Long-running feature documentary strand ‘POV’ is returning to American pubcaster PBS for its 35th season, kicking off in July with Yung Chang’s Wuhan Wuhan.
Diversity is a focal point for the upcoming edition, with more than half of this season’s films directed by women and two-thirds by filmmakers of color. In addition, half of the 14 features come from filmmakers of Asian descent, and several titles are by and about people with disabilities.
From a geographic perspective, the series will feature stories from China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Greenland, Myanmar, Norway, the Philippines and Zimbabwe, as well as contemporary Muslim perspectives from both outside and within the U.S.
Wuhan Wuhan, which premieres on July 11, chronicles the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown. Other highlights from this season include the acclaimed Sundance feature Midwives, from Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing; the Oscar-shortlisted President, from Camilla Nielsson; and I Didn’t See You There (pictured), another Sundance favorite that earned its director, Reid Davenport, the U.S. documentary directing award at the festival.
“PBS is proud that after 35 years, ‘POV’ continues to deliver artistically unique, essential, and dynamic films by a diversity of creators,” said Sylvia Bugg, PBS’ chief programming executive and general manager, general audience programming, in a statement. “As our passionate, inclusive, and intellectually curious audience continues to grow, ‘POV’ remains a powerful linchpin in the mission of public television.”
Below are the titles to be featured this year, with director credits and air dates.
Who Killed Vincent Chin? (Special encore presentation)
Directors: Renee Tajima-Peña, Christine Choy
Premieres June 20, 2022
Wuhan Wuhan
Director: Yung Chang
Producers: Donna Gigliotti, Peter Luo, Diane Quon
Premieres July 11, 2022
Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust
Director: Ann Kaneko
Producers: Ann Kaneko, Jin Yoo-Kim, Tracy Rector
Premieres July 18, 2022
Winter’s Yearning
Directors: Sidse Torstholm Larsen, Sturla Pilskog
Producers: Sturla Pilskog, Are Kvalnes Pilskog, Vibeke Vogel, Emile Hertling Péronard
Premieres July 25, 2022
He’s My Brother
Directors/producers: Cille Hannibal, Christine Hanberg
Premieres August 1, 2022
President
Director: Camilla Nielsson
Producers: Joslyn Barne, Signe Byrge Sørensen
Premieres August 8, 2022
Faya Dayi
Director/producer: Jessica Beshir
Premieres August 29, 2022
Love & Stuff
Directors: Judith Helfand, David Cohen
Producers: Helfand, Hilla Medalia, Julie Parker Benello
Premieres September 5, 2022
Delikado
Director: Karl Malakunas
Producers: Karl Malakunas, Michael Collins, Marty Syjuco, Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala
Premieres September 26, 2022
The Last Out
Directors: Sami Khan, Michael Gassert
Producers: Sami Khan, Michael Gassert, Jonathan Miller
Premieres October 3, 2022
Accepted
Director: Dan Chen
Producers: Dan Chen, Mark Monroe, Jason Y. Lee, Jesse Einstein
Premieres October 10, 2022
Midwives
Director: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing
Producers: Mila Aung-Thwin, Bob Moore, Ulla Lehmann
Premieres November 21, 2022
Let the Little Light Shine
Director: Kevin Shaw
Producers: Steve James, Rachel Dickson
Premieres December 12, 2022
I Didn’t See You There
Director: Reid Davenport
Producers: Raphael Kriegel, Keith Wilson
Premieres January 16, 2023