Since mid-April and starting last Thursday, I’ve been immersed in documentary film watching. This year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival has a vast array of films and many more screenings were added for our viewing pleasure.  Here is part one of my mini-reviews…

Morgan Spurlock – Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
(Dir. Morgan Spurlock)
The latest film from Morgan Spurlock brings us a closer look at the world of product placement, advertising and financing this film by using these very tactics. Spurlock films meetings, phone calls, interviews with the likes of Noam Chomsky and Ralph Nader.

Spurlock’s humour makes the film quite entertaining without being too over the top. This is no journalistic-style documentary and I’m glad it’s not. The film makes one think without over-explaining the dealings companies make in order to sell their products by using the film industry. Even some filmmakers agree that it’s easier to obtain funding by agreeing to have companies’ products in their films. Given the topic and how this film was made, I believe this film do well at the box office. The film opens May 6th.

Dustin Poirer – Image Courtesy of Fightville.

Fightville
(Dirs. Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein)

This new collaboration takes us to Louisiana, where we come to meet tow up-and-coming Mixed Martial Arts fighters (Dustin Poirier and Albert Stainback), their trainer (Tim Credeur) and one local promoter (Gil Guillery). This documentary is not about the sport itself; it’s about individual dreams and what it takes to actualize such dreams.

Tucker and Epperlein do a great job with Fightville. The cinematography is outstanding; some of the close up in the gym and in the cage are simply memorable. Their way of handling each individual story is also very personal. This is what makes this documentary appealing not just to those who like MMA/UFC but also for those new to it. In case you missed this film at Hot Docs, no worries. I learned today that it’s been picked up by Showtime Networks; check out the film’s website for more details.

El Mosca – Image Courtesy of Hot Docs

Fly/Mosca
(Dir. Bulmaro Osornio)
This is a film about a widower father nicknamed El Mosca (Fly) who longs for his lost love, Teresa, while trying to survive and care for his two young daughters, Mitzi and Teresita. Osornio combines footage from El Mosca’s younger years with that of his current life. We see him at work, with his friends, with his daughters, all of which appear like a dream to him. He prefers to live in the past; in a time when his wife was still alive.

This film may seem tedious to follow for some as it starts slow. The translation from Spanish to English is not always great. I’m glad I understand Spanish because it certainly makes the message in this film easier to grasp. As much as El Mosca is stuck in the past, he still very aware that his daughter need him and his love of family keeps him going.  As I watched the film, I realized Osornio has been friend with El Mosca for many years. Perhaps this is why the film is more of an introspective look and somewhat of a pat on the back for his long-time friend. There are times when we need to see documentaries that are good for the heart; this is one of those for me.

The Pirate Tapes – Image Courtesy of Hot Docs

The Pirate Tapes
(Dirs. Matvei Zhivov, Roger Singh, Andrew Moniz, Rock Baijnauth)
Featuring young Mohammed Ashareh, we go deep into the world of pirate cells operating in Somalia. By buying his into the cells, Ashareh takes us along for the very perilous journey. We don’t fully come to know all the players involved and frankly, that’s okay.

The Pirate Tapes and mainly, Ashareh’s efforts to uncover the nitty gritty truth about who is funding these pirates and why they go to such lengths to survive in Somalia makes this documentary worth watching. I’ve seen mixed reviews about the film; it may not be for everyone. However, it is an intriguing topic and Ashareh is one brave soul. At this point, I know HBO has obtained the television broadcasting rights for the U.S. There are no news yet, if it will have a theatrical release or a television release in Canada yet.

Hot Docs screenings continue in Toronto until May 8. Advance tickets are available at the documentary Box Office, 131 Bloor Street West, by phone at 416-637-5150, or online.