CUTIE AND THE BOXER (2013, doc, UK)

February 23, 2014

cutie Greetings again from the darkness. This finishes off my viewing of the five Oscar nominated documentary features. Filmmaker Zachary Heinzerling starts us with the 80th birthday of Ushio Shinohara. His wife Noriko has provided individual serving cakes and his has a number 3 candle on it. The candle has no significance other than they “don’t have 80 candles“. The rest of the movie is about what this couple does and does not have.

Ushio has had quite a career as an artist, starting with his Neo-Dadaism movement in Japan and carrying over to his popularity in New York City (he moved there in 1969) with his sculptures made from discarded items and his “boxing” paintings, of which we get to see the in-action video. It’s no secret that Ushio and Noriko are struggling financially … they discuss past due rent and utilities. We then learn that Ushio had once been quite popular and influential in the art world. His work has been displayed at many of the most famous museums and galleries, and Andy Warhol’s pop art was inspired by Ushio’s work.

But this story is about much more than the roller coaster ride of an artist. It’s even more about a 40 year marriage/relationship/partnership and the accompanying frustrations of one artist living in the shadow of another. We often sense the resentment coming from Noriko as she fills us in on her perspective, and we witness firsthand the challenges of living with Ushio. Neither of these people are especially likable, but afterall, they are artists! Home movies take us back to the early years (the 1970’s) and the destructive force of Ushio’s alcoholism and ego. When Noriko offered her assistance to the older (by 22 years) artist and then soon became pregnant, her passion for art was shelved. All these years later, her frustrations come pouring out through a mostly autobiographical story book illustration of Cutie (Noriko) and Bullie (Ushio).

We only get brief glimpses of their son Alex, but enough to see that he is also a struggling artist, and regrettably, also an alcoholic. Maybe the single biggest moment occurs when Ushio utters “the average one should support the genius“. In other words, Noriko is correct when she accuses him of viewing her as a “free assistant” and a “free chef“. So while Ushio says “art is messy“, it’s also obvious that life is every bit as messy, and that art and life offer no separation for this couple.

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXS6Aby5AUg

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Posted by David Ferguson

DIRTY WARS (2013, doc, Spain)

February 16, 2014

dirty wars Greetings again from the darkness. This is one of this year’s Oscar nominated documentaries, and it comes from director Rick Rowley and investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill. You might know Scahill as the author of the best selling book, “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army”. Here, he is on the front line of looking into the U.S. covert operations in the Middle East.

The film covers 3 years of Scahill’s work at uncovering drone strikes and top secret attacks on suspected terrorists. Suspected being the operative word. Scahill slowly pulls back the curtain to discover the activities of JSOC – the Joint Special Operations Command (formed in 1980). While the Osama bin Laden mission brought some rare media coverage for JSOC, Scahill’s work shows just how deep the secret and often unmonitored missions of this group go.

Scahill’s point is that the U.S. has significant ongoing covert operations in countries and areas of undeclared war, and it sometimes spills over to U.S. citizens. This point is driven home by the story of Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen killed for being a suspected terrorist. His 16 year old son was killed by a drone soon afterward. Per Scahill, many innocents have been killed (more than a million) and the U.S. is creating enemies from some allies. He even found that some refer to these soldiers as the “American Taliban”.

The film and Scahill’s commentary certainly raise some compelling points and makes for intriguing conversation. My issue is with the structure of the film and the manner in which the topics are presented. In light of the criticism he has received, Scahill has stated “The truth is just true sometimes. Objectivity doesn’t exist“. Scahill himself spends an inordinate amount of time on screen. This is typically an indication that a documentary is lacking sufficient proof and documentation. Additionally, his Hollywood-type narration is quite distracting and complimented by a mood-influencing musical score from the Kronos Quartet. If the story goes as deep as Scahill would have us believe … that there really is no end in sight … a less gimmicky approach was in order.

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE RAPE OF EUROPA (2007, doc)

February 12, 2014

europa Greetings again from the darkness. Watching the 2014 release of The Monuments Men inspired me to re-watch this fascinating documentary on the same subject. Thanks to the interviews of real life Monuments Men like Harry Ettlinger, Kenneth Lindsay, Charles Parkhurst and Bernard Taper, we better understand the overwhelming mission these folks were on, and how even today, some battles wage on over the rightful owners of artwork.

