Hot Docs 2010

HOT DOCS opens today!

Featuring over 170 films from 41 countries, this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival opens today, April 29! 

During the Festival, stay in the loop with The Hot Docs Daily, bringing you the latest news, photos, coverage and video from the Festival. Visit http://www.hotdocs.ca right now for new videos on this year’s exciting Critical Mass speaker series and Focus On Tahani Rached, as well as film reviews and more.

Cinemaeye is not covering hot docs, but did view 3 of the films to be screened.

Capsule review of the three films are found following:

BABIES (France 2010) **
Directed by Thomas Balmes

The premise of this documentary is that everyone loves babies, so a film taking a look at one year in the life of four babies from around the world, from Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo would likely be a hit.  The film is exactly as described with the camera often lingering on the babies as they pee, play, fall, eat or do nothing!  Whether a hit or not, BABIES is pretty monotonous and boring.  Unless, you really love babies, or other people’s babies!  Though and the antics are cute and funny at times, this documentary on BABIES is a waste of time with nothing much to be learnt in terms of insight or anything.  Awwww!!!

BHUTTO (USA/UK/Pakistan 2010) ***1/2
Directed by Jessica A. Hernandez and Johnny O’Hara

The fast-paced documentary BHUTTO traces the rise to power of Pakistani President Benazir Bhutto from her father’s popularity to her assassination.  For those unfamiliar with Pakistan history, Hernandez and O’Hara’s film is very educational while providing the directors point of view on the subject.  Benazir Bhutto was a martyr for the country’s democracy as the summary footage at the end of the film cries out with the voiceover.  Using newsreel footage, talking heads consisting of the Bhutto relatives, friends and a host of journalists, a very human picture of this female pillar is also portrayed.  The film makes it a point to show Benazir as a mother figure and a faithful wife at the same time as she performs her stately duties.  The film will definitely leave you moved by the final reel.

RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE (Canada 2010) ***1/2
Directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen

Comprehensive story of the uncompromising Canadian rock band called RUSH, chronicling the band’s musical beginnings to their evolvement to their current heavy non main style.  Using interviews primarily of the band members themselves (Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson) with a few celebrities like Jack Black, Metallica and charismatic fans, this documentary will surely convert anyone to become a RUSH fan.  The film is a bit biased in that nothing bad is ever mentioned of the band.  Even when they argue or behave rudely to the fans, the directors offer valid excuses for their behaviour.  Even the bad write-ups by critics of the songs are brushed away as irrelevant.  But RUSH is thorough entertainment, moves at a brisk pace, and whether your like RUSH or not, you have to admit that there are a talented rock group.  The shots of RUSH concerts showing the dedicated fans say it all.  Ironically this group who does not give a flying f*** on what people think, just got inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame.