RKS 2024 Film: HOTDOCS 2024: “Silent Trees”: A Minefield to Somewhat Normalcy

Sixteen-year-old Runa fled ISIS controlled Kurdistan with her parents and four younger brothers. Trapped in a forest between Belarus and Poland her mother is felled by hypothermia and later dies in a Polish hospital. The family had spent 18 days in a frozen forest attempting to enter Poland. The Polish government had previously retaliated against Belarus for its decision to grant tourist visas to migrants so they could reach the EU through Poland by sealing off the Polish Belarus border. Runa and family arrive in Poland.

Progressing from a Polish migrant camp they move to a flat in a major Polish city.  Runa is asked or is it cajoled by her father who constantly says all will be as Allah wishes, to basically assume a motherly role in housekeeping and child minding while at the same time attending school with her brother. One suspects Runa has other ideas about her life but falls under her father’s command. Adding to the stress Runa has endured she then is diagnosed with glaucoma and undergoes successful laser surgery to manage it. The physicians advise her to avoid stress as it aggravates eye pressure.

Finally, when there is hope of “normal life” deportation possibilities arise and Runa’s father eventually appears at a deportation hearing shaving his beard very germane to the anti-Islamist movements in Europe. Upon arrival to the Polish refugee camp a Kurdish contact advises Runa’s father to shave his beard as it makes Europeans ill at ease fearing violence. Runa’s father responds with a smile as aren’t we all men he verbalizes. Suddenly at the deportation hearing he is clean shaven. He is learning the game!

Runa’s father wins his deportation hearing and is permitted to remain in Poland. What does this mean for Runa as a surrogate mother? There is enough here in the dialogues to give one a strong impression Runa’s father is a very conservative man. Runa may have escaped ISIS oppression and possibly death but she ends up in Poland a progressive liberal society where a women can advance and have a chance at fulfilling their dreams. Will she be caught in her father’s conservatism or realize her dreams?

All said and done a horrific beginning to Runa’s escape to Poland. Over time life changes and some integration into Polish society is achieved by Runa but where will it lead.

A story about the stress of urgent migration and the resilience of those who undertake it. Runa’s family odyssey may be common to many of us even if far in the past but a film like “Silent Trees” is a healthy reminder that all of us in North America are migrants even if some have been there prior to European colonialism.

“Silent Trees” will be screening at HOT DOCS on 5May2024.

It is written and directed by Agnieszka Swiefka.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 74/100.

RKS 2024 Wine:  A Ritzy Montreal Pinot Noir from Westmount from the Tête Carrée!

We try a Westmount Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Oregon. Westmount is a ritzy suburb of Montreal perched along Mont Royal. The home of the wealthy English sometimes referred to as Tête Carrée by the plebeians down below.

A modest home in Westmount!

So seeing a Pinot Noir from Westmount Vineyard and having travelled through Westmount countless times when living in Montreal you see I couldn’t resist.

Aroma: A classic waft up of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry and just a bit of chocolate covered almonds.

Palate: An avalanche of blackberry, fat juicy raspberries so very gently guarded by perfect almost unobtrusive acidity and older French oak.

Personality: I am far better crafted than a Burgundian Pinot Noir at my price.

Food Match: Grilled Easter lamb or goat.

Cellarbility: Will evolve nicely into mid 2026.

Price: $34 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 91/100. Decanter 91.

(Westmount Willamette Valley 2021 Pinot Noir, Westmount Vineyard, Dundee, Oregon, 750 mL, 13.7%).

RKS 2024 Film: Hot Docs 2024: “A Photographic Memory”

Should I simply refer to the American documentary “A Photographic Memory” as rich, eerie, extensive, thorough, melancholic, uplifting and intriguing? Or might I say it is going to be remembered as one of the best Hot Docs 2024 documentaries?

Considering the enormous sums I am paid to review films, the mind-boggling swag bags that flow my way, the lavish meals fostered on me by distributors and the trips on private jets for interview purposes (of course) I suppose a few more words are warranted.

Director Rachel Elizabeth Seed’s mother, Shiela Turner-Seed an award-winning photographer, writer and journalist died suddenly of a brain aneurism at age 42 leaving behind 18-month-old Rachel. Rachel sets out on a journey to discover her mother she remembers, consciously, nothing of. Through audio tapes of her mother’s interviews of prominent photographers, photographs, home movies and discussions with colleagues, friends, family members and her mother’s journal Rachel finally has a picture of who her mother was. The discoveries paint a picture of her mother and her relationships with people and her work that enable her to state at the end of her journey that she now has a picture of her mother and no longer feels that she must look back.

Rachel with her mother Sheila in 1979

There are countless photographs taken by her mother and famous photographers, interviews with these photographers by her mother but the film is not so much about photography as it is about a voyage of self discovery replete with curiosity, joy and finally a brief but powerful outpouring of grief.

You may see the trailer here https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/hot-docs-festival/films/2024/photographic-memory

Hot Docs premiere on 3/5May2024.

RKS 2024 Film Rating: 96/100.

RKS 2024 Film: “Jeanne du Barry”: Grandiose, Pomp and Circumstance but Somewhat Vacuous: Poor Yawny Depp

It’s hard to pan a film with such lavish wardrobe in a Versailles setting. I have been to Versailles twice and it is certainly indicative of grandeur and wealth but with “Jeanne du Barry” populate it with rich period costumes of the era of Louis XV it is worth the price of admission to see the film. Unfortunately the film largely fails to excite with plot and acting. Poor Johnny Depp’s French coupled with his minimalist role turns the poor man into Yawny Depp. Marie Antoinette is beautifully but briefly portrayed by Pauline Pollmann. Benjamin Lavernhe as La Borde is rock solid.

Jeanne Vaubernier, played rather well by one of those self-important actors with a single name we all must absolutely recognize namely Maïwenn, is the prodigy of a monk and a cook and as the narrator says, coming from nothing one is ready for everything. Her choice in life is to be a cook or a harlot and she chooses a harlot pimped about by Comte du Barry with her biggest John being Louis XV (Johnny Depp). The King is so taken by her he asks her to stay on in Versailles and they carry on their dalliance in open view. To be recognized by the Court she marries her pimp Comte du Barry and becomes Comtesse du Barry and is admitted to the French Court with great fanfare and disdain making enemies of the King’s daughters and even Marie Antoinette newly arriving for a marriage with the Dauphin later to become Louis XVI.

Louis XV carries on dalliances but Comtesse du Barry remains his favourite and she is adept at surviving intrigue and animosity until such time as Louis XV is felled by smallpox. Perhaps more interesting than the sleepy plot are the rules of the French Royal Court. The indisputable star though is the lavish costuming and Versailles. There is great potential for nastiness and malicious plotting but it is treated so lightly it is almost soap operaish.

Directed and co-written by the singularly named Maïwenn.

You can watch a clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag21v_UtUfI

Now playing in Canadian theatres.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 69/100.

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “Norwegian Democrazy”

“Norwegian Democrazy” delves into the limits and constraints placed on free speech and the stresses on Norwegian society by the influx of Islamic immigration. The Muslim population of Norway is 182,000 constituting 3.3% of its total population. 55% of the Norwegian Muslim population live in Oslo and Viken.

The Islamic influx is not restricted to Norway but throughout Europe and North America and the societal reactions of Norway are common problems. Lars Thorsen and his sweetheart Fanny Braten tirelessly travel Norway to support the views of SIAN, Stop Islamization of Norway. A provocative speciality of SIAN is burning of Qurans in public infuriating Muslims and many “native” Norwegians.

In a democracy as in Norway there is no law preventing protesting against the influx of immigrants or for that matter the burning of Qurans irrespective of how it angers many Norwegians. But the burnings combined with SIAN’s categorization of Muslims as pedophiles, rapists and terrorists in combination border on hate speech. The Norwegian flag armbands worn by Thorsen have a chilling resemblance to Nazi armbands.

It is fascinating to watch how police take care to separate SIAN demonstrations from the public in expectation of violence leading some to claim the police are protecting “fascists” but perhaps closer to the truth is they are attempting to control violence. In this regard they occasionally arrest SIAN members.

In an interview a viewer should pay attention to Braten stating SIAN has no issues with “fully integrated Muslims”. What that term means or the sincerity of such a statement is unknown. It could mean merge into a melting pot and shun burkas, hajibs and attitudes and behaviours unNorwegian and we just may trust you. Stand out and refuse immediate integration pay the price? Does refusing the hospitality of immigration and adherence to prevailing Norwegian religious and social attitudes put you at risk in Norway or any country in which you are invited to immigrate to require you play the majority game?

In Canada we are not immune to Islamic honour killings and to harassment and murder of Muslims although we have no SIAN but with the massive strain on social services and housing caused by massive largely uncontrolled immigration one wonders when SIAN like movements will form.

Watching the documentary there are certain issues that arise and are not answered and perhaps are not meant to be answered.

  • What are the limits on free speech in a democracy?
  • What is free speech?
  • What if free speech incites violence?
  • Should immigrants be encouraged to “integrate” and does failure to do so show contempt for the invitee country?
  • Are laws the answer?

Thank goodness there is no narration in the documentary as the people of Norway are speaking to all of us whether Muslims or native Norwegians (whomever they may be).

A documentary by Fabien Greenberg and Bård Kjøge Rønning.

Its international premiere will be screening at HOT DOCS on 2May2024.

You can watch the trailer here https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1G836BsQhbkK-WVzN3xZK1r8_ei2dOCZe

RKS 2024 Film Rating 91/100.

