Documentary Feature Films
Buena Vista Social Club
Genghis Blues
On the Ropes
One Day in September
Speaking in Strings
When given a choice between a highly recommended documentray and, let's say, a romantic comedy, the overtired film lover will often choose the romantic comedy. That's a real shame. The idea is that learning something new is not entertainment. But one of the best films I saw this year was a documenatry rental from the public library, The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl. The life story of this Nazi filmmaker who was also an actress, anthropologist, world's oldest scuba diver and consummate artist, is intensely fascinating. No film can be more illuminating and absorbing than the well made documentary.
This year, the Oscar has selected two films about music, the marvelous The Buena Vista Social Club and Genghis Blues. Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgan's film On the Ropes explores the lives of three boxers training for the Golden Gloves torunament. Rounding out this category is One Day in September a historical account of massacre of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games, and Speaking in Strings, profiling controversial violinst Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. This is a diverse collection of films that spans the globe.
Buena Vista Social Club
"German director Wim Wenders gives a lovely, dreamlike quality to this documentary about the rediscovery of several Cuban musicians. The music is gorgeous, the Cuban atmosphere steamy and inviting, and the interwoven portraits delivered with warmth, love and earthy good humor." (From The SF Chronicle.)Genghis Blues
Winner of the Sundance Audience Award for Documentary and the Audience Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, plus the best of festival in Rotterdam, and many, many others. This film tells the story of blues musician Paul Pena's journey to remote Tuva to compete in a national throat singing competition. With bios on Pena, Kongar-ol Ondar, the filmakers, and more. (Links to Reviews)
On The Ropes
Three Bed-Stuy boxers -Tyrene Manson, Noel Santiago, and George Walton - train for the Golden Gloves Tournament at the Bed-Stuy Boxing Center, the neighborhood gym which produced boxing stars Riddick Bowe and Mark Breland. Tyrene's growing reputation in women's boxing is stymied by her arrest on drug charges; Noel's talented, but lacks commitment; George (last year's Golden Gloves winner) has the greatest chance of success. But will he stick with Harry Keitt, the trainer who brought him along these past years, or sign with the slick promoters now circling the ring like so many vultures? Directed by Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgan.One Day in September
Few events have brought home to the world the realities of modern terrorism as dramatically as the massacre of eleven Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Combining dramatic archive footage with detailed eye-witness testimony -- including the first and only interview ever with the sole surviving terrorist who took part in the operation and who has been living in secrecy ever since. One Day in September tells the remarkable story of the Munich tragedy, revealing for the first time what really happened. This is Kevin Macdonald's first Academy Award nomination.Speaking in Strings
Profiling controversial violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, whose unique interpretations of timeless classics have both enraged and enraptured critics and audiences all over the world, Speaking in Strings is a moving and often humorous story about one of the most unique and gifted classical musicians in the world. It is also the story of the struggle and determination of one individual - part genius and part maverick - to overcome her inner turmoil and succeed in a world bound by convention. Ultimately, it speaks about a universal story - that of the human spirit's constant need to redefine its purpose, regardless of barriers, age or status in life. Directed by Paola di Florio
(synopses from oscar.com)
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