Filmmaker and “MacArthur Genius” grantee Laura Poitras (CitizenFour, The Oath, Flag Wars) will receive DOC NYC’s inaugural Robert and Anne Drew Award for Documentary Excellence in a ceremony on November 14.
Robert Drew is generally credited as the father of cinema verité. The award named after him and his wife Anne will recognize mid-career documentarians who keep alive the legacy of his “truthful” approach and endow them with a $5,000 prize.
“My filmmaking is built upon the groundbreaking legacy and artistry of Robert Drew,” commented Poitras. “What he pioneered in the ’60s with films like Primary and Crisis, where he documented real world events unfolding in real time in front of his camera, is the foundation of all of my work. Drew understood that human drama exists in everyday life — from the simplest acts of daily life, to life threatening situations. I am honored to receive this award and to continue the tradition of non-fiction filmmaking that he founded.”
This year’s DOC NYC will run on November 13–20.
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[via Indiewire]
