Scott Thurman’s new film The Revisionaries is a postcard from the frontline of America’s culture wars. The documentary follows the 2009 crusade by the Texas Board of Education to rewrite history and science text books in Texas public schools. By selectively ignoring historical and scientific fact, the board attempted to undermine the teaching of evolution in public schools and succeeded in revising social science curriculum to ignore minority culture and America’s history of institutional racism....
- 10/28/2013
- Pastemagazine.com
Sure, Sunday tends to be overcrowded with high-end TV, including "Downton Abbey," "Shameless," "Girls," Californication," "Enlightened" and more, but what to watch the rest of the time? Every Monday, we bring you five noteworthy highlights from the other six days of the week. "Independent Lens": "The Revisionaries" Monday, Jan. 28 at 10pm on PBS First-time director Scott Thurman explores the American culture wars by way of school textbooks in this documentary, which looks at the once-a-decade gathering of the 15 members of the Texas Board of Education as they decide the state's textbook and teaching standards. Thurman finds a particularly fascinating subject in Don McLeroy, a passionate creationist who attempts to rewrite not just the science curriculum but other subjects' as well, and who's portrayed with compassion even as he leads the charge to change the agendas of the state's...
- 1/28/2013
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
Title: The Revisionairies Director: Scott Thurman A remarkably humane and well-rounded look at a perhaps unlikely yet nonetheless incredibly divisive political hot-button issue, director Scott Thurman’s “The Revisionairies” delves into the Texas School Board of Education’s attempts to vacuum out through legislation various language and historical examples objectionable to movement conservatives from the nation’s textbooks. Pointed without being nasty or unfair, this fascinating movie is a gripping, must-see work for nonfiction film aficionados, politicos and current events intellectuals alike — an engrossing social document of our turbulent times and often at-odds relationship with not only science but, more broadly, experts-in-field. It seems utterly ridiculous — the plot of some fanciful Hollywood concoction — but in Austin, Texas, 15 [ Read More ]
The post The Revisionairies Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Revisionairies Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/30/2012
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
While "Cloud Atlas" gets all the attention this weekend (good and bad), several other films are worth checking out for those not interesting in spending nearly three hours watching movie stars play multiple parts (races, genders, etc) to a mostly unsatisfying conclusion. While ambitious and epic, "Cloud Atlas" offers few characters with emotional impact: Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent are stand-outs. On the other hand, Gotham nominee Julia Loktev's "The Loneliest Planet," one of the best-reviewed films arriving in theaters, is visually and thematically thrilling, complete with the mystery and nuance that is absent from many indie and studio releases. It also features one of the most memorable opening shots in years. Also arriving is Deepa Mehta's poorly-reviewed "Midnight's Children," Scott Thurman's political education doc "The Revisionaries," France's "The Other Son," "The Black...
- 10/26/2012
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
Note: This interview originally ran as part of our coverage of the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. The Revisionaries is now playing in select cities. New Yorkers, see it this weekend at Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. Tribeca: How do you describe the movie in your own words? Scott Thurman: The Revisionaries is a story about a small town dentist who chairs the Texas Board of Education and the complexities of a creationist worldview applied to 21st Century politics and education. Tribeca: What inspired you to tell this story? Do you have a background in education? Or politics? Scott Thurman: I had a fun and unpredictable 5th grade science teacher named Jerry Keller who made a big impression on me, but the specific event that inspired The Revisionaries was an article in The New York Times titled, 'Put a Little Science in Your Life.' After reading the article by Brian Greene,...
- 10/25/2012
- TribecaFilm.com
The Revisionaries: Texas State Board of Education members and the Christian Right Scott Thurman’s The Revisionaries — a "must see" film in the words of Michael Moore and the recipient of a Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival — is described as "an urgent exposé about the religious takeover of the Texas State Board of Education and its effects on the future of the American public school system." Quite appropriately, The Revisionaries‘ U.S. premiere will be held in Texas: at Dallas’ Landmark Magnolia 5 on October 5. As explained in the distributor Kino-Lorber’s press release, The Revisionaries, co-written [...]...
- 9/11/2012
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to Scott Thurman's topical documentary "The Revisionaries." According to Eric Kohn who reviewed it at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, the film is an "enthralling look at the resistance to the theory of evolution among prominent members of the Texas Board of Education." It went on to win a Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the event. Kino Lorber will open "The Revisionaries" nationwide in early October, with Independent Lens (PBS) broadcasting the film in early 2013, when it will also be released on DVD and across all major digital platforms. ...
- 7/18/2012
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
What would the state of American education be if Ned Flanders controlled what went into school textbooks? Folks in the Lone Star State came dangerously close to finding out during the 2009-2010 Texas State Board of Education hearings to determine the curriculum for millions of students. Made up of locally elected officials (some with academic training, some without) the Sboe was chaired by affable yet arrogant dentist and “young Earth creationist” Don McLeroy, and had the power to decide what information would go into textbooks. The position is one of great significance because Texas’ size makes it the country’s biggest purchaser of textbooks. The standards set by the board influence textbook publishing across the country. While it would seem that one’s religion would be irrelevant in such a setting, it took center stage when McLeroy and other members of the board fought to undermine the theory of evolution in the state’s science textbooks with...
- 5/3/2012
- by Lauren Flanagan
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Rachel Mwanza, War Witch Tribeca 2012 Politics Nation: Una Noche Movie World Narrative Competition Categories The jurors for the 2012 World Narrative Competition were Patricia Clarkson, Dakota Fanning, Mike Newell, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Jim Sheridan, and Irwin Winkler. The Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature – War Witch, directed by Kim Nguyen (Canada). Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film – Dariel Arrechada and Javier Nuñez Florian as Raul and Elio in Una Noche, directed by Lucy Mulloy (UK, Cuba, USA). Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film – Rachel Mwanza as Komona in War Witch, directed by Kim Nguyen (Canada). Best Cinematography in a Narrative Feature Film – Cinematography by Trevor Forrest and Shlomo Godder, for Una Noche, directed by Lucy Mulloy (UK, Cuba, USA). Special Jury Mention – Alex Catalan for Unit 7. Best Screenplay for a Narrative Feature Film – All In (La Suerte en Tus Manos), written by Daniel Burman and Sergio Dubcovsky and directed by...
- 4/29/2012
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
I can't remember a time I went to the Seattle International Film Festival (Siff) press launch and looked over the list of films and saw so many I was interested in seeing. The claim to fame for over the years is to call it the largest and most-highly attended festival in the United States. This is a fact I've often taken issue with as I don't equate quantity with quality. Granted, there has been a large number of quality features to play the fest over the years, including Golden Space Needle (Best Film) winners such as Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), My Life as a Dog (1987), Trainspotting (1996), Run Lola Run (1999), Whale Rider (2003) and even recent Best Director winner, Michel Hazanavicius's Oss 117: Nest of Spies in 2006. That said, looking over this year's crop of films I see a lot of films I will be doing my absolute best to see.
- 4/27/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
War Witch, a Canadian-made film about a young girl who escapes from the African rebels who forced her to be a child soldier, was named Best Narrative Feature at the 11th annual Tribeca Film Festival. “This indelible character study of a girl who becomes a woman before our eyes in the midst of harrowing war gives words to the unspeakable,” said the jury, which included Patricia Clarkson, Dakota Fanning, Mike Newell, EW’s Lisa Schwarzbaum, Jim Sheridan, and Irwin Winkler. “Riveting, heartbreaking, vivid, and eloquent, the movie balances scenes of crazy enemy hatred with moments of luminous private love.”
Rachel Mwanza,...
Rachel Mwanza,...
- 4/27/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
The Tribeca Film Festival awards ceremony took place on Thursday, and the controversial Cuban film "Una Noche" turned out to be the toast of the town. Though "War Witch" won the award for Best Narrative Feature and Rachel Mwanza was named Best Actress, "Una Noche" became the breakout story of the festival after two of its actors disappeared en route to New York.
Director Lucy Mulloy, cinematographers Trevor Forrest and Shlomo Godder were honored for their work on the film. Actors Dariel Arrechada and Jaiver Nunez Florian both won Best Actor in a Narrative Feature.
Other big winners include Nisha Pahuja's "The World Before Her" for Best Documentary Feature, Bryan Buckley's "Asad" for Best Narrative Short and Frederic Golding's "On the Mat" for Best Feature Film in the festival's online competition.
Florian and Anailin de la Rua de la Torre, were flown from Cuba to the United States...
Director Lucy Mulloy, cinematographers Trevor Forrest and Shlomo Godder were honored for their work on the film. Actors Dariel Arrechada and Jaiver Nunez Florian both won Best Actor in a Narrative Feature.
Other big winners include Nisha Pahuja's "The World Before Her" for Best Documentary Feature, Bryan Buckley's "Asad" for Best Narrative Short and Frederic Golding's "On the Mat" for Best Feature Film in the festival's online competition.
Florian and Anailin de la Rua de la Torre, were flown from Cuba to the United States...
- 4/27/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Following up on last week's preview of the Tribeca Film Festival (site), this'll be the entry that'll carry us through to Sunday. Introducing Slant's package of reviews, Ed Gonzalez argues that Tribeca "has blossomed from a celebration of the Big Apple as a filmmaking center into a great facilitator and promoter of international film and video culture." The Los Angeles Times' Steven Zeitchik agrees that it's "a prime venue to discover international films." More packages and lists: Smithsonian Magazine's Daniel Eagan ("What to See"), indieWIRE ("12 New Films We're Excited For"), Filmmaker's Scott Macaulay ("25 Films I'm Looking Forward To"), Movies.com ("20 Most Anticipated Movies"), Time's Lily Rothman ("Top 15 Chatter-Worthy Films"), Time Out New York and Twitch ("Top 15 Picks").
Having previewed "30-odd films" for the Voice, Eric Hynes recommends 14, and Take This Waltz is one of them: "Sarah Polley's follow-up to her moving directorial debut, Away From Her, is a modern...
Having previewed "30-odd films" for the Voice, Eric Hynes recommends 14, and Take This Waltz is one of them: "Sarah Polley's follow-up to her moving directorial debut, Away From Her, is a modern...
- 4/25/2012
- MUBI
Creationists and scientists repeatedly clash in a fascinating war of the words throughout "The Revisonaries," Scott Thurman's enthralling look at the resistance to the theory of evolution among prominent members of the Texas Board of Education. While turning to former head board-member and Young Earth Creationist Don McLeroy as his main subject, Thurman nevertheless utilizes a remarkably even-handed approach, but his portrait contains enough fiery debates to let viewers pick their sides. For those in agreement with McLeroy's deeply religious perspective on the (very, very brief) history of the world, the cheery southerner maintains a valiant quest to maintain reverence for the Bible in the classroom. Others will sit alternately mesmerized, amused and horrified at his endorsement of biblical theories over hard fact, including the assertion that dinosaurs rode Noah's Ark. That particular line of argument would baffle many people, but "The...
- 4/23/2012
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
The Revisionaries
Written by Scott Thurman and Jawad Metni
Directed by Scott Thurman
USA, 2012
Social-issue docs, even the effective ones, tend to be subject to certain pitfalls. Sometimes, in their haste to exude hope, they tack on sunny post-scripts that undercut their effectiveness as agents for change (this is particularly true of many eco-docs). Some cater to liberal audiences too obviously, resulting in a distasteful sense of smug superiority. Many rely on stylistic or editing quirks to enliven what might come across as quotidian or arcane subject matter. The Revisionaries, a sterling doc on educational reform debate in Texas, generally manages to avoid these and other common missteps, even if it misses opportunities to make its look at a very worthy issue quite as encompassing as it might have.
Every eight years, the Texas State Board of Education re-assesses its current requirements for the textbook materials that will make up statewide curriculums,...
