OVID’s September Releases: Our biggest slate ever, with Costa-Gavras, a landmark documentary about trans lives, Ingmar Bergman and Peter Greenaway, art and architecture, the birth of Mumblecore & so much more!
OVID.tv is proud to announce its September slate of 48 streaming releases, 24 of which are SVOD exclusives.
OVID’S library of films and TV shows has grown in scope and size every month since we started, and September marks a major new milestone, with our largest-ever slate of releases in one month bringing the collection to over 1,600 titles. And we’ve never raised our subscription fee!
September’s lineup is extensive, including films by directors Costa-Gavras and “godfather of mumblecore” Andrew Bujalski, and ranging from the groundbreaking documentary about trans lives The Salt Mines, to films about Kate Bornstein, Noam Chomsky, and Howard Zinn.
Full details and lineup for September are below.
(Image from Gio Arlotta's We Intend to Cause Havoc, premiering on OVID on September 15th)
Tuesday, September 6
Clotheslines
Directed by Roberta Cantow
Documentary Short | USA | 1982
With verve and humor, this film shows the love/hate relationship that women have with the task of cleaning the family’s clothes.
If This Ain’t Heaven
Directed by Roberta Cantow
Documentary Short | USA | 1982
If This Ain’t Heaven introduces us to Mr. G, a 50-year-old Black man, and his cat, Africa, he both talks to and talks for, alleviating his loneliness through these conversations and deep friendship.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, September 7
The Dazzling Light of Sunset
Directed by Salome Jashi
Syndicado | Documentary | Germany, Georgia | 2016
A local television news team in rural Georgia report on diverse stories, from elections to fashion shows for teenagers.
Please Hold the Line
Directed by Pavel Cuzuioc
Directed by Salome Jashi
Syndicado | Documentary | Austria | 2020
A look at the lives of telecom engineers in Eastern European countries during their visits to customers.
OVID EXCLUSIVE — SVOD PREMIERE
Thursday, September 8
Eden is West
Directed by Costa-Gavras
Under the Milky Way | Feature | France | 2009
“The brightest, most-entertaining film of [Costas-Gavras’] illustrious career.”
—The Age (Australia)
I Am (Not) a Monster
Directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun
Utopia | Documentary | UK | 2019
This documentary unravels some of the reasons why Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, and others have captured people’s imaginations by reviving past ideologies.
Friday, September 9
Funny Ha Ha
Directed by Andrew Bujalski
Starring Kate Dollenmayer
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 2003
This modest, unpretentious character study astutely captures the emotional states of the 20-something slacker.
“With Marnie, Dollenmayer has managed to transform a sad sack into an indie screen goddess.” —The Washington Post
In the Soup
Directed by Alexandre Rockwell
Starring Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassel
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 1992
“Rockwell’s wonderfully unassuming movie throws a big hug around youthful ambition, b/w filmstock, and the glowing screen charisma of Cassel. An unheralded gem.”—Time Out
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Hero
Directed by Alexandre Rockwell
Starring Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassel
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 1983
A disabled teenager and his older adoptive sisters shed their gloomy urban confines and set out for Truth or Consequences, N.M.
Saturday, September 10
Little Feet
Directed by Alexandre Rockwell
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 2013
“This is a micro-budgeted affair of the heart that’s never precious or obnoxious, but tender and moving and occasionally explosive in its intrinsic emotion.” —Slant Magazine
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Monday, September 12
The Salt Mines
Directed by Carlos Aparicio and Susana Aikin
Frameline | Documentary | USA | 1990
The Salt Mines explores the lives of Sara, Gigi, and Giovanna, three Latinx transwomen who for years have lived on the streets of Manhattan supporting their drug addictions through sex work. We follow their daily lives in this groundbreaking 1990 documentary, one of the first to delve into the lives of trans women and sex workers.
The Transformation
Directed by Carlos Aparicio and Susana Aikin
Frameline | Documentary | USA | 1995
In The Salt Mines, Sara was one of three female-identified sex workers in Manhattan living on the streets. In the 1995 follow-up documentary, The Transformation, Sara discovers that she is HIV+, and decides that she is not going to die on the streets. Sara accepts help from a group of Born Again Christians who, in exchange, demand her complete transformation: from female to her born gender of male and from queer to straight.
Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger
Directed by Sam Feder
Frameline | Documentary | USA | 2014
A portrait of trans icon Kate Bornstein, the charming, ebullient self-described “transdyke” taking the viewer on a journey into the inner and outer life of the tattooed and pierced septuagenarian writer, actress, performance artist, cancer survivor, bon vivant.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Boy I Am
Directed by Sam Feder and Julie Hollar
Frameline | Documentary | USA | 2006
An early exploration of the trans male experience, this documentary opens up a dialogue between transgender communities and trans-exclusionary radical feminists, tackling the resistance that some women in feminist and lesbian communities have around transitioning.
