Hello! from Documentary Nut

I just wanted to drop by and say Hi.. "Hi." I have been so very busy. I was originally hoping to get at least one or two reviews out per week. That is very unrealistic... but I have unrealistic expectations of myself! I am not a great writer. I don't have to be a great writer so it works out for me. However, I feel that because the past few days I have been trying to get documentaries out of the way that I have already seen, that my writing may be lacking more than usual. I am also afraid that with two of my reviews I seemed unnecessarily harsh. I edited them, but now they seem dull. Is the harshness that makes you like a review? That way you can have your own strong emotional reactions to it? Call me wrong, call me right? Who knows. I don't think it much matters at this point. I am going to keep on truckin. :)

Sound and Fury

2000

Josh Aronson's documentary takes an unexpected approach to the "medical miracle" film by examining the political and emotional turmoil that erupts between brothers over the cochlear implant that might allow their deaf children to hear. The ways in which a so-called miracle cure can divide as well as heal families and communities is the focus of Sound and Fury, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

This is a MUST see documentary. Its about the hearing impaired community and the debate between people who want cochlear implants and those that are against it.
I read a review on this movie that really struck a heart string. I am going to paraphrase what the review said. The man said that when he first watched this he thought that it was a good idea that the hearing impaired get the implant... then he stopped and thought about his son. He thought about the same argument his son could make to him if he wanted to be turned white/Caucasian. That to me is a perfect analogy. Not everyone is eligible for the implant either. People with certain types of hearing loss are not able to get the implant. Definitely interesting to see both sides of the fence on this one. I only gave it four stars because it is not available in closed caption. ? That struck me as really insulting to the hearing impaired.

National Geographic Stress Portrait of a Killer

National Geographic Stress: Portrait of a Killer
2008

"The serially overworked already know that stress is a near-constant fixture in modern-day living. But to what degree is stress affecting our bodies -- and is there any way to healthfully combat it? With a focus on the work of Stanford University neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, this National Geographic program looks at the latest science to see what researchers are learning about this insidiously silent killer."

I wanted to tie this in with "My flesh and blood" because there is a segment in it about parents of special needs kids. This documentary is about how people and primates deal with stress and the affects it has on our body. Chronically stressed people are at a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and a whole slew of other medical problems. It also touches base with how being stressed out during a pregnancy can affect a person from infancy to adulthood. The part that deals with parents of special needs kids is fascinating because it also shows how simple acts, like helping someone else, can reduce stress and cause the body to repair itself. When that group of mothers talk about the stress in their day to day lives, I think it helps other people to understand a little more about how taking care of another human being 24/7 can be incredibly difficult. Stress is a huge part of most peoples lives.

My Flesh and Blood

My Flesh and blood

2003

Winner of both the Audience and Directing Awards at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, this inspiring documentary tracks a year in the life of Susan Tom, a single parent from suburban Fairfield, Calif., who has adopted 11 children with special needs. Directed by Jonathan Karsh, the film obliterates stereotypes about people with disabilities, sharing joyful moments and everyday challenges without shying away from the family's heartbreaking losses.

This film is an emotional roller coaster! I, like a lot of people had strong feelings towards Susan Tom. Some people thought that she had taken on too many kids other people thought she was horrible for going out while her daughter babysits. Here's the thing I want to point out, I think someone who has spent so much time, energy, emotion, and basically there entire life into caring for the disabled, they should get the chance to go out from time to time. I think it would be nicer and easier if she was able to hire a babysitter... but the problem with that would be WHO can take on that many children with disabilities for a few hours??? Not that many people, and the ones that can would cost a fortune. I see why she has her daughter do it. I find it sad that her daughter is as frustrated as she is, but she has the right to be given the circumstances! I think the daughter needs time to deflate too. I loved in the beginning that Susan pointed out Acceptance. Here is what most people don't get about acceptance... Most people comprehend it, but they don't actually understand it.

Its the difference between knowing something and applying something.