To drive home the point that there is more at stake than just pride, the case of Klimt’s “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” is studied. Adele’s niece continued her litigation against Austria until a court finally awarded her the painting (and 3 others). She sold “Adele” for $135 million to a collector. So clearly the cause is not just for mother country. Economics play a huge role. Regardless, the more interesting portion of the story is the relentless pursuit of stolen artwork, artifacts, furniture and collectibles, and the attempts to return them to the rightful owners. That part was possible thanks to the extraordinary secret record keeping of Rose Valland (the basis for Cate Blanchett’s role in the new movie).  Also stunning is the devastating architecture destruction brought on by WWII, really making it a bittersweet story.

The breathtaking photographs and incredible archival film footage provide a clear understanding of the breadth of destruction. Seeing the before and after of the Monte Cassino monastery is just crushing. Gaining perspective on the damaged frescoes, some dating to 1360, when Pisa’s Camposanto was bombed, drives home the significance of culture and history. Seeing the aftermath of the bombing of Florence’s iconic bridges brings tears to the eyes. The most impressive piece is that so much of Europe has been rebuilt in the past 7 decades. Maybe that goes to answer the question of whether a human life is worth protecting art. People survive and find a way … even if Rafael’s “Portrait of a Young Man” remains missing.

This is based on the book by the Lynn Nicholas, and the film does a terrific job of presenting how the war impacted Russia, Germany, Italy, France, Austria and Poland. It’s also tough to reconcile, as one of the Monuments Men attempts, the idea that the Nazis were so protective of the stolen artwork while simultaneously exterminating so many Jewish people. Maybe things would have been different if a young Adolph Hitler had been accepted to art school.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE SQUARE (2013, doc, UK)

February 1, 2014

square Greetings again from the darkness. This is the third of this year’s five Oscar nominated documentaries I have seen, and thanks to the historic Texas Theatre, I’ll get to see the last two as well. This one is directed by Cairo born and Harvard educated Jehane Noujaim. She sets out to capture the Egyption Revolution, as part of the Arab Spring, and now in it’s third year. This is a look from inside the core of the revolution, not a washed-over network news report.

It should first be noted that this revolution began as more of a protest. Citizens just fed up with the Mubarek regime began congregating in Tahrir Square in hopes of influencing change and a transition to a society of conscience. Ms. Noujaim and her multitude of cameras follows a hand full of these protesters and the changes that occur inside the revolution. These changes occur as Mubarek falls, the military takes over and betrays the movement, and then the Muslim Brotherhood takes control when Mohamed Morsi wins the election. This causes the loss of solidarity in the movement as it becomes clear that the Brotherhood consorted with the military to gain power, proving their mission was quite different.

One of the faces of the revolution is Egyptian actor Khalid Abdalla whom you might recognize from the fine 2007 film The Kite Runner. Abdalla speaks excellent English and is clearly passionate about the vision. His comments also drive home the difference in a protest and the politics of a true revolution. We only get a couple of on camera comments from government and military officials, but the real insight and spirit of the film is captured in the faces, words and actions of those involved in the sit-ins, despite the many violent attempts to shut them down (Ms. Noujaime was also arrested and detained).

One of the more staggering visuals comes from an aerial view of Cairo as the camera captures the masses as they descend on the streets during the third uprising that we see. It’s breathtaking and in stark contrast to the news reports we saw in the U.S. Unfortunately, there is still no resolution in this as Egypt is still in flux and preparing for yet another election. That brings even more power to the “in the moment” point of view that this film delivers.

watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twB2zAOzsKE

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Posted by David Ferguson

LETTERS TO JACKIE: REMEMBERING PRESIDENT KENNEDY (2013, doc)

January 29, 2014

letters to jackie Greetings again from the darkness. This documentary was released in 2013, and the announcement today of the passing of Pete Seeger, finally pushed me to watch it. The motivation for the film was in tribute to JFK on the 50th anniversary of his death. Unfortunately, living in Dallas, there were just so many movies and events commemorating the tragic event, that this one slipped through the cracks. After watching, it’s clear that it is a worthy and emotional tribute.

The assassination occurred on Friday November 22, 1963. By Monday the 25th, more than 45,000 letters were delivered to the White House. In the first 50 days, more than 800,000 letters arrived. We are treated to the reading of 21 of these precious letters through the voices of many well known actors including: Betty White, Octavia Spencer, Chris Cooper, Demian Bichir, Berence Bejo, and a closing from Mark Ruffalo. These are letters from everyday people affected by the death of a man who many felt so connected to.

Emotions flow from the mostly handwritten letters (a lost art). Emotions ranging from anger to sadness to disbelief, and most of all, sympathy to Jackie Kennedy and her kids. Some compare their own tragic stories, while others explain how impacted they were by JFK. The sincerity is palpable. These people felt a need to reach out to Jackie … not as the Queen of Camelot, but rather as a saddened widow and single mother – one grieving person to another. Their words strike a nerve.

Director Bill Couturie won an Oscar as Producer of the 1989 documentary Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt. He helped capture some of the stories associated with the AIDS quilt. With that movie and this one, you might think Mr. Couturie is the most emotional and serious man in the movie business. Before concluding that, you should know he also directed Ed (1996). Haven’t seen Ed? It’s about a chimpanzee who plays baseball. Evidently Mr. Couturie has a lighter side as well.

The film works thanks to the real words of real people, and it’s provided a boost through some terrific footage of the incredible stages of Kennedy’s presidency: the inauguration speech, the chimp in space (not Ed), formation of the Peace Corps, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the trip to Paris, Jackie’s televised tour of the White House, the early stages of Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy’s speech in Berlin, the Freedom March, and of course the assassination. Some of the footage is stunning in clarity.  Some it all too familiar.

John Kennedy was our youngest President (age 43) and the first to be born in the 20th century. His vision and presence, despite some failed efforts, connected with an enormous number of people throughout the US and even the world. The shattered feeling caused by his death still resonates even 50 years later, and it’s very sobering and touching to hear the words of so many just trying to make sense of a senseless act.

**NOTE: This is based on the book by Ellen Fitzpatrick

watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdpx3tP3xUs

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

DEAR MR. WATTERSON (2013, doc)

December 7, 2013

calvin1 Greetings again from the darkness. Two upfront admissions: First, I am not a comic strip historian. Second, there have been a hand full of comic strips that I have been obsessively “drawn” to, and “Calvin and Hobbes” was definitely one of them. Any fan of C&H would not miss the chance to see a documentary that might provide some insight into the genius behind the imaginative boy and his feline friend. Bill Watterson is now as famous for his life as an extreme recluse as he is for his artistry on the little boy and his feline friend.

calvin2 Directed by uber fan Joel Allen Schroeder, we are presented with a steady stream of talking heads interrupted periodically by Schroeder’s trips to the Cartoon Museum, Ohio State University library, and Chagrin Falls, Ohio (Watterson’s hometown and the foundation of the Calvin and Hobbes world). Watterson re-created downtown Chagrin Falls when he depicted Calvin as a quasi-Godzilla stomping through town. Many of the talking heads are other cartoonists who remain in awe of Watterson’s works. We get a glimpse into the business side as we hear from an executive at Universal Press Syndicate, Watterson’s publisher. There is also a segment with Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, the man behind “Peanuts”.

Since we see so little of the actual published work, we lean heavily on the spoken words of those interviewed … kind of frustrating when the subject is a medium of such visual relevance. Even more frustrating is the lack of insight into Watterson as an artist. Instead, the director rehashes what we already know from following the work. Watterson’s “high art vs. low art” arguments are mentioned, as is his belief that imagination and creativity are crucial to the good life.

By far the most interesting commentary comes from Stephan Pastis, known for his “Pearls Before Swine”. Pastis not only admires Watterson’s legacy but he provides insight into the world of artists who are constantly under the pressure of commercialism, and often find themselves doing business with those they have little in common with. He explains Watterson’s vision and integrity (and clout) in denying licensing rights for Calvin and Hobbes. Leaving hundreds of millions of dollars on the table by refusing to allow Calvin and Hobbes lunch boxes, t-shirts, stuffed animals, etc … calvin3clearly shows that Watterson’s vision was not about profit, but rather about artistic purity. The comparison to Snoopy selling insurance makes the point quite directly.

