PUNK IN AFRICA
This documentary about the often overlooked punk scene in Southern Africa from the 1970s onward is now screening at various film festivals across the continent and in Europe.
Watch the trailer below and see the full list of screenings on the film website: www.punkinafrica.co.za
Produced and Directed by Keith Jones and Deon Maas.
Producer: Jeffrey Brown
Director of Photography: Gary K Griffin
Editor: Andrew L Wills
Being Elmo (2011)
Quite possibly the most interesting, engaging documentary I’ve seen in a long while. This is the story of Kevin Clash, also known as “the guy who plays Elmo.” He started in his parents backyard at age 10; mesmerized by puppet shows he saw on television.
He started sewing his own puppets at a young age, performed puppet shows for the neighborhood and toured the Baltimore area where he grew up before getting his shot on local television back when local TV networks actually produced their own shows.
This remarkable story is really about what happens when you have a dream that’s really your passion and how it when serendipity meets opportunity leads to the chances of a lifetime. More than that, it shows how when those possibilities arrive how ready you need to be. It really seemed to show if you’re passionate about craft and love what you’re doing; it won’t be something you need to overthink.
Being Elmo is an absolute must watch and is now streaming via Netflix instant.
Fire In Babylon (2010)
This is a story about the West Indies cricket team and their ascent to the top of the world. The story starts with the political climate of the 1970s and the effect of the black power movement and how they were reacting to the things happening in their own countries, as well as blacks on the global stage within the African diaspora.
This story is at its core, a sports movie about cricket. The West Indies team was an entertaining but inconsistent squad but after a failed trip in Australia, the team got serious and the tide turned. The different segments are interspersed by different singers from throughout the Caribbean, which gives it a flavor and shows how impactful these guys are decades after their ascent.
Fire In Babylon is a fun glimpse into a bygone era when the little island nations of the Caribbean to united to rise to the top of the world of cricket.
Even if you don’t like cricket or know much about it, you’ll appreciate this story if you like sports movies like Remember The Titans or stuff like that. This is way better though.
If A Tree Falls (2011)
An interesting documentary about the Earth Liberation Front’s ecoterror arsons of a decade ago.
Beats Rhymes & Life (2011)
I’ve been meaning to see this for a while, but the controversy over in advance of the film’s release made me hesitant. But I found it today and decided to catch it.
My hip-hop — nay, my music appreciation in general — came late. So I don’t have the same kind of “I remember when” type feeling for old hip-hop acts because while they were clearly on my consciousness at the time, I wasn’t listening to them and so, I didn’t really understand it as well.
So despite the controversy about what was approved versus what wasn’t, I think it’s a documentary worth watching for your personal music appreciation.
The Nine Lives of Marion Barry (2011)
Like the despot of a 3rd world nation, Marion Barry looms large over Washington D.C. after over thirty years in politics there. From his origins as a community organizer to serving as mayor for four terms — the 4th coming after serving time in prison after an FBI sting exposed him doing crack cocaine in a hotel with a woman who was not his wife — it is a story of cognitive dissonance in the first degree.
While he’s emerged as largely a caricature these days, the current Councilman from the capital’s 8th ward was once viewed as a transformative leader for the city that gave a real voice to its long ignored black majority.
Interesting documentary worth your time.
The Great Happiness Space (2006)
It’s a story about the hosts in Japan, men who work in bars that provide women with companionship. I’m not selling it well, but..it’s really, really interesting. About the dynamics of people’s need, the women seem really resolved to understand what they’re doing at these clubs, except you wonder about the illusion that spending creates love.
I dunno, but it’s an interesting experience in sadness.
Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop (2011)
I’m not a bonafide Conan fan, but I think his whole writer-to-star shtick is really cool. Still, I was curious about this after all of the #TeamCoCo hoohah. After all, the guy has quite the fan base.
I like documentaries and at its cool, this is just a on-the-road documentary. It’s quite good, because Conan does never stop. He’s got a ton of energy, seems to really care about his work and the entire thing is a just a romp of fun.
It’s clear watching this that he was absolutely wounded by what happened at NBC. Understandbly, probably because he seems to care about what he’s doing more than anything else.
Whether this was his high water mark or not, it’s hard to deny that he’s got something worth making people cheer. Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop is worth watching.
He does his own makeup.
Chops (2007)
A look at the Essentially Ellington Festival, a competition of high school jazz bands from across the country that is hosted at the Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis as artistic director. One Florida band filled with young musicians turns out to be the one that hits all the right notes.
This will hit you the minute you see it and it doesn’t let up. Chops won’t just appeal to current and former bank geeks, it’ll appeal to anyone who has every loved doing anything.
