By George Kozera
My mother spent the last nine months of World War II in Auschwitz and I grew-up hearing her many first hand accounts of living in a Concentration Camp. Not only had visiting the site left me with images I will never forget, I make a point of watching any films that deal with the Holocaust during daytime hours. That’s how I viewed Filmmaker Maya Sarfaty’s astonishing Documentary LOVE IT WAS NOT, based on a love affair between Helena Zitron (a stunningly beautiful Jewish prisoner) and Franz Wunch, an SS officer at the camp.
Impeccably-researched and using interviews with Helena and her sister Rosa, as well as fellow female camp prisoners who validate the stories, Wunch’s daughter who confirms the great love her father had and archival footage of Wunch talking at length, this Movie is never less than fascinating. Horrors pile onto more horrors, culminating in unspeakable tragedy when Rosa becomes a prisoner alongside her two young children. Moreover, it also showcases the bravery of the two lovers as they were responsible for saving the lives of many of Helena’s fellow prisoners. In a bizarre twist of fate Franz asks the love of his life to testify at his war crimes trial in 1972 and she reluctantly does.
The power of LOVE IT WAS NOT is unflinching in its honesty and left me thunderstruck.
By Justin Waldman
The United States penal system is broken, Any Given Day proves that. One town in Chicago, specifically Chicago’s Cook County Mental Health Court offers people with any mental illness a rehabilitation program instead of traditional probation but under the same restrictions as probation. While this is a step in the right direction, after the program ends people are left to their own devices, and any relapse or reconviction for anything caused by their mental health would lead to a felony charge and make their lives almost impossible to carry on.
Any Given Day is a difficult watch, because it is real, it shows how hard it is to live with a mental illness and the constant struggle to overcome and try to live ones life. Every day is a struggle, and that is exemplified throughout but with every goal achieved it further proves there is always a light, even in the darkest tunnels.
By Justin Waldman
It is the year of the Music Documentary and Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm packs the Rock and Roll punch it needs. Brothers Kingsley and Charles Ward, they turned in their milk farm and created a recording studio and word spread like wildfire and they became one of the most famous recording studios. The likes of Black Sabbath, Oasis, Robert Plant, Iggy Pop, etc. have recorded at Rockfield.
What makes this Documentary so great, is the history and stories that have come out of this studio. Freddy Mercury and Queen recorded early sessions of what would later become Bohemian Rhapsody, Ozzy Osbourne stated that they just went up, got high, and made music that later became some of the hits of Black Sabbath and so forth. With other studios like Abbey Road recording music at the same time, it truly is incredible that this small little farm secured such incredible talents and record some of the most recognizable music we have today. The farm is still going strong!
By Justin Waldman
A.rtificial I.mmortality is incredibly interesting Documentary asking us the difficult questions of what if we could place our mind and moreover conscious in an AI program. While this has been explored throughout countless fictitious films, the Documentary scratches the surface of the science, moral questions, and real possibilities of artificial immortality. The Documentary features several interviews with Nick Bostrom, Douglas Rushkoff, Ben Goertzel, Deepak Chopra and Hiroshi Ishiguro. Deepak Chopra wants to become a new AI himself, similar to an Alexa or Siri , but provide his insight and therapeutic methods by AI.
While A.rtificial I.mmortality focuses on the science and real possibilities of AI, it just scratches the surface. It does not bog down in specifics or other realms of artificial immortality, which works as it asks the audience to explore further on their own volition. It gives a taste of what there is to discover, while providing enough context to satisfy those just wanting to have a bare bones understanding of the world of AI.
By Justin Waldman
The Face of Anonymous explores the powers of “Hacktivist” group Anonymous while focuses on Commander X specifically. Anonymous is the group behind cyber-attacks and supporter of Wikileaks while getting justice for the voiceless. However, The Face of Anonymous focuses solely on one member, Commander X – real name Christopher Mark Doyon – who is currently wanted by the FBI. One of the many things that Commander X is responsible for is hacking VISA, Paypal and Mastercard for no longer allowing people to support Wikileaks. This is initially what lead the FBI to investigate him as his abilities were now known to the highest law force in the world.
The Face of Anonymous gives us candid interviews with Mark himself, who has not made himself shy to the Hot Docs festival, as well as journalists who talk about the impact Commander X has had on the virtual and real world. There is some interesting thoughts and ideas that Commander X finishes with, specifically pertaining to the 2016 US election.
