OVID’s January Lineup: The World’s First Diva, Virginie Efira, François Ozon, The Wisdom of Nuns & so much more!
This month, OVID presents 27 new films and 20 exclusives, including The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (pictured above), a romantic biopic about the world’s first diva and “intimate window onto the fine, paroxysmic line between the person and the celebrity.” (Fabien Lemercier, Cineuropa)
Among other firsts, we’ll also present the first film to follow an eco-restoration project from inception to completion: The Marion Lake Story by Greta Schiller (joining Schiller’s The Five Demands and Before Stonewall on OVID).
We’re suckers for dramas starring our favorite Belgian-French actress Virginie Efira, and this month we’re adding the Critic’s Pick Other People’s Children, a “subtle, surprisingly deeply felt drama.” (Manohla Dargis, The New York Times)
Plus, François Ozon’s darkly comic thriller When Fall is Coming, joining his celebrated courtroom caper The Crime is Mine on OVID.
More New Day docs on the way include Land of Opportunity, a documentary on urban planning in New Orleans, highly recommended by the Spike Lee: “Anyone who cares about the future of cities in this country should see this movie.”
We’ll commence the new year on notes of goodwill and wisdom with Final Vows, an astutely observed account of the struggles and joys of nuns living in the high desert of Arizona: “A remarkable documentary… gives us access to a world we rarely if ever are privy to.” (Anne Brodie, What She Said)
Full details on December’s complete lineup are below.
Image above from Armando Capó's THE LAND OF THE WHALE, premiering on OVID on January 29th.
Friday, January 2
Final Vows
Directed by Vicky Westover
First Run Features | Documentary | USA | 2024 | 84 min
Final Vows chronicles the life of a cloistered order of nuns at Santa Rita Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in the high desert of Arizona. The nuns, who take a vow that binds them to remain in the community they entered for life, candidly share their joys and struggles. Made from small moments of daily life, the film serves as a meditation on aging and caring for others.
“Humbling and touching… Does this lifestyle offer any wisdom for our society? You decide after watching their dedication to the greater good and their fervent belief about the goodwill they foster.” —Lynn Venhaus, AWFJ
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Tuesday, January 6
Eating Alaska
Directed by Ellen Frankenstein & Shirley Thompson
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2009 | 57 min
What happens to a vegetarian who moves to the Alaskan Frontier? Made by a former city dweller now living on an island in Alaska and married to fisherman, deer hunter and environmental activist, Eating Alaska is a journey into food politics, regional food traditions, our connection to the wilderness, and to what we put into our mouths.
“A quirky and delightful examination of food choices in America’s frontier where traditional foodways sometimes–but not always–give way to supermarket junk food.” —Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, Public Health and Sociology, New York University
OVID EXCLUSIVE
The Shrimp
Directed by Keith Wilson
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2010 | 15 min
The commercial shrimping industry along the coasts of the American South is threatened by pollution, oil spills, and consumer demand for less expensive foreign imports. The Shrimp is a meditation on the life, death, and rebirth of one shrimp from the murky marshes of Savannah, Georgia.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, January 7
The Lord is Not on Trial Here
Directed by Jay Rosenstein
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2010 | 57 min
Jay Rosenstein’s Peabody Award-winning documentary tells the compelling personal story of the late Vashti McCollum, and how her efforts to protect her ten-year-old son led to one of the most important and landmark First Amendment cases in U.S. Supreme Court history – the case that established the separation of church and state in public schools.
“A story that is beautifully rendered. While the eventual Supreme Court victory plays out in a taut dramatic presentation, the documentary is just as significant for its resonance in the contemporary moment.” —Huffington Post
OVID EXCLUSIVE
No Dinosaurs in Heaven
Directed by Greta Schiller
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2011 | 53 min
A film essay that examines the hijacking of science education by religious fundamentalists, threatening the separation of church and state and dangerously undermining scientific literacy.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Thursday, January 8
Trust Me
Directed by Joe Phelps, Rosemary Smith, & Roko Belic
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2020 | 90 min
Explores human nature, information technology, media bias, and the need for media literacy to help people trust one another, bring them together and create a more resilient population.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Friday, January 9
When Fall is Coming
Directed by François Ozon
With Hélène Vincent, Josiane Balasko, Ludivine Sagnier, Pierre Lottin
Music Box Films | Drama | France | 2024 | 104 min
Michelle, a retiree in Burgundy, expects her grandson Lucas, but a mistake ruins her plans. Her friend Marie-Claude’s son is released from prison, reviving Michelle’s purpose.
“François Ozon (Swimming Pool, 8 Women) offers with this blackly comic thriller a tonal swerve into naturalism and away from the screwball energy of his last feature, the period-set courtroom caper The Crime Is Mine [also currently streaming on OVID]… while Ozon and the cast draw a diaphanous veil over exactly what’s going on plot-wise, the emotional shifts and struggles are clearly visible and carry the movie forward to a powerful, well-crafted climax.” —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter
“Ozon has cooked up a little mystery and an enigmatic heroine. A sleek, modestly scaled entertainment about families, secrets and obligations, it features fine performances and some picture-postcard Burgundian locations.” —Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
Tuesday, January 13
The Divine Sarah Bernhardt
Directed by Guillaume Nicloux
With Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte, Amira Casar
Distrib Films US | Drama | France | 2024 | 98 min
A romantic biopic about the world’s first diva. Known as “La Divine”, French actress Sarah Bernhardt left an indelible mark, shattering societal norms thanks to her daring personality and performances. This decadent film explores her passionate relationship with actor Lucien Guitry whilst she navigates stardom, wealth, scandals and sickness.
“An intimate window onto the fine, paroxysmic line between the person and the celebrity… the film instils a feeling of indisputable quality but also of nefarious oddness, which does distance the film from the usual biopic canons.” —Fabien Lemercier, Cineuropa
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, January 14
The Luck of Water
Directed by Ignacio Decerega
EPF Media | Documentary | Mexico | 2023 | 64 min
The Luck of Water profiles two rivers and a sacred saltwater lagoon system in the indigenous Mixtec, mestizo, and Afro-descendant communities in the Oaxaca’s coastal region in Mexico.
“Filmmakers Ignacio Decerega and Cristóbal Jasso demonstrate their deep cultural understanding in every frame of this compelling documentary.” —Video Librarian
The Weavers’ Songs
Directed by Ismael Vásquez Bernabé
EPF Media | Documentary | Mexico | 2024 | 77 min
In San Pedro Amuzgos, Oaxaca, where weaving is not only a way of life but the main economic export, the importance of tradition and the responsibility of legacy are explored in this reflective debut feature by Ismael Vásquez Bernabé.
Thursday, January 15
The Caretaker
Directed by Theo Rigby
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2014 | 8 min
A short film about the relationship between an immigrant caretaker and an elderly woman in the last months of her life. Joesy, a Fijian immigrant, works long hours providing live-in care for 95-year-old Haru Tsurumoto. Through intimate and quiet scenes, we explore Joesy’s complex relationship with Haru.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
When The Light’s Red
Directed by Keith Wilson
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2008 | 11 min
What do you do when you’re stopped at an intersection and someone with a sign asks you for money? Do you give them some or do you stare straight ahead pretending they’re not there? How do you sum up a person in the span of a red light?
“Poignant and often hilarious take on one man’s response to panhandlers…the director has taken an intractable problem and given it a lot of humor while still looking at the serious side.” —Austin Chronicle
OVID EXCLUSIVE
The Collector of Bedford Street
Directed by Alice Elliott
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2001 | 34 min
This Academy Award-nominated short documentary follows the filmmaker’s 60-year-old neighbor, Larry Selman, a community activist and fundraiser who has an intellectual disability. Every year, Larry collects thousands of dollars for charities while living on the poverty line. When Larry’s primary caregiver becomes unable to care for him, his NYC neighborhood community rallies together to protect his independent lifestyle by establishing an adult trust fund.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Friday, January 16
A World Apart
Directed by Riccardo Milani
With Antonio Albanese, Virginia Raffaele
Distrib Films US | Comedy | Italy | 2024 | 114 min
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Abruzzo National Park, A World Apart follows veteran teacher Michele Cortese as he begins an unexpected chapter in his life. Arriving during a snowstorm to take a post at a tiny rural school on the verge of closure, Cortese finds himself far from the comforts of Rome and faced with a lively, multi-age class. With the support of the school’s passionate vice-principal, he gradually sheds his urban habits and rediscovers the true meaning of teaching — rooted in empathy, resilience, and the power of community. The film won two Nastro d’Argento Awards, for best comedy film and best actress in a comedy film (Virginia Raffaele).
