RKS Film: Are Review Embargos Self Defeating? The Early Bird Catches the Worm!

I am in the midst of reviewing some films that are showing at the 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Festival. With over 200 documentaries showing between April 27 and May 7 as a sole reviewer I hope to review 15 or so films.

Often with releases of films before their release date or very close to that release date films may be made available to film reviewers. A public relations firm, distributor, film festival management or producer will invite reviewers to receive a link or “screener” to the film. There is usually a description of the film, who the actors/producers/directors are and their previous credits. There is a trailer or “scene clips” which offer a visual summary of the film. If the reviewer is interested in reviewing a screener or link will be provided assuming there is some degree of trust or professional integrity of the reviewer.

In numerous instances there will be an embargo date for the release of the review unevenly applied to reviewers. The well known and well-read reviewing sites such as IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes or Variety somehow get to review the films prior to the secondary or tertiary levels of reviewers.

For small fry reviewers like me I am faced with an embargo date for single non-festival films that most often is the release date or a day or two prior to that date. Does this make sense that a review is permitted so close (or too close) to the release date? How can my readers decide to watch the film so close to the release date? It must be because the film producers don’t want the review to “spoil” the film prior to its release but in so doing they are limiting the extent or effect of reviews and reducing viewership, hence decreasing their revenue. Of course, major reviewers seem immune from embargo dates.

The problem is compounded for festival films. For example with over 200 films at Toronto Hot Docs showing from April 27-May 7. If all the films have embargo dates the reviewer must release reviews in a short period of time during festival dates. This places a hardship on smaller reviewers forced to release review postings in a clump particularly if they require a regular flow of reviews for their review sites.

The problem intensifies for the reviewer who receives festival films for review very close to the screening date. The late invitation effectively cuts out many films from an in-festival review. How can a plethora of films be reviewed within days to meet embargo dates and post the review prior to the release date?

In some cases less fulsome “curtain teaser” reviews can be released earlier than full reviews.

A film review I write can take anywhere from 5-10 hours to prepare. On occasion I have to stop the film and rewind to capture important scenes or even watch the film multiple times.

In my case the eager beavers provide screeners and links weeks prior to their screening which gives me the time to watch and write the review. It is the early bird that catches the worm.

RKS 2023 Wine: Zingari 2019 Toscana: Is There a Stranger in the Midst?

There are no shortages of grape varieties where Italian wine is concerned! I must admit though in this Zingari Tuscan IGT there is 25% Petit Verdot in addition to 25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Syrah. I can’t recall having Petit Verdot in an Italian red blend. Is it a stranger in the midst? It will often add some perfume and spice so is popular in some blended reds. It is a permitted grape in a red Bordeaux so it is not without pedigree. You will rarely see it as a single varietal wine. But in Tuscany!

Aroma: I suggest decanting the wine for 30 minutes as upon opening there is some funkiness which dissipates upon aeration of the wine. That spicy light cherry courtesy of Sangiovese. But there is also black cherry, red currant and some cactus pear. And a strange bit of freshly picked tomatoes. It strikes one as a nervous, thin and high-toned wine but if Twiggy was a knockout there is no reason why this wine should not follow.

Palate: You might call it piercing and light on its feet and thank goodness the piercing is not that of acidity although the acids are there. Having dabbled in Chilean reds of late this Tuscan takes some time to adjust too. Not every red wine need be thick, lush and plush. The tannins are verging on the moderate side. As for fruit the cherry is there with some spice and a bit of pepper. For a light on the heels wine the finish is long and spicy.

Personality: This writer refers to me as “light” but rest assured I am not flitty.

Food Match: When last in Tuscany years ago at our villa many a tomato salad, pecorino cheese, sliced meat and fresh bread we consumed with simple Tuscan wine while Tuscan boar stew demanded a richer Brunello. I would pair this wine with fresh local field tomatoes sliced, diced or whatever in a salad or a lightly cooked herbed vegetarian pasta sauce made with these local tomatoes.

Cellarbility: Will hold until the end of 2024 but will not improve with ageing.

Price: $20 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 87/100. Jamessuckling.com 92.

(Zingari 2019 IGT Toscana, Soc. Agr. Petra San Lorenzo Alto-Suverto-Li, Italy, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 224228).

RKS 2023 Hot Docs: “Theatre of Violence”: Innocent Little Boy or the King of War Crimes in Uganda?

“Theatre of Violence” is a documentary examining the heinous crimes against humanity committed by Dominic Ongwen a senior brigade leader in the rebel faction Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). His trial for 70 charges of crimes against humanity began in 2016 in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.

Clear cut isn’t it? Not really as at nine years of age he was abducted by the LRA and became a child soldier then a man fighting in the bush of Northern Uganda for 27 years.

