RKS 2025 CANADIAN Documentary Film: “Le Plein Potentiel” (Your Higher Self)

From Quebec the documentary “Le Plein Potentiel” a glimpse at the practice and business of “life coaching”.

Having worked in the corporate sector for many years I am no stranger to “life coaching” where at one point it was a hot trend enabling executives to move up the ladder by being able to manipulate the rungs in the ladder. Selfish to the core.

“Le Plein Potential” is an enabling voyage where we witness over a dozen actual coaching sessions including training sessions for coaches.

If any documentary can be neutral here is a good attempt.

What is the coaching witnessed here? It is extremely individualistic as the constant words purloined by these coaches is “you” and “yourself”. How powerful you can be. Letting your deeper self emerge. Your inner journey. It’s up to you. Your inner strength. Embracing your kindness. Defining your life. Be more yourself. Being the king of your life. Your genuine self. The real you.

It is as if coaching has replaced religion and morals excising the collective and glorifying individuality as the superpower and goal of all human beings.

The documentary commences with some “earnest” one on one coaching, moves to group coaching espousing the party line of individuality and becomes increasingly bizarre and commercial. Like mindfulness so earnest initially and hyper commercialized as it evolves.

The filmmaking and cinematography gears into creative and strange as the coaching sessions become increasingly bizarre and commercialized. Yes Zoom calls with some billboard advertised life transformation coach in Asia that no doubt accepts major credit cards or a slick social media type with highly rehearsed infomercial type messages.

While watching I wrote numerous short descriptive notes and perhaps you will share some of them;

  • Earnest
  • Helpful
  • Encouraging
  • Manipulative
  • Deceptive
  • Commercial
  • Evangelical
  • Dangerous
  • Surreal
  • Cult like
  • Smooth talkers
  • Chumps
  • Exploitation of the vulnerable
  • Charlatans
  • Nonsensical
  • Flaky

On the other hand you are welcome to say educational and wonderful?

I am left with a “Nightmare Alley” feeling.

If a documentary ignites so many thoughts in my view it is a mark of success.

The trailer can be watched here https://vimeo.com/1024840691

In French and English with English subtitles.

A film by Annie St-Pierre.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 86/100.

King Charles III Launches Out at President Trump Over Canada Threats: Commonwealth Members Will Attack to Defend Canada: Newcastle Upon Brine: 13March2025: Spoof News Services

King Charles launched out at President Trump of the United States this afternoon in a televised statement broadcast on both the BBC and CBC.

Speculation is Charles has been humbled by Canadians referring to him as “Bonnie Chicken Charlie” for exhibiting silence of cowardice, relying on the shield of diplomacy, against the continual threats of President Trump and his minions to physically annex Canada after its economic destruction by “those beautiful tariffs”.

King Charles statement is as follows; “Good afternoon most loyal subjects. Canada has been threatened by numerous threats of President Donald Trump and his gang of brash, crude and highly lippy bullies.

These statements constitute not only a low brow threat to Canadians but an insult to my royalness and to the Commonwealth grouping of 56 states an international force to be reckoned with.

Attack one member Donald and we retaliate and we don’t mean prohibiting imports of American watery beer and that vile bourbon. Angry kilted men are a force to be reckoned with particularly with those bagpipes a blaring.

My seriousness about this schoolyard bullying has prompted me to make a personal donation of 16 Harrier jets, currently decommissioned by the Royal Airforce, to member state Botswana. We have a few used tanks we will include. I have asked all member states in Africa and Asia to increase their defence budget by 237,000 British Pounds.

As you know, or most likely don’t know as shown by your misunderstanding and manipulation of the 1908 Treaty between Canada and the United States, the Treaty of Paris signed between The United States and Britain in 1793 established boundaries at a whim. Some Yank simply took a ruler and cut off our colonies from the mothership, England. Remove that carve out of the United States and by God what a beautiful commonwealth we would have. Just imagine instead of your population bowing at the feet of actors, hip hoppers and overpaid athletes they could admire a real king! Donald you rule by a dubious set of executive orders. I rule by divine order. You have been warned and I am sure your citizens will be happier being a member of the Commonwealth!”