Acceptance is not easy for anyone. We normally use that word when we are dealing with death and dying, conflict of politics, conflict of religion, but not so much when we talk about people. MOST people are actually VERY guilty of not accepting others! They do it even when they don't intend to!

Here is an example; A girl (fill in blank for name) decides she is going into physical therapy. While in college, she decides she really enjoys working with children especially disabled kids. Great! There is a need for PT's in that field! Part of the reason girl wants to go into the field is that she has this impression that people who are special needs are somehow under loved and under cared for. (sometimes that is true, but not usually the case in a lot of areas.) Girl graduates, gets PTA license and gets job. The first kid she is working with is special needs, doesn't speak, doesn't have communication skills, is in "moderate" MHDD (mentally handicap developmentally delayed) category because his comprehension level and problem solving skills are very high.

Girl thinks "gee, no one has ever loved this child enough to teach him anything. How sad! I am going to teach him everything he needs to know and social skills in 6months! He will be so successful!!!"

Girl works with child as much as she can, does everything by the book and in 6months has made zero progress. The child even is refusing to work with her. Girl feels like a complete failure. Girl has no idea why she is in this field or why kids shy away from her instead of her actually helping them.

Now, this is someone with good intentions. They started off with a misconception that somehow parents, rather biological or adoptive, some how are stupid and or don't "really" love their kids. She thinks she somehow... SHE can do a better job than them. Girl thinks that she can "fix problems" with child's social skills along with physical ailments. Girl Does NOT understand what the word "acceptance" means, or how to apply it. Accepting someone is accepting them AS THEY ARE, NOT AS THEY COULD BE. A mistake so many people make. If girl had accepted child then she would have realized that she could make more progress with him than not accepting him. You can only do so much. If you work with a special needs kid, if they get it, they get it, Great! If they don't they don't and that's Great too! That's acceptance. That's what acceptance actually is... simply accepting. Loving just to love with no expectations, no conditions, no contract, JUST LOVE for no other reason than you are who and what you are.  

Another example: I am 5foot 2inches tall. I weight 135 pounds. I am (right now) out of shape. I like Michael Jordan (yes, I am so old school, I know.). If I want to play basketball like Mike I think that I should. If I want to spend 9hours a day outdoors practicing, I can. I can do this for the next 10 years. That doesn't mean I am going to be able to play ball or dunk a ball like Michael Jordan!!! I simply do not have that ability. That does not mean I should not try, because if that is in my heart (or yours) then, YES, you (and I) should try. But if you (and me) just are not able to achieve that, it does not make you OR me any LESS of a PERSON!!! (and no, I do not want to play ball like Mike. Its just an analogy.)

This documentary is a great one! It is wonderfully done on so many levels! I totally recommend it!!!

Born into Brothels

Born into Brothels

 

2004

British filmmaker Zana Briski's Oscar-winning documentary is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in Calcutta's red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes to ensure their survival. Spurred by the kids' fascination with her camera, Briski decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.

I wanted to do a follow up from my last post "Children Underground" with Born into Brothels. Both documentaries show a side of life for children in other countries that most people are not familiar with. Every review I have ever read on this documentary all comment on the happiness and dignity of these children. It really sticks with you when you watch it! These kids live in some of the most extreme situations I have ever seen! They are so brilliant... it is so sad to think that these children really have very little options in life. I made the remark on Children Underground that the children from Romania seemed so sad and depressed and yet these kids are almost the opposite. I wonder why. Is it all in how you look at things or perceive life? Great Documentary, I recommend it!  

Children Underground

Children Underground Documentary.


I have waited to do a review on a few different documentaries that really struck a nerve with me. This is one that strikes a huge nerve. This is a "MUST" see documentary. The Language is in Romanian so it is subtitled. Subtitles have never bothered me but I know it bothers some people. Even if you hate subtitles you should still watch this. This film is about five homeless children living in a subway. Their ages range from 8 to 16yrs old.

I only have one beef with this movie. The director Edet Belzberg portrays homelessness among children as being a direct result from the communist government banning abortion and the use of contraceptives. That is only partial true. Abortion became BECAME illegal in Romania under the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1966. Something that should be pointed out here is that in 1957 until 1966 abortion was completely legal. During that time 80% of pregnancies were terminated because there was a lack of contraceptives. Contraceptives were not made there and the government would not allow certain goods to be imported, contraceptives were among many of the goods not approved for import. The policy was reversed in 1989, after the Romanian Revolution and since that time abortion has been legal in Romania. That's my big beef with the documentary, most people who watch it think that abortion is still illegal there because the director makes it a point in the beginning of the film. There were 20,000 homeless children on the streets AT THE TIME the documentary is made. In 2007 Romania entered into a treaty with the European Union called the Treaty of Accession 2005. Part of the agreement in order for Europe to sign it was that Romania had to clean up their streets and provide homes for the children living there. This film was a HUGE hit in Europe and obviously affected their feelings to some degree along with other factors in order for that to be part of the union agreement. To portray abortion as still being illegal and as a direct result there is an over population of homeless kids is misleading.

This is definitely a heart wrenching story. The things these kids face on a day to day basis is very disturbing for even the hardest unemotional person. Its also sad to note that the community and government didn't get this mess taken care of until 2007. The way the people there think about the homeless and about homeless children is appalling. They honestly believe that the children are on the streets because they want to be there. Most of these kids did opt out of the orphanages because of the abuse they suffered in those institutions was worse than the abuse they suffered on the street. These kids either were droped off at an orphanage at a young age or ran away from home. The kids that ran away endured abuse at home and found life on the streets safer than their families home. So its not just about overpopulation, its about having a broken system all together. In America we take certain things for granted. Yes, we have homelessness in America but we will NOT tolerate a child without a home... we go above and beyond to make sure that child has a place to lay their head and social workers among community members step up to the plate to help a kid in need. We do a lot of things for people here in the states, we try to do a lot. That doesn't mean homelessness doesn't exist here because it obviously does. I think the difference is we try. We are aware. We don't turn a blind eye. We set up as many organizations and shelters as we can and we believe all human beings have a right to try and survive. Romania is "each man, woman, child for themselves."

One thing that really got to me about this documentary was the way the kids feel and treat each other. Obviously there is a lot of abuse on so many levels, but the way they were abusive to each other is so wrong. I guess if I imaged myself in their shoes I would expect adults to be that way... I would expect the people that don't care to be that way but I wouldn't  expect to see another child that has lived through the same abuse to dish it out in the same careless fashion. I suppose that kids mimic behavior and only know what they've been taught so I suppose in its own very messed up way it should be expected. Its a little bit/lot bit like Lord of the Flies. Ugh! Which brings me to my next point. I will write a blog about "Born into Brothels." That is about a group of children from India that were born into brothels. The kids in that film are so full of life, happiness and hope and the kids in Children Underground seem to have completely lost that. Both groups of kids have unbelievably tough lives... how can one set be so happy knowing what their lives will entail, while the other set seems so hopeless? Food for thought.

Picture Me (Picture Me: A Model's Diary)

Go behind the scenes and experience both the glamour and the darker side of the high fashion industry as filmmaker Ole Schell documents girlfriend Sara Ziff's rise to international model status in this revealing film. Taking place over several years, the documentary features interviews with numerous models in the industry and includes appearances by designers Karl Lagerfeld and Nicole Miller, photographer Gilles Bensimon and others.

I am not interested in high fashion designs or models, but I found this to be incredibly fascinating. I understand why so many of these girls end up on drugs... they are literally treated like a piece of meat. Despite what people think, these girls are often worked to death. They are paid a lot, A LOT, of money though so it sorta compensates. I have always felt that models were just a different form of prostitution, an unconventional form of it and I think this documentary proves me right. The thing I noticed about this film the most, the models themselves don't strut around in makeup and nice clothes the majority of the time. They actually don't wear makeup on a day to day basis unless they are working. Odd to think that most women wear makeup as though it is expected of them day to day. I am one of the gals that always has "a face" on. I am openly insecure. I am also okay with that.
This is worth watching cause it gives you an idea how all this fashion crap works. Interesting if nothing else.