So we walk away with no more insight into Watterson (pictured left), no more insight into Calvin and Hobbes, but a clear understanding of the industry respect that the work and the artist carry. We all share the pure joy of reading and re-reading our favorite panels, not just for the smiles they bring, but also the multiple layers of observation delivered by a boy and his tiger. It’s a reminder to keep your imagination active and never miss a chance to go exploring!

watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtmV7-f_j7Y

Dear Mr Watterson

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtmV7-f_j7Y

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Posted by David Ferguson

PING PONG (2013, doc)

September 13, 2013

ping pong1 Greetings again from the darkness. Missing a lung? No excuse. Had a kidney removed? Please. Suffer a few strokes? Let’s play. Struggling with Dementia? Grab a paddle. Rarely has the human spirit provided a better platform than in director Hugh Hartford’s documentary about super seniors (age 80+) and their pursuit of a World Championship in Table Tennis/Ping Pong.

We get to know a group of these players through interviews and a glimpse into their personal life. The core group in the film ranges from age 81 to 89 and are in various stages of health … from pretty spry (one of the ladies has a boy toy 20 years younger) to hospital-bound given only a week to live (the interview took place 5 months after that diagnosis). One thing I noticed in each of these experienced folks … put a paddle/bat in their hand and you can see the twinkle in their eyes and a bounce in their step! There are multiple World Championship gold medalists represented here. There are arch rivals. Their are long time friends. We even meet a legendary Australian player … she competes at 100 years old! The “rookie” from Houston describes her own playing “as irregular as my driving“. One of the men spouts off poetry and Irish limericks before dismantling an opponent on the table.

This is a pleasure to watch and I’m thankful it was recommended by a friend of a friend. Should you question the motivation of these elderly folks, take in this quote from one of the players: “I’ll keep playing. I don’t want to sit down. I don’t want to die.”

**NOTE: the version I watched was online at pbs.org and was 52 minutes in length.  Evidently an 80 minute version made the festival rounds.

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRd5wY_5zZo

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE ACT OF KILLING (2013, doc)

August 14, 2013

act of killing Greetings again from the darkness. To some: a national hero. To others: a monster or war criminal. Co-director Joshua Oppenheimer’s concept was either to re-examine history or study the dark side of human nature. Either way, this is one of the most disturbing, difficult to watch documentaries I’ve ever seen.

The film begins with this quote from Voltaire: “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets”. We then read text that provides the only historical background provided by the film … the Indonesian coup in 1965 that led to a year long slaughter of anyone deemed to be a communist. In reality, the definition was quite broad and basically included anyone who wasn’t totally onboard with the new power structure.

To carry out the massacre, a death squad of gangsters was employed and Oppenheimer recruits one of the most brutal of these gangsters to an “art” project: recreate your most heinous kills in whatever film genre you prefer. Anwar Congo agrees and even arranges for his accomplices to join in. The result is the most bizarre mixture of classic-type Hollywood crime thrillers and even a surreal musical number with bold colors and a giant metal fish.

That’s the best description I can provide. While I found myself unable to look away, this is not one that can really be recommended as a form of entertainment. There are some stunning moments here, but it’s nauseating to recall. An Indonesian TV talk show host is giddy to have these “heroic” gangsters on her show. Congo gathers his grandchildren to watch a brutal re-enactment of one of his missions. Their discussions of how important movies were to their murderous activities could lead to further analysis of the role of art in violence, but instead it points out why Congo agreed to this project in the first place – his ego is such that he seems himself as a Bogart type hero.

Renowned documentary filmmakers Werner Herzog and Errol Morris are both listed as producers, but some of the crew is listed as “anonymous” and who can blame them? While there seems to be no regret and no guilt for previous actions, there is an odd, extended scene where Congo’s guttural bellows and dry-heaving leave us wondering if maybe there is a crack in his facade … or is he just caught up in his performance. I’m not sure and I hope to never watch this again.

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD5oMxbMcHM

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Posted by David Ferguson

BLACKFISH (2013, doc)

August 6, 2013

blackfish1 Greetings again from the darkness. Dogs, cats, fish, birds, hamsters, ferrets, snakes, and even pigs. We love our pets. We also love our zoos, city aquariums and SeaWorld parks. For many years, we have chosen to believe that the research and educational advances that come from these outlets outweigh any of the negatives involved with keeping man’s quest to control wild animals in captivity. Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite shows us (by focusing on SeaWorld) that it’s way past time for us to open our eyes to the cruelty involved with the capture and training of wild animals for entertainment purpose.