RKS 2025 Documentary Film: “A Fly on the Wall”: Caution You May be Swatted and Squished!

Assuming you were terminally ill and suffering. Would you fight and suffer until the end or turn to medically assisted in dying (MAID)?

Sixty-year-old Chika Kapadia is in the last stages of an aggressive terminal cancer. He has requested his long-time friend and filmmaker Shonali Bose to film him in Geneva to the point he ingests “the final dose” and his head drops and he quietly dies. Reluctantly Bose agrees.

A date is set for “the big sleep” at Dignitas in Geneva that performs MAID. And the countdown begins. Dignitas permits non residents of Switzerland to avail themselves of MAID.

Chika appears robust, is walking, chatting away and seemingly in good spirits. He is a likeable chap, a former electrical engineer, stand up comedian and beach bum. Are we missing something here or is Chika Captain Courageous?

Each day that passes you’ll see brief handwritten notes on the screen from Chika revealing his thoughts about his impending death and MAID. Pay attention.

A titanic struggle ensues between Chika, Bose and Chika’s family. Initially the family is on board with the filming but how far the film should go is in dispute. To the final bitter end (and the “final prescription” is bitter). Or should it cease when the final dose is swallowed and before his head drops signaling unconsciousness or somewhere in between or perhaps not at all. Will Chika take this final road? How does this effect the longstanding friendship between Bose and Chika?

At one point Chika, heavily involved in directing the director Bose as to the various shots to be taken, instructs her to be “a fly on the wall” meaning remain still and leave after he takes the final dose. Bose has difficulties processing her role as friend and that of filmmaker.

As time ticks on as a viewer you may have conflicting points of view. Do it and God bless! NO as he looks as if he has remaining vitality!

Can Bose finish her “production”?

This story becomes intense veering between realistic and surreal.

The day arrives, a day that Chika had cancelled previously.

Can he go through with it? How far in filming can Bose go if he does.

Disturbing, tense, surreal, graphic, ghoulish, immoral, of poor taste, sensational, didactic, cruel or rattling. Take your choice(s).

Flies on walls are often fly swatted. As a viewer you are the fly here whether you want to be or not. At any point you can fly away.

This 82-minute Indian documentary was filmed by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 82/100.

Canadian Province of British Columbia Yanks ALL AMERICAN ALCOHOL OFF THE SHELVES

British Columbia originally pulled all American Red State (Republican) American alcohol off liquor stores in British Columbia.

On 10March2025 the pull now applies to all American alcohol.

Premier David Eby of British Columbia made the following statement, “Today, we are ordering the removal of all American beer, wine, spirits and refreshment beverages from the shelves at BCLIQUOR stores. The stores carry hundreds of types of U.S. alcohol that the BC Liquor Distribution Branch will also no longer be purchasing. 

“We are taking this action in response to escalating threats from south of the border. Most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump made new threats against Canada’s dairy and lumber industries – and there are reports he has been musing about redrawing the border. 

“Last week, we took ‘red state’ liquor off our shelves in a targeted move. In the face of ongoing threats, including to Canada’s dairy and lumber industries, we are expanding the list of targeted American products. 

“We have heard the voices of people in British Columbia who are justifiably upset by American threats – and want to see us take this step.

“While some of us may be disappointed at not being able to access some of our favourites, this is an excellent opportunity to sample Canadian products. I encourage those who enjoy Napa Valley wines to enjoy the many award winners from the Okanagan Valley. British Columbia distillers produce many distinguished spirits, while we also brew popular domestic and delicious craft beers. 

“We will be introducing legislation this week to address these unprecedented threats from the United States. 

“Let there be no mistake about the intent behind tariffs. President Trump wants to hurt Canada economically so he can annex Canada politically. As hard as it is to believe, our longtime friend and ally is behaving like a foe. Trump wants to force us into becoming the 51st state. That will never happen. We are proud Canadians. We will always be the true north, strong and free. Elbows up!”

