A DANGEROUS GAME (2015, doc)

June 24, 2015

a dangerous game Greetings again from the darkness. Donald Trump is the closest thing we have to a real life Snidely Whiplash. He is fascinating and entertaining in his arrogance, and the poster child of evil for the 99-percenters. Documentarian Anthony Baxter delivers a follow-up to his award-winning 2011 documentary You’ve Been Trumped, and this time we get the face-to-face showdown between Trump and Baxter … though it’s quite brief.

Baxter revisits Trump’s Menie Estate development in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and in the process catches up any viewer who missed the first film, while also exploring planned development on the last remaining natural state land in the area. The film’s best segment focuses on an unrelated planned development (golf and luxury homes) in the Heritage area of Dubrovnik in Croatia. We see the real struggle of the “little guys” as they fight back against corporate greed and civic corruption. The third segment involves New Jersey, and the key point seems to be that Don Trump Jr is every bit as annoying and arrogant as his father.

Baxter’s film is loosely structured, but certainly raises some interesting points about how the wealthy can abuse their power at the expense of ecology, history, and the huddled masses. Drought conditions on SRD in Dubrovnik? No worries … we will just buy enough water to keep the fairways green and putting surfaces plush. One of the local farms not quaint enough?  No worries … we will just berm the perimeter and cutoff the resident’s access to the seashore. We also see the corruption of local leaders and local government. It’s especially disheartening in Dubrovnik as the locals gain 11,000 signatures to force a referendum, only to be steamrolled by the Mayor.

The sit down interview with Trump and Baxter is somewhat of a letdown, but it does feature two men who believe strongly in their views. One could walk away from the film with a feeling of helplessness, but in reality, it provides a hopeful message for strength in numbers and fighting for what one believes in.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

MADE IN JAPAN (2015, doc)

June 14, 2015

made in japan Greetings again from the darkness. My favorite documentary at this year’s Oak Cliff Film Festival introduced me to the world’s first female Japanese Country and Western music star: Tomi Fujiyama. She made a historic appearance at the 39th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964 and director Josh Bishop follows her efforts at realizing a dream of a return performance.

The first thing we notice about Tomi is her effervescent personality and zest for life. Her smile lights up any room she enters, and her observations are often laugh-out-loud funny. The next thing we notice is that she is incredibly talented as a guitar player and singer. She is no circus act, but instead a world class musical talent … not just in 1964 when she followed Johnny Cash onto the Opry stage, but even today as she belts out “The Tennessee Waltz”.

Filmmaker Bishop does nice work in allowing us to learn Tomi’s history, beginning with the destruction of her family home in Japan during WWII, and her later trip to the United States with her father. Her early career was spent performing for the U.S. military – this during a time when female performers in Japan were rare, and those that toured the world were nearly non-existent.

The filmmaking process began in 2005 and the early scenes blend seamlessly with more recent footage. It’s pretty interesting to watch as Tomi and her husband re-trace her early time in Las Vegas, New York City and Nashville. It’s especially touching and entertaining as she meets up with 91 year old Oscar, who was part of the “Lonzo & Oscar” duo who pushed to get Tomi some of her early gigs. Watching them play together is watching two people who truly love what they do – two people born to make music. And that’s the overriding feeling of the entire movie. Tomi dreams of standing on the Opry stage again, but she never misses a chance to perform … anywhere, anytime.

The historical aspects of this story are impressive – multicultural and multigenerational facets play a role, and the enthusiasm shown by Tomi make her so much fun to pull for. Mr. Bishop noted in the post-screening Q&A that the final cut of the film will be different from this version, thanks to recent developments involving SXSW, Jimmy Kimmel, and yes, the Grand Ole Opry. It’s a story of history, music, perseverance and attitude; and it’s a story more of us should know.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

DANNY SAYS (2015, doc)

June 14, 2015

danny says Greetings again from the darkness. Tying in nicely with the repertory showing of Rock ‘n Roll High School (1979) at the Oak Cliff Film Festival, this documentary from Brendan Toller aims to give credit to one of the unsung (and mostly unknown) influencers of cultural and music changes in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Danny Fields was the behind-the-scenes “mover and shaker” who helped shine the light on bands such as The Doors, Velvet Underground, The Stooges, MC5 and The Ramones.

Fields is described as having his pulse on the underground music scene, and this is meant to be a compliment … he knew what the “cool” people were listening to. More than just a keen social observer, Fields finished 6th in his class at Penn – as the youngest graduate – and went on to drop out of Harvard Law School in order to be on the front line of the cultural changes occurring in the 60’s.

