Four Fabulous Music Doc Premieres Wendy Feinberg attended at the DOC NYC Film Festival this November:

YACHT ROCK: A DOCKUMENTARY on 11/13/24
I attended the World Premiere of this super entertaining “dock” filled with great music from the Yacht Rock genre. It featured the stories and mellow music of 70’s and 80’s bands and musicians such as Steely Dan, Toto, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins and more. I learned that the term “yacht rock” was coined for this “soft rock”, jazzy pop music over 20 years after the music became popular and was also reminded that classical music was not called classical music until many years after its creation. I was excited to find out that Academy Award-winning filmmaker, drummer, DJ, producer, director, New York Times best-selling author, and member of The Roots - Questlove (who appears in the film), was in the audience. I was disappointed that he wasn’t also included in the Q&A. The film debuted on HBO on Nov. 29th and I can’t wait to watch it again!

Photo: Director Garrett Price is in the center.

DISCO’S REVENGE on 11/14/24
I attended the International Premiere of DISCO’S REVENGE, which traces the evolution of disco music in the 70’s from its counterculture movement in the New York underground gay clubs to its mainstream commercial peak at clubs like Studio 54. The film weaves together firsthand vignettes and archival footage featuring such disco icons as Nile Rogers, Grandmaster Flash and Billy Porter. Watching this entertaining and revealing film brought back memories of when my late brother was invited by someone to attend Studio 54. He went with his newly married wife, my husband and myself and after waiting in line for quite a while, they let my brother’s wife, my husband and myself in, but not my brother. I had to go back and cajole them into letting the one who received the invitation into the disco.

 (From L to R): Karen McMullen, film subject DJ Nicky Siano and co-directors Omar Majeed and Pete Mishara

JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE on 11/16/24

I attended the World Premier of the emotional and inspiring JANIS IAN: BREAKING SILENCE, about this American singer-songwriter who was most commercially successful in the 1960s and 1970s. Born Janis Fink, she is best known for her songs “Society’s Child” and “At Seventeen”. Her first big hit, “Society’s Child”, about an interracial relationship and released in 1966 when she was only 15 years old, led to a lot of controversy causing the record to be blackballed by many radio stations. The film follows her life from her Jewish childhood, growing up on a chicken farm in New Jersey to her early success and ultimately to the release of her 1993 album “Breaking Silence” where she publicly sings about her loving relationship with her wife. It was exciting for me to go down in the elevator at the Independent Film Center (IFC) to the theater with Ms. Ian before the start of the film. I admired her colorful shoes and she told me that she has owned them for years and that they were her favorite and so comfortable.

 

Janis Ian in the center with director Varda Bar-Kar to her right and some of the production crew.

BORN TO BE WILD: THE STORY OF STEPPENWOLF on 11/16/24

I was extremely excited to attend the North American Premiere of BORN TO BE WILD: THE STORY OF STEPPENWOLF and it did not disappoint. I can’t remember if I started following the band before or after “Born to Be Wild” was featured in the 1969 film EASY RIDER (one of the two most disturbing films for me at the time, along with DELIVERANCE), but their music definitely resonated with me from the first time I heard it. The film follows the founding members, lead singer John Kay (born Joachim Fritz Krauledat) and bass player Nick St Nicholas (born Klaus Karl Kassbaum), from their humble beginnings in Germany to their emigration to Toronto and eventually to the formation of Steppenwolf in 1967 in California. It is peppered throughout with stories surrounding the band’s tumultuous relationship, ultimately leading to its breakup, told through recent interviews with John, Nick, John’s daughter Shawn and other members of the band. We also hear from rock icon Alice Cooper, filmmaker/journalist Cameron Crowe and many more. Of course there is lots of archival footage of the band, much of which contains their magical music. During the post-screening Q&A it was wonderful to see John and Nick making peace with each other after many years of estrangement.

Photo on Left from L to R): Moderator, director Oliver Schwehm, Nick St. Nicholas, John Kay and Shawn Kay

DOC NYC Capsules: IN WAVES AND WAR and DEVO

IN WAVES AND WAR
This is a look at the use of micro dosing hallucinogenic drugs to help vets with PTSD.

