Hot Docs 2023
Satan Wants You ⛪️
Reading is believing.
Satan Wants You is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the satanic panic of the 1980s, sparked by the best-selling memoir Michelle Remembers - which was a record of the therapy sessions between psychiatrist Larry Pazder and patient Michelle Smith - who claims to have been abducted by a group of satanists when she was just a kid.
I can’t even begin to grasp the idea that someone from
Victoria (a place I love to visit) was able shift the global public consciousness to the extent these two were able to.
The recorded-memory therapy sessions that supposedly reignited these past ‘memories’ will have you trying to decipher the fine line between what’s suppressed, and what your imagination is able to forge through such vulnerable and intimate treatment.
Then theres the demonic aspect, which caught the curiosity of the Pope and catholic church, but by them acknowledging this book it gave it even more credence and power - that ended up adding to the mass hysteria which had already infiltrated society.
I think anyone would be quick to judge this story, but the layers of complexity behind what the true meaning behind the book and the Doctor/patient relation was, will definitely be a hit for true-crime and conspiracy theory enthusiasts.
& though the demonic hullabaloo may have you rolling your eyes, this documentary will continue to grab your attention solely based on the real world vice-grip this book, and woman - were able to have on society.
Enjoy!
7.8/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr30mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Satan Wants You Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer
#Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #HotDocs #Cult #Victoria #Vancouver #Mystery #TrueCrime
Aitamako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun 🐎
If you need something done, do it yourself.
Before the Sun is a documentary that follows a young Siksika woman named Logan Red Crow, who hopes to break new ground in Indian Relay horse racing while simultaneously navigating her fathers plead for her to finish school, the constantly evolving relationship she has with her horses - and a playing field built for men.
At first I was thinking “okay small town folks trying to make it big, I’ve see this before.” but this was so much more than that.
Logan is the ultimate competitor who’s drive to compete and ability to will her goals into existence is nothing short of inspirational.
She’s always playing from behind but instead of just talking about the issues and lack of opportunities in the womens side of racing, she acknowledges it - and like a wrecking ball, begins to break down every barrier in her path.
The other side of this story is a father who, with love - tries to convince his daughter to shift her focus back to school.
He knows what the sport can do to a person who becomes obsessed with it, and though he aids her with advice and lends her his team - you can tell he’d rather she move on and make the most of her potential.
That’s what I admired about her the most though. Her dads words only hold so much weight because she’s her own toughest critic. She’s brutally honest with herself and her shortcomings, but still finds a way to exceed her own expectations - which are higher than what anyone else could have set for her.
This motivational sports story captures the heart of the tomboys out there who’ve been put down, or cast aside for the boys.
It’s about the heart of a competitor ready to carve out her own path, a true trailblazing pioneer who is as resilient as they come - and the gruelling road to the get to the top.
A great surprise out of hot docs that has me ready to sign up for the Logan Red Crow fan club.
Enjoy!
7.5/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr28mins
Where: Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Aitamako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer
#OldSun #Horse #HorseRacing #Racing #Movie #MovieReview #Documentary #HotDocs23
This World is Not My Own 🎨
Through art, you breed life.
This World is Not My Own follows the life of Nellie Mae Rowe, a legendary African-American folk artists who lived through the 1900s, creating art pieces using inspiration from the life she lived - and the tortured world around her.
From chewing gum sculptures, dolls, painted pieces, and anything else you can imagine - this self taught woman did it all.
She had every reason to give in to the cruel world around her but instead chose to focus that negative energy into creative outlets, that allowed her to express how she felt about a world that continuously tried to bring her down.
This documentary does feel disjointed at times, trying to weave in so many different stories, and though all those stories were worthy of being told, they barely had the connective tissue to tie it all together.
But when you think of the art Nellie crafted, it was unorthodox, abstract, and to the untrained eye (like myself) what seemed random, may have more meaning than I was able to understand.
So what I thought was disjointed, may have come together like a piece of Nellies art, and it’ll strike a chord with the people who were meant to truly understand it.
Enjoy!
6.9/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr36mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
This World is Not My Own Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#Atlanta #Art #Documentary #HotDocs #MovieReview #Movie #NellieMaeRowe #HotDocs23
Stephen Curry: Underrated 🏀
The Dog Days of David.
Before he became the Warrior we know him as now, Steph Curry was an undersized, under-recruited prospect, whose only focus was bringing awareness to his NBA caliber talent.
The Stephen Curry Underrated documentary follows those early days of the reigning NBA Finals MVP and 4 time NBA Champion, as he reflects on his time in high school, Davidson college, and his eventual rise to fame in the NBA.
For an entry level examination of the basketball life of Steph Curry, this does exactly what it needed to do.
It showcases the talent in its rawest form as a youth basketball player, then provides perspective on the hurdles he faced in his transformation into a college-marksman, inevitably taking on his final form as a NBA long-range assassin.
Watching Steph have the foundational skills at a young age to be an impactful basketball player, but struggle through his height deficiency was definitely inspiring. He had the right mindset to not let it hinder his confidence, instead he changed his approach on how to attack and with that came a new found success.
The one gripe I had with this doc is that I felt like the tittle is a disservice to the story.
At no point was Steph underrated, his skill was always something people noticed but with that they had to acknowledge that his size and lack of strength is naturally going to be tough to overcome.
He ended up defying all the odds, making the three-point shot as demoralizing as a poster-dunk, and was able to go toe to toe with some of the greatest players to ever grace the court - becoming undeniable in the process.
Which is what the tittle should’ve been, Undeniable.
That being said - it’s a fun, highlight filled showcase, that contrasts the many moments Steph was doubted or considered down-and-out with his drive to succeed - because with him it was never about proving people wrong, it was about proving himself right.
Enjoy!
7/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr56mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca & on Apple TV July 21st.
Stephen Curry Underrated Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#HotDocs23 #StephCurry #Curry #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #GoldenStateWarriors #GSW #Warriors #Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #A24 #AppleTV
Theatre of Violence 🇺🇬
It’s kill, or be killed.
Theatre of Violence is a documentary that follows Krispus Ayena the lawyer of Dominic Ongwen as he tries to build a defence for his client, who is the first former child soldier to be on trial against the International Criminal Court for his war crimes.
The deeper Krispus looks into the case the tougher it becomes, but the idea of a young boy getting taken from his family and molded into what Dominic is now as an adult begs the question - can the perpetrator also be the victim?
This was such an insightful perspective piece, that brings the viewer into a world outside of their own, to provide a full range of context for a case that is simple to convict in nature of the crimes that were committed, but complicated with the lens of the world these people are living in.
The question being asked throughout this documentary is not whether Dominic is guilty of his crimes, but if the blame should be cast on a broken down system.
In this situation you have to imagine a child as an empty canvas, with no preconceived biases or life experience, who then gets taken and forced into the cruelest of environments - that has to then act on the impulse of their survival instincts.
His lawyer constructs that frame of reference so that their can potentially be some sort of restorative justice, for the sake of social harmony, so that those who were forced into situations against their will still get a fair chance at redemption.
This was one of the most thought provoking documentaries I’ve seen, that will make you rethink the way we look a country issues on a global scale - and educates the viewer into understanding that you can’t provide first world solutions, to third world problems.
Enjoy!
9/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr45mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Theatre of Violence Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#Uganda #Africa #Solider #Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #HotDocs
Who's Afraid of Nathan Law? 🚧
“It takes years to build democracy, but it can disappear in an instant.”
Who's Afraid of Nathan Law is a documentary that follows a group of college students led by Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Nathan Law, who spark a movement through protest, to pressure the Chinese government into keeping their promise - of allowing the Hong Kong people the right to elect their own political leader.
Where these three start off is inspiring and will want to make you fight for something you believe in, and then you see where they all end up and think to yourself - was it even worth it?
My opinion - it was.
We need people like this, who are willing to be the face of change, and go against those breaching the basic civil liberties every human has a right to.
The odds were always stacked against them, but you can’t help but respect the way they continuously tried to find reasonable solutions, amidst peaceful demonstrations, which was eventually countered by aggressive roadblocks - that became too big to control.
When protests become as large as this was, it ends up meaning different things for different people, and eventually gets to the point where you have to hope that everyone is there with the best of intentions. But those intentions won’t matter as much when the government gives up on trying to gain back the respect of its people, and uses fear to break them down instead.
Between 2016-2019 there were so many protests going on that the meaning behind some of them got lost. This is worth the watch for the context it provides, to an issue you won’t fully grasp until you hear from people who were in the ‘trenches’.
It’s an in-depth look at a political battle between the old guard, and the next generation. A true David vs Goliath, that will have you rooting for the underdogs - who continue to fight the good fight
Enjoy!
7.9/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr36mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Who's Afraid of Nathan Law? Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#HotDocs #HotDocs23 #Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #HongKong #HK #China #NathanLaw
Seven Winters in Tehran ⚖️
Guilty until proven innocent.