Tuesday, September 13
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?
Directed by Norberto López Amada and Carlos Carcas
Featuring Buckminster Fuller, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Richard Serra
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2010
Born in Manchester, England, on the wrong side of the tracks, Norman Foster rose from a humble working-class background to become one of the premier modern architects of our time.
“The Mozart of modernism.” —The New Yorker
The Oyler House: Richard Neutra’s Desert Retreat
Directed by Michael Dorsey
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2012
In 1959, a government employee named Richard Oyler, living in the tiny desert town of Lone Pine, California, asked world-famous modern architect Richard Neutra to design his modest family home. Thus began an unlikely friendship that led to the design and construction of an iconic mid-century modern masterpiece.
Unfinished Spaces
Directed by Benjamin Murray and Alysa Nahmias
Bullfrog Films | Documentary | USA | 2011
Three architects return to Cuba after 40 years in exile to finish building an art school.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, September 14
Sita Sings the Blues
Directed by Nina Paley
Shadow Distribution | Animated Feature | USA | 2008
Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana.
“Paley’s beguiling, consistently inventive visuals and sly yet melancholy tone are about as warm and winning as heartbreak-fueled empowerment gets.”
—The Village Voice
Thursday, September 15
Girls Rock!
Directed by Arne Johnson and Shane King
Shadow Distribution | Documentary | USA | 2007
At Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp, girls ranging in age from eight to 18 are taught that it’s OK to sweat like a pig, scream like a banshee, wail on their instruments with complete and utter abandon, and that “it is 100% okay to be exactly who you are.”
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Sex and Broadcasting
Directed by Tim K. Smith
Factory 25 | Documentary | USA | 2014
One man tries to keep New Jersey’s WFMU up and running in the face of a recession.
“Shows a Wiseman-like respect for the day-to-day heroics that keep the lights on.” —The Village Voice
OVID EXCLUSIVE
We Intend to Cause Havoc
Directed by Gio Arlotta
Utopia | Documentary | Czech Republic | 2011
Highlights WITCH (We Intend to Cause Havoc), Zambia’s most popular rock band of the 1970s led by the powerful vocalist, Jagari, whose name is an Africanisation of Mick Jagger’s.
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Friday, September 16
Wild
Directed by Nicolette Krebitz
Starring Lilith Stagenberg
Icarus Films | Feature | Germany | 2016
A strange, dream-like journey of sexual and spiritual liberation, Nicolette Krebitz’s third feature shocked and awed audiences at the 2016 Sundance festival. First ever release in the U.S.!
“A top-notch portrait of alienation that doesn’t skimp on carrying its bestial themes to their logical and often moist conclusions” —SF Weekly
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Searching Eva
Directed by Pia Hellenthal
Syndicado | Documentary | Germany | 2019
A New York Times Critic’s Pick. Portrait of a professed sex worker, writer, anarchist, feminist, musician, and recovering addict.
“A life untethered to anything but confidence—or at least the projection of it.” —The New York Times
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Saturday, September 17
First Passion
Directed by Philippe Baron
Icarus Films | Documentary | Germany | 2010
The first cinematic depiction of the life of Jesus, Sidney Olcott’s 1912 film From the Manger to the Cross is the only movie ever shot in the places described by the New Testament. The fourth feature-length film release in the history of cinema, it was a great commercial success. Nevertheless, it has been largely forgotten by history.
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Ma
Directed by Celia Rowlson-Hall
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 2017
A striking modern-day vision of Mother Mary’s pilgrimage through the eyes of Ma (played by Celia Rowlson-Hall), a woman who must venture across the scorched landscape of the American Southwest to fulfill her destiny.
Monday, September 19
Nelson Algren: The End of Nothing, the Road is All
Directed by Ilko Davidov and Denis Mueller
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2015
This in-depth portrait of notorious American author Nelson Algren uses interviews, rare archival footage, and the gritty voice of Algren himself to capture the elusive and unique literary figure whose fame was cemented with the success of The Man with the Golden Arm and A Walk on the Wild Side.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Pollock & Pollock
Directed by Isabelle Rebre
Documentary | USA | 2020
Jackson and Charles Pollock, two brothers, two painters, caught up in the upheavals of 20th century American history.
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Tuesday, September 20
Bovines
Directed by Emmanuel Gras
Under the Milky Way | Documentary | France | 2011
Filmmaker Emmanuel Gras chronicles the daily lives of cows.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
The Seer and the Unseen
Directed by Sara Dosa
Documentary | Iceland | 2019
Set against the spectacular landscape of Iceland, The Seer and the Unseen follows Ragnhildur “Ragga” Jónsdóttir, a grandmother and “seer” who has the ability to communicate directly with a parallel realm of elves—invisible spirits of nature that over half of Iceland believes in.
Wednesday, September 21
Golda Maria
Directed by Patrick Sobelman and Hugo Sobelman|
Icarus Films | Documentary | France | 2020
“This minimalist documentary is stunning, intimate and universal, a precious testimony to the fate reserved for Jews before and during the Second World War.” —Les Fiches du Cinéma
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
When Memory Comes: A Film About Saul Friedlander
Directed by Frank Diamand
Icarus Films | Documentary | Netherlands | 2013
A visually arresting documentary that interweaves leading Holocaust historian Saul Friedlander’s personal story of survival with an introduction to his work and thought.
Thursday, September 22
Tokyo Shaking
Directed by Olivier Peyon
Starring Karin Viard
Distrib Films | Feature | France | 2021
A French bank employee finds herself on the horns of a dilemma while a tsunami is feared to hit Fukushima’s power plant in Japan.
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Corporate
Directed by Nicolas Silhol
Starring Céline Sallette
Under the Milky Way | Feature | France | 2017
Emilie is a bright young manager in HR for a huge agro-food company. Ambitious and dedicated, she is ready to put ruthless methods into practice to meet the requirements. But one day, one of the employees commits suicide in front of her.
“A heartbreaking true story.” —The Washington Post
Friday, September 23
A Tale of Love and Desire
Directed by Leila Bouzid
Distrib Films | Feature | France | 2021
“Leyla Bouzid’s tour de force is her authentic portrayal of the many meanings of being Arab in France.” —Bust Magazine
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Whatever Lola Wants
Directed by Nabil Ayouch
Under the Milky Way | Feature | Canada | 2007
A postal worker travels to Egypt to learn belly dancing.
“A swell, unavoidably Tarantinoesque twist on the outlaw-journey-as-aphrodisiac recipe.” —Los Angeles Daily News
Saturday, September 24
Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times
Directed by John Junkerman
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2002
Gives the public a rare opportunity to see and listen to one of the most articulate, committed, and hard-working political dissidents of our time, MIT linguist and political philosopher Noam Chomsky.
Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train
Directed by Deb Ellis and Denis Mueller
Narrated by Matt Damon
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2004
This acclaimed film looks at the amazing life of the renowned historian, activist, and author.
Narrated by Matt Damon • Featuring music by Pearl Jam, Woody Guthrie & Billy Bragg.
Monday, September 26
Karamay
Directed by Xin Xu
dGenerate Films | Documentary | China | 2010
Filmmaker Xu Xin helps a community break the silence nearly two decades after a horrible fire killed nearly 300 schoolchildren.
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Mariam
Directed by Sharipa Urazbayeva
Syndicado | Feature | Kazakhstan | 2019
Following the mysterious disappearance of her husband from their remote village in Kazakhstan, Mariam must look after their four children and manage to survive through the harsh winter.
“Another picture of devastating poverty and perhaps even greater cultural deprivation arrives in the form of Mariam from Kazakhstan.” —World Socialist Website
OVID EXCLUSIVE – SVOD PREMIERE
Tuesday, September 27
Searching for Ingmar Bergman
Directed by Margarethe von Trotta
With Liv Ullmann, Olivier Assayas, Ruben Östlund
Oscilloscope | Documentary | Germany, France | 2018
On the 100th anniversary of his birth, internationally renowned director Margarethe von Trotta examines Ingmar Bergman’s life and work with a circle of his closest collaborators as well as a new generation of filmmakers.
“Bergman fans will love this film.” —San Francisco Chronicle
The Greenaway Alphabet
Directed by Saskia Boddeke
Under the Milky Way | Documentary | Netherlands | 2017
An intimate portrait of painter and filmmaker Peter Greenaway, directed by his wife Saskia Boddeke. Together with his daughter Pip, Greenaway formulates an alphabet that represents his personality and thoughts about art and life.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Living the Light: Robby Muller
Directed by Claire Pijman, with Agnes Godard, Jim Jarmusch, Lars Von Trier, Wim Wenders
Under the Milky Way | Documentary | Netherlands | 2018
Cinematographer Robby Müller has inspired generations with his groundbreaking camerawork. Director Claire Pijman had access to his personal archive to create an extraordinary film essay that intertwines archival material with excerpts of his oeuvre.
