Talking Films: April MeetUp
It’s all about the Doc this April! With so many incredible documentaries out there, we thought we’d dedicate this month to getting through a tonne of them. Checkout our shortlist of Docu-series, TV and Film documentaries below…
Must-see Docu-Series
1. Ever controversial figures
ALLEN V FARROW- SKY DOCUMENTARIES/NOW TV
The most talked about doc of 2021 thus far, tackles a case, ever unsettled and controversial, of 2 deeply flawed, famous people, for whom there can perhaps be only one certainty: their failure as parents. Despite the things it chooses to leave out of the picture, forcing Mia Farrow to “set the record straight”, it was virtually universally praised as its activists directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick make an inescapable, very convincing argument against Woody Allen. Do you believe them?
One of the series that firmly put Netflix in the map of remarkable documentaries, was an unexpected hit, a deserving EMMY winner and an exceptional investigative work. It may not have got everything right, at least according to some of Bhagwan’s and Sheila’s followers/survivors, but it shed light to an incredible true story, while in the process posing some timeless, ever significant questions about faith, belief, organised religion, power, sexism, prejudice, and the fear of the Other. And it just got a sequel!
2. True crimes investigations
There are a lot to be said and discuss about this EMMY winning docu-series tackling a f**king unbelievable true crime story that took Netflix charts by storm the world over a couple of years ago. But discovering it (if you haven’t already) as a spoilers “virgin”, having no idea what exactly it is about, it makes an already thought provoking experience even more profound. So go watch it, then research it as you will feel the urge to, and let the conversation begin!
Another, EMMY nominated series that investigates f**king unbelievable true crime stories and demands a spoilers free approach. Over 2 seasons, students Peter Maldonado and Sam Ecklund try to uncover the truth behind two major scandals in two affluent American schools. So, who and why is behind the dick drawings on teachers’ cars? And what processed the guilty parties, whoever they are, to cause the mayhem of the four infamous poop pranks (in the superior 2nd season)?
2. True life stories
A full of heart, honesty, sober self-deprecating humor, spot on observations, and bittersweet confessions, 3 part exploration of what it is to be, or should be a woman. Expertly steered by the brilliant actor and comedian Kathy Burke it focuses on Beauty, Motherhood and Relationships, it is informative, eye-opening, heart-warming, perfectly entertaining, ever open to dialogue, and never judgemental.
MONTY PYTHON’S ALMOST THE TRUTH- NETFLIX
A full of heart, honesty, sober self-deprecating humor, spot on observations and bittersweet confessions, EMMY nominated, 6 part exploration of what it was to be a Python. Fearlessly, hilariously steered by the 5 (back in 2009), surviving members of the legendary, ever influential, comedy group, it goes behind the scenes, illuminating the making of each of the Python’s projects: series, films, specials and a play. It is informative, eye-opening, gut-wrenchingly funny, ever open to interpretation, and with the Python never withholding judgement for themselves or each other.
LOUIS THEROUX: LIFE ON THE EDGE- BBC iPLAYER
Lock-downed in his home, the beloved, idiosyncratic documentarian finds the opportunity to reflect on his 25 years of documentary making, revisiting some of his themes and participants. Focusing on Belief, Pleasure, the American Justice System, and Family he finds out once again how often life is stranger than fiction, how deeply rooted as basic human instincts are tribalism and the fear of the Other, and how desperately slow or difficult any kind of understanding, acceptance and progress are.
Eye-opening Documentaries on TV (or how we learn to stop worrying and keep up the good fight with our personal daemons)
POLY STYRENE: I AM A CLICHE- SKY ARTS / NOW TV
Documenting the rise of the first woman of colour in the UK to front a successful rock band, I am a Cliche relives how her unique voice and musical style was received, the good and the bad, and the lasting impact it had on her legacy, and her daughter (and co-director of the documentary) Celeste Bell. After its exclusive release on digital platforms earlier this year, you can now watch this incredible documentary on Sky Arts, and on demand on Now TV. (J.H.)
ROMAN KEMP: OUR SILENT EMERGENCY- BBC iPLAYER
Following the sudden death of his close friend in August 2020, radio host Roman Kemp explores mental health and the suicide crisis facing young men. This deeply personal documentary sees Roman open up about his own battles with mental health, as well as talking to communities of young men about their silent battles, and the need to encourage men to speak about their mental health. (J.H.)