Seven Winters in Tehran is a documentary that follows a case in Iran where 19 year old Reyhaneh Jabbari, was convicted of murdering the man that had tried to assault her. As the case unfolds, we witness a woman who is forced into jail due to an unethical investigation process, that has higher ups in authority overly invested in making an example out of Reyhaneh - even if her claims happen to be true.
This was the most demoralizing case of injustice, that as a watch, frustrates to no end.
It demonstrates a sort of gender-based class system, where control through fear mongering allows this oppressive regime to hold its core values - even if it’s people demand change.
The family of Reyhaneh tries to navigate all of that, and at times seem to make progress just to find that with every step forward, the system pushes them two-steps back.
There’s a heartbreaking moment where you see the father show an inkling of regret, second-guessing if the freedom he allowed his daughter to live with wasn’t the way to raise her, knowing the world he was bringing her into.
But that’s why, and how the cycle continues.
In the last 6 months I’ve watched Holy Spider, Zip, and now this - and the artistic expression coming out of Iran in regards to the oppression these women face, through this patriarchal system - I hope will begin to spark the change these people deserve.
This documentary is an exhausting, disheartening, blatant disregard for a woman’s truth. It overwhelms in its inability to get to the ending you hope for, but provides a some much needed perspective for issues plaguing the voiceless.
Enjoy!
7.5/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr36mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Seven Winters in Tehran Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#Documentary #HotDocs #Iran #Movie #MovieReview #TrueCrime
Food & Country 🌾
From farm to table, and everything in between.
Food and Country is a documentary that follows the pre, middle, and post-pandemic life of Americans that work in agriculture and the food industry - and how they’ve had to adapt to the ever changing circumstances that have halted the growth they look to achieve.
New York Times esteemed food critic Ruth Reichl, is the one who helps us navigate the landscape of the country to better understand the who, what, when, where and why of it all.
Through interviews we get to meet those who have been impacted and the solutions they seem to have, that end up falling to deaf ears.
As optimistic and forward thinking as this documentary tries to be, while also acting as a great reminder to appreciate and not take for granted where you food comes from - it inevitably feels like a pipe dream.
Through its straight forward delivery, it informs as much it pleads, but ends up leaning too heavily on problem assessment, where I think it could’ve provided some more time to solution finding - which could be my ignorance because there might not be any.
Realizing that a standard has been set that prefers the economically cost efficient model of quick food that is consistent in taste and quality, rather than labor intensive food with high quality ingredients - is a reality that acts as a living nightmare for those who know there’s a better option for the masses, if the funding and opportunity was available.
That doom and gloom nature of this documentary will at times make you feel helpless, but simultaneously optimistic that there are driving forces in the industry that are trying to cultivate change - while bringing some much needed awareness to the root of the problem.
Enjoy!
7.2/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr39mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Food and Country Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#HotDocs #HotDocs23 #Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #Food #FoodCulture #Foodie #Agriculture
Coven 🔮
One persons darkness, may be another persons light.
Coven is a documentary that follows three separate women, who have set out on a journey of self-discovery - through their continuously evolving relationship with witchcraft.
If you’re reading this thinking you’re about to get some real life Harry Potter documentary, you’re not.
These three women have each had different experiences and upbringings, yet you can find similarities in each of their life stories as they speak on trying to find their identities through something that is considered unconventional.
Society has a habit of trying to box people into easily defined boxes, and once you begin to deviate from those (like these women) you’ll find times in your life where you feel like a social outcast.
Which leads them on this journey to find a coven.
I felt this journey was less about finding a traditional coven, or learning about witchcraft but more so an opportunity to meet like minded people who make you feel safe - despite your differences.
That may work for some but it was tough to emotionally invest in the story because it felt like a stark contrast as they would people who were so devote to the cause - making them seem like they wanted to play witch, and not be one.
They goes as far as to seek connections from their families past, so they can better understand themselves, and what place witchcraft holds in their future - while dabbling in the chaos of the unknown.
This plays better as a story about a few lost souls who travel the world looking for something to believe in. That may be guided in something that culturally for some is deemed dark/evil - but leads these women to a light, which in this case is acceptance.
If you don’t fit the mold of what’s traditionally expected of you - culturally or in society - you’ll definitely appreciate this watch.
Enjoy!
6.8/10 🎥 🍿
Runtime: 1hr28mins
Where: www.hotdocs.ca
Coven Documentary Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer.
#Documentary #Movie #MovieReview #HotDocs #Cult #Victoria #Vancouver #Witches #Witchcraft #Wizards