I had a chance to screen several of the documentaries prior to the festival, hence my selections in my first Hot Docs write up this month.  But I enjoy sitting in the theatre with the audience, so of course, I am still attending and have attended other screenings this week.

Monday, May 4th — Action Boys by first-time director Byung-Gil Jung

This was a last minute decision… I’m a fan of Asian action films and a documentary about several former students from the Seoul Action School was just something I had to see.  Jung was a member of one of the cohorts from 2004 but never followed through on a career as a stunt-double.  Thus, he decided to make this film which follows some of his friends from that class all the way from their auditions in 2004 to 2008.  Some have become successful in their careers; others not so much…  The film isn’t so much about displaying all the great stunts they have learned over the years but about the people who do this type of work.  

We get to know at least four of Jung’s classmates quite well; Jin-Seock, Sung-Il, Gui-Deok and Sye-Jin.  I must admit that at times it was hard to distinguish who was who since the subtitles were not always the best in terms of flow… I liked that there was humour but also some personal moments.  As well, Jung decided to have a female voice-over, which worked well and gave the audience a different perspective not just the director’s.  I liked the film because it wasn’t a collage of these guys doing all kinds of stunts… we got to know them individually and as a group.  There are no more screenings for this film but it was co-presented by Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, so perhaps there will be another chance to see it then.

Tuesday, May 5th — Tyson by director James Toback

A truly interesting film about a man that is so famous yet very few understand as a human being.  This was a very candid, entertaining and serious interview with former Heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

It was interesting to hear Tyson’s philosophy on life, money, family and boxing.  He was at his most honest when he talked about his boxing mentor Cus D’Amato; at times becoming teary-eyed yet unable to let his full emotions show.  I think I found this film interesting because the subject himself is a man that needs to be explored as a person.  Tyson has been labelled a rapist, an “ear-biter”… Toback and team did a great job in the editing of the film since it conveyed the flow of Tyson’s thoughts and feelings; sometimes organised and very honest and at other times sort of chaotic.  It was refreshing to see him in such light; other than the boxer I knew from growing up.  The footage interspersed throughout the film also provided great background information and reminded us of how society came to know Tyson as this “bigger than life”, at times violent and angry, character… mixed with Tyson’s own words we were then reminded he’s just human like the rest of us whose life has had many ups but also many, many downs.

This was the only screening at Hot Docs but the film opens this Friday (May 8th) in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.  I think you’ll also find it interesting.

Thursday, May 7th — El Olvido (Oblivion) by director Heddy Honigmann

I had listed this film in my first post as one to go see.  I have heard of Honigmann’s other films and was curious about El Olvido because I wanted to see what it would be like for Honigmann to go “back home” to Lima, Peru her birthplace.  I must admit it’s more of a personal sense of curiosity since I’m also from Latin America and have gone “back home” after living abroad for many years.  The people in the city look so different yet the same and I think one has a different perspective on what their lives must be like.

In this film, Honigmann introduces us to many individuals young and old who are part of the working class in Lima.  Some of them work on the streets doing acrobatics, juggling and other physical feats to earn a living; yet others work in very “poshy” hotels and restaurants where many Presidents have passed through.  Many of the people interviewed allow Honigmann (or “Miss Heddy” as she’s called by some) to visit their homes or place of employment and have more candid conversations.  One of the major topics of conversation is the corruption of the political system in Peru; not too different from other Latin American countries.  The common thread is that the working majority is always the one that has to endure the economic hardships and often left in the dark because those in power hardly ever convey the truth of the state of the country.  Their issues, struggles and concerns are all the same as those of other Latin American countries… same mess across the continent.  

Like my friend Donna G, who also screened this film, I found myself the most moved by Henry “the shoe shiner without dreams” (pictured above) because at fourteen years-old he stated he doesn’t remember anything good or bad.  Thus, he has no dreams or aspirations.  The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes just made you feel like telling him that things can improve.  Yet we also met other characters who have survived broken marriages, terrorism, the death of a young daughter and economic hardships who feel their experiences have made them value life so much more and are thankful.  

There is one more screening of this film, if you’re interested.  It will be shown again at the Isabel Bader theatre on Saturday, May 9th at 11am.

Suggestions for this weekend are: 

Rise Up by director Luciano Blotta

The director takes us to Jamaica and introduces us to three very different underground Reggae artists…  I had this film listed on my initial Hot Docs post and have to recommend it again.  I like the characters, the music and the way their stories unfold.

The films has gone RUSH for both the Friday (May 8th) and Sunday (May 10th) screenings.  However, the Saturday (May 9th) screening at the Bloor Cinema at 11:59pm still has tickets available.

Audition by director Nelofer Pazira

The director goes back to Bamiyan, Afghanistan and decides to hold auditions for an upcoming film.  The result is an interesting look at how men and women’s notions of power and control within their society.  

The film will show Saturday (May 9th) at the Isabel Bader Theatre at 7:15pm.  Tickets are still available.