“Unseen” is an American documentary chronicling the story of Pedro an undocumented visually impaired Mexican living in California with his family filmed over a six-year period. Pedro’s story is remarkable. It takes him years to obtain his BSW and MSW but being undocumented without a social insurance number he can’t work. A talented man oneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Unseen”: Compassion and Entitlement”
Category Archives: film
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 toContinue reading “RKS Film: Are Review Embargos Self Defeating? The Early Bird Catches the Worm!”
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 reallyContinue reading “RKS 2023 Hot Docs: “Theatre of Violence”: Innocent Little Boy or the King of War Crimes in Uganda?”
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 throughContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “The Cure for Hate: Bearing Witness to Auschwitz””
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,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Film: “Angel Applicant””
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 vegansContinue reading “RKS 2023 Toronto Hot Docs: “Rowdy Girl””
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 ChateauContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah? Chateau Ste. Michelle: Memories of the January 6th Coup Attempt!”
RKS 2023 Film Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Food and Country” (international premiere)
“Food and Country” is an American documentary delving into food production and the restaurant business in the United States. Although shot during COVID, a most miserable time for so many, it doesn’t solely focus on the impact of COVID on restaurants and the ag business. It digs deeper and examines the crisis in the AmericanContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film Toronto Hot Docs Festival: “Food and Country” (international premiere)”
RKS Toronto 2023 Hot Docs Festival: “Eat Flowers”
Once upon a time long ago when you could take rocker Rod Stewart seriously there was his song “Every Picture Tells a Story”. In the short documentary “Eat Flowers” every picture of flowers taken by photographer Cig Harvey tells a story. The photos are lush and gorgeous as well as the cinematography by River FinlayContinue reading “RKS Toronto 2023 Hot Docs Festival: “Eat Flowers””
RKS 2023 Hot Docs: “Hebron Relocation”: Church and State Swindle of the Inuit?
Holly Anderson’s short documentary “Hebron Relocation” has its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto Hot Docs Festival. It explores the forced location of 233 Inuit from Hebron to more southerly locations in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1959. Unfortunately the documentary fails to provide what the “official reason” was for the relocation so viewers may beContinue reading “RKS 2023 Hot Docs: “Hebron Relocation”: Church and State Swindle of the Inuit?”
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