... I saw a couple of really amazing ones this weekend at Sundance that tugged at my heart strings.
Crip Camp
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"No one at Camp Jened could've imagined that those summers in the woods together would be the beginnings of a revolution. Just down the road from Woodstock, Camp Jened was a camp for disabled teens. Directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht (a former Jened camper himself) deliver a rousing film about a group of campers turned activists who shaped the future of the disability-rights movement and changed accessibility legislation for everyone.
Filled with the spirit, music, and humor of the era, Newnham and LeBrecht speak firsthand to the seeds of empowerment that were planted at Camp Jened. Incredible camp footage from 1971 captures how the campers were finally seen beyond their disabilities. Milestones in the disability-rights movement intersect with LeBrecht's personal story and the stories of several Camp Jened alums, including then-counselor Judy Heumann. Heumann goes on to drive the effort for disability rights, playing an indispensable role in historic protests leading to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Crip Camp shines a bright light on a paramount and overlooked civil-rights battle, emboldening us to come together and spark great change."
*** This doc got to me in a different way than most. I felt kind of ashamed watching it for not fully knowing or paying attention to the struggles of those with disabilities. And what they had to go through to get the ADA passed. Such a well done documentary.
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Rebuilding Paradise
"Early in the morning of November 8, 2018, a spark flies into the parched brush of the Sierra Nevada foothills. With little warning, flames are everywhere. Fierce diablo winds shower burning embers as house after house becomes a violent inferno. Propane tanks explode as desperate citizens grab their most precious possessions and jump into their vehicles hoping to escape.
With unfathomable, harrowing footage, Academy Awardwinning filmmaker Ron Howard pulls the viewer into the driver's seat to experience the terror and the helplessness of devastated refugees from a town with the ironic name of Paradise. Eighty-five lives are lost in what ultimately becomes the most destructive wildfire in California's history.
Over the course of a year, survivors from Paradise cope with shared trauma, displacement, and uncertainty about the future. Yet slowly, with sheer grit and determination, they begin to rebuild their lives and redefine the meaning of home. Rebuilding Paradise is a testament to the power of the human spirit from one of our most gifted filmmakers."
*** Don't think I took a breath for the first 30 or so minutes of this. Really puts into perspective what these people went through. I left feeling very thankful for my life and how in just an instant so much can change. I love that the focus of this was the people and not overly political. After the screening, 4 of the residents came to stage and the theater of around 1,000 people gave a standing ovation for about 1-2 minutes. Was a really powerful moment and one I won't forget. Loved this doc!
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Haven't seen this one yet, but it is getting a lot of buzz. Hopefully can score some waitlist tickets for the Friday screening.
Boys State
"Strap up your saddle and get ready for a wild ride. Boys State is a political coming-of-age story, examining the health of American democracy through an unusual experiment: a thousand 17-year-old boys from across the state of Texas gather together to build a representative government from the ground up. High-minded ideals collide with low-down dirty tricks as four boys of diverse backgrounds and political views navigate the challenges of organizing political parties, shaping consensus, and campaigning for the highest office at Texas Boys Stategovernor.
Documenting impeachment threats, dramatic debates, underdog victories, and even nefarious internet memes, filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (The Overnighters, 2014 Sundance Film Festival) chart the dramatic twists and turns of these intersecting stories to reveal profound truths about our political choices and civic obligations and to remind us, ultimately, that democracy is not a spectator sport. With cunning insight that will have audiences buzzing, Boys State holds a mirror up to our divided country. This is a film for the ages in every sense of the term."
*** For anyone who went to Texas Boys State I'm sure this will be especially interesting to watch. I went but had no interest in politics...and still don't really. But this looks like a very interesting one. And many people are talking about it. I'll report back if I'm able to score some tickets.
Crip Camp
"No one at Camp Jened could've imagined that those summers in the woods together would be the beginnings of a revolution. Just down the road from Woodstock, