The timing is painfully apt and suggests why the tagline of the DocuWest Film Festival — “We have issues” — is so potent. The festival, which has moved from Golden to its new home at the Denver Film Society’s Sie FilmCenter, runs through Sept. 14.
Sept. 12, journalist Sebastian Junger is set to attend the screening of “Korengal,” his follow-up to his and photographer Tim Hetherington’s Oscar-nominated 2010 documentary about a combat unit at one of the most remote and dangerous outposts of the war in Afghanistan.
Junger and editor Michael Levine took unused footage from “Restrepo” to make a film for soldiers.
“I wanted soldiers to hear the guys I knew talking really honestly about how combat affected them,” in July. “Ultimately I wanted to make a film about the emotional consequences of war.” (Korengal, Sept. 12, 7:30 at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.). Earlier on Sept. 12, at 4:30 p.m., to his friend and collaborator, “Which Way Is the Front Line From Here: The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington,” screens.
In 2011, Hetherington and fellow photographer Chris Hondros were killed by shrapnel while covering Libya’s civil war. Given the recent beheadings of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff by ISIS, Junger’s insights about war coverage will be even more timely.
Junger is not the only impressive guest who will be plunging into vexing and stirring truths.
Sept. 13’s Centerpiece slot features . The ‘s “Evolution of a Criminal” is a searingly thoughtful self-portrait of a young man before he became an artist.
When Monroe was 16, he and two friends robbed a Houston bank. He served his time but knew he wanted to also apologize to his victims. While in prison, he discovered he wanted to make films. Now 33, Monroe will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening of his award-winning doc, executive- produced by Spike Lee. (Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. at the Sie FilmCenter)
For a full schedule of the DocuWest International Film Fest, go to denverfilm.org or docuwestfest.com.
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or twitter.com/bylisakennedy
