FACING NOLAN (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 21, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Having been a baseball fan for as long as I can remember, I can list the handful of players that I got to see play in person who left me in utter awe of their talent. Lynn Nolan Ryan was definitely one of them, so when I saw Bradley Jackson’s documentary listed on the SXSW schedule, I immediately sent my RSVP.

Jackson opens with the numbers: 7 no-hitters, 100.9 mph, 5714 career strikeouts, and 51 Major League Baseball records. Big Tex. The Ryan Express. If he wasn’t flesh and blood, Nolan Ryan could be the lead character in a graphic novel. An intimidating player with a Texas drawl borne of his upbringing in tiny Alvin, Texas. We see a fuzzy clip of Nolan pitching in high school, and his wife Ruth drives us by his childhood home. As a long-time fan, I’m relieved to see that Ruth Ryan is finally exposed as a guiding force in his life and career. Their first date is recalled … watching ROME ADVENTURE (Suzanne Pleshette, Troy Donahue) … as is their second – a baseball game to see Sandy Koufax pitch. Ruth explains that Nolan had no aspirations of a professional baseball career, and instead was determined to become a veterinarian. It was Mets’ scout Red Murff who changed the trajectory of animals and hitters everywhere when he convinced the team to draft Nolan.

Jackson includes interviews with players such as Pete Rose, Randy Johnson, and Jerry Grote (his catcher with the Mets). Rose talked about how difficult it was to face Nolan, while Johnson labels him the most intimidating pitcher of all-time. Others interviewed include Ryan’s biographer Rob Goldman and former President George W Bush, who was one of the team owners when Ryan signed with the Texas Rangers.

Some terrific archival footage shows Nolan’s World Series contribution to the 1969 Miracle Mets, his subsequent trade to Gene Autry’s (“The Singing Cowboy”) California Angels, and his early no-hitters and dominance. We learn about the impact of Tom Morgan, his first “real” pitching coach, and later, Ryan’s stunning free agent contract with the Houston Astros – making him the first athlete to sign a million-dollar contract. Jackson even includes the replay of the moment in 1973 when Norm Cash came to the plate with a table leg instead of bat to face Ryan during his second career no-hitter.

More footage is shown of Ryan’s 5th and 6th no-hitters, including Terry Puhl’s running catch. What a fun moment it is when Mr. Puhl proves that, even to this day, he still has the clip of that catch on his iPhone. And yes, it was the Astros’ blunder of inviting Nolan to take a ‘hometown’ pay cut, that drove him to sign with the cross-state rival Texas Rangers and write the final chapter of his storied baseball career. What followed was his 300th win, his 5000th strikeout, and remarkably, his 7th no-hitter. Of course, one of the most famous events of Ryan’s career occurred in 1993 when Robin Ventura charged the mound against the 46-year-old Ryan. What’s fascinating is how this is tied back to a previous incident with Dave Winfield years ago. Winfield discusses what happened, while Ryan admits to the impact.

The baseball content served up here is enough for any fan, but the real insight comes from the talks with Ruth and Nolan and their family members. Sure, he spent 27 years in the league and delivered a humble Hall of Fame induction speech (which is included here), but at the core of the player is the man with values … the man Ruth chose so many years ago. The kids and grandkids speak of Nolan and Ruth as role models, and we witness firsthand the difference between the Hall of Fame pitcher and the man fishing on the riverbank or at the head of the table for family meals. We have Red Murff and Tom Morgan to thank for the pitching, Ruth Ryan to thank for the man, and Bradley Jackson to thank for this profile.

WATCH THE ENTIRE MOVIE ON NETFLIX

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Posted by David Ferguson

CROWS ARE WHITE (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 21, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. The synopsis for this documentary had me excited to learn about the Tendai sect of monks on Mt Hiei in Japan. Known as “the Marathon Monks”, the sect has been a part of the mountain for more than 1200 years and are known for their extreme tests of physical endurance on the path to enlightenment. Director Ahsen Nadeem set out to explore his own faith, and looked to these monks for guidance.

This is a film of contradictions. It’s not really about the monks, and Nadeem’s true objective seems to be tricking the monks into guiding him through his messy life … a mess he created through his many deceptions. Nadeem seeks out time with Kamahori, a monk in the midst of a difficult 7-year journey to enlightenment. Kamahori has taken a vow of silence, which, as you can imagine, doesn’t make for a much of a cinematic interview. Instead, the monks kick Nadeem off the mountain when his cell phone rings. It’s at this point where we realize Nadeem is all about himself, and the tone of the film shifts.