Wednesday, September 28
Neon Heart
Directed by Laurits Flensted-Jensen
Under the Milky Way | Feature | Denmark | 2018
Laura and her ex-boyfriend Niklas work with the disabled. She is a former adult film actor, and he is trying to overcome addiction. Laura tries to communicate with Niklas, and Niklas tries to speak with his teen brother, who’s in bad company.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Werewolf
Directed by Ashley McKenzie
Factory 25 | Feature | Canada | 2018
The hardscrabble existence of two homeless addicts is portrayed with sensitivity and brutal honesty in acclaimed filmmaker Ashley McKenzie’s debut feature.
Thursday, September 29
The Night Clerk
Directed by Raphaël Jacoulot
Starring Vincent Rottiers
Under the Milky Way | Feature | France | 2011
A troubled young man working in an isolated hotel as part of a social rehabilitation program finds his life in danger after a guest goes missing.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Cop Story
Directed by Jacques Deray
Starring Alain Delon and Jean-Louis Trintignant
Under the Milky Way | Feature | France | 1975
A French detective must capture an escaped thief who incorporates cold-blooded murder into his escapades.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Thursday, September 22
The Two Friends
Directed by Louis Garrel
Starring Louis Garrel and Golshifteh Farahani
Under the Milky Way | Feature | France | 2015
“The various tensions—sexual and otherwise—give these three terrific actors plenty to work with.” —Variety
Green
Directed by Sophia Takal, Kate Lyn Sheil and Sophia Takal|
Factory 25 | Feature | USA | 2011
A love triangle leads to jealousy and manipulation, as two women attempt to destroy each other.
“The source of suspense lies entirely within one character’s fragile mind.” —Indiewire
Complete list of films premiering on OVID this month (in alphabetical order):
A Tale of Love and Desire, Leila Bouzid (2021)
Bovines, Emmanuel Gras (2011)
Boy I Am, Sam Feder and Julie Hollar (2006)
Clotheslines, Roberta Cantow (1981)
Corporate, Nicolas Silhol (2017)
The Dazzling Light of Sunset, Salome Jashi (2016)
Eden is West, Costa-Gavras (2009)
First Passion, Philippe Baron (2010)
Flic Story, Jacques Deray (1975)
Funny Ha Ha, Andrew Bujalski (2003)
Girls Rock!, Arne Johnson and Shane King (2007)
Golda Maria, Patrick Sobelman & Hugo Sobelman (2020)
Green, Sophia Takal (2011)
The Greenway Alphabet, Saskia Boddeke (2017)
Hero, Alexandre Rockwell (1983)
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?, Norberto López Amado and Carlos Carcas (2010)
Howard Zinn, You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train, Deb Ellis and Denis Mueller (2010)
I Am (Not) a Monster, Nelly Ben Hayoun (2019)
If This Ain’t Heaven, Roberta Cantow (1984)
In the Soup, Alexandre Rockwell (1992)
Karamay, Xu Xin (2012)
Kate Bornstein is Queer and Present Danger, Sam Feder (2014)
Little Feet, Alexandre Rockwell (2017)
Living the Light: Robby Muller, Claire Pijman (2018)
Ma, Celia Rowlson-Hall (2015)
Mariam, Sharipa Urazbayeva (2019)
Nelson Algren: The End of Nothing, the Road is All, Ilko Davidov and Denis Mueller (2015)
Neon Heart, Laurits Flensted-Jensen (2018)
The Night Clerk, Raphaël Jacoulot (2011)
The Oyler House, Michael Dorsey (2012)
Please Hold the Line, Pavel Cuzuioc (2020)
Pollock & Pollock, Isabelle Rebre (2016)
Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times, John Junkerman (2002)
The Salt Mines, Carlos Aparicio and Susana Aikin (1990)
Searching Eva, Pia Hellenthal (2019)
Searching for Ingmar Bergman, Margarethe von Trotta (2018)
The Seer and the Unseen, Sara Dosa (2019)
Sex and Broadcasting, Tim Smith (2014)
Sita Sings the Blues, Nina Paley (2008)
Tokyo Shaking, Olivier Peyon (2021
The Transformation, Carlos Aparicio and Susana Aikin (1995)
The Two Friends, Louis Garrel (2015)
Unfinished Spaces, Benjamin Murray and Alysa Nahmias (2011)
We Intend to Cause Havoc, Gio Arlotta (2019)
Werewolf, Ashley McKenzie (2018)
Whatever Lola Wants, Nabil Ayouch (2007)
When Memory Comes, Frank Diamand (2013)
Wild, Nicolette Krebitz (2018)