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CHICAGO – China sits across the sea as a country of sprawling expansion … economically, socially and governmentally. There is a new documentary that tries to understand all this proliferation and at the same time is a work of film art. “Ascension” is created and directed by Jessica Kingdon.

CHICAGO – The career of comedian Bobcat Goldthwait is a wild roller coaster of hilarity and passion, so it stands to reason that his latest film is called “Joy Ride.” The film, one of the funniest stand up docs you’ll ever see, also features Bobcat’s comedy partner Dana Gould on a stand up tour right before the pandemic. It’s available through VOD and iTunes, click JOY RIDE for details.

CHICAGO – Day Three of the 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), and the festival kicks into gear with many notable films, including the much anticipated thriller “Antlers” at the ChiTown Movies Drive-In (click ANTLERS for details).

CHICAGO – It’s Day Two of the just-begun 57th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF), and the spotlight shines on local short films at the CITY & STATE program, which includes ”Sink” directed by Curtis Matzke, with music composed by Tony Scott-Green. Click the titles for more information.

CHICAGO – South of Chicago, specifically the south suburbs, is Governors State University (University Park, Illinois). Emerging from the pandemic is the Chicago Southland International Film Festival, which takes place October 11th through the 17th, 2021, and is presented by the University.

CHICAGO – “The Dilemma of Desire,” a sex education film (but much more) that should be shown everywhere, is about women’s biology, the female freedom of desire and the equality of honest dialogue. Created by filmmaker Maria Finitzo, this doc is being released on October 5th, 2021, on the digital streaming service ALTAVOD. For more info and to stream click The Dilemma of Desire.

CHICAGO – The Midwest Film Festival, which launched a reboot in the beginning of 2020, will hold their first in-theater event – at Chicago’s downtown Gene Siskel Film Center – since that time.

CHICAGO – Say the name “Ken Burns” and immediately images are evoked regarding the best of American documentaries. For three films – “The Central Park Five,” “Jackie Robinson” and the latest PBS documentary series, “Muhammad Ali” – Ken’s daughter Sarah Burns co-directed with him. Sarah talked to Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com on the three landmark films.

CHICAGO – The ongoing REELING39 Festival … Chicago’s International LBGTQ+ showcase … will screen “Invisible,” a new documentary by T.J. Parsell. The original subtitle of the film was “Gay Women in Southern Music,” but the shortened title points out the nature of this industry subset to hide certain elements of their talent. For more info and tickets, click REELING39.

CHICAGO – REELING39 continues with its Documentary Centerpiece on Saturday, September 25th, 2021 – the searing family portrait of “North by Current,” created and directed by Angelo Madsen Minax. For tickets and more information, as part of the the 39th edition of Chicago’s REELING film festival, an International LGBTQ+ showcase, click REELING39.