Restored ‘Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse’ documentary makes U.S. premiere at Film Forum in NYC | Trailer
A new 4K restoration of Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991), the award-winning documentary chronicling the disaster-strewn making of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, will have its U.S. premiere at Film Forum from Friday, July 4 through Thursday, July 17.
In the late 1970s, director Francis Ford Coppola, accompanied by his family and cast and crew, travelled to the Philippines to begin work on what would become Apocalypse Now. But it soon became one of the most notorious shoots in cinema history, spiraling into a hellish, life-threatening nightmare. Chronicling the drama was Coppola’s wife, the late Eleanor Coppola, who shot extensive behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot in 16mm, and recorded audio interviews with her husband and others involved in the movie’s making.
In the early 90s, Eleanor turned her 16mm footage and audio interviews over to filmmakers George Hickenlooper and Fax Bahr, who then interwove it with new interviews with the movie’s cast members (including Martin Sheen and Dennis Hopper) and observers (like George Lucas). After a year of editing, the new documentary debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. It had its New York theatrical premiere at Film Forum.
Says James Mockoski Film Archivist and Restoration Supervisor at American Zoetrope, “For the past 30 years, Eleanor’s 16mm behind-the-scenes footage has been three to four generations removed from the original elements. For this new release and restoration of the documentary, Francis decided to scan the original sources in 4K. The extensive excerpts from the feature are now presented in their original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, rather than being letterboxed into a 4×3 frame.”
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse has been restored by American Zoetrope from the original negatives, with a re-mixed 5.1 soundtrack. Co-director Fax Bahr approved the grading, with the final seal of approval given by Francis Ford Coppola. Grading carried out at Roundabout Entertainment, Burbank, California.
A new 4K restoration of Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, in its long-unseen 1979 “Roadshow” version, will run at Film Forum from Friday, June 20 through Thursday, July 3.
Aaron James’ Guitar Lessons sets July 1 VOD release date | Trailer
The dramedy film Guitar Lessons directed by indie filmmaker Aaron James will be released on VOD, as well as on DVD, starting July 1, 2025 via Freestyle Digital Media.
Starring in the film are Corb Lund (‘Ray Mitchell’), Conway Kootenay (‘Ernie Ghostkeeper’), Kaden Noskiye (‘Leland Parenteau’), Lianna Makuch (‘Denise’), William Auger (‘Bruiser’), Roseanne Supernault (‘Rayleen’), and Marie Zydek (‘Veronica’)
Guitar Lessons is the story of a 15-year-old Metis boy and a cantankerous oilfield contractor who learn to grow up together over guitar lessons. Leland (Kaden Noskiye) is a 15-year-old Metis boy living in Northern Canada. After inheriting an old guitar from a father he never knew, he sets out to find someone who can teach him to play. Ray (Corb Lund) is a local 50-year-old oilfield contractor. Ray is handsome and wealthy, with a weakness for women. He was something of a rock star back in the day, but found success in the oil patch of Alberta, and never looked back. When Leland asks Ray for guitar lessons, Ray refuses – but Leland persists. One day Ray sees Leland’s guitar, recognizing it as one played by an old bandmate. From there Ray starts taking an interest in the boy, and the guitar. When Leland endures a beating rather than help some local thugs rob Ray’s garage of its vintage motorcycles, Ray’s investment in the boy increases. Encouraged by the few people close to him, Ray relents, and the lessons commence. And a poor 15-year-old Metis boy and a rich 50-year-old colonizer learn to grow up together over guitar lessons.
“Guitar Lessons is a story about a people and a place under pressure: family, race, romance, class – the headaches for which we have no pill,” said filmmaker Aaron James. “Then it brings us back with a hug to some easily forgotten truths, like life is hard but some kindness and a well-tuned guitar can go a long way.”
Steven Morales Pineda’s ‘Salt Water’ sets VOD release date | Trailer
Following its premiere at the 2024 Miami Film Festival, Salt Water, the haunting and emotionally charged debut feature film from Colombian writer-director Steven Morales Pineda will be released on VOD across the U.S. and Canada beginning June 24, 2025.
Directed, written, and produced by Steven Morales Pineda, the film also stars Ferraro Yerena, Braian V. Aburaad, and Clarissa Cuadros.
A quietly devastating portrait of pain, memory, and complex human connection, Salt Water centers on Jacobo (Luis Mario Jiménez), a young man haunted by a fractured past, who seeks out José Luis (Óskar Salazar Ruiz), a Catholic priest facing allegations of child abuse and preparing to leave the clergy. As Jacobo confronts the man tied to his deepest emotional wounds, a raw and unsettling reunion unfolds—where unresolved trauma, buried desires, and spiritual betrayal collide.
Watch the trailer for Salt Water.