Even before the current violence in Gaza, the history of Israeli-Palestinian interactions has been filled with violence and death in both groups. It is easy to forget that each of those deaths lead to a grieving family. In Mourning in Lod, documentary filmmaker Hilla Medalia uses two of those deaths (and a life that grew…
Can a photo reframe history? Directed by Jennifer Takaki, Photographic Justice: the Corky Lee Story chronicles the 50-year journey of the Chinese American photographer. Driven by a passion to include a visual record of the role of Asian American Pacific Islanders in the history books, Lee created nearly a million photos, each highlighting the power of his…
This documentary will make you nauseous. Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo are back with a sequel to the Oscar-nominated, cultural-shifting, Food Inc. This time, with more bad news. In Food Inc 2, Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser expose how much worse the food industry has gotten since enlightening the world in 2008. Despite a global shift…
People living with mental illness, may often feel isolated. In On the Adamant, from documentarian Nicolas Philibert, we see a refuge in the middle of Paris that attracts a people and provides a place of acceptance, dignity, and perhaps healing. The Adamant is a facility that is moored on the Seine and is part of…
Directed by Marlo McKenzie and Jonathan Parker, Carol Doda: Topless at the Condor transports the viewer back to San Francisco in the 1960s. Here, we meet Carol Doda, the first dancer to go topless in the booming nightclub scene. In doing so, Doda became an overnight sensation and struck a blow for gender equality (both legally and…
In Transition, Australian filmmaker and journalist Jordan Bryon gives the world an entirely different view of the Taliban regime during the fall of Afghanistan. Having gained incredible access to a Taliban unit, Bryon and his videographer, Teddy, give an authentic view of life under their oppressive regime. However, at the same time, Bryon’s journey with the military…
When people think about Toronto, the music scene isn’t always what comes to mind. Known as Hollywood North, the Six has been seen as a hotspot for moviemaking, often drawing attention first. Or, maybe it’s seen as a sports town. With four teams inhouse, many view this as a central city for major league sports….
What comes to mind when you hear the name, William Shatner? Comedian? Grandfather? Scoundrel? Star? (Or simply Star Trek?) Directed by Alexandre Philippe, William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill is an intimate portrayal (maybe) of Shatner’s life and career. Having been a performer for over 70 years, Shatner’s career has boldly gone from space (Star Trek) to…
“These are not just pictures; they are testimonies that will live forever.” I remember that, decades ago, I would enjoy looking through National Geographic magazines. I rarely read the text, but would often be enthralled by the photographs. They might have been wildlife, nature, people, exotic places. Each photo was telling a story. (Maybe that’s…
A family living an idyllic life in the Norwegian countryside cherishes their freedom. When their world is turned upside down, they must deal with life in new ways. Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s A New Kind of Wilderness is an intimate study of a family dealing with grief, stress, and upheaval. The film was awarded the Grand…