Director Toller’s respect and admiration for Fields is on full display, and we are treated to interviews from the likes of Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop, to multiple sit downs with Fields himself … the highlights of the film. The stories about “16” Magazine, Jim Morrison, Nico and Edie Sedgwick are all interesting, but it’s watching as Fields personally recalls his involvement that offer us something we’ve never before seen.

Fields’ time at Elektra Records is chronicled, as is his fallout with The Ramones … whose song provides the title of the movie (also covered by Tom Waits and Foo Fighters). It’s also noted that Fields decision to take The Ramones on a UK tour, helped drive the popularity of The Sex Pistols and The Clash … the foundation of the new Punk era. It’s always refreshing when accolades and credit find the proper target – even when delayed by a few decades.

 

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

20 YEARS OF MADNESS (2015, doc)

June 13, 2015

20 years of madness Greetings again from the darkness. If you haven’t figured out that life is much different at age 38 than at age 18, this Oak Cliff Film Festival documentary will be shocking to you. Jerry White, Jr attempts to recapture the boundless creativity that fueled the mid-1990’s public access TV show that he and his friends so enjoyed – “30 Minutes of Madness”. The main obstacle to his plan: two decades have passed since the unhappy ending, and some members of the group haven’t spoken in years.

The film is directed by Jeremy Ross, but the commanding force here is Jerry White, Jr. He was and remains the dominant (and domineering) personality of the group, though the quick-tempered teenager has transitioned into a manipulative megalomaniac adult. To say that he is unpleasant to watch is a bit of an understatement. Having recently graduated from USC film school, he has no job and no prospects, so the idea of “going home” to Michigan to see if lightning can strike twice makes as much sense as any other strategy.

What he discovers in his old Rochester, Michigan stomping grounds is that most of his childhood friends are pretty unhappy and unfulfilled as adults. By pretty unhappy, I mean depressed, drug addicted, and even struggling with mental illness. It seems most of the group still lives locally, and only a couple have found any amount of happiness.

It would be pretty easy (and understandable) to dismiss this as two hours of watching miserable grown-ups who haven’t accepted life’s responsibilities and long for the creative freedom afforded to carefree teenagers. However, the psychological analysis afforded by this group makes it the ultimate character study. Contrasting the dictatorial traits of Mr. White with the near child-like approach of some of the group members – those so desperate for just a hint of respect – is both painful and fascinating to watch. It begs the question … how can those so fearless in youth be so unsuccessful in finding meaning in later life?

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

STATION TO STATION (2015)

June 13, 2015

station Greetings again from the darkness. Day two of the 4th annual Oak Cliff Film Festival reminded me why I so enjoy this “rogue” festival … it always provides a completely new cinematic experience.  How does a movie consisting of 62 one minute movies strike you? That’s precisely what filmmaker Doug Aitken delivers in what could be called experimental or high-concept film. However you label it, when the ride ended, I was ready for 62 more.

The project involves a 24 day, 4000 mile cross-country train ride between New York and San Francisco. Director Aitken’s introductory segment provides somewhat of an overview for his vision, and the subsequent one-minute blips blend seamlessly with the feel of the scattered views out the window of our own train car.

Some familiar faces pop up on the trip, including Patti Smith, Jackson Browne, Beck, Thurston Moore, Cat Power, and Mavis Staples. There are also flamenco dancers, marching bands, a self-described husker, and the kinetic drawing machine/apparatus of artist Olafur Eliasson – allowing the train itself to organically create art.

Taken as a celebration of art, the film is a work of art (and/or 62 separate pieces of art), that reminds us individual expression comes in various forms. Many will find joy in exposure (albeit it brief) to new bands and new music, while also taking in the 10 “happenings” along the way. These happenings actually take us off the train and into a location for an event.

While there is no traditional plot, the segments come so quickly, that we are engaged from the beginning, and in no way prepared for number 62 to derail the ride. Whether art is individual expression or a form of freedom really isn’t the point … let’s just be thankful that Doug Aitken and so many others are willing (maybe driven?) to share their creative force.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

SUNSHINE SUPERMAN (2015, doc)

June 7, 2015

sunshine superman Greetings again from the darkness. When at a dinner party someone introduces themselves as “an engineer”, we don’t typically settle in for a long evening of tales describing their daredevil and death-defying hobbies. Filmmaker Marah Strauch teaches us being too quick to judge could cost us the exhilarating story of Carl Boenish, the acknowledged father of BASE jumping.

Mr. Boenish was an engineer turned cinematographer turned skydiver and cliff jumper. Despite his unbridled energy and enthusiasm, his engineering background (Hughes Aircraft) provided the analytical foundation that helped him plan “safe” jumps for years. And it was his love of film and cinematography that produced a treasure trove of film clips from some breathtaking jumps … beginning with his 1978 leap from Yosemite’s El Capitan.