The LRA was founded by former altar boy Joseph Kony. It was a bizarre resistance movement based on mystical spiritualism with the goal of having Uganda ruled by the Ten Commandments. The LRA were members of the Acholi “tribe”.

In 1986 Yoweri Museveni seized power in Uganda and has been in power ever since not afraid to arrest challengers in elections and intimidating opposition supporters. Although the theatre of violence is in Northern Uganda where civil conflict raged the theatre of violence can be seen as Uganda in its totality where since Museveni has seized power electoral violence has turned Uganda into a theatre of violence. The validity of his 5 election wins has been in question by the international community.

At what point did Ongwen cease being a brutalized child and become a cutthroat LRA military brigade leader?

What effect did the spiritualism have on child abductees?

What was the effect of duress?

What rightful moral jurisdiction did the ICC have with its western industrialized basis to prosecute Ongwen within the context of African morality?

Why was he the only LRA fighter detained when other known LRA perpetrators of violence walked free?

Why were there no charges against Museveni when many witnesses and citizens witnessed the murderous brutality of Ugandan government troops?

Being a lawyer, I was expecting a courtroom slugfest but was not disappointed to watch Krispus Ayena the lead defence attorney work behind the scenes to dig deeper prior to the trial to talk with child abductees, LRA members and villagers knowing Ongwen.

Ongwen was charged with 61 crimes against humanity but due to mitigating circumstances instead of a life sentence he received a 25-year prison sentence.

A fascinating glimpse of Uganda, its people, its history and there are no easy answers. As a lawyer why not say I would feel comfortable acting for the prosecution or defence.

“Theatre of Violence” screens on 2/6 May and was directed by Lukasz Konopa. It is a Danish and German production and its screenings at Hot Docs will be a North American premiere.

You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceN6R5167D4

RKS 2023 Film Rating 94/100.

RKS 2023 Film: “The Cure for Hate: Bearing Witness to Auschwitz”

“The Cure for Hate: Bearing Witness to Auschwitz” had its world premiere at Pittsburgh’s 30th annual JFilm Festival on 25 April.

The documentary follows Tony McAleer a former American Neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier who transcended his hate to found the anti-hate activist group Life After Hate in an attempt to stymy right wing hate through compassion and understanding.

There are different streams flowing through the film all connected to McAleer’s personal journey. The most riveting stream is the personal journey of McAleer from a disjointed and disillusioned teen into a skinhead and Neo-Nazi leader. It was a sense of belonging and approval of his peers that drew him into the far right more than its politics. As McAleer stated it he traded his humanity for acceptance and approval all rooted in an unhappy teen traumatic experience of a cold father and excessive discipline throughout his high school years. He notes that childhood trauma is a common denominator amongst the violent far right. What caused his reversal of ideology? The birth of his child and receiving compassion from his Jewish Vancouver therapist who said what you did is not what you are. A simple but massive revelatory experience.

It was McAleer’s visit to concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau and the Polish cities of Kraków and Warzaw that convinced him that finalized his thought that he must bear witness to the Holocaust. The bearing of witness will be a lifetime endeavour. To drag those from the mire of hate it is his view that radical compassion is called for as opposed to revengeful hatred.

In addition to his fascinating journey from hate to compassion viewers will be witness to the disturbing history of the Holocaust and tours of Auschwitz. I have visited the Treblinka concentration camp in Poland but not Auschwitz and the footage of his wandering through Auschwitz are sobering if not deeply disturbing.

According to a recent survey 41% of Americans do not recognize what Auschwitz was and for Millennials that figure rises to 66% and over 50% of those surveyed were unaware Hitler rose to power through the electoral process. Over time the percentages will elevate.

McAleer rightfully notes that addition to six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust there were 5 million political prisoners, psychiatric patients, LGBTQ members and Romas who also were murdered. He also notes that Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur were also genocidal hotspots. He of course could not mention all the genocides and atrocities committed by the Nazis such as the wholesale slaughter of Greek villages, the Turkish massacre of Greeks in Smyrna and Armenians in Turkey. Unfortunately the list is endless. The Holocaust may one day be forgotten as other genocides have been as unthinkable as that may be in 2023 but the concept of genocide will survive all historical examples. Growing up in a Jewish community in Montreal with many Eastern European Jews I recall seeing the concentration camp identification tattoos on arms. I will never forget that and the Holocaust. Now that those who bore these tattoos are almost gone…..?

McAleer perhaps underestimates bearing witness to Auschwitz at least in the title of the documentary. If you can bear witness to Auschwitz, you can bear witness to past genocides and hopefully prevent future genocides. But if you can’t remember Auschwitz?

You can watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/318139001 . Directed by Peter Hutchinson.

