U.S. Premiere of Martín Rejtman’s ‘Riders’ documentary re-launches “Lost & Found” screening series in New York City
Formerly titled “If You Can Screen It There”, Anthology Film Archives and Cinema Tropical relaunches the monthly screenings “Lost & Found: Cine(ma)s Latinoamericanos Re-Unidos” featuring Latin American films making their local premiere in New York City.
The first installments of “Lost & Found” feature two exceptional works: the Argentine documentary Riders (El repartidor está en camino), directed by Martín Rejtman, in its U.S. premiere on Wednesday, May 7; and the Colombian film Silent Witnesses / Mudos testigos, directed by the late Luis Ospina and Jerónimo Atehortúa, in its New York premiere on Wednesday, June 25.
A key figure in the New Argentine Cinema, Rejtman presents his second documentary—a piercing yet humane portrait of Venezuelan delivery app workers in Buenos Aires during the pandemic. With precise visual composition and understated storytelling, Riders explores the intersections of migration, labor, and digital economies, while tracing the personal stories of two brothers navigating a new life far from home.
A poignant swan song from legendary Colombian filmmaker Luis Ospina and the feature debut of critic-producer Jerónimo Atehortúa, Silent Witnesses constructs a lyrical melodrama from fragments of Colombia’s lost silent film heritage. Weaving a story of doomed love and political resistance, the film is both a cinematic elegy and a radical act of archival resurrection.
‘Usher: Rendezvous in Paris’ concert film will stream exclusively on BET+
Filmed during Usher’s eight-concert performance in Paris, the Usher: Rendezvous in Paris concert film will stream exclusively on BET+, beginning May 8.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, Usher: Rendezvous in Paris incorporates the essence of his landmark cultural phenomenon Vegas residencies into a seductive French touch confession. Captured during Paris Fashion Week at La Seine Musicale, the film features chart-topping hits and more from Usher’s 30-year career, performed with never-before-seen costumes and state-of-the-art lighting and special effects.
In addition to bringing the vibrant live concert experience to the screen, Usher gives audiences a glimpse inside life beyond the stage, with immersive experiences.
“I’m happy to be partnering with BET+ to bring the celebration of my 30-year career to you, the fans, to enjoy from the comfort of your homes,” said Usher.
Watch the trailer for Usher: Rendezvous in Paris.
First authorized doc on Hollywood’s Blonde Bombshell Mamie Van Doren is in the works
Titled “Mamie Exposed! The Life and Loves of the Last Blonde Bombshell”, the first authorized doc on Hollywood’s Blonde Bombshell Mamie Van Doren is in the works. The feature film is an intimate and unprecedented look inside the life of one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars, and will reveal intimate never-before-shared secrets of Van Doren’s enigmatic, scandalous, and fiercely private personal life.
Production is currently taking place in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, and will be completed by the end of 2025.
Van Doren is on board as Executive Producer. Producers are Alan Eichler, Stephen Israel and Marc Saltarelli, who also directs – the same team that brought audiences the award-winning 2024 documentary “Studio One Forever.” They are also developing a narrative feature based on her published memoirs.
Said Van Doren, “I have been fiercely private my whole life, and at ninety-four I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind and reveal intimacies, secrets, and never before shared moments from my incredible life as the last original Hollywood Blonde Bombshell. Marc Saltarelli and his exceptional team are truly talented stewards of my documentary life story. Together we’re going to reveal and celebrate a provocative, entertaining, and indelible life journey.”
“It’s an absolute honor to collaborate with the magnificent Mamie Van Doren to tell her life story – for the first time authorized for the big screen. She’s a true Hollywood trailblazer and pioneer silver screen goddess. I can’t wait to celebrate her uncompromising life and also share many surprising moments that the public has never been privy too before,” said Saltarelli.
Van Doren was raised on a South Dakota farm without electricity or running water, Mamie (née Joan Olander) rose to the pinnacle of stardom in the Hollywood glamour era of the 1950’s and 60’s. Van Doren – one of the “Three M’s,” Mamie, Marilyn (Monroe) and (Jayne) Mansfield – rode the crest of the “blonde bombshell” craze, and is the only one to have survived to age 94. Originally sold as Universal’s answer to Marilyn, she carved out a niche of her own, becoming the first woman to do rock-and-roll on screen in such teenage cult classics as “Running Wild” with Bill Haley, “High School Confidential” with Jerry Lee Lewis, “Untamed Youth” with Eddie Cochran, “Sex Kittens Go to College,” and “Girls Town” with Paul Anka.
Still dynamically engaged with contemporary culture into her 90’s, Van Doren is an active online presence. She regularly posts photos, essays, and cultural commentary. In 2024 she released the bestselling single with orchestral band Pink Martini, “I told ya I love ya, now get out!”, on Heinz Records.
Hobart Miller and Michael Panico’s ‘Room Six’ psychological horror film sets May 2 release date
The psychological horror/thriller Room Six, co-written and co-directed by Hobart Miller & Michael Panico, will be available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting May 2, 2025 by Freestyle Digital Media.
Starring in the film are Sophia Echendu (Maxx), Mickey O’ Sullivan (Red), and Jack Ball (Danny).
Room Six tells the story of Maxx — a college student working the night shift for her summer job at a rural, vacant rundown motel before the late-night arrival of two brothers. After a few suspicious incidents, Maxx’s curiosity (or paranoia) gets the best of her, and she decides to investigate. Maxx quickly finds herself in danger as she uncovers what lies hidden in the brothers’ room.
“Room Six is a raw, gritty thriller that takes place across one eventful night at a rural motel. We wrote this story after reflecting on our own self-destructive tendencies and coping mechanisms,” said filmmakers Hobart Miller & Michael Panico. “The intention of Room Six is to highlight how unresolved trauma in one’s past can shape their future and to explore what it means to reach the point of no return.”
Watch the trailer for Room Six.
‘American Delivery’ Documentary Exploring U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis Debuts on PBS
Amid a growing maternal health crisis, especially for women of color, American Delivery is a documentary that tells the story of women finding their voice and autonomy; nurses listening to women and offering birth choices; and hospital leaders welcoming the community as the patient.
The film interweaves the stories of women and their families across the U.S. as they navigate the challenges of pregnancy, mental health, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It paints a joyous portrait of the moment babies come into the world, and the heroic efforts of families and communities to catch new mothers before they fall through the broken healthcare safety net.
Director Carolyn Jones said: “In this world that we are living in, particularly during this divisive, politically-charged era where we are bombarded with negative media daily, how could we create a film that would empower women to speak up, to have agency over their pregnancies in whatever way they are able, while simultaneously calling on hospital systems to change their practices and policymakers to prioritize women’s health. I want to remind people how beautiful birth can be and how important it is that we invest in protecting mothers, new babies and their families. If we have accomplished one thing in this film, I hope it is that the viewer marvels at the ability to give birth and recognizes what we all need to fight for.”
Filmed in Ohio, Kentucky, New York, California, Massachusetts and Tanzania, American Delivery won the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival and Ohio Humanities Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking Award at the 2024 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. The film screened at film festivals across the country including The Boston Globe’s GlobeDocs Film Festival, Heartland International Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and the United Nations Association Film Festival.
American Delivery will be released on DVD and made available to rent or own all major digital platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Google Play on May 6 from Kino Lorber.
Watch the trailer for American Delivery.