Earlier today saw the announcement of the line-up for the 2014 edition of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. This year’s festival will feature 193 documentaries from 43 countries. Kicking off the festival will be the International Premiere of The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, which tells the tragic story of one of the pioneers of Internet activism, who was facing the prospect of 35 years in prison and was found dead in his apartment at the age of 26. Another feature event this year will be the Canadian Premiere of Super Duper Alice Cooper. The film will be a presentation of Hot Docs Live and will feature Alice Cooper live at the premiere screening, which will also be simulcast to 47 Cineplex Entertainment theatres across Canada. Here are some of the other highlights of the festival. A Dangerous Game – Anthony Baxter, UK (Special Presentations)
This follow-up to You’ve Been Trumped continues Anthony Baxter’s fight against Donald Trump The Darkside – Warwick Thornton, Australia (Mystery, Myth & Legend)
A collection of indigenous ghost stories from across Australia, each told by a different Australian actor. A Different Kind of Boy – Ulrik Wivel, Denmark (Made in Denmark)
A look at an autistic boy’s journey to independence Doc of the Dead – Alexandre Philippe, USA (Nightvision)
Zombie culture is examined in this late-night doc Four Letters Apart – Children in the age of ADHD – Erlend E. Mo, Denmark (Made in Denmark)
A look at trio of Danish schoolkids diagnosed with ADHD Harmontown – Neil Berkeley, USA (Nightvision)
This doc follows Community creator Dan Harmon on his US comedy tour Hotline – Tony Shaff, USA (World Showcase)
Eavesdrop into the world of telephone hotlines I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story – Chad Walker and Dave LaMattina, USA (Special Presentations)
The signature character from Sesame Street get profiled in this new documentary, which be part of the Big Ideas series. Love and Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere – Dave Jannetta, USA (Mystery, Myth & Legend)
Documents a real life mystery in a Twin Peaks-esque town Out of Mind, Out of Sight – John Kastner, Canada (Canadian Spectrum)
John Kastner follows up NCR: Not Criminally Responsible with another look into the Brockville Mental Health Centre. Pulp – Florian Habicht, UK (Nightvision)
This film documents the reunion of 1990s britpop icons Pulp The Sheik – Igal Hecht, Canada (Special Presentations)
One of the greatest wrestling villains of all time, The Iron Sheik, gets featured in this Canadian documentary. To Be Takei – Jennifer Kroot and Bill Weber, USA (Special Presentations)
George Takei is subject of this documentary, which starts off at his childhood at a Japanese-American internment camp during the Second World War all the way to his role on Star Trek to his current status as a gay activist. That wraps up my Hot Docs highlights. The festival takes place from April 24-May 4 and tickets and passes are now on sale.
Hot Docs 14 Highlights
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