RKS 2024 Film: “Sweetland”: Time to Recognize a New Canadian Film Classic: The Sea Giveth the Governments Taketh

“Sweetland” is based on Michael Crummey’s novel of the same name. The Fisheries Household Resettlement Programme administered by the Canadian federal government and Newfoundland provincial government offered somewhat meagre payments for inhabitants of remote outports to relocate to “economic centres of development”. Did economic theory destroy and mutilate the fabric of historic Newfoundland?

To receive the governmental package up to 80-90% of household’s approval in a community was needed (depending on what year). In a remote outport Moses Sweetland (Mark Lewis Jones) is a holdout refusing to accept the package drawing the ire and abuse of fellow residents. The film is the story of Sweetland’s battle to remain in the outport. It is also the story of the dismantling a vital historical part of Newfoundland, the cod fisheries or perhaps more accurately their decline due to overfishing.

Tied into this fascinating struggle is the relationship of Sweetland to his community particularly his autistic nephew Jesse who can only receive the medical care he requires in St John’s, the capital of Newfoundland. Moses is of the view Jesse needs a lot of fresh air and the life that the outport community can offer not what the quacks in St. John’s advise. 

Mark Lewis Jones offers a brilliant performance but the real star of momentous performance is Newfoundland’s rugged if not savage beauty.

In the struggle between man and his fellow man and well meaning but ignorant governments expect tragedy, deception, intimidation and creative defiance. The original music by Andrew Staniland simply could have not been more suitable adding a haunting and reflective element to the film.

“Sweetland” will have a Canadian theatrical release on 3May2024. Will the film receive the international recognition it deserves? An outstanding film not merely an outstanding Canadian film.

Written and directed by Christian Sparkes.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 92.

RKS 2024 Wine: Does a Boggled Mind Benefit from a Bogle Family Vineyards Pinot Noir?

At the Hot Docs film festival winds down I have saved the most depressing films for last and as a film reviewer of documentary films when I say depressing I mean it. On my bitter end list is the story of a 16-year-old Kurdish refugee girl, whose mother has died frozen to death in some forest, ending up caring for her siblings and she is facing deportation back to ISIS controlled territory waiting in a Polish refugee camp. My mind is boggled after reviewing 15 slightly more cheerful films.

We try a Bogle Family Vineyards California Pinot Noir.

Aroma: Bing cherries, black raspberry and slightly overripe strawberries.

Palate: Tannins are on the heavy side of light although the wine is in itself not light. The aromatics are on what you might call the Outer Limits of a Pinot Noir profile but on the palate the Outer Limits have been breached and perhaps the winemaker was visiting from a spaceship? Perhaps being writing about wine I should relinquish that and continue on with the voice of Vic Perrin. Do not adjust your palate this wine label with its mesmerizing description of the wine has taken over…..

Personality: Otherworldly not in a positive light. With me in your glass why wait for the great Quake?

Cellarbility: On earth no need but in Billy Pilgrim’s Trafaldamore’s cellar a millennium.

Food Match: Koobideh.

Movie Match: “The Omicron Killer”.

Price: Priceless in a certain sense. $24 CDN (Ontario)

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 61/100. Natalie MacLean 91.

(Bogle Family Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, California, Bogle Family Vineyards, Clarksburg, California, 750 mL, 14.5%).

RKS 2024 Film: “Before I Change My Mind”: Enough Well Done Ambiguities to Choke a Horse

Robin (Vaughn Murrae) a junior teen arrives from Spokane, Washington to the Canadian province of Alberta with his somewhat geeky computer dad, Dan (Matthew Rankin). Robin experiences a flashback now and then about his past particularly his mother. The meaning of the flashbacks might constitute a moviegoer’s delight. Add to this ambiguity is Dan’s aversion to women. Is he playing the other side and for that matter is Robin leaning towards playing the other side or is he already on that side? Why did they leave Spokane to Edmonton? Or were they fleeing?

And the initial enemy of Robin, Carter (Dominic Lippa) turns friend then enemy. Is he also playing the other side? And did he just expose himself to Robin? Is Carter the tough guy in public as a “cover” for his homosexuality. And the Nero is fiddling conclusion represents the symbolic coming out of Robin? Or is the film an exploration of adolescent sexuality without a queer twist? Or is there a bit of everything here other than lots of winks and nudges?

Quite obviously a low budget film with high budget qualities in terms of theme and acting. As for acting the adults are all over the top exaggerated ambiguities perhaps intentionally so to bring a teen vantage into the film. A prime example of well done over the top acting is Shannon Blanchet as Annie the hot to trot realtor. By the way Vaughn Murrae won Best Actor at the Locarno Film Festival. Not a “Breakfast Club” or “Cabaret” but elements of both.

The film recently completed a Canadian theatrical run.

Director Trevor Anderson.

