Wednesday, November 20, 2024

DOC NYC Capsule Reviews FLAVORS OF IRAQ, LIGHT DARKNESS LIGHT and EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS YOURS


FLAVORS OF IRAQ
Journalist Feurat Alani tells the story of his life and his connection to the homeland of his parents, Iraq.

One of the great discover at this year's DOC NYC, FLVORS OF IRAQ makes the case as to why some docs should be animated. While what Alani is telling us is the truth as far as we know, the images we see add so much more to the visceral impact of the tale because that help bring a better understanding to what we are seeing. Yes the images are often manipulated, but at the same time the art allows for faster moment through time and space that you wouldn't have with any other medium.

More importantly the film tells the story of Ira over the last half century, not shying away from things that we would not see on the nightly news. The result is a film that stuns us and makes us really think about what we are seeing

One of my favorite films at DOC NYC.


LIGHT DARKNESS LIGHT
This is the story of a blind Anglican priest Ian Nichols, who  is given an electronic eye to help him see.

This is a magical film that for a short while seems like it's going to be a pretentious feel good film. But not long into the film Nichols begins to charm the pants off you and the films pretensions change into something else. Suddenly this isn't a distant tale, but an intimate portrait with a genuine sense of wonder at seeing the world in a new way.  Trust me, when you get  to the end  and he can see and the sense of wonder that he radiates will make you feel good all over.

One of the great discoveries of this years DOC NYC.


EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS YOURS
This is a look at choreographer and dancer Hadar Ahuvia who prepares a piece that looks at the Zionist myths.

How you react to this film is going to be determined by how you connect to the dancing. If you enjoy watching the behind the scenes footage of Ahuvia putting the piece together  cup of teathen you are going to enjoy the film. If you are like me and want a bit more meat this may end up a tough haul.

Not my

No comments:

Post a Comment