I'm convinced that the hot docs programmers have stacked the end of the festival with the better movies because yesterday was so damn good.
How to Die in Oregon was an emotionally and physically jolting experience. I cried for almost 108 minutes solid, and judging from the sniffling and snuffling noises coming from around me, I wasn't the only one. The movie follows a 54 year old woman as she decides if and when to die. What a ballsy subject for filmmaker Peter Richardson to cover. Bravo. The film garnered and long and strong standing ovation, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was a strong contender for People's Choice Award. It's playing again today at 5:45 at the Cumberland. Go. And bring tissues.
Another stand-out from yesterday was After the Apocalypse, which raised the controversial issue of a government's power to interfere with a woman's right to reproduce. Some doctors in Khazakstan believe that have an obligation to do so. It is difficult for us in Canada to understand that, but we aren't faced with the spectre of mass genetic mutations in our future generations. Maybe it's not so cut and dry. A highlight of the movie was seeing a fetus in a jar with one giant eye in the middle of his face. Who's got the popcorn?
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 was also amazing. It played to a sold out Bloor Cinema which is always a rowdy experience (for a night at the movies). There were a couple bouts of spontaneous applause in the middle of the movie, most notably after an impassioned soliloquy by Angela Davis from her prison cell. This movie was an extraordinary treatment of rare archival footage, and it was mesmerizing.
Well, I suppose this is almost my last post for the year. Thanks for humouring me by thus far. Tomorrow I'll let you know how today goes, and I'll announce the Dr. Dock Awards.
Get out there!
I wrote a long comment, but it deleted itself. Suffice it to say it was a literary gem not often seen.
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