RKS 2023 Wine: Lisbon in the Red Wine Hunt

What we Torontonians see on the shelves of our provincial liquor monopoly from Portugal in terms of red wine is the Douro region leading the pack but the Alentejo and Lisbon are catching up but the poor Dão lags way back in the pack. As quality goes there is not much rhyme and reason for this as all three of the laggards produce excellent red wines. If there is any “fault” here it would be a conscious decision of wholesale buyers to favour the Douro based on safety and profitability. We see the same situation here domestically with the wines ex-Niagara virtually ignored by our liquor monopoly. So few wines from British Columbia and even less from Quebec and Nova Scotia. Big Brother knows best it seems.

Lisbon reds are not afraid to blend non-indigenous grapes with indigenous ones as with this Quinta de Pancas 2018 Reserva in addition to 40% Touriga Nacional has 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Alicante Bouschet which have aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

Aroma: The oak is generous but is far enough in the background to maintain respectability. Granted there is some gentle vanilla making an appearance the blackberry, cassis and black cherry are in charge. Despite the oak and this rich black fruit the wine retains steady firmness at least so thinks the nose.

Palate: The firmness as suggested by the nose transcends into the palate with moderate tannins and highly disciplined black fruit. Despite all this firmness and discipline the wine has a light and almost dainty finish. What a chameleon!

Personality: If I was a movie I would be the 1989 film “Drugstore Cowboy” all, serious and dark until Tom the Priest appears played by Edgar S. Boroughs adding a twist of macabre lightness. Of course my finish may be “light and dainty” but it isn’t macabre. Geez understand?

Food match: The best quality EU beef! Vegheads need an ultra rich mushroom and parsnip ragout over polenta.

Cellarbility: Will glide into 2028 and will improve along the way.

Price: $25 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.

(Quinta de Pancas Reserva 2018, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Quinta Pancas, Portugal, 750 mL, 14.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 37663).

RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Film: “Angel Applicant”

The American documentary “Angel Applicant” is an intertwined story of Swiss German abstract painter Paul Klee (1879-1940) and film maker Ken August Meyer. Both were and are suffering from a disease Scleroderma as are some 2.5 million people globally. It is caused by an overactive immune system attacking the body’s healthy connective tissue including skin, muscle and joints creating scar tissue. Systematic Scleroderma is the most severe form of the disease attacking organs including both the heart and lungs and consequently fatal in a slow downward spiral. Both Klee and Meyer suffered from Systematic Scleroderma. 

Through Klee’s paintings Meyer finds a personal recounting of the disease by Klee. Even the titles of Klee paintings leave a trail of suffering, uncertainty, fear and hope. I last saw a Klee exhibit in Amsterdam a couple of decades ago and then it was just interesting modern art. But listening to Meyer I agree there appears to be a story that Klee is attempting to convey and I only wish I had heard that story before attending that exhibit.

Near the end of Klee’s life a few of his paintings had angels perhaps reflecting his impending demise. But for Meyer, Klee was as an angel sent from another realm to become his own guardian angel.

A fascinating and at certain points enthralling and inspirational journey of both Klee and Meyer. Meyer still is with us having had a double lung transplant to replace his scarred lungs that were not distributing enough oxygen to support the pumping of his heart. Suffering can create a deeper appreciation of the beauty of life. I see Klee in an entirely different light than I did in Amsterdam thanks to Ken August Meyer. You might even say I see life and disease in an entirely different light.

The documentary has its international premiere at Toronto Hot Docs on 30 April and 5 May. Ken August Meyer will be at the screenings.  Streams 5-9 May geoblocked to Canadian devices.

Directed by Ken August Meyer.

RKS 2023 Film Rating 90/100.

RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Rowdy Girl”

“Rowdy Girl” examines the story of two married former cattle ranchers in Texas, Renee King-Sonnen and Tommy Sonnen, who have transitioned out of ranching and into running the “Rowdy Girl Sanctuary” in Texas for abandoned, lost and unwanted farm animals. In that story about these former ranchers we learn why they have converted to vegans primarily based on compassion for animals used in factory animal production. A system in which farmers have lost control of their land, finances and product to a concentrated food industry that has depleted the soil and destroyed the natural habitat threatening the survival of flora and fauna.

Renee lays the cards on the table saying every time you put a fork of meat into your mouth you are legitimizing hit men who slaughter animals in a cruel and barbaric way. The Sonnen’s advance the vegan party line but in a non-threatening and non-accusatorial fashion. They would rather raise consciousness through tours to their Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and their Rancher Advocacy Programme assisting animal factory farmers to transition to plant-based agriculture such as a chicken farmer they assisted to raise exotic mushrooms to avoid “normalized violence and murder of animals”. Somewhat ironically the Sonnen’s former role as cattle ranchers affords them credibility with ranchers.