Raised by strict Muslim parents, Nadeem recollects his childhood for us. It’s this background that allows us to understand how severe his broken trust with his parents has become. See, Nadeem is engaged to a non-Muslim woman, but he keeps this fact (and her) a secret despite regular Facetime calls. It’s a double-life that continues to get more complicated as the lies and deceptions pile up.

Still seeking answers, Nadeem heads back to the mountain where he meets Ryushin, a monk working the gift shop. We learn Ryushin is a black sheep monk … one who loves sake, ice cream, and heavy metal music (Slayer and Slipknot). Their odd friendship is the most interesting part of the film, and perhaps the portion that most helps Nadeem. Some of the best monk sayings come out in this part, though mostly we (and Nadeem) learn that perception is truth, and that we often lie to ourselves regarding key elements in life. And then Nadeem is again kicked off the mountain.

After returning to Los Angeles for his wedding, Nadeem admits that he still hasn’t told his parents. We find ourselves not liking Nadeem very much and certainly struggling to have any respect for a man who deceives his loved ones. In fact, his wife seems to take our side and is the one who pushes him to ‘come clean’ with the parents he hasn’t seen for 10 years, 3 of which cover his secret marriage. The way this portion is handled is downright despicable and we feel for his parents and the pain they experience.

We can remain in awe of the monks and their extreme physical feats. Walking the circumference of the globe over 1000 days is fascinating, and Kaihogyo – no sleep or lying down for 90 days – is dangerous and incredible. It’s very likely a second viewing of the film would allow for more focus on the spiritual aspects regarding faith and love and self. The contradictions in life – especially those we create for ourselves – are most certainly worth exploring, but our dislike of Nadeem (in spite of his honesty in front of the camera) is too distracting to pull out the wisdom and counseling that is present. Perhaps that is one more contradiction or paradox that we should deal with.

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE TORCH (2022, doc)

March 17, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. When Buddy Guy pops up on my playlist, I can feel it. After watching Jim Farrell’s documentary, I now know why. Sure, Buddy Guy has won 8 Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, been awarded a Kennedy Center Award, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. He has also influenced most every known guitar player from Hendrix to Clapton to Beck to Page to Stevie Ray Vaughan to John Mayer, and so on. But it’s not until you watch him play that it all comes into focus. Buddy Guy finds joy in playing, and he also carries the burden of keeping the blues alive.

Howlin’ Wolf died in 1976. Muddy Waters died in 1983. When BB King died in 2015, the legacy of the blues fell to Buddy Guy, and now he’s doing what he can to ensure it lives on … he is 85 years old, after all. So part of Farrell’s documentary is about the legacy of the blues and Buddy Guy, and part of it focuses on Buddy’s mentoring of guitar phenom Quinn Sullivan. We get some background on both men. Buddy was born and raised on sharecropper farm in Louisiana. He was crafting his own instruments by age 7 using wire, string, nails, and rubber bands. After playing with Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters for Chess Records, he will forever be associated with Chicago blues. Sullivan, a natural guitarist, first played on stage with Buddy in April 2007, at the age of seven. Since then, the two have bonded, performed, and recorded together.

Sullivan is truly the heir apparent, and Farrell includes footage of Quinn and Buddy performing live on stage together … quite a musical experience for those in the room. We also see the two chatting it up – Buddy telling his stories and Quinn soaking it in. And as amazing as it is to watch them on stage, it’s a rare treat to be allowed in the studio to film them recording a song. Farrell includes some interviews (Carlos Santana and others), and Buddy’s reverence for Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters is understandable. We are left with the hope that Buddy’s polka dot playing days continue for many years and that Quinn Sullivan appreciates the torch being passed to him.

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Posted by David Ferguson

JANE BY CHARLOTTE (2022, doc)

March 17, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Fearless, brave, and risk-taking. These are words often used to describe the acting choices of Charlotte Gainsbourg, who has been on screen regularly since she was a teenager. And it’s no wonder, given a resume that includes such films as NYMPHOMANIAC VOL I and II (2013), MELANCHOLIA (2011), and ANTICHRIST (2009). But it’s likely she’s never been more reticent than when directing her first film … a documentary on her mother, actor and singer Jane Birkin. This is anything but another profile of a famous person. No, this is something so intimate and personal that we often feel like we are eavesdropping and invading the privacy of mother and daughter.

