New to DocPlay in January

Among the exclusives streaming next month on DocPlay is the 2023 series Prisoner X (January 16).

In 2010, a man was found dead in his cell at one of Israel’s maximum security prisons. Held in solitary confinement under 24/7 surveillance, the guards didn’t know his name or his crime. They knew him only as ‘Prisoner X’.

The prisoner’s identity remained a mystery for more than two years, until an investigation revealed the man to be Australian citizen and Mossad agent, Ben Zygier.

Digging into the personal and political fallout from his suicide, Prisoner X reveals faults, failures, and systematic silencing by Israel’s notorious intelligence agency.

Available to stream in 4K is Shackleton (January 13), which retraces polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton ill-fated 1914 attempt to cross Antarctica.

“This Australian made-for-IMAX documentary has its strong points, especially the impressive archival footage and photos from the expedition and crisp cinematography of present-day Antarctica,” FilmInk said.

“However, it’s somewhat repetitive and with its bloated melodramatic soundtrack, there’s a made-for-TV feel that the documentary never manages to shake off.”

Other premieres include:

Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger (January 9) • Exclusive

Martin Scorsese delivers an “illustrated lecture” on how the mesmerising films of two of Britain’s finest inspired his own adventures in cinema.

Ice Maiden (January 13) • Exclusive

Charts the uncompromising determination of Australian Lisa Blair, who became the first woman in history to sail solo around Antarctica.

Mister Organ (January 20)

Journalist and filmmaker David Farrier (Tickled) becomes fascinated by the late-night antics of a rogue wheel clamper in New Zealand. “Lures the viewer in with its stranger-than-fiction setup before revealing itself to be far darker and more complex — not to mention rewarding — than it initially appears.” — Rotten Tomatoes.

Blur: to the End (January 23) • Exclusive

This all-access documentary captures the emotional return of the band, highlighting their new album and sold-out Wembley Stadium shows. (Blur: Live at Wembley also streams on DocPlay.)

Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets (January 23)

Kiwi director Florian Habicht charts the journey of Britpop band Pulp to their 2012 Sheffield farewell concert. “Witty, warmhearted, imaginative” — The Hollywood Reporter.

Maurice and I (January 30) • Exclusive

A powerful and enthralling exploration of partnership, loss and the enduring importance of architecture in shaping and enriching our lives. “The surprisingly moving story of two of the most successful architects in New Zealand – Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney.” — RNZ.