Americans Held Hostage by Greenlander’s Barbarism: The American Full-Bodied People Society Speaks Up: Spoof News Services: Houston,Texas:11March2025

At a news conference today in Houston, Texas Mr. Tony Waddle of the American Full-Bodied People Society declared Americans are being held hostage by the decision of the government of Denmark to impose a 350% retaliatory tariff on the export of maigreism to the United States.

Maigreism is a key ingredient in American weight loss drugs. It is mined in abundance in Greenland and nowhere else.

Over 234,000 million American men, women, children and pet dogs are on these weight loss drugs.

Mr. Waddle stated, “Americans in the New Golden Age are entitled to eat to their heart’s content. It is all-American! It might even be in our Constitution. First the Canadian state of Ontario cut off all electricity to our country and now a barbarous act of placing a huge tariff on maigreism. We urge our President to order the Governor of Canada to reinstate electricity exports without tariffs and the King of Greenland to un-tariff maigresim!”

Spoof News Services attempted to solicit comments from tariff czar Bill Slugnick but was informed by a spokesperson he was too busy to respond to our queries as he as planning the invasion of Greenland.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Biko and His Balkan Orchestra”: Sometimes Very Good Things Happen to Those Who Wait

Biko Agusev resides in the Republic of North Macedonian town of Strumica 53 kms from the Greek border. His “clan”, as Biko refers to, has been playing music for generations. His band is preparing to perform at the Naousa Carnival a pre-Lent Mardi Gras type of festival occurring annually in the city of Naousa, Greece between 20February-2 March.

We are tempted, or teased if you wish, at the outset of the documentary with a rough cut of his music with a snippet of a rehearsal in a school gymnasium and the music is intriguing. But then we are bogged down in a slow pace with Biko’s walk around his quarter with friends, his preparation for the trip and performance and his journey to his annual gig at a restaurant in Naousa all of minimal interest.

The “action” heats up and it fact it sizzles once Biko and his “orchestra” arrive in Naousa where his band is a known commodity. They perform on the pavement outside the restaurant to a crowd in the frenzy of a carnival.

Their style is difficult to categorize but there are influences one might categorize as Turkish, Greek, big band, New Orleans jazz, Mariachi and war movie soundtrack. Whatever the style is it is wild and infectious. As a bonus we are treated to the street music of a Patanida Parade the day after Biko’s performance and Biko and his Balkan Orchestra join in playing slower and more traditional music.

Very good things happen here for those who wait!

This 75-minute Greek documentary is directed by Anna Antonopoulou and Giorgos Spyridis.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 82/100.

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “10 Reports in 10 Minutes”: On the Front Lines of Child Pornography “Management”

Eko and five other analysts work at the Dutch Pornography Reporting Centre reviewing material provided to it through a national hotline.

Eko is the longest serving analyst with four years experience and has removed some 200,000 offensive online videos and pictures.

Viewers spend 15 minutes watching Eko at work commenting to the camera what he is watching, categorizing and reporting to law enforcement.

The impression beyond disgust at hearing what he is viewing and categorizing is the speed and the mechanical nature of his job.

At one point his voice wavers recounting a particularly vile video and it must have been horrific as what he regularly views involve children as young as one and two some even professionally produced or photographed.

His coping mechanism is the diversion of taking breaks, listening to music or checking his e-mail and texts.

We are all aware of child pornography but the documentary illustrates its pervasive and commercial reach and an attempt to curb it. What Eko and his colleagues deal with is only the 500,000 reported photos and videos reported to the Dutch Pornography Reporting Centre yearly.  How many unreported photos and videos are circulating?

The documentary provides a glimpse of the extent of child pornography and one mechanism to “manage” it. Sadly, the extent of it makes its elimination impossible.

This 17-minute Dutch documentary is directed by Jefta Varwijk and Jaap Van Heusden.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 86/100.

RKS Literature: How Exactly are Babies Born? (Wally Lamb)

“My information about sex was a mosaic of eavesdropping, process of elimination and filling in the blanks. In third grade I heard the term “sleeping together” and spent time worrying that accidental fatigue could make an unwanted child-that male and female strangers sharing a seat together on an overnight train might innocently doze off and wake up as parents, For awhile I believed that people got pregnant by rubbing their chests together.”

