The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
I approach this review with an unenthused sigh, knowing that my opinions on The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble will sound pompous, crusty, and blasé.
Documentary
Out of Print
A new documentary titled Out of Print will undoubtably excite movie goers who are regulars at Los Angeles’ New Beverly Cinema, as well as cinephiles in general. Filmmaker (and long-time New Bev employee) Julia Marchese has basically created a glossy love letter to the precious repertory cinema known for its ingenious programming and its eclectic clientele (including support from high-profile filmmakers).
Murphy’s Law
After losing both of her parents to cancer, Megan Murphy decided to express her grief by flying to Ireland and travelling across 14 of its counties on her family’s revered Peugeot bicycle.
Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made
The crowd pleasing documentary Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made is about an underdog story: three teenagers (Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala, Jayson Lamb) set out to make a shot-for-shot remake of Steven Spielberg’s classic Raiders of the Lost Ark. Through growing pains and strenuous shoots, the project remained unfinished due to personal conflicts among the trio and a spectacular finale that was out of reach for the young filmmakers.
Wylie Writes @ The 2016 ReelAbilities Film Festival
Movie goers fresh off of Hot Docs may want to consider moseying over to Toronto’s first annual ReelAbilities Film Festival. The 6ix will be joining the ranks of other worldwide communities like New York, Portland, and Chicago to showcase filmmakers who are adamant in portraying people with different abilities and their inspiring stories.
Hot Docs 2016: ‘My Scientology Movie’ and ‘The Slippers’
My Scientology Movie (DIR. John Dower) By: Addison Wylie My Scientology Movie had its sights set on portraying controversial religion with the involvement of the Church of Scientology, and without much of a bias. However, refusals to cooperate from the Church forced director John Dower and journalist Louis Theroux to think differently.
Hot Docs 2016: ‘Hotel Coolgardie’ and ‘Urmila: My Memory Is My Power’
Hotel Coolgardie (DIR. Pete Gleeson) By: Addison Wylie I find myself with Hot Docs déjà vu. I liked a movie – at least, I think I did – but I feel sick to my stomach. A similar love/hate set of emotions I felt towards last year’s The Wolfpack.
Hot Docs 2016: ‘The Pearl of Africa’ and ‘Putuparri and the Rainmakers’
The Pearl of Africa (DIR. Jonny von Wallström) By: Shannon Page Director Jonny von Wallström’s first full-length documentary is the story of Cleopatra Kambugu, a transgender woman living in Uganda who is forced to leave her country after a bill is passed making her gender identity punishable by life in prison or even execution. The Pearl of Africa follows Cleo as she travels from Uganda to Thailand for sex reassignment surgery.
Hot Docs 2016: ‘Bobby Sands: 66 Days’ and ‘Off the Rails’
Bobby Sands: 66 Days (DIR. Brendan Byrne) By: Shannon Page Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army, was only twenty-seven years old when he died in prison in 1981 after refusing food for 66 days. Sands was the first of ten IRA prisoners to die as the result of a hunger strike in protest of their status as regular criminals, as opposed to political prisoners.
Hot Docs 2016: ‘Holy Hell’ and ‘The Infinite Flight of Days’
Holy Hell (DIR. Will Allen) By: Shahbaz Khayambashi Cults have almost become a stereotype in our society to a point where anyone can practically spot one on sight. This is one of the main reasons why Holy Hell is so powerful.