We open with Jane singing on stage with the symphony at Bataclan Paris. It’s a reminder of how this icon from the ‘swinging 60’s’ remains a beloved figure today. But this is no career retrospective. In fact, there is very little structure … it’s kind of a meandering journey through the time Jane and daughter Charlotte spend together. Much of it is filmed at Jane’s beautiful riverfront home in France, and it seems Charlotte’s focus is on creating some special moments that she can recall once her 74-year-old mother is no longer around. Death, illness, and aging are all discussed.

Jane Birkin may be best known as the muse to Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte’s father, and for singing his risqué song, “Je t’ame, moi non plus”. There is an initial awkwardness between mother and daughter, and that’s likely due to the uncertainty over the reason for this documentary. Charlotte, also a photographer, is frequently seen snapping pictures of her mother, even as the film crew does their thing. It’s obvious both mother and daughter are more comfortable with the camera than they are with each other, though they do warm up as things progress.

Jane discusses her propensity to hoard items, rarely discarding anything. She jokes that Charlotte will have to decide what’s to keep once she’s gone. One of the oddest sequences occurs when the two ladies visit Serge’s old home. He passed away in 1991 and it appears the home hasn’t changed much, other than to display items as if it were a museum. Even some of the canned food has exploded since it’s been more than 30 years. It’s kinda creepy and a bit surreal watching them fumble through the place, picking out items that bring back memories.

“The Birkin”, a handbag by Hermes, still sells for thousands of dollars, and Jane makes it clear she still cares about her looks … wrinkles and famously tousled hair. The insecurities and guilt are never really dealt with here, leaving it mostly a project of love and respect. Perhaps Charlotte wanted to ensure that the moments put on film were never about regret and instead about finding joy and comfort together. It seems this is much more a film for these two ladies, and less so for the rest of us. For a more interesting primer, see JANE B FOR AGNES V, a 1988 documentary on Jane Birkin by Agnes Varda. That’s not a home movie.

Opening March 18, 2022 in New York and March 25, 2022 in Los Angeles

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Posted by David Ferguson

I AM HERE (2022, doc)

March 10, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. This isn’t the first documentary profile of a Holocaust survivor, but given the timeframe involved, it’s likely to be one of the last. It’s the first feature length documentary from Jordy Sank, and he was a teenager when he first met his subject, Ella Blumenthal. Taking a different approach, Mr. Sank and a small crew filmed Ms. Blumenthal’s 98th birthday party over a weekend with her friends and extended family – kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

Born in Warsaw in 1921, Ella was 18 years old when the war started in 1939. 23 of her family members were taken by Germans, and only she and her niece, Roma, would survive. Director Sank wisely keeps Ella on camera as much as possible because she is a true force of nature. Her stories are riveting and shocking, yet she remains so energetic … filled with light and full of life. Some animation is utilized to complement Ella’s stories to ensure that we visualize what she recalls. Her stories include her time in Majdanek, Auschwitz, and Bergen-Belsen, three concentration camps where so many Jews were exterminated. By the time, Bergen-Belsen was liberated on April 15, 1945, Ella had spent most of 5 years in horrific captivity. She recalls how close she came to death before a nurse-friend stepped in to save her life.

Ella even tells her post-war stories, including meeting her husband, which resulted in a relocation to South Africa. The couple purchased and ran a department store, and now at age 100, Ella still lives in Cape Town, enjoying a life of friends, family, and swimming. The scar on her arm keeps the past terribly close, but this lady’s spirit is something special. We see clips of her visiting the sites of the concentration camps, and we hear a stunning story of her reaction to one particular case of antisemitism. Most of us know someone who has an admirable zest for life, but rest assured you’ll come away from Ella’s story touched and inspired … and hopefully share her approach of being thankful for every day.

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Posted by David Ferguson

LUCY AND DESI (2022, doc)

March 3, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Since it is arriving on the heels of Aaron Sorkin’s dramatized BEING THE RICARDOS (2021), it’s tempting to view this documentary as if a professor is grading his work … or at least fact-checking. However, Sorkin’s film, which resulted in Oscar nominations for Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and JK Simmons, was based on a snapshot in time (and even took some liberties with that), while this first documentary from Amy Poehler takes a much wider lens to the life and career of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

An elite comedian herself, Ms. Poehler’s obvious admiration and respect for Lucy is understandable, and her film plays much like a tribute to her hero. She includes brief interviews with such legends as Carol Burnett, Norman Lear, Bette Midler, and Charo … each who have had enormous success in the comedy field. These folks all tip their cap to Lucy and Desi and their remarkable groundbreaking achievements with “I Love Lucy” – the most important, the most beloved, and the most long-lived sitcom in TV history.

