Flee

Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen

Rating: 🏆 most excellent

Flee is an animated Danish documentary about a man named Amin who fled Afghanistan as a child after the Soviet Union left and the country descended into war. It chronicles his struggles with trying to find somewhere safe to live. The story is told as a series of interviews between Amin and the director who have been friends since high school. Because they have known each other for so long, Amin is able to open up and begin sharing his trauma and secrets that have been locked up tight for decades.

This documentary is heartbreaking because it is the story of millions of people around the world. It’s infuriating to see the inner workings of how challenging it can be to navigate political barriers, human-trafficking opportunists, and the stress of trying to keep a family together. More needs to be done to provide refugees with the basic human right of safety. 

The style of this documentary is unique because it’s animated. It feels like the protagonist is able to speak more freely because he knew that he would not be seen physically on screen. It feels like those late-night chats in the dark with best friends where you’re able to open up and admit things that you’ve never told anyone before.

This genre-bending film is an absolute must-watch for all cinephiles! 

Review written by Zianna Weston

Britney vs Spears

Directed by Erin Lee Carter

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

Britney vs Spears is a brand new @netflix documentary that takes a look at the conservatorship of Britney Spears. If you haven’t been following this story I think you must live under a rock. But, after a period of what was deemed to be mental instability over 10 years ago Britney was placed in a legal conservatorship. This basically surrendered all of her rights to take care of herself and her finances over to her father Jamie Spears. Jamie Spears is a piece of sh*t and a half-assed google search will provide a myriad of reasons why you wouldn’t want this man to have access to your money. Yet, here we are still waiting for Britney to regain basic human rights like the ability to choose her own work schedule, to drive her own car, and to not have to pay her father $16k per month to “take care of her”. I think this documentary did a great job of compiling interviews with people who knew Britney throughout various stages of her career. It was evident that they all cared deeply about her and just want her to be okay.

While I really enjoyed this documentary, I do wonder how much money other people are making yet again off Britney’s story, without her consent. But, her story needs to be told. We need to understand that not only is this situation not okay, but it’s a situation that any of us could find ourselves in. The system failed Britney Spears, and in many ways as the public we did too. As morally compassionate humans, I urge you to learn more about Britney’s current legal situation and the hell that she’s been put through by evil opportunists and our broken justice system. Britney vs Spears is now streaming on Netflix.

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

Directed by Jason Baker

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

Tom Savini is a household name in the horror community. He is an actor and a director, but he is most famous for his work as a makeup artist. He was the recipient of the New York City Horror Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. He did the makeup for tons of iconic horror movies including Friday the 13th, Dawn of the Dead and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Because of his artistic vision and skills, slasher movies were able to delight and scare audiences for decades.

This documentary chronicles Savini’s life from childhood to the present, and shows how his quirky interest in monsters and his artistic talent merged to create some classic horror movies. What I appreciate about this documentary is that we get to see Savini from all angles. There’s old footage from movie sets, interviews with people who’ve worked with him like Danny Trejo and Alice Cooper, and footage from old family movies. If you’re new to horror like I am, this is a must-watch documentary so that you can see how Savini’s work impacted the horror movie genre and gave birth to slasher films. He’s truly an icon and a fascinating man to learn about! If you have cable, be sure to check it out next Tuesday 10/19 when it becomes available on demand.

LuLaRich

Directed by Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

You know the saying, if it’s too good to be true then it probably is? LuLaRich is a 4 part docuseries that takes a look into the pyramid scheme LuLaRoe and it’s promises to make people rich. The company promises prosperity and flexibility, but instead it delivers a cult-like company culture that leaves a lucky few rich, and those at the bottom of the pyramid in crippling debt. The company sells clothing, most notably leggings with zany prints, wholesale to its “employees”, who then essentially run their own boutiques out of their homes. But the pressure to buy more inventory in the misguided understanding that that’s the best way to make a profit is how the top of the pyramid stays rich. The company is the subject of several law suits, and even though the owners try to make themselves look good in this docuseries, it’s easy to understand why they’re being sued.

There’s so many layers to this story, and each seems to be more unbelievable than the last. We’ve got a billion dollar corporation that uses and editable Google doc to save all of its financial records, a company cruise that is just Get Out vibes on the sea, and the ugliest effing leggings that I cannot believe are the foundation of this company’s success. If you’re looking for a good rabbit hole to fall down, check out LuLaRich now streaming on @amazonprimevideo

Val

Directed by Ting Poo and Leo Scott

Rating: 🏆 most excellent

Val is a documentary that tells the story of the legendary actor Val Kilmer. His career speaks for itself and some of his most famous movies include Tombstone, Batman Forever, and Top Gun. He’s a man who’s known for his ability to completely transform his voice and mannerisms to become a different person on screen. But his battle with throat cancer, while not lethal, has robbed him of one of his best tools, his voice. But at his core, Val is a storyteller, and while he may not be able to tell stories the old way so easily anymore, this documentary proves that you don’t need a physical voice to tell a story. Through decades of home videos, old journal entries, and profoundly astute musings which are narrated by his son, Val offers us the opportunity to see his world through his eyes.

The reason his roles were so iconic is because Val was always willing to put in the work and go the extra mile to get to know his characters, and he has thrown that same dedication into this documentary. He shows it all; the good, the bad, and the deeply personal. As a result we are left with an intimate viewing experience that will leave you wondering, why the f*ck isn’t anyone is Hollywood writing a new role for this man?? Seriously, someone needs to fix this because I think Val still has so much left in him to give to a character on screen. You can catch Val now streaming on @primevideo.

Pray Away

Directed by Kristine Stolakis

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

Pray Away is a documentary that examines the controversial practice of trying to turn gay people straight within the evangelical Christian church. As a former evangelical Christian, this was a tough but necessary watch for me. It was ultimately this issue, the classification of homosexuality as a sin, that led me to leave the church. This isn’t a story that I’ve shared much, or really even processed yet, as dismantling a belief system that’s all you’ve known for about 28 years is exhausting and confusing to say the least. But to see this story told was both triggering and cathartic. I think the documentary did a good job showing how the leaders of the “ex-gay movement” were victims of their own propaganda too. Desperate to fit in, they peddled their toxic kool aid, but they drank it too. I think this documentary explains a deeply ingrained part of American culture that is sadly still very powerful today. This is a tough watch, but an important one as well.

Written by Zianna Weston

Disclosure

Directed by Sam Feder

Rating: 🏆 most excellent

Ever wonder why the majority of trans representation that we see on screen often ends in violent murder? Why do we see trans women playing prostitutes, but we almost never see trans men playing anything? Can you name more than five trans actors? These are issues that my cisgender privilege has sheltered me from giving much thought to. This incredibly relevant documentary features high-profile trans people within the Hollywood community and interviews them about their experiences working in the media. Many of the stories are the same and shine a light on the one-dimensional trans characters that are often the only visual representation that is shown of this diverse group of people. I can’t recommend this documentary highly enough! These stories need to be told and these stories need to be heard. It’s a relevant watch for pride month 🌈 but it will be just as relevant in the months to come.

Review written by Zianna Weston

Birth of a Movement

Written by Kwin Bader & Dick Lehr

Directed by Bestor Cram & Susan Gray

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

This PBS documentary sheds light on America’s first blockbuster movie, The Birth of a Nation, and its visionary director D.W. Griffith who pioneered the medium and elevated it to become the poignant storytelling medium that it is today. It is heartbreaking that America’s first hit film was one that tells the romanticized story of the Antebellum south, and how the KKK was a necessary organization to uphold law and justice. Like so many things in our country, movies were born out of racism.

Birth of a Movement tells the story of a prominent black leader of the early 20th century, William Monroe Trotter, and his fight to keep this movie from being shown. While their fight for censorship was ultimately unsuccessful, much of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s can trace its roots back to this pivotal time. These themes are as relevant today as they have ever been. Black Lives Matter and this short documentary is a must-watch.

Review written by Zianna Weston

Miss Americana

Directed by Lana Wilson

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

Think you know everything there is to know about Taylor Swift? Think again. This poetically raw documentary pulls back the curtain and gives the audience a glimpse into what it’s really like to be one of the most successful women in the music industry.

This documentary… I would be lying if I said that I didn’t cry and relate to her story in so many ways. Obviously, I am not rich, or famous, or critically acclaimed for my talents. But I am also not publicly demonized when I speak my mind, and not shamed by the media for my appearance and lifestyle. While I may not be experiencing the blessings and curses that come with superstardom like Taylor Swift, I think that all women can relate to her experiences. Find a woman who has never had her appearance negatively commented on without solicitation. Find a woman who has never been referred to condescendingly as stupid when she voiced her political opinions. Find a woman who has never felt that it was easier to silence herself rather than open herself up to possible criticism. I’ll wait… Swift’s struggles are universal, and while these experiences are by no means only limited to women, they are intrinsically layered into our patriarchal society. 

It’s clear that director Lana Wilson’s mission was to show the heart behind Swift’s newfound political voice, and she accomplishes this goal. We see the struggle in Swift’s dichotomy of wanting to be liked yet needing to speak her mind. Much of the documentary is centered around Swift’s creative process and we get to watch the life cycle of writing a song. For all my creatives out there, this is a really fun process to experience as a fly on the wall of Swift’s recording studio. Regardless of your level of knowledge about this acclaimed singer-songwriter, Miss Americana is a documentary about so much more than just music. Miss Americana is now streaming on Netflix.

Review written by Zianna Weston

Crime + Punishment

Directed by Stephen Maing

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

Crime + Punishment is a documentary that chronicles the NYPD 12, a group of whistleblowers within the NYPD. Although arrest quotas (requiring cops to make a certain amount of arrests and/or issue citations) is illegal, this documentary displays that this practice is still alive and well within the NYPD. This practice disproportionately affects communities of color as the boroughs with the highest crime rates in New York City are full of minority communities. Many police officers refuse to make arrests simply for the sake of meeting their quota. These officers often face retaliation for this choice. Cue the NYPD 12. These 12 brave officers chose to speak out against this discriminatory and illegal practice by opening up a lawsuit against the NYPD.

This documentary does a great job of placing the audience right in the action. There is a lot of footage of the police officers while they’re on duty, and even secretly recorded audio and video footage shot inside the precinct. What you see and hear will blow your mind. Officers being passed up for promotions based on low arrest numbers, a pregnant officer being switched to the overnight shift in retaliation for her performance, and other officers losing their cars, partners, etc. It’s truly tragic to watch the consequences faced by the officers who are standing up for what’s right. I highly encourage everyone to become informed about this issue and learn more about the NYPD 12.

Crime + Punishment is now streaming on Hulu.

Review written by Zianna Weston

Tell Me Who I Am

Directed by Ed Perkins

Rating: 🔥 that’s hot

What if one day you woke up in a hospital and the only thing you remembered was your twin? Tell Me Who I Am is the true story of identical twin brothers who encounter this very scenario.

*TRIGGER WARNING* This beautifully told documentary dives into the painful question of the necessity to give back the memories of trauma, or to protect through falsifying the memories of your past. The journey is long for these brothers, and the pain is deep. Can silence allow victims to move on with their lives? Or is sharing their story the only way to heal? I do not have those answers, but I am honored by the raw honesty and the ability to be a part of their journey. Now streaming on Netflix.

Review written by Edelia Weston

Miss Representation

Written by Jessica Congdon and Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

rating: 🏆 most excellent

This powerful documentary examines the portrayal of women in the American media. It looks at the harmful stereotypes, lack of complex characters, blatant ageism and objectification, and their direct links to the disempowerment of women. This disempowerment manifests itself in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and more. It’s no secret that these are all incredibly relevant and important issues and I can not recommend this documentary highly enough. It also looks at the harmful lessons that men are taught by the media including toxic masculinity, and the unrealistic pressure to succeed and be emotionally detached. In order to move forward to create a better world, creative people hold incredible power. We can tell stories and play characters that challenge toxic stereotypes and create a dialogue that pushes for equality and the wellbeing of all peoples.

Review written by Zianna Weston

Untouchable

Directed by Ursula Macfarlane

Rating: 🏆 most excellent

This documentary tells the story of Harvey Weinstein’s reign of terror and the systems in place that allowed him to get away with sexual assault for decades. If you’re a woman, an ally of women, or a believer in equality and justice, you need to see this movie. If you don’t identify with at least one of the aforementioned categories then you need to seriously reevaluate your life. This documentary did a beautiful job of telling the stories of victims, reporters, and former Weinstein employees, and connecting the dots to show how he was able to get away with this behavior for so long. The subject matter is obviously very heavy, so be prepared for that before you watch it. But the truth is powerful and the more that victims are validated and, most importantly, no longer silenced and discredited, the better equipped we will become as a global community to walk into a future where the behavior of predators is no longer tolerated. I can’t recommend this documentary highly enough. If you or someone you know is a victim of harassment/assault, know that you are not alone and check out these resources for survivors and their loved ones.

Review written by Zianna Weston