The film is about Boenish’s thirst for the next big jump, but it’s also about his jumping partner and wife Jean, and the bond between them. GoPro cameras have spoiled us today. We are accustomed to film clips of just about anything that involves speed, height or any person looking for a thrill. Thirty plus years ago, such clips weren’t possible … except with Boenish and his clunky cameras strapped to helmets on these jumps.

BASE jumping is an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth … the types of jumps required to join the ranks of Boenish’s group. We witness the fights against national park Rangers, and the clandestine operations that led to jumps from under construction skyscrapers in Los Angeles and Houston. Boenish truly pushed the Nature’s Law vs. Man’s Law conflict.

Director Strauch takes us through the Guiness record jump at Norway’s Troll Wall, and we even hear Jean stating that Carl would have been right there with today’s wing suit jumpers. The final shot of a modern day “flyer” is quite the contrast to those early Boenish jumps. The film answers “How and Why”, and leaves little doubt that the genetic make-up is quite different for this group of thrill-seekers than for the rest of us … and being an engineer doesn’t exclude one from either group!

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

EVERY LAST CHILD (2015, doc)

June 7, 2015

every last child Greetings again from the darkness. Filmmaker Tom Roberts takes his camera into Pakistan where polio, once near eradication, exploded in outbreaks in a short period of time. The causes of the increase include the Taliban’s 2012 ban on vaccinations and the general public’s distrust of the system.

Roberts puts a face to the disease and to those working so hard to get it back under control. We meet Habib, a 31 year old man who has been disabled since being struck down by polio at age 9. He shares his daily struggles and hope that he will be “fit” in the afterlife. We also see an emotional father as his young son is diagnosed with polio and subsequently fit with leg braces. It’s heart-breaking and painful to watch.

Also getting their share of the story are World Health Organization workers plus the volunteers who work as vaccinators – a terribly dangerous job. We go behind the scenes of the strategy and planning sessions, and witness a government leader step up for the “Justice For Health” plan that will successfully vaccinate tens of thousands of kids over the course of a few weeks … sadly, the vaccinators must be accompanied by armed police forces.

The statistical breakdown of the challenges and successes are a bit difficult to follow, but it’s even more frustrating to hear the citizens discuss putting their kids at risk due to the distrust of the WHO, which they believe is little more than a conspiracy of the western world to control their population. They ignore the infected waters that run through the heart of their cities, but the shift is welcome when their own government becomes the driving force behind the new strategy.

According to Roberts, the United Arab Emirates pushed the campaign and by late 2014, more than 13 million had been vaccinated and polio was nearly back under control. The camera work and access is quite unique and fascinating to watch as Roberts shows us the good, the courageous and the challenges faced.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

DEEP WEB (2015, doc)

May 28, 2015

deep web Greetings again from the darkness. Even those of us who consistently obey the law have a general idea of how criminals work: robbing banks, stealing cars, kidnapping people, even hacking websites for personal information. Additionally, the vast majority of us have at least a rudimentary understanding of how the internet works, and the steps we take to increase security. Documentarian Alex Winter combines these two topics as he takes us inside the deep web … specifically Silk Road on the Darknet.

The Surface Web vs The Deep Web – the film exposes what most of us have very little knowledge of. The simple explanation is that the “surface web” is what we use on a daily basis: Facebook postings photos of our latest meal and YouTube video sensations showing cats fighting their mirrored reflection. The Deep Web is what lies beneath. This is the (mostly) untraceable technology where the underground marketplace site known as Silk Road exists. To be clear, most of the ongoings on the deep web are legitimate and in good faith – used frequently by journalists. However, the other side is how it obtained the nickname “ebay for Heroin”.  Yep, untraceable transactions for illegal drugs definitely happened (and still do). It turns out that Bitcoin is the ideal underground currency for this commerce, as it can be as untraceable as the drug orders.

You might recognize the name of director Alex Winter as half of the classic movie duo in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). Mr. Winter released a documentary a couple years ago entitled Downloaded, where he explored the rise and fall of Napster and the effects of downloaded music. This current topic is much more dangerous and secretive, and he wisely brings along his old buddy Keanu Reeves as the narrator. Winter’s approach here is initially a bit confusing, as the focus seems uncertain – is it a tell all about the deep web, or is it a profile of Silk Road, or is it an analysis of the arrest and subsequent trial of possible Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht?

