We are so proud to announce the first three films of the Spring 2021 DocYard program: Courtney Stephens and Pacho Velez’s scintillating road trip centered around a most unexpected series of monuments, The American Sector; a special sneak preview of Congolese filmmaker Dieudo Hamadi’s masterfully moving record of a group of disabled civilian survivors of war seeking restitution, Downstream to Kinshasa; and the intimate longitudinal, observational So Late So Soon, a first feature from Daniel Hymanson on a married pair of artists he has known since childhood. There are more announcements on the way, but we are excited to start sharing the best boundary-pushing, artistic documentaries of the past year with you again.

And, don’t forget, we are offering a season pass for all eight programs for $30, the ticket price of three films—and you’ll receive an exclusive, high-quality DocYard tote bag with the purchase of a season pass.

About The American Sector: From libraries to museums (such as the JFK Library here) to amusement parks, Courtney Stephens and Pacho Velez’s The American Sector takes viewers to various places in the United States where pieces of the Berlin Wall are displayed, maintained, and interacted with by the public, and in turn, examines American historical memory and the meanings we ascribe to objects.

“The explorations undertaken by the directors Courtney Stephens and Pacho Velez in their documentary ‘The American Sector’ turn a high concept into high political drama.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker

About Downstream to Kinshasa: Interspersed with moving stage performances and persistent assertion of space and dignity, Dieudo Hamadi’s Downstream to Kinshasa follows and honors a group of disabled survivors of the 2000 Six Days’ War as they seek reparations and recognition of their experience from the government.

 

“A film few have yet seen in theaters, to our considerable detriment, Dieudo Hamadi’s Downstream to Kinshasa offers a conveyance experience that’s as intense, urgent, and shocking as any I can recall seeing.” - Eric Hynes, Reverse Shot

About So Late So Soon: Artists Jackie and Don Seiden have been married for five decades and in that time, they have each created distinctive art practices while living in their colorful house in Chicago. So Late So Soon intimately follows Jackie and Don as they contend with the effects of deterioration on their home, art, and bodies.

“While Jackie and Don are funny and fascinating subjects on their own, Hymanson’s formal confidence elevates “So Late So Soon” to heights that the Seidens couldn’t reach by themselves. Rigorous compositions are mixed together with fly-on-the-wall footage that highlight performativity without feeling too stagey.”- Vikram Murthi, Rogerebert.com

Already purchased a season pass, but didn't fill out the form to receive a tote? Fill out this Google Form here, and if you want to buy a pass so you can own one of these lovely totes, visit here!

Once your totes arrive, we'd love to see them in the comfort of your home! Share a photo and tag us in it @thedocyard on all platforms, if you'd like!

The DocYard is a program of the LEF Foundation in partnership with the Brattle Theatre. Other series sponsors include the Tyler Family Foundation and Irving House at Harvard.

If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please contact us!