“A precious jewel. An exciting journey to discover the natural wonders of Abruzzo and the human challenges that animate small mountain communities that captures the heart and soul of the viewer.” —Il Messaggero
Tuesday, January 20
Land of Opportunity
Directed by Luisa Dantas & Rebecca Snedeker
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2011 | 97 min
Through the eyes of urban planners, community organizers, displaced youth, immigrant workers, and public housing residents, Land of Opportunity reveals how the story of New Orleans is the story of urban America: how democratic processes can fail us, how economic crisis can pull the rug out from under us, and how immigration can prove to be a complicated bargain.
“Five years in the making, Luisa’s film gives voice to everyday people working hard to rebuild their city and their lives. Anyone who cares about the future of cities in this country should see this movie.” —Spike Lee, Filmmaker
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Third Ward TX
Directed by Andrew Garrison, Nancy Bless, & Noland Walker
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2007 | 55 min
Third Ward TX introduces artists and neighbors of Project Row Houses who are breathing new life into their historically black community. Success attracts new real estate speculation as Project Row Houses races to create its own development plans that honor the history and culture of the Third Ward and strengthen community ties.
“Uplifting but free of sentimentality… The subjects are united not only by their compassion for each other but through their common history and hopes for future development.” —Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, January 21
The Marion Lake Story: Defeating the Mighty Phragmite
Directed by Greta Schiller
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2014 | 28 min
Shot over 7 years, The Marion Lake Story is the first film to follow an eco-restoration project from inception to completion: from an unsightly, unhealthy lake, to a biodiverse habitat for birds and wildlife on the Atlantic Flyway.
“An inspiring example of what can be done to correct a seemingly daunting problem when solutions appear elusive.” —Brent Marchant, Library Journal
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Thursday, January 22
The Reverend
Directed by Nick Canfield
Factory 25 | Documentary | USA | 2022 | 86 min
A raucous concert film as well as an intimate portrait of Reverend Vince Anderson’s spiritual and musical journey. After coming to New York in the 90’s to enter seminary, Vince dropped out to follow his second calling – music. With his band The Love Choir, he has played a now-legendary weekly show for over twenty years. Filmed over four years in a largely observational style, and featuring Questlove and members of TV On The Radio.
“Amusing and Thoughtful. A Beer with a Music Chaser.” —Lisa Kennedy, The New York Times
“Anderson bellows, transporting listeners to a time when ’60s Motown and gospel reigned supreme.” —Lily Percy, NPR
“Often compared to Tom Waits, The Reverend’s talent eschews the surrealistic and bizarre.” —Terry Eagan, Ink 19
** Official Selection: DOC NYC
Friday, January 23
4K Restoration
Cat City
Directed by Béla Ternovszky
MVD/Deaf Crocodile | Animation | Hungary | 1986 | 96 min
This adult animated science fiction comedy film is a parody of James Bond, wherein an agent delivers plans to save mice from a feline syndicate dedicated to eradicating rodents. The film has developed a cult following in the years since its release.
“Cat City has endured as one of the quintessential examples of Hungarian hand-drawn animation technically and conceptually and further points to Eastern Europe as one of the unsung leaders in world cinema animation.” —Andrew Kotwicki, The Movie Sleuth
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Tuesday, January 27
A Day’s Work, A Day’s Pay
Directed by Jonathan Skurnik
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2001 | 58 min
Follows three welfare recipients in NYC from 1997 to 2000 as they participate in the largest welfare-to-work program in the nation.
“A brilliant film about poverty, welfare reform, and the spirit of the people who suffer both. We will become a better country, with better policies, if every American sees this.” —Frances Fox Piven, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Sociology, City University of New York Graduate School
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Becoming Johanna
Directed by Jonathan Skurnik
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2016 | 27 min
When Johanna, a 16-year-old transgender Latina, begins her transition and gets kicked out of her home and school, she finds a foster family who loves her and a supportive school principal who helps her graduate and thrive.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
I’m Just Anneke
Directed by Jonathan Skurnik
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2010 | 11 min
Anneke is 12. She loves ice hockey and is a hardcore tomboy. Everybody who meets her assumes she’s a boy, but she’s not sure if she wants to be a girl, a boy, or something in-between when she grows up.
