23 New Documentaries Film Buffs Will Love (Especially if You Live in New Jersey)

The 13th Montclair Film Festival: A Close Look

They say the truth hurts, but it also feels great sometimes too. There’s nothing like an impactful documentary to make you feel things - sometimes anger and fear, but also hope, joy and the occasional bout of hysterics. It’s no wonder that documentaries represent the fastest growing streaming genre .  But there’s still nothing quite like seeing a documentary in a crowded movie theater. That moment when the lights come up at the end, and audience members share that knowing look, as if to say, “Can you believe that???!!!”

One of the best ways to catch a documentary in a theater is at a film festival, and if you live in New Jersey (or anywhere around New York City really), you have some good options coming up. The Montclair Film Festival , in Montclair, New Jersey runs from October 18-27, featuring 10 days of independent films, documentaries, comedies, panels, family events and works by emerging artists.  You might even catch Stephen Colbert there. He’s hosting several panels and his wife Evelyn is president of the festival’s board.

Here’s a look at some of the nonfiction films featured at this year’s festival

1. Martha

RJ Cutler’s Martha explores the life of Martha Stewart, the iconic model-turned-businesswoman who built an empire around home entertainment. The documentary follows Stewart’s journey after a major financial scandal and how she worked to transcend the narrative and redefine her personal brand, showcasing her resilience in the face of adversity.

2. About Those Miscarriages and Other Messes I’ve Made

In this raw and hilarious "one-uterus" comedy show , Bethany Hall confronts the messy realities of motherhood and miscarriages with unflinching honesty. Blending pain, grief, and joy, Hall challenges the isolation and shame surrounding these experiences. The show is a collaborative effort brought to life by three Montclair moms who live on the same street.

3. Zurawski v Texas

This documentary follows a group of women denied abortions under Texas' restrictive laws as they sue the state, fighting to reclaim their reproductive rights. Zurawski v Texas highlights the personal traumas these women endured and the tireless legal battle to set a precedent for millions of others.

4. Politics is a Mother: Raising Hell is Part of the Job

Francine Weinberg Graff's documentary examines the remarkable career of Loretta Weinberg, a grandmother and former Senate Majority Leader in New Jersey, known for her tenacity in politics. The film captures her fight against political corruption and her role in the Bridgegate scandal.

5. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin

This film tells the story of Mats Steen , a Norwegian gamer who passed away at 25 due to a degenerative disease. After his death, his parents discovered Mats’ rich online life, filled with friendships from around the world. Directed by Benjamin Ree, it showcases the community Mats created and the joy he found in the virtual world.

6. Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted

Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson document the quirky life of cult musician Swamp Dogg, who, along with fellow musicians, turns his suburban home into an artistic haven. The film captures their creativity, friendship, and the struggles of navigating the music industry while staying true to their unique vision.

7. Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other

This intimate documentary follows the 30-year relationship of photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his partner, writer Maggie Barrett. As they confront the challenges of aging and mortality, the film delves into the complexities of their love and artistic collaboration.

8. Space Cowboy

Bryce Leavitt and Marah Strauch explore the career of Joe Jennings, a skydiving cinematographer who pushed the boundaries of aerial cinematography in film and television. Space Cowboy follows Jennings as he attempts to create his most ambitious project yet, offering an inside look at the artistry of capturing gravity-defying stunts.

9. The Shepherd and the Bear

Set in the French Pyrenees, this visually stunning documentary follows an aging shepherd and a teenage boy navigating the challenges of bear reintroduction into the wild. Through breathtaking cinematography, it explores the clash between tradition, wildlife, and humanity’s relationship with nature.

10. Every Little Thing

In Every Little Thing, Sally Aitken presents a visually enchanting tale set in Hollywood, where a woman on a journey of self-discovery nurtures wounded hummingbirds. The film reflects themes of healing, fragility, and love, connecting the beauty of small actions with larger truths about human existence.

11. Men of War

Directed by Billy Corben and Jen Gatien, Men of War exposes the dangerous intersections of American foreign policy and overconfidence. It follows a former U.S. Green Beret as he plots a coup in Venezuela, only to encounter new challenges that force him to confront his ideals and past service.

12. Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat

Johan Grimonprez’s Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat examines the intricate ties between American jazz and African politics. By delving into the 1961 CIA-backed coup in Congo and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the film combines historical footage with the cultural influence of jazz icons like Louis Armstrong.

13. Between the Mountain and the Sky

Between the Mountain and the Sky chronicles Maggie Doyne’s post-high school gap year that led her to co-found a children’s home and women’s empowerment programs in Nepal. The film highlights resilience, love, and the strength of community amidst tragedy, with themes of hope and healing.

14. Apocalypse in the Tropics

Petra Costa’s Apocalypse in the Tropic s dives into the growing influence of faith leaders on Brazilian politics. With unprecedented access to top political figures and religious leaders, the film explores how faith shapes Brazil’s democracy, drawing parallels to the global political landscape. In English and Portuguese with English subtitles.

15. Paint Me a Road Out of Here

In Paint Me a Road Out of Here, director Catherine Gund explores the journey of Faith Ringgold’s influential painting, “For the Women’s House,” and its connection to incarcerated women. The film examines the artwork’s role in amplifying the voices of those behind bars, sparking discussions of liberation and potential.

16. Night is Not Eternal

Award-winning filmmaker Nanfu Wang documents the struggle for democracy through the eyes of Rosa Maria Paya, daughter of Cuban activist Oswaldo Paya. Night is Not Eternal captures the personal and political struggles Rosa faces in her fight for freedom, juxtaposed with the filmmaker’s own reflections on her experience in China.

17. Dahomey

Dahomey , directed by Mati Diop, examines the emotional and cultural implications of returning royal treasures to Benin after being plundered by French forces in 1892. The documentary highlights the complex reconciliation between the artifacts' historical significance and the present-day realities in Benin. In French with English subtitles.

18. Homegrown

Michael Premo’s Homegrown offers a close look at far-right activists in America as they navigate their roles in a deeply divided political landscape. The film explores the motivations and ideologies behind their actions, shedding light on the individuals seeking power and influence in the nation’s political turmoil.

19. Caught by the Tides

Blending fiction and documentary, Jia Zhang-ke’s Caught by the Tides tells a love story set against China’s rapid economic boom. As Qiaoqiao searches for a lost love across decades, the film reflects on the personal impacts of China’s transformation, with themes of longing and economic aspiration. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

20. Songs from the Hole

Songs from the Hole is an innovative documentary musical about James “JJ’88” Jacobs, an incarcerated musician serving a double-life sentence. Directed by Contessa Gayles, the film explores Jacobs’ journey of self-reflection, healing, and redemption through music, as he confronts the violence in his past while seeking peace behind bars.

21. Pavements

Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements is a rock and roll documentary that breaks convention with its creative blend of formats, celebrating the influential indie band Pavement. Through a mix of fiction film, musical theater, and archival footage, Perry creates a dynamic mosaic that challenges traditional music documentary norms.

22. Witches

In Witches , director Elizabeth Sankey explores the historical and contemporary perceptions of women, childbirth, and mental health, juxtaposed with the supernatural tropes of witches. By focusing on women who have faced psychological complications postpartum, the film sheds light on how society’s fears have shaped our understanding of these issues.

23. Ernest Cole: Lost and Found

Raoul Peck’s Ernest Cole: Lost and Found documents the life of South African photographer Ernest Cole, whose 1967 book House of Bondage exposed the horrors of apartheid to the world. Forced into exile after its publication, Cole’s story is one of artistic brilliance and the profound cost of speaking truth to power.

24. In Conversation with Ina Garten

Bestselling author and TV host Ina Garten discusses her highly anticipated memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens , set for release in October 2024. Moderated by Stephen Colbert, this special event offers attendees an early copy of the memoir. In her no-holds-barred style, Garten shares personal stories of decades of challenges, adventures, and career twists, all delivered with her signature blend of playfulness and purpose. She also reflects on her enduring love story with her husband, whom she married in college, and their life together in East Hampton, New York.

25. Bonus: Stephen Colbert and Jon Bon Jovi

Come watch Stephen Colbert interview Jon Bon Jovi about his career in downtown Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). The event takes place on Saturday, October 26, at 8 PM.

You can find more information about the festival, including showtimes and fiction entries, on Montclair Film .

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.us .