Skip to Content

Hot Docs 2012: ‘Meet the Fokkens’ offers a charming, unusual personal narrative

Meet the Fokkens Written by Gabrielle Provaas and Rob Schröder Directed by Gabrielle Provaas Netherlands, 2011 There is a long tradition in documentary film of personalizing unusual individuals. In fact the entire genre of first-person narrative documentary has largely revolved around finding people and stories that are unusual, even openly odd, and seeking to provide …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘Meet the Fokkens’ offers a charming, unusual personal narrative

Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Ambassador’ a brave, darkly funny exposé

The Ambassador Written by Mads Brügger and Maja Jul Larsen Directed by Mads Brügger Denmark, 2011 As strange as it might sound to some people, documentary filmmakers are often exceptionally brave individuals. They are people who are at least willing to ask honest, probing questions of their subjects and at most are willing to do …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Ambassador’ a brave, darkly funny exposé

Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Job’ is resonant, wry, and unexpected

The Job Directed by Didier Cros 2012, France, 94 minutes An audience watching The Job may be forgiven if they think, at first, that this documentary is about an elaborate practical joke. Ten job seekers engage five interrogators in a two-day group interview that involves absurd role-playing situations, questionable personality tests, and increasingly hostile questions, …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Job’ is resonant, wry, and unexpected

Hot Docs 2012: ‘Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry’ overshadowed by its subject

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry Written by Alison Klayman Directed by Alison Klayman USA, 2012 A good documentary requires a good subject but can sometimes be overwhelmed by a great one. Such is the blessing and problem facing Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry. The film follows Weiwei, an acclaimed counter-cultural Chinese artist, as well known for his …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry’ overshadowed by its subject

Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Invisible War’ is eloquent, bold, and devastating

The Invisible War Directed by Kirby Dick 2012, USA, 93 minutes Kirby Dick’s latest investigative documentary begins with a simple title card stating that all statistics used in The Invisible War come from the US government. The move is bold, effective, and sets a sharp tone. So clear is the crime, so large is the …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘The Invisible War’ is eloquent, bold, and devastating

Hot Docs 2012: ‘Herman’s House’ a deeply moving account of penitentiary life

Herman’s House Directed by Angad Singh Bhalla Canada, 2012 Today is April 24th 2012. Last week marked the 40th anniversary of Herman Wallace’s initiation to a punitive epoch in solitary confinement. This commemoration is made even more lamentable when we learn that he’s been there ever since. In a documentary shot over five years, Toronto …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘Herman’s House’ a deeply moving account of penitentiary life

‘The World Before Her’ Movie Review – is essential viewing at this year’s festival

The World Before Her Directed by Nisha Pahuja 2012, Canada, 90 minutes   Consider director Nisha Pahuja a master of the loaded title. ‘The World’ is India, a billon strong, chaotically democratic, and torn between modernity and tradition. ‘Before’ is the most ambiguous word of the title—is it that the world exists prior to her, …

Read More about ‘The World Before Her’ Movie Review – is essential viewing at this year’s festival

Hot Docs 2012: ‘Buzkashi!’ is almost as unscrupulous as its antagonist

Buzkashi! Directed by Najeeb Mirza Canada, 2012 For centuries, shepherds in Central Asia have been driving their flock to greener pastures under the constant threat of attacking wolves. To protect their herd, men on horseback would chase the wolves, and pick them right off the ground. Over time, this practice evolved into a sport, where …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘Buzkashi!’ is almost as unscrupulous as its antagonist

Hot Docs 2012: ‘Big Boys Gone Bananas!’; Episode Two – Fredrik Gertten Strikes Back

Big Boys Gone Bananas! Directed by Fredrik Gertten Sweden, 2011 Not so long ago in a country not so far, far away… A Swedish journalist publishes a fiery polemic against a large, multi-national corporation. In response, said corporation successfully alleges fraud, effectively burying his work and blacklisting him from various media and journalistic syndications. To …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘Big Boys Gone Bananas!’; Episode Two – Fredrik Gertten Strikes Back

Hot Docs 2012: ‘China Heavyweight’ is an emotional contender

China Heavyweight Directed by Yung Chang Canada, 2012 In 1959, Chairman Mao banned Western-style boxing for being too American and too violent. Thirty years later, the ban was lifted. Although symptomatic of China’s ameliorating progress, Canadian director Yung Chang, in his documentary, China Heavyweight, exhibits how the country has yet to purge itself of Mao’s …

Read More about Hot Docs 2012: ‘China Heavyweight’ is an emotional contender