Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
A FILM UNFINISHED- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This potent documentary uses a long-lost film reel to illustrate how the Nazis controlled images of Jewish life during World War II. Though the Nazis made a propaganda movie of contented Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, the missing spool exposes the truth. Director Yael Hersonski shows how the imagery was staged to distort historical knowledge and, with the aid of Jewish survivors’ testimony, chronicles the horrifying reality of ghetto life.” A few reviews, all positive.
9/10- Yet one more piece of the most horrific time in history as shown by this revealing footage! Everyone should see this. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: Documentary/History
August 8th, 2010
NESHOBA: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM- Premise by Zap2it. “Filmmakers Micki Dickoff and Tony Pagano chronicle the successful efforts to retry Edgar Ray Killen for masterminding the killing of three young civil-rights workers in 1964 Mississippi.” No reviews available now.
Tags: Documentary/History
August 8th, 2010
OFF AND RUNNING- Premise by Netflix. “African American teen Avery Klein-Cloud has white Jewish lesbian parents, an older Puerto Rican brother and a younger Korean brother. As she tries to contact her biological mother, Avery risks alienating the adoptive family she’s always loved. Examining the complexities of race, identity and family, filmmaker Nicole Opper’s compelling documentary follows Avery as she wrestles with the consequences of researching her roots.” Very good reviews.
8/10- An interesting documentary, in particular the difficulty this young woman had in being black after being raised in a Jewish family. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
August 6th, 2010
SEE WHAT I’M SAYING: THE DEAF ENTERTAINERS DIARY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Four dedicated stage artists, all either deaf or hearing-impaired, are profiled in their struggle to make inroads not only in the deaf community, but with mainstream audiences as well — despite the obvious obstacles facing them. Featuring open captions to translate the sign language used by the performers, the documentary spotlights the drummer for a deaf rock band, as well as an actor, a stage comic and an aspiring songstress.” No professional reviews as yet but audience reaction has been very good.
2/11- A fascinating idea and I enjoyed the movie for about an hour and then it became repetitive and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
August 4th, 2010
BEAUFORT- Premise by Netflix. “In the final days of the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, a band of soldiers prepares for the evacuation of a mountain stronghold called Beaufort. Their leader is 22-year-old Liberti (Oshri Cohen), whose strict adherence to the rules puts the men in harm’s way. As the evacuation draws near, Hezbollah steps up its attack, testing Liberti’s mettle and the men’s allegiance to him. Eli Altonio co-stars in director Joseph Cedar‘s Oscar-nominated film.” I saw this film in January ’08 at the Palm Springs Film Festival and liked it very much.
Tags: docudrama
August 1st, 2010
THE SICILIAN GIRL- 2009. By Marco Amenta. Premise by Netflix. “In this taut drama based on a true story, 17-year-old Rita (Veronica D’Agostino) is leading a privileged life when her father and brother are slain by rival Mafiosi. Bent on revenge, she turns to a sympathetic magistrate (Gérard Jugnot) and breaks the code of silence. In her journey from self-centered teenager to fearless advocate for justice, Rita enrages Sicily’s most powerful men, putting her life in jeopardy.” Very good reviews.
2/11- More of a drama than a documentary, this film was beautifully acted and very realistic. Highly recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming. Also available on DVD.
Tags: docudrama
July 29th, 2010
MY WINNIPEG- Guy Maddin‘s dreamlike biographical documentary is part psychoanalysis and part historical study of Winnipeg, Canada, Maddin’s hometown. Poetry serves as narration to explain how the city’s idiosyncratic culture has influenced the director. From lyrical ramblings about how the denizens of Winnipeg exist in perpetual “sleep mode” to fanciful reenactments of scenes from Maddin’s dysfunctional childhood, the film comprises a unique allegory of life.”
7/10- Interesting for about 20min. and then just plain weird. So novel that I’d recommend trying it. Netflix Streaming only at this time.
Tags: documentary
July 22nd, 2010
SMASH HIS CAMERA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “While profiling the controversial life and career of pioneering paparazzo Ron Galella, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Leon Gast raises intriguing questions about the freedom of the press, the right to privacy and our celebrity-obsessed culture. A great risk taker who never backed down, Galella suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Marlon Brando and fought two major lawsuits filed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.” I’ve seen 2 reviews, both very good.
11/10- Well done documentary about Galella who was a nemesis to many famous people but personified the conflict between privacy and free speech. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
July 21st, 2010
ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE- Premise by Netflix. “A Cambodian whose family was among the 2 million victims slain by the Khmer Rouge, Thet Sambath patiently spends his time, energy and money gaining the trust of the regime’s cold-blooded murderers in hopes of capturing their confessions on tape. Several years in the making, this powerful documentary showcases horrific stories told by the culprits themselves, including the notorious Nuon Chea, Pol Pot’s second-in-command dubbed “Brother Number 2.” No reviews yet.
Tags: Documentary/History
July 21st, 2010
SWEETGRASS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “As much a work of cultural anthropology as it is a documentary, this unique film traces the path of a family of Montana sheepherders as they drive their flock down from the treacherous and beautiful Absaroka Beartooth mountain range. With no guiding narration, filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor let the natural images speak for themselves, capturing the danger, pathos and humor in this haunting elegy to a bygone way of life.” Very good reviews.
8/10- Done in a very interesting way and like nothing you’ve seen before. Worth viewing. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 21st, 2010
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