Written by Scott Thurman and Jawad Metni
Directed by Scott Thurman
USA, 2012
Social-issue docs, even the effective ones, tend to be subject to certain pitfalls. Sometimes, in their haste to exude hope, they tack on sunny post-scripts that undercut their effectiveness as agents for change (this is particularly true of many eco-docs). Some cater to liberal audiences too obviously, resulting in a distasteful sense of smug superiority. Many rely on stylistic or editing quirks to enliven what might come across as quotidian or arcane subject matter. The Revisionaries, a sterling doc on educational reform debate in Texas, generally manages to avoid these and other common missteps, even if it misses opportunities to make its look at a very worthy issue quite as encompassing as it might have.
Every eight years, the Texas State Board of Education re-assesses its current requirements for the textbook materials that will make up statewide curriculums,...
- 4/22/2012
- by Simon Howell
- SoundOnSight
Where to start when discussing something like "The Revisionaries," a film that's really only controversial if you feel the idea to provide an idiot with a pulpit to preach from is a good one? The doc follows the fifteen-person Texas Board Of Education, an organization dedicated to reforming the state's high-school textbooks over the course of a few years, allowing for a host of politically-motivated edits. You see where this is going.
The most magnetic personality in "The Revisionaries" belongs to Don McLeroy, who describes himself as a Young Earth Creationist. Believing "education is too important not to be polticized," he wields a heavy hammer as the leader of the panel, believing that his views are the only views, while he cordially offers up his thoughts on evolution and other scientific theories. When dealing with challenges to his views that the Earth is 6,000 years old, he appeals to his people,...
The most magnetic personality in "The Revisionaries" belongs to Don McLeroy, who describes himself as a Young Earth Creationist. Believing "education is too important not to be polticized," he wields a heavy hammer as the leader of the panel, believing that his views are the only views, while he cordially offers up his thoughts on evolution and other scientific theories. When dealing with challenges to his views that the Earth is 6,000 years old, he appeals to his people,...
- 4/21/2012
- by Gabe Toro
- The Playlist
Every ten years, the Texas Board of Education revises its textbook standards, leaving the curriculum decisions up to a staggeringly small council of fifteen members. And while this practice has been critiqued on a national level before, The Revisionaries shines a particularly introspective light on the entire procedure. Focused around Board of Education member, devout Evangelical Christian, and all-around complex figure Don McLeroy, this new documentary from director Scott Thurman and the Silver Lining Film Group is sure to stir up debate at the Tribeca Film Festival and beyond.
Filmmaker: What originally interested you about the Texas Board of Education? When did you become aware of their process for revising textbook standards?
Thurman: I first heard of the political debate over how to teach evolution from Science teachers as I began the project, which was initially focused on the classroom. After the board raised national attention in 2008 during the science curriculum standards review process,...
Filmmaker: What originally interested you about the Texas Board of Education? When did you become aware of their process for revising textbook standards?
Thurman: I first heard of the political debate over how to teach evolution from Science teachers as I began the project, which was initially focused on the classroom. After the board raised national attention in 2008 during the science curriculum standards review process,...
- 4/18/2012
- by Dan Schoenbrun
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Religion is often tied into multiple aspects of American life and education is no exception. Especially in a state like Texas. Director Scott Thurman's film, "The Revisionaries," explores how religion and politics, for better or worse, are often tied together in determining the curriculum in that big old state. When tackling a hot button topic such as this, Thurman says that a particular challenge is trying to make a film that "the left and the right can embrace equally." Thurman hopes to make Tribeca audiences aware of the complicated process that occurs when deciding public school curriculum and then have them make their own opinions on how it should be carried out. What's it about?: “The Revisionaries” is about the rise and fall of a small-town dentist, outspoken young earth creationist, and Chair of the Texas Board of Education during a crucial period in determining high-school textbook content for.
- 4/12/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
2012 Tribeca Film Festival announced the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections
HollywoodNews.com: The 2012 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, today announced the World Narrative and Documentary Competition film selections, along with selections for the out-of-competition Viewpoints section—the program established last year that highlights personal stories in international and independent cinema. Forty-six of the 90 feature-length films were announced. The 11th edition of the Festival will take place from April 18 to April 29 at locations around New York City.
The Festival was curated by a new programming team this year. Frédéric Boyer has joined Tff as Artistic Director, having most recently served as Artistic Director and Head of Programming for the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises, has expanded his role in overseeing the Festival program. Genna Terranova has been promoted to Director of Programming and Cara Cusumano returns as Programmer.
“It’s been so gratifying to watch the new programming...
The Festival was curated by a new programming team this year. Frédéric Boyer has joined Tff as Artistic Director, having most recently served as Artistic Director and Head of Programming for the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises, has expanded his role in overseeing the Festival program. Genna Terranova has been promoted to Director of Programming and Cara Cusumano returns as Programmer.
“It’s been so gratifying to watch the new programming...
- 3/6/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Tribeca Film Festival announced half of this year’s movie showcase, the 11th edition of the New York celebration set for April 18-29. James Franco’s behind-the-scenes General Hospital feature, Francophrenia, will have its North American premiere in the Viewpoints section – the program established last year that highlights more personal stories. “He’s kind of constructed this really interesting and well-crafted film about that experience that plays with the boundaries of documentary,” says Genna Terranova, Tribeca’s director of programming. “It’s a bit tongue in cheek, as James himself can be. He’s a bit enigmatic and the film is as well.
- 3/6/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
With The Five-Year Engagement set as the opening title for the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, they’ve announced more of the line-up today with World Narrative & Documentary Features as the Viewpoint titles. We’ve got the next film from The Exploding Girl director Bradley Rust Gray, Jack and Diane (as well as a first look about featuring Juno Temple, thanks to Styd).
There is a new Harmony Korine short as well Kate Bosworth‘s While We Were Here and The Girl, starring Abbie Cornish. James Franco also has his latest film, Francophrenia, featuring footage from his performance on General Hospital. Nothing sticks out too greatly yet, but if I see something as interesting as Beyond the Black Rainbow or Magic Valley like last year, I’ll be a happy man. Check it out below and come back Thursday for the rest of the announcement.
World Narrative Feature Competition
• All In (La Suerte En Tus Manos...
There is a new Harmony Korine short as well Kate Bosworth‘s While We Were Here and The Girl, starring Abbie Cornish. James Franco also has his latest film, Francophrenia, featuring footage from his performance on General Hospital. Nothing sticks out too greatly yet, but if I see something as interesting as Beyond the Black Rainbow or Magic Valley like last year, I’ll be a happy man. Check it out below and come back Thursday for the rest of the announcement.
World Narrative Feature Competition
• All In (La Suerte En Tus Manos...
- 3/6/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
SXSW kicks off later this week, but once your done slurping the BBQ sauce off your fingers, pack your backs and head north to Manhattan as the Tribeca Film Festival is gearing up to unspool in April. To whet cinephile appetites, organizers have dropped the lineup for the World Narrative Feature Competition, World Documentary Feature Competition and Viewpoints lineups and there are plenty of titles to take note of.
Among the narratives, the anticipated "Jack And Diane" from Bradley Rust Gray will make its world premiere. Starring Juno Temple and Riley Keough, the film takes a teenage lesbian love tale and twists the formula, with one of them revealing she's a werewolf. Add to that a cast rounded out by Dane DeHaan, Jena Malone and pop star Kylie Minogue (as a tattooed lesbian, of course) and you can see why this will be one of the hottest tickets at the fest.
Among the narratives, the anticipated "Jack And Diane" from Bradley Rust Gray will make its world premiere. Starring Juno Temple and Riley Keough, the film takes a teenage lesbian love tale and twists the formula, with one of them revealing she's a werewolf. Add to that a cast rounded out by Dane DeHaan, Jena Malone and pop star Kylie Minogue (as a tattooed lesbian, of course) and you can see why this will be one of the hottest tickets at the fest.
- 3/6/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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