The points made here are not speculation. We witness numerous interviews with “former” SeaWorld trainers. It’s clear these people thought they had a bond with their co-performers. Most never even mention the term “killer whale” … the common moniker for the majestic creatures better known as Orcas. The interviews have great impact, and when combined with startling TV news clips and rare footage shot by audience members, it becomes obvious that the huge profits and entertainment offered to families, are quite frankly generated by an immoral and inexcusable business model.

blackfish2 Most of the story is tied together by the 2010 death of super-trainer Dawn Brancheau by Tilikum, the largest Orca in the SeaWorld group. What we soon learn is that Tilikum was captured in Iceland waters at the age of three, and has since had many incidents resulting in injuries and even three deaths. It’s also stated that Tilikum is the head of the family tree for the majority of SeaWorld’s performing Orcas.

Of course, no one can or should blame these incredibly intelligent and emotional and family-oriented creatures. Everything about their existence in captivity goes against their natural habitat and way of life. The real issue is … just because we CAN capture and train these animals, does that mean we SHOULD? If the focus is profits, then the answer is apparently yes. If instead, the focus is respecting nature and valuing other species, then the answer is much different.

The Cove and Project Nim are two other documentaries that come to mind when thinking about filmmakers attempting to expose the danger and cruelty in trying to control nature. Watching this story had me hanging my head like the fisherman from the 1970’s who recalled capturing a young whale as the family members swam nearby crying and screeching … a scene eerily similar to another tragic event shown during the film. Let’s hope director Cowperthwaite’s screams are heard. See this movie before deciding to visit another SeaWorld (who couldn’t be bothered to comment on camera). There are better ways to teach your kids about nature and there are certainly less cruel forms of entertainment.

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLOeH-Oq_1Y

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Posted by David Ferguson

BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME (2012, doc)

August 4, 2013

big star1 Greetings again from the darkness. The best filmmakers can be described as visual storytellers. However, what can we expect from a film if the story has no real climax or even a definitive ending? Well if the story is early 70’s power-pop band Big Star and if the filmmakers are co-directors Drew DeNicola and Olivia Mori, and Producer Danielle McCarthy, the answer is an incredibly interesting and enthralling tale of how sometimes the universe just doesn’t line up the way it should.

Mythical stories involve such things as unicorns and the lost city of Atlantis. It’s tempting, though incorrect, to label Big Star as the mythical great band of the 1970’s. In fact, they were all too real. For the past 40 years, their influence has worked its way through the musical world and is obvious in the works of such bands as R.E.M. and The Replacements … just as the influence of The Beatles, The Byrds, The Kinks and more can be heard in the songs of Big Star. The mystery and confounding question is why did the beautiful music of Big Star big star2never “make it” to the big time like those others?

This documentary is a technical and structural and visual and auditory marvel. It captures and holds our attention just like any other well made historical drama would. A doc on The Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen would revel in the big time success achieved or the legendary live performances or recording sessions. Instead, with Big Star, we get a much more personal look at the creative genius of its two leaders: Chris Bell and Alex Chilton. They are described as flashing comets passing in the sky. Their all too brief time together produced something special that, still to this day, deserves to be heard. Their tragic personal stories need to be told. This film does both things very well. A large part of the Big Star catalog is heard throughout, and the abundance of meaningful interviews paints a clear picture of the band and its members.

big star band One would be challenged to name any artist or creative endeavor that has been more critically acclaimed, yet commercially unsuccessful as Big Star. It absolutely makes no sense … except for the cursory explanation given to the record labels: Ardent Records and Stax Records, and their ultimate failure in gaining retail distribution and radio airtime. Could it really be as simple as horrendous business execution? At this point, none of it really matters. The real interest … the real story … is the personal insight provided by lone surviving band member Jody Stephens, record producers John Fry (Ardent founder) and Jim Dickinson, and of course, the brother and sister of Chris Bell.

If you are asking yourself why you have never heard any music by a band that occupies 3 slots in “Rolling Stones'” 500 Greatest Albums of all time, I encourage you to seek out the songs … or pay attention the next time you are watching the opening of “That 70’s Show“. Yes, that is Cheap Trick doing a cover of a Big Star song. There is much to be gained from seeing this documentary and discovering Big Star … even all these years later.

**NOTE: Alex Chilton was barely 16 when he sang lead on the hit song “The Letter” for The Box Tops.

You can learn more about the band and the documentary at http://www.bigstarstory.com/

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxAbkqRGxqY

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Posted by David Ferguson

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