Documentaries are having a big time today, getting more awareness through digital platforms, big political and social issues around the World and a sharp language that is getting more closer to younger chords.
But there’s still a lot of work to do to get documentaries known as a genre, and IDFA is doing its job really really well!
As the most important documentary film festival in the World, IDFA 2014 is one of the biggest events in Amsterdam this year (from November 19th to 30th). Less sequins and glamour on the red carpet, but more real and precious cinema.
Even if you missed the first days, there’s still plenty of time to catch up with some good screening. So collect your friends (or just go alone, if you’re a movie freak like me) and DO NOT miss the opportunity.
Here’s what you should not miss:
1. THE LOOK OF SILENCE, by Joshua Oppenheimer
Joshua Oppenheimer is one of the bravest and sensitive filmmakers in the World and this is a twin doc of his multi-awarded “The Act of Killing”, on the Indonesian genocide in 1965-66, made by the Military Party which is still in power today, calling themselves “democracy”.
A kick in the stomach which should be screened in EVERY school in the World about violence, guilt and responsibility.
2. CITIZENFOUR, by Laura Poitras
If you’d watched Citizenfour you’d probably have “closed” the Internet and went living on a tree by now.
I did watch it, but since I’m on a mission from God to save the Internet, I’ve managed to get a wi-fi spot on my tree.
Seriously, Citizenfour is one of the scariest things I’ve seen, and even if we’re so absorbed by pictures of cats to care about our privacy, we should turn on our brains and be informed on what’s happening behind our online and offline actions.
Following the lead of an anonymous source, named Citizenfour, Laura Poitras interviews the NSA employee Edward Snowden during a few days in Hong Kong, together with Glenn Greenwald from The Guardian, who will publish the first news on the NSA scandal.
GO. NOW.
3. CHAMELEON, by Ryan Mullins
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, born and raised in Ghana, has been doing investigative journalism since he got out of college and now he lives as a sort of superhero for the youngsters.
Child trafficking, illegal abortion and rapes: is motto is “Naming, Shaming and Jailing”. Working undercover in collaboration with the police, Anas cannot show his face in public, but we don’t need to see his eyes to know he’s moved by a true fire of justice. Someone said: with great power comes great responsibility.
Engaging and powerful, this doc is a lesson that should be taught to many western journalists and it’s a reason why we thanks IDFA for its existence.
Trailer is on exclusive on Realscreen for now.
4. THOSE WHO FEEL THE FIRE BURNING, Morgan Knibble
How can you make a poetic and unconventional documentary on one of the most dramatic event, like the deadly trip of thousands of African refugees seeking hope in Europe, by reaching its closest shore in Lampedusa?
Morgan Knibble has a very soft and sensitive eye and you’ll find yourself wrapped in another dimension for 74 minutes.
5. UYGHURS, PRISONERS OF THE ABSURD, by Patricio Henriquez
Some people are very unlucky. Like this group of 22 islamic refugees from the Uyghur, a region occupied by the Chinese Government which now persecutes this minority. After having escaped in Afghanistan, they’re sold to the Americans for 5.000 $ each, thanks to a reward offered by the US Army, and they get imprisoned for almost 10 years in Guantanamo, one of the shady shames of the US Government, despite being totally innocent.
Since Guantanamo is still open today, it’s good to see how bureaucracy and international agreements are stepping over the lives of people.
6. FINDING FELA, by Alex Gibney
Do you want some good afrobeat music? You wouldn’t mind also some social and political issues about Nigeria to discuss with your hipster friends?
So, this is the perfect movie for you!
Alex Gibney is a veteran of documentaries and you can tell by this portrayal of Fela Kuti as an unstoppable musician, a political maverick, human rights activists and a legend, not only for the Nigerians.
You should not miss the special event at Melkweg with a live concert after the screening.
Otherwise, other screenings and tickets here.
7. VIRUNGA, by Orlando von Einsiedel
We should always thank the filmmakers and producers that makes us discover brave and generous actions of people across the globe.
Virunga is on of the new releases in this year’s IDFA which deserves a lot of attention and it’s having already an impact, outside its cinematic value.
So now we know that the Virunga National Park, in Congo, is the house of the last mountain gorillas and it’s now menaced by SOCO, a UK oil company that it’s trying to force the oil exploitation of the land, through corruption and violence.
Take action on Virunga’s website.
If by any chance you missed the screenings at IDFA (bad you!), you can still make amend watching it on Netflix NL.
8. PIXADORES, by Amir Escandari
Djean is a Pixaçao artist. He reads Nietzsche and, together with his group of friends, climbs walls and 20 floors buildings to write tags. They’re not writing graffiti, but names, their code names, even if some of them cannot even read nor write.
This is freedom, this is a recognition of their individuality, they’re need to be seen, not to be invisible to the World.
Pixadores is a beautiful and rather unusual documentary in B/W, which shall not to be missed if you’re into street art. But even if you’re not.
9. IDA’S DIARY, August B. Hanssen
What’s happening in the mind of a borderline and self-harming person?
Now we get to experience that thanks to the dozens of videos that Ida, a norwegian 26 y.o. kept shooting by herself during the years. We get to get into her world of ups and downs, of scars and hospitalization, of self-reflection on her condition.
A rare occasion to grasp a bit of a condition often overseen, but that is spreading around us.
10. BEFORE THE LAST CURTAIN FALLS, by Thomas Wallner
Behind a life on stage, there’s always a fragile and vulnerable individual who struggle to find himself some comfort and happiness.
Thomas Wallner follows a group of old drag queens and trans cabaret artist on stage, performing for one last time Gardenia, and off stage, while they’re trying to conduct a normal life and resuming pains and joys of being themselves.
One teardrop of sadness, one teardrop of joy.
Be a soft soul and get a screening ticket.
And..for those of you who bravely extended their attention span and read till the end, here’s a LOLCat as a reward!
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