Doc News: Morton Downey Jr., the Death of “Reality TV”, “Klitschko” Release Date

– Remember Morton Downey Jr.? The late talk show host was the Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh of the ’80s, as we’ll be reminded with a new documentary titled “Évocateur.” The film, which is expected to release sometime next year, will feature interviews with Sally Jesse Raphael, Chris Elliott, Al Sharpton and Pat Buchanan. Directed by the team of Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger (“The Linguists”), the last wrote to Pop Candy’s Whitney Matheson today to assure her that the doc also devotes a “whole section” to the man’s cult album “Morton Downey Jr. Sings!” I admit I’d forgotten about Downey until this news but am now excitedly looking forward to the film. There’s already a trailer available, so you can check that out below and join me in anticipation:

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– Last month I wondered if there’s a true difference between “reality TV” and “docu-series.” Well, it turns out PR-wise, there is, more now than ever. According to an article at Fox News, celebrities are apparently distancing themselves from the term “reality TV” due to its “dirty” connotation and are now labeling new projects as “docu-series.” Followers of the trend include Shania Twain and Paris Hilton, with many former “reality” stars looking at image rebranding and greater credibility. Are they really any less exploitative or trashy, though? I guess I’d have to watch one of them to find out, and to be honest they don’t really sound any more appealing to me than the “reality” stuff I skip.

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– Fisher Klingenstein Films picked up worldwide rights to Harry Hunkele’s “Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace,” its first theatrical release, for rollout distribution beginning with an NYC opening September 16. The doc explores the Middle East peace accords of 1979 and centers on the personalities of President Carter, Menachem Begin and Anwar El-Sadat. It is obviously timely due to current events in the area, but it also might be relevant to the context of “Super 8” (seriously). Watch an early trailer for the film below:

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– Corinth Releasing has announced a theatrical release date for Tribeca Film Festival premiere “Klitschko.” It will open at NYC’s Cinema Village on October 21 with an LA opening later in the month. Directed by Sebastian Dehnhardt, the doc tells the story of Ukrainian boxers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, best known for being the first brothers to hold world titles in the sport at the same time. The press release makes it sound like these guys are real life versions of Dolph Lundgren’s character in “Rocky IV.” And like Lundgren, the Klitschkos are smarter than you’d expect, both brothers have a PhD. Watch a semi-English-language trailer below:

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– A personal first-person look at the history of “Comfort Women” or sex slaves during World War II, Tiffany Hsiung’s “Within Every Woman” has nine days left until its Kickstarter goal needs to be met. Currently they’re at just over half the budget being raised. Head over and support the doc if it’s something you’re interested in. You can watch the trailer below. [via indieWIRE]

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– The new season of POV begins tonight on PBS with DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus’ “Kings of Pastry,” which documents multiple contenders for the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, the highest honor for a pastry chef. Not the couple’s best work (read my review here) but anyone with taste buds should tune in.

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