Ms. Poehler also interviews Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucy and Desi. We learn a long-forgotten box of audio tapes was discovered, and that allows us to hear much of their history directly from Lucy and Desi. Lucie adds to the loving and respectful nature of the presentation, although we can’t help but notice her brother, Desi Jr, only shows up in one brief clip of a previous interview. Poehler complements the audio tapes with some excellent archival footage, including home movies that add to the personal feel.

The necessary background is provided so that we may better appreciate just what these two accomplished. Lucy’s grandfather took her to vaudeville shows, and she worked as a model prior to becoming “Queen of the B’s”. Desi’s family was affiliated with the Bacardi rum empire and lost everything in the 1933 Cuban revolution when he was 14. He worked in Xavier Cugat’s band and refined the “Conga line” that is still a party favorite these days. Lucy and Desi met on the set of the RKO movie TOO MANY GIRLS (1940) and after a whirlwind romance, the two were married shortly thereafter.

The marriage difficulties are soft-pedaled, and while it’s clear they loved each other very much, we learn that due to Desi’s stint in the Army and near-constant touring with his band, that the newlyweds saw very little of each other those first few years. In fact, that’s what inspired Lucy to demand that Desi play her husband in the new TV show. We then learn about the extraordinary business decisions that were made – not just for the show, but also in founding their own studio, Desilu, which allowed them to own their show and produce others. It was the selling of all 179 episodes of “I Love Lucy” that kicked off the whole idea of reruns, a staple of today’s television programming.

We see some classic clips from the sitcom, as well as footage of Desi performing his signature “Babaloo”. Lucy and Desi met, fell in love, worked together in the most popular sitcom of all-time, had kids together, built a revolutionary studio business together, divorced, and loved each other forever. Lucie recalls her mother visiting Desi as he lay in bed, slowly dying from lung cancer. She could hear their laughter as they watched “I Love Lucy” reruns. Is the story truth or legend?  Does it matter? The two had a lasting and historic impact on the entertainment world, both from what was on screen and from the business side of running a studio. And even today, everyone still loves Lucy.

Exclusively on Amazon Prime beginning March 4, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

SYLVIE OF THE SUNSHINE STATE (2022, doc)

February 6, 2022

Slamdance Film Festival 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Parenting is difficult. Pandemic parenting is a whole new level of difficult. No helpful guidebook exists and there is no recent similar time in history from which to take lessons. That leaves instinct, and in my first documentary of this year’s Slamdance Film Festival, single mother Sasha Levinson has inexplicably (and to my horror) put her pandemic parenting instincts on display for all to witness.

A terrific opening shot of Sylvie riding her bike in circles around the backyard pool reminds us that separating kids from friends during the pandemic has likely stunted the social development of many, while also forcing them into independence mode. We soon learn Sylvie is a 9-year-old in the process of repeating second grade. She has names for her many dolls and converses with an imaginary friend. Her mother Sasha has explained the purpose of filming their daily activities, and why they are quarantined.

Despite the title and the fact that the lens is regularly focused on her, this isn’t really about young Sylvie. It’s about Sasha. It’s about Sasha’s challenges with parenting, and her own self-centeredness. It’s also about Sasha’s need for emotional support, and her disturbing attempts to get her daughter to provide it. Don’t misunderstand. Sasha clearly loves Sylvie and provides a nice home. The best we can hope is that many of these mother-daughter interactions were Sasha’s attempt to create the conflict necessary for what she considers an interesting story. Whether that’s the case, or if what we are subjected to is what Sasha considers acceptable parenting, much of what we see is uncomfortable at best, and truly frightening at times.

Sylvie does have a special relationship with her father, who initially is quarantined in upstate New York. When he finally visits, we see the connection they have. But the visit is only temporary, and not long after, Sylvie has a horrific health scare that results in a seizure, ambulance ride, and a hospital stay. Once recovered, the chaos of online school is back in full force. At the end of the semester, another litmus test serves as a reminder of Sasha’s parenting skills. It turns out that her daughter … you’ll recall Sylvie is already repeating second grade … is in danger of failing yet again due to a sea of missed assignments. That’s correct. This mother has made no effort to assist her daughter with the structure and discipline required in the new world of virtual education.

