Best Documentary Feature
“The Act of Killing”
The Act of Killing allows former members of Indonesian death squads to make what is essentially a “mockumentary,” reenacting their real-life mass murders. Men who in 1965 killed over a million people across North Sumatra who they accused of being Communist or found to be ethnic Chinese Indonesians. The murderers include pathetically humorous musical numbers, reenactments of their murders and gangster style interrogation scenes. In between these sequences the murderers talk about the experience of killing, how they felt about it then and how they feel now. Mostly they are proud of their actions. (Full Review and Trailer)
____________________________________________________________
“Cutie and the Boxer”
Cutie And The Boxer is about relationships and other things like how the choices we make shape our lives. It’s also about a talented female artist loosing herself in the role of wife and supporter, resenting it and in the end finding herself again. It’s about the daily struggle of artists to survive in a world of shows and trying to sell their work. It is a human story that really doesn’t moralize about issues. The documentary observes and explores. It introduces the viewer to the lives of real people with all the frailties humans have. (Full Review and Trailer)
_____________________________________________________________________
“Dirty Wars”
Dirty Wars is an investigative, personal journey narrated by Jeremy Scahill that progresses like a nonfiction book more than a documentary film. The structure is visual, rather words on a page, but the voice over, first person narration by Scahill makes him the center of the episodes or chapters of this documentary. This is his story as much as anything else. A documentary about how he investigated the issues involved. “Art is a hammer, not a mirror,” said John Grierson, who was an early champion of “Advocacy Documentary Filmmaking.” If he were alive he might find this style of documentary self-indulgent. (Full Review and Trailer)
______________________________________________________________________
“The Square”
This 2014 Oscar nominated documentary brings the viewer on to the street and into Tahrir Square with the protesters. The film stays with one particular group of mainly young urban men and women who were there in Tahrir Square from the beginning. It’s a story that you did not see on television because it is shot from the inside looking out. The Square is dramatic and moving as the protesters in Tahrir Square celebrate after Mubarak steps down. But the celebrating is short-lived for this group of protesters and others, because they feel that nothing has changed, and that nothing will until there is a totally new constitution and regime elected. Soon they are back in the square, being terrorized by the military. “The Square” helps to bring more understanding about the Egyptian Revolution to the world. (Full Review and Trailer)
___________________________________________________________________________
“20 Feet from Stardom” 2014 Oscar winner – Best Documentary Feature
In the opening segment of 20 Feet From Stardom, Bruce Springsteen says, “it’s a pretty long walk from background singer to lead… a walk to the front is difficult.” 20 Feet From Stardom, is an awesome documentary film that celebrates special people who make beautiful music. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Feature Documentary at the 2014 Academy Awards, 20 Feet From Stardom is a story you will enjoy from beginning to end. Directed by Morgan Neville this documentary introduces the women ( and one man too) whose voices will be recognized immediately even if you don’t know their names. But this is not just an introduction and some interviews reminiscing about the good old days. 20 Feet From Stardom presents wonderful performance after performance where singers create the depth and feel of the song. At the same time the history and evolution of the singers and their art unfolds. (Full Review and Trailer)
______________________________________________________________________________
Documentary short subject
“CaveDigger”
“Facing Fear”
“Karama Has No Walls”
“The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life” – Oscar Winner Best Short Documentary
“Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall”