5 Films to Watch at DOC NYC

For documentary enthusiasts, there's no better place to be come November than New York City for DOC NYC, launching today and running through November 20th. And even if you don't count docs among your favorite genres--it's OK, you can admit it, I won't get all snobby on you--DOC NYC has a large enough slate with a wide enough variety of topics that you're more likely than not to find something that strikes your fancy. There are plenty of films largely in line with documentary's reputation as a genre--earnest, serious and often advocacy-based--but those looking solely for an entertaining few hours will have options on hand as well. There's even a "Docs Redux" section for those classic films you know you should have seen but haven't gotten around to yet, like Albert Maysles' Salesman or Steve James' Hoop Dreams. (Yes, I know, I know--I'm watching Hoop Dreams soon.)

Here are a few highlights from the fest that I've been able to see; the full lineup and schedule are available on DOC NYC's website.

Above and Beyond (screening info)


Above and Beyond - Teaser Trailer from Katahdin Productions on Vimeo.

Director: Roberta Grossman
Synopsis: "As Israel was fighting to establish a nation in 1948, it was badly wanting for an air force. Using secret means in defiance of the US Neutrality Act, Israel recruited American pilots who had fought in WWII. Above and Beyond recounts this hidden chapter of history, interviewing pilots and making skillful use of special effects by Industrial Light & Magic. The creation of Israel’s air force proved crucial in the ‘48 war and has had reverberations up to the present day."
My Thoughts: This is a good one to feed your inner history buff, particularly if said inner history buff has a more military bent. Grossman has assembled interviews from those directly involved in the creation of Israel's Air Force, mostly American pilots who risked a loss of citizenship to defend the nascent nation of Israel from being destroyed by neighboring Middle Eastern armies, intent on attacking as soon as Britain left the formerly colonized Palestine. If you're looking for any sort of in-depth political examination of the Israel/Palestine relationship, this isn't it. It's one-sided and fairly straightforward. That isn't a knock. What Above and Beyond sets out to do--tell this particular story from the perspective of those who lived it--it does adeptly.

A Murder In the Park (screening info)


A Murder in the Park - Trailer from Transition Studios on Vimeo.

Director: Christopher S. Rech, Brandon Kimber
Synopsis: "With his execution just 48 hours away, Anthony Porter’s life was saved by a Northwestern University journalism class. Their re-investigation of the crime for which he was convicted—a double homicide in a Chicago park—led to the discovery of the real killer, Alstory Simon, whose confession exonerated Porter. If it all sounds too good to be true, it’s because, as compellingly argued here, Porter actually is guilty, Simon is an innocent man and both are just pawns in a much larger plan."
My Thoughts: Documentaries about miscarriages of justice aren't exactly rare--depressingly so, because that means there are a lot of miscarriages of justice--but the story told in A Murder in the Park is far from average. The undoubted villains of the tale are Medill Innocence Project founder David Protess (since ousted from the organization) and private investigator Paul Ciolino, whom, Rech and Kimber argue, manipulated evidence to get a guilty man off death row and an innocent man imprisoned in his place, all for political reasons. It's a riveting documentary, and one that the directors might want to go in and add a post-script to: mere weeks before the film's world premiere at DOC NYC next Monday, Alstory Simon was released from prison, Cook County state's attorney Anita Alvarez calling out Protess and Ciolino's investigation for "involv[ing] a series of alarming tactics that were not only coercive but absolutely unacceptable by law enforcement standards."

Enquiring Minds: The Untold Story of the Man Behind the National Enquirer (screening info)

Director: Ric Burns

Synopsis: "Serving up a sensational expose in line with his juicy subject, acclaimed multiple Emmy-Award winner Ric Burns uncovers the strange history of the National Enquirer and the tabloid’s legendary publisher, Generoso Pope Jr. Purchasing the paper in 1952— allegedly with Mob financing—Pope showed an uncanny knack for assessing what the public wanted, using first sex and gore, and later celebrity gossip and the supernatural, to ramp up his circulation to unheard-of numbers—and to generate controversy at every turn—presaging today’s celebrity-journalism-driven culture."
My Thoughts: Did you know that the National Enquirer was considered for a Pulitzer in 2010? Because I did not. I also didn't know that it was (probably) initially paid for with mafia money. Or that before it founded celebrity tabloid journalism as we know it today, it made a name for itself by printing the goriest stories it could find ("Mom Boiled Her Baby and Ate Her"). Or that longtime publisher Generoso Pope Jr. was obsessed with having the world's largest Christmas tree. Or that almost its entire library of back issues and photos (including the famous snap of Elvis in his coffin) was destroyed after Anthrax was sent to its headquarters shortly after 9/11. But these are things I know now, thanks to Enquiring Minds. The way the doc scratches the surface of larger issues of tabloid journalism before darting away to focus solely on the history of the Enquirer is at times frustrating. But hey, Enquiring Minds is still thoroughly enjoyable, even if it never really ventured into analyzing its subject from a critical perspective.

Do I Sound Gay? (screening info)

Director: David Thorpe

Synopsis: "After a breakup with his boyfriend, journalist David Thorpe embarks on a hilarious and touching journey of self-discovery, confronting his anxiety about 'sounding gay.' Enlisting acting coaches, linguists, friends, family, total strangers and celebrities, he quickly learns that many people—both gay and straight—often wish for a different voice. What starts out as a personal journey becomes a chance to unpack layers of cultural baggage concerning sexuality, identity and self-esteem.

Thorpe gains frank and funny perspectives from public figures such as comedian Margaret Cho, actor George Takei, sex-advice columnist Dan Savage, fashion guru Tim Gunn and writer David Sedaris. Drawing upon movie and television clips, the film traces a cultural history of the gay voice—ranging from closeted icons to a notable string of cartoon villains—which places Thorpe’s self-consciousness in a broader context and illuminates the complexity at play in this seemingly personal issue.

Teamed with award-winning producer Howard Gertler (Shortbus, How to Survive a Plague), Thorpe makes for a winning and sympathetic guide who doesn’t shy away from confronting taboos and vulnerabilities that often go unexpressed."
My Thoughts: No wonder this was chosen as DOC NYC's opening night film--its title is eye-catching, as is its premise; it features interviews from a number of instantly recognizable names (like Tim Gunn, George Takei and David Sedaris, the latter making his film debut); and it strikes a good balance of social analysis, introspection on the part of director Thorpe and audience-pleasing entertainment.

Jingle Bell Rocks! (screening info)


Jingle Bell Rocks Trailer HD from EyeSteelFilm on Vimeo.
Director: Mitchell Kezin
Synopsis: "In Jingle Bell Rocks!, director Mitchell Kezin delves into the minds of some of the world’s most legendary Christmas music fanatics and hits the road to hang with his holiday heroes – including hip hop legend Joseph 'Rev Run' Simmons of RUN-D.M.C., The Flaming Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne, filmmaker John Waters, bebopper Bob Dorough, L.A. DJ and musicologist Dr. Demento, and Calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow. In his search for the twelve best, underappreciated Christmas songs ever recorded, Kezin both asks and answers the question, 'Why, when Christmas rolls around, are we still stuck cozying up with Bing Crosby under a blanket of snow?'"
My Thoughts: I have an confession to make: I am a complete and utter Christmashead. I'm pretty cynical about most things, but you can rant at me about the commercialization and increasing meaningless of Christmas all you want, and I won't care. Come November (yes, I'm one of those), I will still be wearing my Christmas socks and humming carols. All that is to say that I'm naturally biased in favor of a documentary about obscure Christmas songs and people who collect them. Even so, Jingle Bell Rocks is an entertaining enough jaunt through the world of music that there's something there for all but the most hard-hearted of grinches.

Other notable films on the lineup include Jessica Solce's gun control doc No Control, having its world premiere at the fest; Divide in Concord, about the attempts of 84-year-old Concord, Massachusetts resident Jean Hill's attempts to ban bottled water in her hometown; and Hotline, about the world of telephone hotlines. There are also a number of classes and panels on offer. DOC NYC's official website has additional information on all their films and screenings.