Monday, November 13, 2023

DOC NYC 2023 Short Reviews: SILVER DOLLAR ROAD, LE SPECTRE DE BOKO HARAM, WITNESS and SCOOTER LAFORGE


SILVER DOLLAR ROAD
SILVER DOLLAR ROAD uses the story of one family’s story of the last century and a half to tell the story of how African American families who were land owners were manipulated to give up their land. It’s an eye opening tale that will make you aware of a long running social injustice. It’s very good and recommended.


LE SPECTRE DE BOKO HARAM
Filmmaker Cyrielle Raingou follows three young children living on the border of Cameroon and Nigeria where they live in constant fear of either being attacked by or kidnapped by Boko Harem who make a point of stealing children, especial young girls in order to increase their numbers and spread their version of Islam.

This is a good look at the fear living under the threat of an organization like Boko Harem. You get a real sense of how the fear shapes their lives. The only draw pack is the pacing can be a bit leisurely which may work against some people enjoying the film.


WITNESS
6 episodes exploring what happens when people filmed the events, like police shootings, they saw and shared it.

This is really six short films that probably would play better as separate films. Running the gamut from police shootings to giving birth and things in between many of the films repeat themes and discussions. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, indeed as individual films they are all great, the effect of seeing them all in sequence is less than it’s parts.

Worth a look


Scooter LaForge: a life of art
A look at the life and art of artist Scooter LaForge who tries to create using a psychic method of emptying jhis mind and letting the art come out. Told largely by LaForge and his friends, the film is a celebration of his art.

You’ll forgive me if I leave it there. While the film as a film is perfectly fine, I’m not particularly a fan of his art so I was full up rather quickly.

Recommended for fans only.

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