By Justin Waldman
The best part of being able to watch Documentaries at home this year, is being able to enjoy proper meals while indulging in wonderful stories. Before you watch Come Back Anytime assure that you have a hearty bowl of delicious incredible ramen in your hands as you will be salivating throughout the entire Documentary. It focuses on Masamoto and Kazuko Ueda and their ramen shop in Tokyo. The Film shifts back and forth between the ramen shop that evolved from just serving standard ramen, to a variety of different ramens and then alcohol and becoming a true community staple. While the other part of the Documentary focuses on Masamoto and his life outside of the ramen shop.
There are a lot of touching moments throughout Come Back Anytime, but one in particular truly encapsulates what food means to people. Masamoto and Kazuko closed up their previous shop and moved to Tokyo and one of their former customers found them again, after searching for them after he discovered they no longer were at their former location and the immense joy that was expressed truly shows what the power of food and community means to everyone. Come Back Anytime will make you appreciate community and food more than before, so order from your favourite local Ramen shop and enjoy this delicious Doc!
By Justin Waldman
Have you heard of Sparks? Have you not heard of Sparks? Quite frankly it doesn’t matter if you know the British/non British band, The Sparks Brothers is an excellent Documentary. Ron and Russell Mael have been making and performing music for over 50 years, going through reinventions of sound and style throughout their career. They managed to create sounds before they became popular, accused of plagiarizing themselves as their sound has inspired countless acts.
With wonderful direction from Edgar Wright, The Sparks Brothers encapsulates all of their music, style, and influence throughout fifty years of music and life. They left the United States to go to the UK where they were incredibly more popular, to creating an entire Synth album in the late ’70s, everything the Sparks have done has been criticized and revolutionary. Wright’s direction is flawless throughout the Documentary, providing every ounce of insight for the audience that is possible for Sparks.
The only issue that lays within this otherwise incredible and fun Documentary is the amount of information we are given. It gives a thorough and extensive look at Sparks throughout their entire career, and what could have changed if one thing or another changed. However, having never known of Sparks (by name) prior The Sparks Brothers, this Film was eye-opening and engaging.
By George Kozera
Lukas Graham achieved fame and critical success in a relatively short amount of time. With having access to the group years before they made it big worldwide, 7 YEARS OF LUKAS GRAHAM is a fascinating account of a group starting small then gaining momentum, overcoming barricades and hitting milestone after milestone. A number one hit. Numerous Grammy nominations. Dealing with the death of a parent, then finally become a parent themselves. What is most admirable about what this Documentary presents is its complete honesty in the portrayal. Rather than going the standard rags-to-riches route, whitewashing anything that can be perceived as negative, this Movie is brutally honest. To be perfectly frank, lead singer, Lukas Forchhammer, does not come across as someone you’d really want to hang out and a have a beer with. He can be petty and petulant and obstinate. He is also supremely talented and must be very secure with himself to allow to be seen warts and all and not use his power as a celebrity to censor the “seamier” scenes.
This is an accomplished Documentary. I enjoyed all the music and concert scenes. I enjoyed the interactions between the band members and their managers and producers. “7 Years” is a genuinely catchy pop song and 7 YEARS OF LUKAS GRAHAM is authentically unique and entertaining.
By George Kozera
When the voices begin to crack on the members of the Stockholm Boys’ Choir as they approach puberty and decide they wish to continue to sing in a choir as they inch their way to adulthood, they enter what can only be best described as a musical limbo. With the help of an assistant, these young boys tackle songs that best suit their “developing” voices until they are old enough to sing in traditional choirs. THE VOICE BREAK CHOIR is an utterly charming 29 minute long Documentary that focuses on a number of 13 and 14 year old boys who talk openly about their aspirations and dreams for the future. It should be required viewing for mothers who wonder whatever happened to their young baby boys when they reach that age!
By Justin Waldman
Childhood can be defined by a lot of things, and different things for every person, but it is safe to say that most of us in our youth were impacted greatly by the legacy of Sesame Street. Street Gang: How we got to Sesame Street explores the creation, impact, and continued success of one of the greatest children shows of all time. If you previously saw the Carol Spinney Documentary a few years ago, do not fret as there is much more to discover, love, and learn from this new Documentary on all of Sesame Street.
The Film focuses on how Sesame Street came to be while interviewing Joan Ganz Cooney who is a Co-founder of Sesame Street and a Producer, and was able to help get the show off the ground. Street Gang: How we got to Sesame Street is a beautiful portrait of a show that has a place in many hearts.
Sesame Street taught us about love, equality, death and so much more. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ever endearing Documentary on this small New York community with everyone from a grouch to the worlds friendliest bird.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com