Although Sylvie’s dad is living far away, other family members live close by. Grandma Mimi, Grandpa John, and Great-Grandmother Gigi (who has a real thing for ‘handsome’ Al Gore), all live nearby and get short, masked-up, socially-distanced visits. Even these rare family visits aren’t without conflict. Sasha’s strained relationship with her own mother, and the associated tainted childhood memories she has, are intensified when Sasha tries to convince Sylvie how lucky she is to have the mother she has. I’m choosing not to re-live the segments where Sylvie exhibits body image issues, or when Sasha tells her daughter, “I thought you liked your dad more.” Instead, I go back to my original confusion as to why any mother would put such emotional pressure on a young kid, film it, and then put it on display for all to see. When Sylvie asked, “Mommy, when will the virus be over?”, all I could wonder was how many kids have been so negatively impacted over the past couple of years.

**Slamdance Film Festival embodies its mantra: By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers. Though Slamdance has greatly evolved since the early years, its mission and organization remain the same. Slamdance serves new and emerging artists, filmmakers, and storytellers from around the world. Slamdance programmers gravitate towards films that embody the true spirit of DIY guerilla filmmaking.

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Posted by David Ferguson

AMERICAN GADFLY (2021, doc)

January 4, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Since I was unsure of the definition of “gadfly”, I was equally unsure of what I was getting into when I agreed to review the first feature-length documentary from Skye Wallin. It turns out, Wallin anticipated that particular uncertainty and kindly provided the definition in the opening for the film. A gadfly is one who provokes or annoys in regards to certain topics, and in this case those topics are political and societal in nature. The titular gadfly is not one person, but rather a few unusual collaborators: a group of smart and idealistic teenagers and an 89 year old former Senator.

Our ‘old-timer’ is Mike Gravel, who served as US Senator for Alaska from 1969 through 1981. He’s probably best remembered for reading the Pentagon Papers into the official record in 1971. The Pentagon Papers were the focus of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar nominated film THE POST (2017), but here they serve as background on Mr. Gravel, a lifelong fighter for ideals (think first edition Bernie Sanders). He ran a campaign for President in 2008, but had since lived a quiet life until contacted by a group of teenagers looking to raise awareness for the shared causes they believed in: anti-war, anti-corruption, etc.

The Gen Z activists convinced Gravel to run for President (the 2020 election) on a platform that mirrored his long-standing beliefs. Once Whitney, Gravel’s initially dubious wife, was on board, things clicked into overdrive. The smallest bit with the most impact was Gravel turning his Twitter account over to the youngsters. Make no mistake, this was a social media campaign fueled by the passion of a group of teenagers hoping to drive change. Mr. Gravel clearly admired (and shared) their passion, though he was not able to physically engage like he had early in his career.

Obviously these youngsters had no experience running a campaign, but their instincts were sharp as they drew in thousands of followers who shared their vision. Their goal of gaining an invitation for Gravel to one of the televised debates was both impressive and disappointing. A painful lesson about rules and a structured system led to a learning experience, rather than a successful mission.

Along the way, the group crossed paths with the likes of Andrew Yang, Tulsi Gabbard, Marianne Williamson, Rick Santorum, and yes, even Bernie Sanders … each candidate expressing their admiration for the group’s work, and some even offering valuable assistance. Throughout history, the passion of youth has generated waves of change. The impacts aren’t always immediately noticeable, but the desire for a better world should drive us all, regardless of age or political affiliation. Skye Wallin’s entertaining and informative film reminds us of this.

*Note: Mike Gravel passed away in June 2021

VOD on January 4, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

SUMMER OF SOUL (2021, doc)

December 31, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s directorial debut is a history lesson wrapped in a concert film, and it’s just the blended spoonful we need. You might know Questlove best as the bandleader/drummer on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”, and with this documentary, he has proven his skill in balancing the visuals with the message. The Harlem Cultural Festival was held over six weekends in the summer of 1969. Yep, the same summer as (and only 100 miles from) the infamous and celebrated Woodstock festival. A total of 300,000 people attended the free events held in Mt Morris Park in Harlem, and Questlove’s film brings back what has been forgotten.