I wish this film didn’t play late in the festival because I would have loved to push the hell out of this film. Yes I know the film is on the DOC NYC platform, but I would have loved to gotten people to the post film Q&As.

This is a great film and a great subject showing how what many people consider an unconventional treatment can help the thousands of men and women who need it. It’s a beautiful film that explains just how the treatment can return the vets who feel like shells can be made to feel whole again.

Highly recommended

DEVO
Watching DEVO a look at the life and times of the influential rock band I got a new appreciation for the group. For the first time I heard their story in context and without a lot BS. I appreciate how their ethic was similar to the Church of the Subgenius and Negativland and other off kilter artists of the 1970’s. 

While this is a great look at the band, it didn’t make me like their music any more. Sure I appreciate some of it but much of it is still lost on me.

That said fans of the band are going to be thrilled and anyone curious about the band are urged to see it.

DOC NYC Shorts: I AM READY WARDEN and SAVING SUPERMAN

I AM READY WARDEN
The final days of convicted murderer John Henry Ramirez who waits to be executed in Texas. As Ramirez waits to die, his victim's son waits for vengeance to be handed out.

Moving look at the death penalty and how some times it's the wrong thing to do. By all accounts Ramirez is not the man he was and he is filled with remorse. His then current state leads on to believe that executing him was probably the wrong thing to do.

This film is going to make you ponder the place of the death penalty.

SAVING SUPERMAN
An autistic man who dresses as Superman needs the help of the town he lives in when he can no longer pay his rent.

This is a sweet little short about a nice guy and the nice people around him.

Recommended

DOC NYC Shorts: Instruments of a Beating Heart, The Quilters

INSTRUMENTS OF A BEATING HEART
A group of first graders ending the school year work to learn to play Ode To Joy so they can play it as a welcome to the students who will take their place.

Lovely small gem of a film follows the kids and one girl in particular as they try to learn their parts and to not be afraid of playing in front of people. This is a joyous film that will make you want to go hang out with these kids.

Recommended.

THE QUILTERS
I need to thank Ernie Stevens for putting this on my radar. 

This look at a group of men in a level five maximum security prison who make quilts five days a week for foster kids in the area is a delight. Much like back in the early 1970's when football great Rosie Grier was going on TV talk shows talking about sewing there is a slight disconnect with big mean guys doing needle crafts.  At the same time it's clear that the  quilting is changing all of the men for the better.

This is a great film showing us a great group of guys and proving that with the right programs prison can change people for the better

Recommended 

Brief thoughts on SURVEILLED (2024) DOC NYC 2024

Ronan Farrow looks at at the way various governments are spying on everyone including their own people with the help of various companies.

The least HBO documentary in a decade or so is less about the surveillance of people than it is about Farrow digging out the story and always talking about how he's going to be transparent and get to the bottom of everything. Farrow is everywhere in this film either speaking over the images of other people or he's on screen taking a call or talking to someone. Despite what the title says this is all about Farrow.

I am so disappointed. I went into the film certain there had to be a mistake about the run time. There is so much to the subject, as can be seen by countless other similar films. However about half way into the film I kind of threw up my hands in disbelief, so much of this was so pointless because it was focused on Farrow this could have been a short.

What happened? Farrow is such a good journalist, but this film is so poor. It's a puff piece of the reporter not an expose on it's intended subject.

Easily the worst film (of 110 to date) playing at DOC NYC.

SOUTHPAW: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JIM ABBOTT (2024) DOC NYC 2024

My early pick for the Best Documentary a year from now is going to be SOUTHPAW. I know it just premiered at DOC NYC but assuming the film gets the theatrical run it deserves, it it going to win a boatload of award.

The film is a biography of pitcher Jim Abbott, who despite having only one hand played ten years in the majors for five teams and pitched a no hitter. Along the way he inspired thousands of people with similar problems to strive and achieve all sorts  things like play major league sports. It is one of the most glorious films I've seen in 2024 and in an age 

I have no words. This is a celebration of what one man who simply believes that a kind word can change the world can do. It's a film that will make you feel good, which is something we need in this age of hatred and division.

This is one of the best and one of my favorite films of 2024.  Please see it because I want you to feel this good and see what kindness can do.

SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR (2024) DOC NYC 2024

This a is a portrait of trans Montana law maker Zooey Zephyr who was censured by the House because she opposed anti-trans legislation and spoke publicly against it. Unable to go to the house floor she set up her "office" at the snack bar.

Funny for all the wrong reasons, the Republicans who opposed her look like fools and incredibly charming SEAT 31 is a lovely portrait of a woman who won't back down. Taking the Republican nonsense in stride she simply does what she can to serve the people who sent her to the legislature. 

I find it hopeful that despite the Republican nonsense, Zephyr was re-elected.

Recommended

Random thoughts on Mistress Dispeller (2024) DOC NYC

A woman hires a woman to break up her husbands affair 

This plays less like a documentary then a formal narrative which messes with your head because the film doesn't play as a documentary. This plays more like an art house film. I'm not certain that's a good thing because the film's formal structure keeps us distant.

My one question with this film is how did they get the husband to agree to being filmed?

To be honest this didn't really work for me.

VICE IS BROKEN (2024) DOC NYC 2024

Eddie Huang, chef, writer, and TV personality takes a look at his former home Vice Magazine and exposes how it went from an organization that was worth four billion dollars into bankruptcy. 

This is one of the great films of DOC NYC. Coming out of left field this film blew me away, sure I expected a film I was interested in, but I just didn't expect that the film would result in hours of discussion afterward. This is not only a portrait of Vice which went from one big outsider family to a corporate organization that had ideas on how tell stories on, to stories that were puff pieces payed for by corporations, but the film is also a look at how the media is being reshaped by corporate interests and stupid people.

I loved this film.  When it was done I didn't want to move on to the next film, I wanted to jump right back in and watch it again... I mean it's full of such great people and stories. 

This is great stuff- very recommended.

WHITE HOUSE EFFECT (2024) DOC NYC 2024

Archival footage is used to show the time when the White House seemed  to care about mate change and actually tried to do something about it.

An intriguing look back at the Carter, Reagan and George Bush Sr years when the government actually seemed to care about rising temperatures. At the same time because the film relies entirely on TV news casts the view is skewed toward what we saw in the media. We don't see some of the end runs around the rules because it may not have been covered on the evening news. There is more to the story than we are seeing here.

DOC NYC Capsule Reviews: PETRA KELLY ACT NOW, SHAKING IT UP: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIZ CARPENTER and SPACE WOMAN

PETRA KELLY ACT NOW
Portrait of activist Petra Kelly whose work in trying to change the world actually changed the world.

This is a solid look at the work of a woman who died too soon. Using archival footage and current interviews with people who knew and were influenced by her we get a great sense of how her work changed the world.

Recommended.

SHAKING IT UP: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIZ CARPENTER
Excellent look at Liz Carpenter a journalist who was active in politics and whose no-nonsense style won her many admirers, even among those she fought.

While this is more or less a typical bio doc, the film shines brightly because of the woman at the center. Sure, the presentation is familiar but at the same time there was only on Liz Carpenter.

Recommended

SPACEWOMAN
Portrait of astronaut Eileen Collins who had a long and celebrated career flying to space and back in the space shuttle.

Wonderful portrait of a woman who broke down doors in the space program. She blazed a trail for other women to follow and did things that will make your jaw drop. What a great lady.

Recommended

Some photos from THE FALLING SKY screening at DOC NYC from Steve and Wendy

 

DAVI KOPENAWA and ERYK ROCHA

ROCHA, KOPENAWA and JULIANA SAKAE

DOC NYC Capsules:MAN FROM PRETENTIA, THOM BROWNE THE MAN WHO TAILORS DREAMS and TWO STRANGERS TRYING NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER

MAN FROM PRETENTIA
Portrait of art lover and dealer Paul Bridgewater who made a career out of finding new and upcoming artists and bringing them to the attention of the world, not for money but because he was deeply in love with the art.

This is a great look at the life and time of a man who loved what he did. It's a wonderful film in that it transfers Bridgewater's enthusiasm to the viewer. What an absolute delight.

I can't wait to see it again.

THOM BROWNE THE MAN WHO TAILORS DREAMS
A look at designer Thom Browne and his work that is less about Brown and more about the work simply because Brown is so private. Full of images of his clothes and of his fashion shows the film in some ways less a straight documentary and more like a museum gallery exhibition.

