement doesn’t stop there! There are plenty of exciting new events as well including a skateboarding doc double feature and skateboarding exhibition, a screening of the Tequila-based doc “Agave” followed by Tequila tasting, a special law enforcement, and military salute, and an epic DocUtah awards celebration.
One thing is certain: There’s a little bit of something for everyone at DocUtah this year and this fest is further proof that documentaries have the power to enlighten, educate, inspire, and entertain. You owe it to yourself to attend!
DocUtah runs from September 3rd to September 8th. For more details, including the full itinerary and ticket purchasing info, click HERE!
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