It is the first weekend at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Many films already had their premiere; nonetheless, many of these films will have a second, or perhaps a third, screening.
If you took a peek at my initial suggestions, you will know there are close to 200 documentaries to choose from. Here, I give you a few more recommendations of documentary films to see at Hot Docs.
Hye’s Hot Docs Picks Vol. 2
The Fabulous Gold Harvesting Machine* | La Fabulosa Máquina De Cosechar Oro
Director Alfredo Pourailly De La Plaza
After 40 years working in the mine at Tierra del Fuego, Toto doesn’t qualify for the social security that would allow him to retire. So his son Jorge attempts to build a gold harvesting machine to bring them a better future.
Yintah
Directors Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, Michael Toledano
Following members of the Wet’suwet’en nation along with Hereditary Chiefs and their communities of land defenders, Yintah, meaning land, tells the story of the Wet’suwet’en people resisting the construction of multiple pipelines across their territory.
Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story*
Directors Michael Mabbott, Lucah Rosenberg-Lee
Outshining artists like Little Richard and Etta James, ’60s soul singer Jackie Shane shattered barriers as one of music’s first Black trans performers. Why did this trailblazing icon vanish from the spotlight at the height of her fame?
Mexican Dream
Director Laura Plancarte
After escaping an abusive past, Malena fights for her dream life. Amidst the tensions of launching her own business, reconnecting with her estranged children, and undergoing IVF with her new partner, she struggles to unite her family in her still unfinished home.
Echo of You
Director Zara Zerny
Life-long love stories are ultimately one-sided as one partner inevitably outlives the other. Having spent years and decades without their loved ones, elderly Danish men and women share frank and beautiful truths about this rarely explored life after love.
Singing Back the Buffalo*
Director Dr. Tasha Hubbard
Travel through the North American plains as Indigenous nations reintroduce the keystone species to the land and help reclaim territories and cultures that signal a turning point for long-term, collective survival.
*I have seen these films and sharing some thoughts on these with you below.
For documentary film listings, special events, schedule and ticketing information, please visit HotDocs.ca.