Wally Lamb, “She’s Come Undone”, 1992

RKS 2025 Wine: Light Plus Heavy = Moderate? Ji Ji Malbec and Pinot Noir

Malbec is more intense and denser than Pinot Noir. So you blend them both in equal proportions and you have a moderate wine? That is what El Molino has done here and what is the result?

Bottled unoaked. Carbonic maceration.

Aroma: Neither light nor heavy. Raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate and a tad earthy and brackish although I could swear some oak presence?

Palate: Light on tannins with discrete acidity. Raspberry and strawberry with a raspy elegance. Moderate finish to this medium bodied wine. No “big fruit” jumping about in the mouth.

Personality: Neither this nor that. A bit of this and that.

Food Match: Navy beans in a rich tomato sauce.

Cellarbility: Will not improve in the cellar. Drink by end of 2025.

Price: $21 CDN.

RKS 2025 Wine Rating: 87/100. Luis Gutiérrez 92/100.

(Ji Ji Gen Fuerza Tranquila Malbec Pinot Noir, Finca Don Emilio Tupungato, Argentina, 750 mL, 13.1%).

27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: HOT DOCS: “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story”

Jackie Shane (born Jack Shane) was born in Nashville in 1940 abandoned by his 16-year-old unmarried mother being brought up by relatives. By eight years of age he was singing in a church choir adding to his musical background of spiritual music played often by his grandmother. Shane purchased some drums to start his musical career and took off quickly in the Nashville scene of the 1950’s. Shane had an early feminine streak and his musical career enabled Jack to become Jackie and as success blessed her the wardrobe increased in size as well as an enormous jewellery collection. The wardrobe was androgenous and never mega drag queen.

Skilled playing the drums she was a studio musician for many well-known acts recording in Nashville and singing and drumming in Nashville clubs she took on the name “Little Jackie”. She was friends with Little Richard also like Jackie black and gay. It was dreadful being black in the southern United States and adding to that queer it was even more dangerous.

Shane joined a travelling carnival travelling throughout the United States singing in a tent ending up one day with the carnival in Cornwall, Ontario. She set off to Montreal becoming a smashing success on the Main. Shane was kidnapped by the Montreal Mafia, owners of most of the clubs on the Main. The offer was made to make her a star on the understanding the Mafia would own her. Declining the “offer” she continued her Montreal shows with the Frank Motely Band. Then to Boston with Motely to a huge success with crowds in the street listening to her performance on loudspeakers. The again with Motely to Toronto taking that city by storm playing in a variety of clubs. Shane by 1961 considered Toronto her home. Toronto was not without racism but it was a far cry from the South.

Shane was so popular buses would roll in to Toronto from Buffalo and Detroit full of eager fans. It was her 1963 hit “Any Other Way” that took her as far as she would go. With the lyrics in that song, “Tell her I’m happy. Tell her I’m gay. I would not have it any other way.” Shane was to thank her character “Jackie” for letting her escape from the closet making her happy and unafraid. Shane wanted success her way and refused offers to be in the Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. Sullivan wanted restrictions on wardrobe and lyrics unacceptable to Shane and American Bandstand had only token and segregated blacks dancing over in the corner from the white kids and at the time no black audience members.  There is almost no actual footage of Shane other than a performance on “Night Train” a short-lived late night musical show in Nashville.

Off to Pasadena with her lover Dan Matlock in 1971 and then in 1978 she returned to Nashville to care for her ailing stepmother and stepfather. She became a recluse after their death. Then in 2016 a double album set of her recordings was released and a Grammy nomination ensued in 2019 for Best Historical Album and tentative plans for a Toronto, New York and Los Angeles tour. Shane died before her rebirth and thanks to this documentary her name is up on the marquee again.

I can only imagine Sinatra and Shane singing “My Way” as those words sum up the career of Jackie Shane.

Writers and Directors are Michael Mabbot and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee.

RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 83/100.