The documentary is one that tells a story without proselytizing or shocking you with slaughter scenarios. It may reinforce your vegan/vegetarian views or rile you up with rants against these strange former ranchers. At least hear them out and make your decision if you are a doubter of the desirability of meat consumption. I will tip my hand by saying I have reduced my meat consumption for the last decade to almost nil based on “moral grounds”. I was in Porto Portugal in February for Wine and Travel Week. Two lunches were featured. One was surf and one was turf. I skipped the turf lunch and settled for a muffin as the smell of cooked beef permeated through the Alfandega (old custom’s house). That smell made me queasy.

You gotta love Sealy the turkey with personality!

This film has its international premiere at Toronto Hot Docs Festival on 29April and 3May and streams to devices in Canada 5-9May.

Directed and produced by Jason Goldman.

RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir

Having suffered through half a glass of a Tawse 2020 Grower’s Blend Gamay Noir it is now to a sure winner? A Bachelder les Villages 2020 Gamay Noir.

Aroma: Geez! After an initial whiff of oak upon uncorking the aroma is seemingly more than what might expect from “largely neutral oak barrels” but it does not detract from the wine. There is strawberry, Bing cherry and raspberry and believe it or not it is more reminiscent of a Pinot Noir than a joyful juicy Gamay Noir.

Palate: Light and delicate this one is with smoke, raspberry, Bing cherry and strawberry Jello. This wine is no flash in the pan as it has a finish that lingers in a soft and long fashion. Not the best thing since sliced bread but it shows a side of Ontario Gamay I have yet to see until now of course. More than a Gamay hope it has transcended to Gamay excellence.

Personality: There is no need for my Ontario status to keep me in the “eccentric corner”. I am a Beaujolais Cru if you want mundane comparisons. I am simply amongst the best Ontario Gamay Noirs you will find. Many of you might even venture to say I am a Pinot Noir. Any coincidence my creator Thomas Bachelder makes some of Ontario’s finest Pinot Noirs!

Food match: Think Pinot Noir and duck and I am there! Wild salmon too!

Cellarbility: There are enough in the closet tannins to keep this chugging along and slightly improving until 2026.

Price: $25.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 94/100. David Lawrason 91.

(Bachelder 2020 Gamay Noir, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Bachelder, Beamsville, Ontario, 750 mL, 13%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 17239).

RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Tawse’s Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay Noir: Swimming with the Fishes

If there is one red wine in Ontario that causes some excitement on my part in Ontario it is Gamay Noir. For the most part it is reliable but not quite at the point of Cabernet Franc for universal excellence but it is at the edge of that. So we try a Tawse 2020 Gamay Noir available as a LCBO Vintages release on April 29. No review was included in the LCBO Vintages catalogue which may be the unavailability of a magical 90 and more review. Sometimes a hint of mediocrity but not always.

Aroma: Think long and hard and perhaps in a charitable fashion you might eke out some black cherry enveloped in what makes shoes that if you wear you will be swimming with the fishes. Lacking charity, one might detect notes of cough syrup.

Palate: A big degree of sour and not much more. The word “tart” would perhaps be a tad diplomatic.

Personality: Stay away from me! I have a charm of a dull pencil.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: Return to sender!

(Tawse Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Tawse Winery Inc., Vineland, Ontario, 750 mL, 12%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 32824).

RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah? Chateau Ste. Michelle: Memories of the January 6th Coup Attempt!

There is no doubt that Washington State can produce top quality Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon but can the same be said for Syrah?

I suppose we might start with a big Washington State winery that produces quality wines at least the ones we are seeing in Ontario. Up on the witness stand is a Chateau Ste. Michelle 2019 Syrah from the Columbia Valley.

Aroma: Despite the generous amount of Yankee oak there are ample amounts of blackberries and blueberries swirling in the glass with just a hint of black coffee. The oak is not overdone and makes the wine approachable for the mass market.

Palate: Unfortunately, all the fruit dancing in the glass fails to fully materialize on the dance floor. Indeed, the blackberry and blueberry is present but in a harsher format almost as if the oak can’t cut through it like some police blockade failing to impede the protestors to overtake the legislature although that reference might be more appropriate for Washington in the District of Columbia as opposed to Washington State!

Personality: I come on smooth as a politician on the six-p.m. news but get to know me perhaps instead of sitting in the legislature I should be hosting a Fox News “Inside Washington” broadcast.

Food Match: Bucatini topped with either veggie or non veggie Putanesca sauce!

Cellarbility: Will trundle though 2023 but really no purpose beyond that.

Price: $22.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 89/100. Sean Sullivan Wine Enthusiast 89.

(Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah Columbia Valley 2019, Chateau Ste. Michelle Paterson, Washington, 750 mL, 13.5%, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 949651).