Documentary Movies 2018 List

With Kevin Macdonald • Simon Chinn • Jonathan Chinn • Lisa Erspamer

With over 200 million album sales worldwide, and remaining the only artist to chart seven consecutive US No. 1’s, Whitney Houston was the voice of a generation. Coming from an esteemed lineage of singers, Whitney was destined to be plucked from her gospel-singing roots to rule the world stage. She inspired a generation of singers from Mariah Carey to Beyoncé and her unforgettable performance of The Star-Spangled Banner unlocked an anthem that had for so long been dismissed by many black artists.

But all these achievements have become a footnote to a story of addiction and self-destruction. With salacious stories filling the columns of tabloid papers and magazines, Whitney had the voice of an angel onstage, but was being torn apart by her demons offstage.

With Tom Donahue

Documents Robert Davi, a Frank Sinatra song stylist, as he tries to plan a tribute performance to his singing idol, a re-creation of The Chairman’s famous “Main Event” held in 1974 at Madison Square Garden.

With Lauren Greenfield

Lauren Greenfield’s postcard from the edge of the American Empire captures a portrait of a materialistic, image-obsessed culture. Simultaneously photographic journey, memoir, and historical essay, the film bears witness to the global boom–bust economy, the corrupted American Dream and the human costs of late stage capitalism, narcissism and greed.

With Rachel Dretzin

Far From the Tree follows families meeting extraordinary challenges through love, empathy, and understanding. This life-affirming documentary encourages us to cherish loved ones for all they are, not who they might have been.

With Matt Tyrnauer

Hollywood legend Scotty Bowers spends decades as a sexual procurer for the stars.