What's on DocPlay in June

Here's what's coming to the excellent documentary streaming channel, DocPlay, during the month of June.

6 June

Blind Ambition

Having escaped starvation and tyranny in their homeland of Zimbabwe, four refugees have conquered the odds to become South Africa's top sommeliers. Driven by relentless optimism, a passion for their craft and unshakeable national pride, they form Zimbabwe’s first ever wine tasting team and set their sights on the coveted title of ‘World Wine Tasting Champions’. From the moment they arrive in France to compete, this team of mavericks turns an establishment of privilege and tradition on its head. A truly uplifting documentary that celebrates just how irrepressible the human spirit can be.

16 June

President

With the country in economic crisis, long-time Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is ousted in a 2017 coup by then-Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Prior to the ensuing and bitter election, 40-year-old lawyer Nelson Chamisa steps in as opposition leader. There are death threats against the charismatic but relatively inexperienced Chamisa, and he's forced into hiding. Election foul play is suspected, results are delayed and activists hit the streets. Nielsson's documentary won a Sundance Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking – just weeks after the storming of the US Capitol. The disgraceful response to America's 2020 election reverberates throughout PRESIDENT. A timely reminder of what democracy means and how hard it is to reclaim once lost.

23 June

Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts

From the famed director of Notting Hill and Tea with the Dames comes ELIZABETH: A Portrait in Parts. A nostalgic, uplifting and modern documentary about Queen Elizabeth II – the greatest British monarch of all time and longest serving female head of state in history. For the last nine decades Queen Elizabeth II has been entrenched in our collective consciousness: instantly recognisable, yet elusively and perpetually unknowable. Until now. With extraordinary access to rare footage from the Royal Archives, ELIZABETH: A PORTRAIT IN PARTS is a truly cinematic celebration of an icon that reveals a unique glimpse of the woman behind the legend.

27 June

Holy Hell

After graduating from college, young idealist Will Allen joined a spiritual community filled with like minded people looking for some answers to the basic questions of life, led by a charismatic but secretive guru.  Camera in hand, Allen documented 20 years of living inside this community, showing how his idealism began to unravel as more is revealed about the true nature of this cult. Speaking out publicly for the first time, and with unprecedented and unparalleled access, Holy Hell is a descent into a world no one, not even its participants, could have imagined. 

30 June

Bar Talks by Schumann

Follow world-renowned bartender Charles Schumann on a discovery of the world's best bars in New York, Havana and Tokyo. It’s an exploration of the history of bar culture and the cocktail itself. Marieke Schroeder’s documentary takes us on an intoxicating global tour with languid and stylish barman Charles Schumann, a legendary cocktail connoisseur of the highest order.