JIM & ANDY: THE GREAT BEYOND- NETFLIX
A rare insight into the world behind the cameras and a fascinating look into the mind of Jim Carrey. The EMMY nominated Great Beyond uses footage filmed in the making of Man on The Moon, where Jim Carrey method-acted his way into the role of Andy Kaufman, and modern day interviews with Jim. This exposing documentary explores the inner workings of a clown at work, and the alienation, surrealism, frustration, euphoria and all else it can bring about. (J.H)
Must-see Big Screen Documentaries
1. Triumphs against all odds
THE PAINTER & THE THIEF- SKY ARTS / NOW TV
Multi awards and nominations (including one for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary from the prestigious Directors Guild of America) winning Doc about the unlikely & arguably life saving relationship formed between a painter and the thief who stole 2 of her paintings! It premiered at the London Film Festival last October and unfortunately, due to the pandemic, never found its way on to the big screen. Still, it remains a gorgeous, deeply moving portrait of human nature, with a jaw-dropping, revelatory final image that will take your breath away.
THE EAGLE HUNTRESS- BBC iPLAYER
“She is a worthy heroine. Her bravery and her feats in that eagle hunting contest are really amazing and inspiring”, says historian Adrienne Mayor for Aisholpan – the young, unconventional Kazakh girl who triumphed as an Eagle Huntress. She is the focus of this, at times stunning, BAFTA nominated but surprising controversial, branded by some a “fairytale documentary”, which nevertheless is still a joy to watch, with enough wow moments to effectively communicate its preoccupation with unexpected, against all odds, occurrences of female empowerment.
2. The healing power of Nature
This is a feast for the eyes, a balm for the heart, and nourishment for the mind – the perfect antidote to our Covid-19 era, indeed. This is how a resourceful little octopus in a magnificent, submerged, South African, kelp forest became the extraordinary teacher/companion of filmmaker Craig Foster on his way to regaining himself. This is an inspirational call for change, and for a meaningful rebirth. This is a deserving Oscar nominated and BAFTA winning doc that will inhabit and flourish in your memory.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A LIFE ON OUR PLANET- NETFLIX
This is a feast for the eyes, a balm for the heart, and nourishment for the mind – the perfect “witness statement” for our current environment/climet crisis. This is how a knighted, still ever curious nonagenarian naturalist recounts his travels and explorations to become our extraordinary teacher/companion on our way to saving our planet and, thus, ourselves. This is an inspirational call for change, and for a meaningful rebirth of biodiversity. This is a deserving multi awards and nominations winning doc that will inhabit and flourish in your memory.
3. Black magic women
TINA- SKY DOCUMENTARIES / NOW TV
Tina was the one who stood tall, overcoming abandonment by her parents as a child, horrific abuse by her music mentor, partner and husband, as well as the music industry’s sexism and racism, to triumph as a solo artist mega star well into her 40s, staging one of the greatest comebacks in music history. Perhaps not simply the best documentary for a talent that was simply the best, Tina is nonetheless as an enthralling and unique experience as the performances of the legend it portrays were. As Oprah Winfrey puts it, attending her gigs was “no different from being in church”. Indeed, watching her rendition of The Beatles’ “Help” here is a spiritual experience.
WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME?- BBC iPLAYER
Whitney was the one who fell, unable to survive the greedy demands of her family and the music industry, the gender and race politics of pop culture, the “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll” mentality, her deep but toxic connection with Bobby Brown, the harassing questions about her sexuality, and the inevitable abandonment by her greatest supporter, best friend Robyn Crawford. Whitney: Can I Be Me succeeds in compassionately changing the conversation about this much misunderstood singing prodigy, by revealing some of the truths behind her drug addiction, her tragic self doubts and the fact that she was never actually allowed to be herself. Still, her voice changed the world.
4. The sport prodigy & the shoes controversy
ONE MAN AND HIS SHOES- BBC iPLAYER
Not an easy watch for either Michael Jordan’s or Nike’s fans, this is a fascinating in its revelations, unafraid in the difficult questions it raises, and visually engaging due to its clever use of graphics, study of where and why 3 distinct cultures meet: a sport culture, the African American culture and the basketball sneakers culture. Charting Jordan’s rise to God like status in tandem with the frenzy to the point of murder surrounding his sought after Air Jordan shoes, it discovers some real chinks in the armor of both Jordan’s brand and Nike’s social responsibility.