DocFest 2013 Entry #1: “Escaramuza: Riding From the Heart” and “Elena”

Escaramuza: Riding From the Heart

By now I have learned a thing or two about the joys movies can bring when entering the theatre having zero expectations. Most importantly, I’ve learned that it’s always best to just allow a film’s direction to go wherever it pleases and not try and will it to veer down the path I’d rather see it go. Inevitably, trying to control a film’s direction as if it were my very own Choose Your Own Adventure book has always led to disappointing viewing experiences. Even if the movie is exceptional, the moment you start wishing it to go a certain way the end result will be failure. Take for example last night, when I went to see Bill Yahraus‘ latest documentary.

I knew nothing of the film’s subject matter, Mexican-American women known as escaramuza charras who compete in a rodeo sport that involves riding horses in intricate criss-cross patterns while donning some flashy hand sewn outfits. Yet, for some reason watching a documentary on a subject entirely new to me wasn’t enough to satisfy my cinematic jollies. I wanted intense drama. I wanted laugh-out-loud moments. I wanted eccentric individuals acting odd. Instead, what I got was an honest look at these women’s passion of this time-honored traditional Mexican sport. Why that didn’t satisfy me, who knows.

DocFest 2013 Capsule Reviews: “Fall and Winter” and “Furever”

Fall and Winter

What would a documentary film festival be without yet another look at the disastrous effects of our Earth caused by human’s irresponsibly selfish ways? Though set to an eye pleasing picturesque rural pacing and some soft spoken earnestness from some very wise interviewees, the film still offers no actual tangible global solutions to our crisis. However, it does do a terrific job at further raising consciousness to those ignorant of the direction Earth is heading, and that in itself makes this a film of importance.

Showtimes for Fall and Winter: Saturday, June 8th at 9:00pm (Balboa Theatre)

Sunday, June 9th at 9:00pm (Roxie Theatre)

Tuesday, June 11th at 9:00pm (Aquarius Theatre – Palo Alto)

DocFest 2013 Capsule Reviews: “Sparks: A Burning Man Story”, “Elena” and “Fuck for Forest”

Sparks: A Burning Man Story

Sparks felt mostly like the camera operators from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire were given a break from their day jobs, a huge budget, a sound recorder at a rave, and a bunch of helicopters to shoot a dance party-o-rama video of Burning Man. The film seems to have no idea what it is trying to be – a documentary on the inner sanctum, or a rave music video, with atrocious throbbing techno-dance or cheesy pop music that does not fit the subject matter. In the end it is just a frustrating, sensationalist mess to watch.

Showtimes for Spark: A Burning Man Story – Thursday, June 6th at 7:00pm (Roxie Theatre)

Eight Noteworthy Docs Coming to SF DocFest 2013 + A New Documentary Blog

As I write this, two weeks have passed since this year’s DocFest lineup was officially announced, and in another two weeks – June 6th, to be exact – San Francisco’s 12th annual film festival of all things non-fiction will begin.

By now, I’m sure most of the die hard cinephiles, as well as those who have just been craving some quality cinematic portraits of truth have already copped their printed schedule and have marked it up accordingly. After doing some schedule dissecting of my own, I have whittled down this year’s 43 programs to eight noteworthy docs. Hopefully, come closing night (June 23rd), my predictions as to what was worth seeing will have proven to be accurate. To see the list follow this link to Filmbalaya’s new no-frills blog (docwatching.blogspot.com) dedicated solely to documentaries that Adam is interested in. Enjoy.

My Last Day At DocFest 2012: Day 5 – “Shooting For Home” and “OUTING”

Shooting For Home

A misunderstood poor black youth with remarkable talent for shooting hoops who never sees his dreams of making the NBA realized.  It’s the same old song, as far as this sub-genre of sports documentaries go, right?  Well, not exactly.  As it turns out, the story of Kevin Bradshaw is a bit deeper than most other B-Balling docs on NBA hopefuls who tragically, for one reason or the other, never make it to the professional level.  Although much of the focus is spent on the ups and downs of his basketball career (from breaking records to suicidal tendencies), there is a grander subtext at work here, which is that if you are able to step back and see the greater picture you might realize that what was first perceived as a missed opportunity might really be an opportunity for something more meaningful.  Inspiring, I know.

