DOC NYC November 13 – 20, 2014
November 13th, 2014 by chocko
If you love documentaries and live in the NYC area, then you are in the right place at the right time! The 5th Annual DOC NYC (America’s largest documentary festival) is in full effect starting November 13 to November 20. DOC NYC will feature over 150 film and events including panels, workshops and Q&A’s with filmmakers and special guests. Get your tickets and head over to either IFC Center, SVA Theatre or Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas. Get those eyeballs ready because there’s plenty to see!
The following are some reviews or a couple words on some DOC NYC films we’ve seen in advance. The first three movie reviews in this post are by our special guest writer, Ariela from Vegan in the Big Apple. She went to see Banksy Does New York, A Small Section Of The World and Back On Board: Greg Louganis. Chocko reviewed Still Dreaming and Meet The Patels. Keep it locked for more updates and DOC NYC reviews.
BANKSY DOES NEW YORK
DIR: Chris Moukarbel
“Banksy Does New York” is a documentary about Banksy’s month long residency in New York City. The first thing we find out, is that Banksy has no affiliation to the documentary.
Banksy, a British street artist, posted a photo a day on his website, without announcing the location of the piece. The documentary travels day by day to the various art that Banksy created throughout the city, interviewing Banksy fans, art critics and gallery owners. Many fans considered it a 31 day scavenger hunt. The film often follows two dog walkers, who are also known as Banksy Hunters (anyone trying to find Banksy’s art, is considered a Banksy Hunter), who try finding Banksy’s work by clues on Instagram and Twitter. Often, hoping they will find it before it was removed or before someone graffitied over it. Much of, if not the majority of, the film, shows the public’s reactions to his work, both via interviews and via Twitter “tweets”.
An interesting part of the film, is that we also get to see some of the people who helped preserve Banksy’s work, such as the two lovely gentleman who own Zabars on the Upper West Side, as well as seeing some of the people who had “stolen” Banksy’s work, to which they say “it wasn’t reported missing, so it wasn’t stolen”.
This is a fun, light film, which also includes some New York history of street art. From Banksy’s point of view “the outside is where art should live, amongst us, where it can act as a public service, promote debate, voice concerns and forge identities. Don’t we want to live in a world made of art, not just decorated by it?”
A SMALL SECTION OF THE WORLD
DIR: Lesley Chilcott
“A Small Section of the World” is a very inspiring and moving documentary. It shows how a group of women in Costa Rica form a coffee growing collective, called ASOMOBI(Association of Organized Women of Biolley- the M because in Spanish women is mujeres) They build a place to make coffee, without knowing anything about growing coffee or having a business. They sold it to several people who told them it was awful. They connect with a local exporter, also a woman, who appreciates what they are trying to do, and appreciates their dedication, and gives them advice on firstly, how to actually grow coffee! You will be surprised to learn where coffee beans actually come from! Few know, even those who are coffee addicts. Through the help of this woman, they eventually become an international coffee company.
This film shows that anyone is capable of doing anything if you don’t give up. They have been there for 17 years, it took them a long time and obstacles to get started but they were committed and kept at it, and thrived in the end.
BACK ON BOARD: GREG LOUGANIS
DIR: Cheryl Furjanic
“Back on Board” is the story of 4-time- gold medal Olympian diver Greg Louganis. He’s considered the greatest diver of all time with diving records yet to be beaten. He won his first gold medal at the age of 24. At the age of 26, he found out he was HIV positive and decided to still compete. While being a diver, he always felt that he didn’t fit in, he didn’t make friends, some having to do with jealousy, but much of that having to do with being gay. No one wanted to room with him. He later became one of the first openly gay men in sports,opening the world for other gay athletes. I was not familiar with Greg Louganis prior to watching this documentary. I noticed myself rooting for him throughout the movie. The documentary was inspiring and moving. The Nov 16 screening is sold out!
STILL DREAMING
DIR: Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller
This film is about the elderly, retired performers who reside at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey (not too far from Manhattan!), an assisted living facility that cares for retired entertainers and their family members. Young professional Broadway directors are brought into the picture to help prepare the elderly entertainers as they take on the challenge of performing the Shakespearean play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I loved this documentary! Some of the characters that you will come across from the sweet old grandmas to the rebel-loner types, will have you cheering them on as they rise above the limitations that come with old age. I enjoyed the stories of the old folks recalling their early days in entertainment and watching the movie made me think that you could certainly learn a thing or twenty from the elderly. The movie is about second chances, respecting your fellow human beings, taking on challenges and realizing that life is short. I highly recommend this film.
MEET THE PATELS
DIR: Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel
This is a highly entertaining and funny documentary about Ravi Patel, a first-generation Indian-American who is looking for his perfect mate. Lighthearted animation sequences are scattered throughout the film which starts off with perhaps a homage to “When Harry Met Sally” where Indian couples recall how they met and talk about their happy marriages. Ravi, the subject of the film is fast approaching 30, recently breaks up with his secret white girlfriend of 2 years and due to his parents’ wishes and pressures of his Indian culture, sets out on a quest to find the perfect Indian bride.
Ravi’s adventures include blind dates all across the country and Canada, looking for brides in India and attending a Patel matrimonial convention. All of this is captured on camera by his sister, Geeta. The film is not only hilarious but it’s also an eye-opening look at Indian culture and customs. Ravi is fun to watch as well as his persistent, matchmaking parents. This is a film I cannot wait to see again.
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Tags: A Small Section Of The World, ariela, Banksy Does New York, doc nyc, documentaries, documentary, film festival, Meet The Patels, movies, new york city, reviews, Still Dreaming
Posted in art, chocko, movies, travel | Comments (1)
November 14th, 2014 at 12:25 am
contemplating seeing Meet the Patels on Monday!