RKS 2024 Film 90/100.

RKS 2024 FILM: HOT DOCS: “The Ride Ahead”: Determination, Grit and Suffering

In “The Ride Ahead” expect a massive dose of suffering and genetic injustice alleviated, if not conquered, by a strong spirit resentful of being talked down to armoured by a boundless will to overcome obstacles facing severely handicapped Samuel afflicted with GNA01 Neurodevelopmental Disorder a progressive disorder so rare that there are a mere hundreds of sufferers in the globe. Sam is suffering from Cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a swallowing disorder since infancy. Sam is confined to a wheelchair, spastically twitches particularly when excited or upset and can barely speak. Let’s be frank and say you are thinking “poor bastard” and Sam would appreciate that honesty of the ignorant, yes may be me and you.

Shockingly as the documentary commences you may be knocked on your ass when Sam says that if he had the chance he would never take away his disability as it has made him the way he is and he likes the way he is. But many viewers know they have faced adversity and somehow managed to deal with it and conclude this adversity has made them stronger. At this point you are hooked into the story of Sam. A story both painful and inspiring.

Sam wants a life with dignity. He wants to know how he can live a fulfilling life as an adult. In search of this he embarks on a cross country search to speak with “Hall of Famers” disability activists and he blossoms into a man equipped with practical and spiritual guidance from the “disabled” and after the documentary I am finding this term “disabled” almost offensive. As one of his mentors in his journey says, “Disability does not reside in the person, it resides in the environment the person lives in.”

Although this may be Sam’s journey of self discovery the wide variety of his mentors expose what the life of the “disabled” is like and what can be done to integrate them into the society they deserve to be in. As Maysoon, a palsied comedian, tells him the disabled must be behind the camera and tell their story otherwise they face an endless pity party. And that is what Sam does by making this documentary about his life.

Watching the documentary pity is but disrespect. Is it time we rethink the term disabled? Is disabled a reflection on society that fails to reflect on the belief and support system that disables those who should not be disabled other than through a system that disables them. In short this is not Sam’s story. It is in a plenitude of ways a society that stigmatizes those who are not like the majority.

Directed by Samuel and Don Habib. World Premiere at Hot Docs 28/30April2024.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 89/100.

RKS 2024 Film: HOT DOCS 2024: “The Strike”: Memories of the East German Circus

Amidst great political and bureaucratic clapping the California Department of Corrections (CDC) opened the “state of the art” Pelican Bay State Prison’s Security Housing Unit (SHU) in 1989. Pelican Bay was designed for solitary confinement. Hundreds spent years in solitary confinement some as long as thirty years despite the United Nation’s maximum set at 15 days!

No windows, solid concrete and almost no human interaction leading to loneliness and intense mental battles to remain sane. After watching these inhumane quarters and listening to former Pelican Bay inmates I recalled being in Romania in the Iron Curtain days watching a squalid East German circus in some small rural centre. Small cages and epitome of animal cruelty perhaps equivalent to conditions at Pelican Bay.

We listen to former inmates and their families, investigative journalists, CDC bureaucrats and activists campaigning for extensive reform of SHUs in California.

At the time California prisons were segregated by race for “safety reasons” into whites, Hispanics and blacks. The most violent and “validated gang members” were the recipients of SHU’s cruel hospitality.  A validated gang member was based on labelling. So if you had a certain tattoo, were reading certain books, received letters supposedly indicative of gang affiliation, had certain affiliations or even drew something that asserted your cultural identity you were shipped off to an SHU in California. Very little importance in validated gang membership process was based on actual behaviours of the inmates.

Inspired by the hunger strike death of IRA prison inmate Bobby Sands (and nine others) at Belfast’s Maze Prison on 5May1981 inmates at Pelican Bay initiated a hunger strike on 1July2011 and again in 2013. Always at the forefront of inmate’s demands were;

  • The right for meaningful human contact
  • End of group punishment
  • Provision of adequate food
  • Ending debriefing policy i.e. using inmates to rat on other inmates
  • Ending long term solitary confinement

Despite CDC promises, California state legislature hearings and increased media coverage it wasn’t until the hunger strike death of an inmate and a growing class action lawsuit on behalf of Pelican Bay inmates that the California State legislature enacted legislation reforming the SHU system in effect liberating nearly 4,000 inmates from segregation. Yet as of today there are over 120,000 inmates in the United States in solitary confinement.

A fascinating study of the debilitating effects of solitary confinement in the prison system and the political football game played by California politicians and CDC bureaucrats. And yes before you continue to bash lawyers it was the class action on behalf of Pelican Bay inmates that may have been the ultimate driver towards severely limiting the ravages of solitary confinement. Regrettably there is no discussion or itemization in the film of exactly what constitutes solitary confinement.

World Premiere screenings at HOT DOCS 28/29April2024.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 83/100.