Our list in no particular order (Click on film titles for full description and more details):
“In this unflinching look at a fearless man on a macabre mission, El Salvador’s only criminologist, Israel Ticas, pursues his life’s work of finding hundreds of missing victims of the country’s brutal civil war.”
Why you should see it: Imagine CSI without any of the fake glamour and aimed at understanding what war and violence can do to a country.
Mateo
SCREENINGS
“Matthew Stoneman (America’s first gringo Mariachi singer) is trying to kick his own gimmick and achieve musical greatness. A gold-plated voice trapped inside a hapless dreamer tries to make the big time in this fantastically fun saga.”
Why you should see it: An interesting look at a far from perfect soul and his single minded devotion to a dream. While sympathetic it is not a whitewash.
The Sheik
SCREENINGS
“Every hero needs a villain. Without the Iron Sheik there could be no Hulkamania. Khosrow Vasiri’s transformation from Olympic wrestler to american pop culture icon is a personal and emotional tale that will “make you humble””
Why you should see it: If you think that Darth Vader was ultimately a villain with a heart, well he has nothing on the Iron Sheik. Genuinely moving story about the unique life and trials of a man who loves the faux world of wrestling to this day, in spite of all it cost him.
The Secret Trial 5
SCREENINGS
“The film tells the shocking story of Canada’s security certificates. An unusual policy mechanism used to imprison five muslim men without charge for nearly 30 years combined while the evidence against them remains secret.”
Why you should see it: It will infuriate you and make you question how our justice system actually works. It is also very smartly edited as well as educational.
Pine Ridge
SCREENINGS
“As summer passes on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre, its young inhabitants endure the uncertain future of life on the margins, still haunted by the turbulent past of their Sioux ancestors”
Why you should see it: What happens to a place and its people after being victimized by a traumatic and violent situation? This doc looks at the humanity left behind by history.
I Love Kuduro
SCREENINGS
“Born in the discos and raves of Luanda, Kuduro music and dance is a bangin’ mix of House, Techno and traditional Angolan rhythms. Discover the history, hot tracks and big stars driving this cultural movement as it spreads raw energy from the big city to the burbs.”
Why you should see it: Urban culture African style. Also how young people grab everything around them and turn it into a party and ultimately proving that music is not a museum piece but an ever evolving form of expression.
Beyond Clueless
SCREENINGS
“This surprising and comprehensive visual essay on the modern teen movie genre explores over 200 films that celebrate prom queens, cafeteria cliques and the warm apple pies in between.”
Why you should see it: If nostalgia is not good enough, it is a load of fun to have a look at films that helped define your youth, for better or worse…
Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Short
SCREENINGS
“Delving into the infamous To Die For Pamela Smart murder trial, this expertly crafted film explores one of the world’s biggest media frenzies and the role of the media, the psychology of the observer and public opinion in shaping the trial’s outcome”
Why you should see it: Disturbing account of how our headline hungry media can turn a complex criminal case into a farce, and how public opinion is shaped by these forces. Very smart.
SCREENINGS
“A talented eccentric forger with a history of deceiving museums is pitted against an obsessive curator who may have no way of stopping him. This compelling tale paints a picture of the craft and ethics of non original art.”
Why you should see it: A fascinating story of obsession and ego. Why would a clearly talented man derive pleasure from fooling everyone with his forgeries? The answer is not so simple.
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
SCREENINGS
TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 Wed, Apr 30 1:30 PM
“With an incredible archive of home videos, the story of Caroll Spinney reveals how a big heart and unstoppable talent created two of the world’s most beloved Sesame Street muppets, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.”
Why you should see it: Everyone knows Big Bird, but do you know what it takes to become it? A creative passionate human being. This very well crafted feel good story works because it doesn’t avoid the dark sides of a remarkable man and character.