“Just like its title character, I’m Just Anneke is winning, inspiring, and insightful.” —Washington City Paper
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Spit it Out
Directed by Jonathan Skurnik
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2005 | 55 min
A funny and poignant portrait of Jeff Shames’ successful efforts to come to terms with his stutter and his family’s legacy of denial.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children
Directed by Jonathan Skurnik
New Day Films | Documentary | USA | 2010 | 14 min
Everybody wants to be loved unconditionally. But what do you do when your child tells you they’re questioning their gender? The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children follows the journey of moms, dads and siblings of kids who are questioning whether they’re a boy, a girl, or something in between.
OVID EXCLUSIVE
Wednesday, January 28
The Trouble with Jessica
Directed by Matt Winn
With Shirley Henderson, Alan Tudyk, Rufus Sewell, Indira Varma, Olivia Williams
Music Box Films | Drama | UK | 2025 | 89 min
Sarah and Tom are in deep financial trouble. Their situation takes a terrifying nosedive with the shocking behavior of their uninvited dinner guest — Jessica.
“Darkly humorous, sometimes lacerating, but not at all chilly.” —Nell Minow, Rogerebert.com
Thursday, January 29
The Land of the Whale
Directed by Armando Capó
Icarus Films | Documentary | Cuba | 2025 | 79 min
Filmmaker Armando Capó left Gibara for Havana as a young man, realizing he had no future there as a filmmaker. This documentary chronicles his early pandemic return — a trip he makes in part to reconnect with three of his former teachers nearing the end of their lives. A beautiful meditation on craft, beauty, aging, the transmission of knowledge, and what it means to be an artist.
OVID EXCLUSIVE — SVOD PREMIERE
Friday, January 30
Other People’s Children
Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski
With Virginie Efira, Roschdy Zem, Chiara Mastroianni
Music Box Films | Drama | France | 2023 | 104 min
A childless woman forms a deep bond with her boyfriend’s young daughter.
Critic’s Pick! “A subtle, surprisingly deeply felt drama.” —Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
“Sneaks up on you, with a depth and complexity of feeling that throws those glossy, idyllic opening moments into bittersweet relief.” —Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
** Official Spotlight Selection, Sundance 2023
Complete list of films premiering on OVID this month (in alphabetical order):
A Day’s Work, A Day’s Pay, Jonathan Skurnik (2001)
A World Apart, Riccardo Milani (2024)
Becoming Johanna, Jonathan Skurnik (2016)
Cat City, Béla Ternovszky (1986)
Eating Alaska, Ellen Frankenstein & Shirley Thompson (2009)
Final Vows, Vicky Westover (2024)
I’m Just Anneke, Jonathan Skurnik (2010)
Land of Opportunity, Luisa Dantas & Rebecca Snedeker (2011)
No Dinosaurs in Heaven, Greta Schiller (2011)
Other People’s Children, Rebecca Zlotowski (2023)
Spit it Out, Jonathan Skurnik (2005)
The Caretaker, Theo Rigby (2014)
The Collector of Bedford Street, Alice Elliott (2001)
The Divine Sarah Bernhardt, Guillaume Nicloux (2024)
The Family Journey: Raising Gender Nonconforming Children, Jonathan Skurnik
The Land of the Whale, Armando Capó (2025)
The Lord is Not on Trial Here, Jay Rosenstein (2010)
The Luck of Water, Ignacio Decerega (2023)
The Marion Lake Story: Defeating the Mighty Phragmite, Greta Schiller (2014)
The Reverend, Nick Canfield (2022)
The Shrimp, Keith Wilson (2010)
The Trouble with Jessica, Matt Winn (2025)
The Weavers’ Songs, Ismael Vásquez Bernabé (2024)
Third Ward TX, Andrew Garrison, Nancy Bless, & Noland Walker (2007)
Trust Me, Joe Phelps, Rosemary Smith, & Roko Belic (2020)
When Fall is Coming, François Ozon (2024)
When The Light’s Red, Keith Wilson (2008)
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