Full Frame Documentary Film Festival — April 8–11, 2010

For those of you who happen to be in North Carolina this weekend, you have an opportunity to see some excellent movies at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham. Begun in 1998, the Festival is one of the premier doc gatherings in the world.

This year, two docs of note are Do It Again:

It sounds crazy, improbable, even doomed — and that’s why it’s such a great idea.

Nearing 40, Geoff Edgers considers his life as a reporter with the sputtering Boston Globe and, in a flash of eccentric inspiration, thinks up the perfect midlife quest:

Reunite The Kinks. Make a movie about the strange and sad pilgrimage inspired by his love for the dormant and increasingly obscure rock band — the British who never quite invaded.

And Kings of Pastry:

The new documentary, “Kings of Pastry,” which follows French pastry chefs as they compete for their profession’s highest honor, makes one thing clear: Sugar sculpture is a heartbreaking craft.

Much of the movie’s tension comes down to whether these chefs will drop their elaborate 3- to 4-foot sugar sculptures on the way to the banquet hall for final judging.

Directors Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker tell the story of Jacquy Pfeiffer, one of the founders of The French Pastry School in Chicago. Pfeiffer is one of 16 finalists for the Meilleur Ouvriers de France, a grueling three-day contest that requires chefs to demonstrate the highest proficiency with sugar and chocolate sculptures, cream puffs, wedding cakes and more. The MOF contest happens every four years. There is no one winner: Rather, those whose works meets these high standards are recognized as MOF chefs.

My friend and fellow L.A. transplant Deirdre Haj took over as the festival’s executive director this year:

Deirdre Haj just may be the most assertive executive director — and cheerleader — Full Frame has ever had.

Although she’s only had the title for a couple of months (filling the slot left by interim executive director Peg Palmer), Haj appears to be passionate about her new position, intent on making decisions and having the staff’s back when the four-day, documentary film festival starts up Thursday in Durham.

“You know, we put heads on pillows and napkins on laps,” she says. “We’re artistically healthy. We’re financially healthy. I just wanna help us grow Durham in that way, so that the businesses understand …we are here. The festival is here for the community — not the other way around.”

For a schedule of films and events, go here.