This is a visual delight.

TWO STRANGERS TRYING NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER

Bronx-born photographer Joel Meyerowitz and British artist/writer Maggie Barrett who are married now face the end of their lives.

While the film is very much a portrait of the pair, there is a point early on where it kind of shifts and becomes a kind of tone poem love letter that each them is writing to the other that makes this a unique experience. In someways its almost too personal.

I was moved.

DOC NYC Capsule Reviews: ROLEPLAY and BETWEEN GOODBYES

ROLEPLAY
Students at a college put together an immersive play based on their various experiences on campus.
Similar to a number three or four recent films (including the incredibly raw THE RAPE PLAY) I've viewed recently ROLEPLAY played very different than it would be for someone coming up on the film and ts subject for the first time. While there is nothing bad with the film, it disn't stand out as anything special because of the other similar films about college kids making theatrical art based upon their lives 

BETWEEN GOODBYES
Korean parents track down the daughter they were pressured to give up years before and find her living in The Netherlands.  The reverse story to several fiction films that have been released recently, BETWEEN GOODBYES is a stunner. This is a beautiful and heartfelt film about the coming together of families. This is not a simple story, there are a lot of moving parts and angles to it and director Jota Mun keeps it all perfectly balanced.  I wish I could have seen this away from the festival crush where I would have had time to sit down and consider it more. Highly recommended.

Facing The Wind (2024) DOC NYC 2024

Portrait of a group of women who come together to support each other as their partners slip away to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

This is a solid at what it’s like at ground zero for a those living with a terrible disease. I love that the film gives us a view of a community of women is hopeful. We really get a sense of there being people out there who can help them cope and get by. Too often we see similar stories but it’s always focused on one brave family fighting on.

My only complaint is that this could have been longer than an hour because I would have loved to have spent more time with these wonderful people.

Recommended.

Photos from the World Premiere of ART SPIEGELMAN: DISASTER IS MY MUSE at DOC NYC 2024

 

LEFT BEHIND (2024) DOC NYC

When a group of mothers realize that the NYC school system is not supporting their children with dyslexia they take steps to help their kids even it means suing the school system or starting their own school.

This is an excellent look at being a parent with a child who learns differently.  Having had dyslexia and having been forced through a normal system I completely understood what these kids and parents were going through. While I was lucky and stumbled into teachers who could help me learn, that isn’t always the case and some parents have to take matters into their own hands. Watching the film I could see myself in these kids.

What I like about this film is it makes clear why these kids need to be helped how the extra help makes a difference. We get to see the result of the teaching kids with special needs- and make them so much better and thus make us better.

What a great film

Highly recommended.

76 Days Adrift (2024) DOC NYC

The story of Steven Callahan whose boat, The Napoleon Solo, sank and was forced to live in a rescue raft for almost 3 months as told by the man himself

Very straight forward retelling of what happened via Callahan sitting in his chair and some POV recreations.  It’s an exciting tale that is interesting but not as interesting as it could have been. Blame Callahan who tells his story a bit too straight forwardly.  Clearly he’s told the story a few too many times over the last few decades. It’s not bad, but its not great.

Quibble aside it is a hell of a tale and as such recommended.

DOC NYC Capsule Reviews : MOTHERS OF CHIBOK and THE BATTLE FOR LAIKIPIA

MOTHERS OF CHIBOK
The mother of the Nigerian village of Chibok  mourn the loss of the daughters taken by Boko Haram and try to go on. 

Solid portrait of shattered lives that gives us a view of the story beyond what the news crews show. Sure, we hear of the kidnapping but what does that mean we never know, until now.  This is an eye opening film and one that should be seen.

THE BATTLE FOR LAIKIPIA
The battle in Kenya over water and land rights in the wake of on going drought. The farmers and herders need the land and water and the ranchers don't want to give up what little they have. Can a solution be worked out.

A complex and an increasing important issue is put into sharp focus. Wonderfully fair to both sides of the issue we get a sense of what is possible and what will have to be done in the future.

Worth a look

Photos from the DISCO'S REVENGE screening at DOC NYC 2024 by Wendy Feinberg