Now for my nitpick.  The sound design and music were seriously distracting with its cringe-inducing awfulness.  Because of this, towards the movie’s final moments, when emotions are running deep, rather than trying to hold back tears, I was trying to hold back from laughing at the ridiculous pandering hippy-esque song being played.

DocFest 2012: Day 4 – The Final Member

In the very best sense of the word, this documentary is utterly riDICKulous (pun loudly intended).

At the age of 33 Icelandic native Sigurður Hjartarson was given a Bull’s penis as a gag gift from a friend, thus beginning a life’s work of collecting penis specimens from a mass variety of species and eventually opening the world’s first and only museum solely dedicated to this holy of holiest male organs.  As odd and interesting of a subject matter for a documentary that Hjartarson is on his own, there are a couple of even odder ducks fighting for top quack in this quirky pond of a story.

You see, anyone who is an obsessive collector of whatever it is they collect ultimately wants to feel as though their collection is complete.  For some it’s as simple as acquiring a certain baseball card, that indian head penny, or in my case, that rare Danish pop singer Tommy Seebach album on vinyl.  It just so happens that for the owner of the Icelandic Phallological Museum it’s a penis specimen of a homosapien.  That’s right, a man’s penis.  This is where the real fun begins.  Two men, both of whom could, and should, have entire reality seasons dedicated to them decide to throw their (jimmy)hats into the ring in order to be the first to have their member on display for the world to see.

DocFest 2012: Day 2 – Global Home

No Film Festival within the SFIndieFest umbrella – be it IndieFest, Another Hole In The Head, or DocFest – would be complete without having to sit through at least one screening plagued with technical difficulties.  This time the glitches in the film (ahem, digital disc) included wrong language settings, displaced screen formatting, and partially missing subtitles.  It took the protectionist about 15 minutes before the movie was playing properly.

Once the problems were fixed, however, it then took another 10 minutes or so before I could truly get on board with German director/nomad Eva Stotz‘s documentary on globalization.  Were it not for her odd choice of visual aesthetics, giving the movie its amateurish feel during the opening moments, e.g., google earth maps, and that little white hand cursor clicking the icon of a crude spinning globe, this could have ended up being a flawless production from start to finish.  However, in stark contrast to the rest of the movie were the combination of brilliant editing choices, a very fitting soundtrack, and a slew full of moments where nature and humanity were brilliantly captured time and time again.

SF DocFest 2012: Capsule Reviews – “More Than The Rainbow” and “Without A Net”

More Than the Rainbow

Every artist who is inspired by the city they live in will relate to this film in where ex-cabby Matt Weber explores his own journey to becoming a street photographer.  As a photographer I envy Matt’s nostalgic style and would love to become better acquainted with his body of work.  As an actor I could see less of him.  His awkward in your face attitude allows him to get the great shots.  Fitting into this artistic mold, director Dan Wechsler seems to capture a similar style and technique. In a style reminiscent of old New York, smooth jazz permeates thru the scenes and sets a perfect back drop for this controversal conversation about photography and its mediums.

SF Docfest 2011 – “Bob and the Monster”, “Dirty Pictures” and “Oil City Confidential”

Movie: Bob and The Monster

Some of you may know him from Celebrity Rehab with doctor Drew, but rewind the clock and Bob Forrest was a drug addict bearing his soul in the band Thelonious Monster.  Years of footage from battling his life-threatening disease leads us on a journey of transformation into one of the most controversial drug counselors in America.  Testimonies from friends such as Steven Adler, Anthony Kiedis and Courtney Love give this documentary spice and a good back drop to spread a message of sobriety and hope.  Losing a career, friends, money, and almost his life makes Bob’s story touching while special performance footage and personal videos from Thelonious Monster gives it the Rock and Roll spin.  Now that Bob isn’t feeding his Monster anymore, his music has changed but it seems that his hungry soul will always sing with depth and heart – which is exactly what this documentary accomplished.