TV director Hal Tulchin filmed each week’s concert in hopes that it would have market value as a broadcast event. When he was unable to market the footage, all 47 reels remained stashed in his basement for 50 years. Questlove weaves a magic carpet that injects interviews, statements, and news clips over the powerful music being performed on stage. We get interviews with festival attendees, musicians, NY Times reporter Charlayne Hunter-Gault, and historical perspective from news clips of Richard Nixon, the Vietnam War, and the assassinations of John Kennedy, Malcolm X, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. The festival was organized to commemorate MLK’s death the previous year, and at a time when the black community felt much anger and unrest. The Black Panthers were brought in for security as drugs had spiraled out of control in Harlem.

It was never just about the music, but what music it was! Gospel, blues, soul, and R&B filled the air, as the crowd cheered, danced, and sang along. We learn Maxwell House coffee served as the key sponsor, and there is a segment on NYC Mayor Lindsay, who supported the festival and was well-respected in the Black community. Tony Lawrence, a lounge singer and radio DJ, served as the festival’s host and producer. He introduced each of the acts, and did so with quite a flair for fashion.

The performers aren’t necessarily shown in the same order as the festival, but that matters little. Stevie Wonder is at a decisive point in his career, and his drum solo (yes, drums) is energizing. We also get to see and hear such acts as BB King, the 5th Dimension, the Staples Singers, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Nina Simone. There is an audio recording of Mavis Staples recalling how “unreal” it was for her to sing with Mahalia. Other highlights include David Ruffin hitting and holding a high note on “My Girl”, the Edwin Hawkins Singers performing “Oh, Happy Day”, Hugh Maskela jolting the crowd with “Grazing in the Grass”, and Sly and the Family Stone (and their “white drummer”) leading the audience through “Higher”. The late Nina Simone comes across as especially regal and powerful in her time on stage. There are clips of comedian Moms Mabley performing, as well as Jesse Jackson orating. Lin-Manuel Miranda discusses the music of Puerto Rico and Spanish Harlem, and one of the most touching segments finds Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr recalling the backstory of how The 5th Dimension came to record “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine in”.

Early marketing attempts re-branded the festival as “Black Woodstock”, but that didn’t change the fact that the market was limited at the time. Festival-attendee Musa Jackson is interviewed as he watches the film, and it’s clear that it’s an affirmation of the era. It’s also fascinating to hear Charlayne Hunter-Gault recount how she fought the NY Times over her preferred description of people as “Black” rather than the previously utilized “Negro”. Questlove’s film immediately becomes a historical time capsule and one that should be viewed by many.

Available on Hulu

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Posted by David Ferguson

TO WHAT REMAINS (2021, documentary)

December 9, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. Sometimes it feels pointless to write about a film, while sometimes it seems that the right words escape me. I don’t have the right words for this documentary from Chris Woods, yet I do know that it should be seen by as many folks as possible. As the divisiveness of our country continues to fester, this story about real people takes us to a time when heroes fought for freedom against real enemies, while so many families sacrificed for the benefit of all. Millions lost their lives in World War II, and Woods focuses on one small organization doing everything possible to bring closure to the especially brutal Battle of Peleliu.

Today, the island Peleliu is a breathtaking tropical paradise. However, the beauty hides many secrets of the past. More than 200 aircraft were shot down over Palau, and Dr. Pat Scannon founded Project Recover with the mission of locating and recovering as many aircraft and soldier remains as possible. We go along on some of the expeditions, and witness remarkable underwater footage. We see the crew successfully locate remains, and we also get a sense of disappointment when they don’t … a very frequent occurrence, as explained by Dr. Scannon himself.

Included here are interviews with WWII veterans and their family members. These are emotional moments, and we especially feel for those families who have only a photo of their loved ones. This is what inspires Dr. Scannon to continue his search. Repatriating those who have been MIA for 75 years provides a much-appreciated closure for the families, and for the country. There is even a segment where a veteran of the Battle of Peleliu returns to Orange Beach, and we feel his strength as he recalls his many lost cohorts. Of course other veterans prefer to keep this in the past, and we certainly understand that preference.

Director Woods includes many photographs and archival war footage, but it’s the people who make the impact. Seeing a family find closure when their loved one’s remains are returned to U.S. soil is a unique emotion that’s difficult to describe. We even hear about the ship sunk by a pilot named George Herbert Walker Bush, the future President of the United States. The film premiered at AFI Fest, and leaves us with the faces of those who fought, and the mind-boggling statistic that 80,000 American war veterans are still Missing in Action. For more information on Dr. Scannon’s organization, go to www.ProjectRecover.org

The film opens in select theaters on December 10, 2021

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Posted by David Ferguson

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