GUGA HUNTERS OF NESS (2011) – Documentary Retroview
In his first documentary feature, Scottish filmmaker Mike Day chronicles an age-old tradition that’s observed in August of each year by the hale and hearty men of Ness. Known as Niseach men, they live in a small, remote town on the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis, one of the Outer Hebrides chain off […]
Read MoreSweetgrass (2010) – Documentary Retroview
Filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor follow Montana sheep herders as they drive 3,000 sheep through the Beartooth Mountains of Montana during the summer of 2003. This challenging and dangerous journey was the final annual sheep drive along a trail that has been followed since the early 1900s. The documentary is cinema verite in its purest form. There is no use of voice over narration to tell the story, no graphics are used during the film to establish location or explain images. Sweetgrass is an exquisite example of what the directors call ‘visual antropology.’
Read MoreSTORIES WE TELL (2012) – Documentary Retroview
Acclaimed Canadian actress and director Sarah Polley documents her own search to find out the truth about her parentage, trying to track down the truth about whether the man she’s known as dad for her entire life is or is not her biological father.
Read MoreWaste Land (2010) – Documentary Review
Acclaimed Brooklyn, NY-based artist Vik Muniz returns to his native country of Brazil, where he embarks upon a remarkable creative journey with a group of men and women who toil as catadores (garbage pickers) at Jardim Gramacho, a Rio de Janiero landfill.
Read MoreMARWENCOL – Movie Review – 2010
In April 2000, Mark Hogancamp lost his life, and got it back. He was literally beaten to death in a drunken brawl in a Kingston, NY bar. When paramedics resuscitated him, he had no recollection of anything about his identity or personal past.
Gradually, as a form of therapy, he began to construct a model town in his back yard. It was called Marwencol, and it was the replica of an imaginary French community during World War II.
Read MoreDesert of Forbidden Art (2011) – Documentary Review
In remote Uzbekistan, documentary filmmakers Amanda Pope and Tchavdar Georgiev find an unknown museum in which a single collector, Igor Savitsky, managed to save 44,000 world class art works from sure destruction by the repressive Soviet regime that deemed them anti-Soviet and had banned them.
Read MoreANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL (2009) – Documentary Retroview
Anvil Still Rocks! UTOPIA is releasing a newly restored version of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, filmmaker Sacha Gervasi’s 2009 documentary. The film is a real heavy metal rush!
Read MoreALI & AVA – Movie Review
While focusing on the very relatable human needs of Ali and Ava, the ever-masterful Barnard expresses and explores gripping socially relevant issues revolving around loneliness and grief, aging and personal transformation, ethnic prejudices, fidelity and the unfulfilled needs of the working class. It all adds up to a thoroughly engaging and rewarding watch.
Read MoreMovie Review: SKIES OF LEBANON
Skies of Lebanon opens the mind to deep consideration of the invasive impact that war and social strife have on families who work hard to contribute to society and, in return, just want to live in peace. Thanks to its genre-defying style, it is a lot of fun while it’s being quite serious in touching on themes that are currently relevant around the world, as well as right here, at home. The film is a must see.
Read MoreMovie Reviews: THE MARTHA MITCHELL EFFECT and GASLIT
Gaslit and The Martha Mitchell Effect are bound to rekindle the Martha Mitchell controversy, the whistleblower wife of former US Attorney General John Mitchell who was jailed for his role in the Watergate case. Was Martha righteous and genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of nation or did she loudly and disruptively stir things up because she craved public attention?
Read MoreWelcome to Cinema Citizen, an AWFJ Network Blog authored by Jennifer Merin
