As a cinephile with a penchant for documentaries that delve deep into the human spirit, I found the Doc Dreams NYC event to be an absolute treasure trove of inspiring stories and insights. The opportunity to hear firsthand from the creators behind some of this award season’s top documentaries was nothing short of enlightening.
On November 12th, the first Doc Dreams NYC event, organized by EbMaster, took place. This event showcased two discussion panels involving some of the most recognized documentaries competing for awards in this year’s film season.
Participants on the initial discussion consisted of Carla Gutiérrez, who is both the director and editor of “Frida”, Irene Taylor, a director and producer behind “I Am: Celine Dion”, and R.J. Cutler, a dual role holder as director and producer for “Elton John: Never Too Late”.
The documentary titled ‘I Am: Celine Dion’ delves into the musical odyssey and transformative health struggles of the renowned Canadian vocalist. Interestingly, Taylor revealed that she had no knowledge about these health issues before deciding to participate in this production.
As a cinema enthusiast, I found myself captivated and invigorated during my encounter and discussion with Celine about a potential movie. It seemed to me that she was prepared to devote the extensive time required for a comprehensive biographical film featuring a living subject.
The documentary by Gutiérrez titled “Frida,” shown at the Sundance Film Festival recently, follows the life and impact left by the renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. In an interview, Gutiérrez shared her own relationship with the painter, who she considers a representation of female strength.
At about 19 years old, the filmmaker remembered first encountering Frida Kahlo via one of her self-portraits, which depicted her at the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico.
As a freshly-arrived immigrant, her self-portrait felt like a mirror reflecting my experiences and thoughts. It was my gateway into her art. Over the subsequent two decades, as I navigated womanhood, I found solace, refuge, even catharsis in her paintings. I felt gratitude for her bravery in sharing her deepest emotions with the world through her artwork.
In a candid account, Cutler shared his story about how he resorted to forgery and theft to secure a ticket to Elton John’s 1974 Thanksgiving concert at Madison Square Garden. This historic event was significant as it featured a surprise appearance by John Lennon, marking the last public performance of Lennon’s career. Cutler emphasized that this concert was pivotal in the making of “Elton John: Never Too Late.
For me, at the age of 13, it was incredibly significant as I was growing up,” Cutler expressed. “It left a profound impact on me musically and aesthetically in numerous ways. Picture Elton John appearing on stage supported by two muscle-bound men in loincloths, standing tall in six-inch heels and brandishing a massive boa.
Participants in Doc Dreams NYC’s second discussion were Sahra Mani, director of “Bread & Roses”; Malala Yousafzai, a producer of “Bread & Roses”; Mary Mazzio, the filmmaker behind “Bad River”; Hasan Oswald, the director and producer of “Mediha,” as well as Mediha Alhamad, who is the subject of that movie.
The title ‘Bread & Roses’ symbolizes the struggles of Afghan women under Taliban rule, as seen through the eyes of filmmaker Mani. Inspired by the detrimental effects of the Taliban on Afghanistan, she sought ways to help as a filmmaker and became involved with a charitable organization dedicated to assisting Afghan women. Over time, she amassed a collection of videos sent by various donors, serving as an archive. Eventually, Mani received an email from a production company connected to Jennifer Lawrence, offering assistance in creating her film.
Mani mentioned that she stopped volunteering for a charity and returned to her filmmaking career, regarding it as an exciting new venture which, at first, she had suspected to be a scam. However, the journey of creating ‘Bread and Roses’ began.
Upon discovering the tales of the women who would eventually star in “Bread & Roses,” Yousafzai enthusiastically agreed. She emphasized that utilizing film as a means to amplify the voices of Afghan women on a worldwide scale is particularly crucial.
Experiencing the harsh truth of life for Afghan women is truly disheartening,” I’d express. “In no other nation on Earth are girls barred from attending universities, and women are kept from working. This situation has been described by human rights experts as a form of gender segregation, or ‘gender apartheid’, which is deeply troubling.
The documentary titled “Bad River” narrates the longstanding struggle of the Bad River Band, situated in Wisconsin, as they protect Lake Superior. As Mazzio explained, the film delves into a 71-year-old pipeline running through the core of their reservation. This pipeline, further elaborated by the filmmaker, poses an immediate threat of bursting, which could adversely impact citizens nationwide.
Mazzio stated, “It demonstrates the conflict between cultures, one focused on quarterly profits and earnings, contrasting with a marginalized community. They rejected an offer of $80 million to resolve this matter, prioritizing the well-being of everyone here.
Mediha” tracks along with Alhamad, a young Yazidi woman, as she navigates her healing journey after being held captive by ISIS.
Oswald mentioned that it turned out Mediha would be the one to narrate both her personal tale and that of her people. Initially, we anticipated a series of imaginative sketches as an ending,” he said. “However, we were astonished by how swiftly Mediha and her siblings adapted to cinematography, and the profound messages they conveyed…it seemed as if Mediha had firmly seized control of this movie’s direction.
As a passionate cinephile, I must admit that during the initial fortnight of shooting this documentary, I felt a tad timid. Yet, as the lens came closer and closer, it transformed into an instrument that enabled me to narrate my very own tale.
Alhamad stated, ‘I wish to create something for my community.’ He continues, ‘Sadly, genocide persists. This is the reason behind my filmmaking.’
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2024-11-13 22:47