Most of the attention goes to Ulbricht, better known as the Dread Pirate Roberts (DPR), a pseudonym snatched from the classic movie The Princess Bride. Is/Was Ulbricht the DPR? Winter is content to leave that mystery unsolved, but the real story here is how the government put the case together against Ulbricht – fabricating charges (later dropped), circumstantial evidence, and a probable breach of privacy.

The general belief is that we should have a free and open and secure internet, though most of us never stop to think what a ludicrous demand that really is. It’s the lack of privacy and ease of breach on the surface web that led to the development of the deep web – an anonymous and mostly secure environment. At least it was until the government went hard after Silk Road. Shutting down the non-violent drug transactions justified the law enforcement and political attention that the drug wars along the border never have. Is this a good thing? Is Ulbricht the DPR? Does it matter that after his arrest, his void was quickly filled by other opportunists? Do you believe you are secure on the web? Winter presents an exceptional amount of information that deserves even more discussion and explanation. That alone makes it time well spent.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

SOUL BOYS OF THE WESTERN WORLD (doc, 2014)

May 25, 2015

soul boys Greetings again from the darkness. Director George Hencken’s biopic on the British band Spandau Ballet provides not just an in-depth look at the band’s roller-coaster history, but also a timeline of musical changes beginning in the late 1970’s.

The film begins not with the formation of the band; but rather with each bandmember briefly discussing their childhood, family life, and original inspiration for a life in music. The photos and interviews provide insight into each of the gents, and is a terrific way to begin telling the story of a band that would go on to experience the greatest highs and lowest lows.

Best known for their huge international number one hit “True” (1983), Spandau Ballet went through numerous name changes and musical style changes in their early years – experimenting with influencers ranging from the Blues to Sinatra and Ella to Glam Rock and The Kinks. This was a group of working class Brits searching for their place during the rapid changes that included Punk Rock and Disco. Mostly, they wanted to be “Pop Stars”, and they became one of the beneficiaries of the Dawn of Music Videos. The band was a mixture of fashion, graphic arts, video and music, and never lost sight of the need for glamour.

Their musical rivals during this era were Duran, Duran and Wham!, though obviously there was plenty of airtime and plenty of fans for all. This group of school buddies leaned heavily on Gary Kemp for their songwriting. Things went along very well until 1990 when Gary and his brother Martin (also a band member) were chosen to star in director Peter Medak’s movie called The Krays.  It was soon after that the band played what most thought would be their final gig.

The Krays was successful, and both Gary and Martin pursued acting careers, while some of the other band members tried to make a go of it musically. However, a nasty lawsuit over royalties further divided the band, creating apparent irreconcilable differences. In a remarkable turn of events, the band members put the past behind them and in 2009 … after almost 20 years apart, they reunited for a tour and album.

Mr. Hencken fills the screen with some terrific clips – live shows, home movies, news reels, and interviews. It’s a detailed timeline and history of a band that literally took their name right off a bathroom wall, and enjoyed the heights of popularity playing Live Aid in 1985 (2 billion people watching) and the depths of a nasty band breakup, replete with publicly-reported lawsuit. It’s a very well documented and well presented history of band and the music culture of an era.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

REVOLUTION (2014, documentary)

May 21, 2015

revolution Greetings again from the darkness. If you have seen Sharktown (2007), then you are already sold on the earnest commitment to conservation of documentarian Rob Stewart.  In his earlier effort, the focus was on saving the shark population. This time out, he is imploring the human race “save ourselves”.

Rather than blindly preach the evils of global warming and pollution, Mr. Stewart travels to 15 countries over 4 years putting together case studies of overall effects. It is a bit odd to see the first few minutes of this film focus on sharks and Stewart’s first movie. It feels as if he is trying to convince us of his worthiness, rather than letting his research speak for itself. Despite this minor complaint, the underwater photography alone makes this film worth watching. Stewart’s remarkable eye combined with top notch equipment and real knowledge of ocean life, elevate his photograph work to the highest level.

Of particular interest are Stewart’s segments on Coral Eden in New Guinea, the diminishing coral reefs worldwide, the excessive carbon dioxide being absorbed by oceans due to the preponderance of Coal usage for energy (China opens a new coal plant each week), deforestation and its effect on Lemurs in Madagascar, the Canadian Tar Sands (Stewart is from Canada), and the increased banning of Shark Finning (now banned in more than 100 countries). Stewart drives home the point that most of the issues arise from the deep connection between governments and corporations.

Stewart’s mission is to convince individuals – especially young people – that they can make a difference; and in fact they MUST make a difference, or things will be much different and worse within their lifetimes. If we believe corporations will make changes for the sake of humanity and the saving of species, then we are dead wrong.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

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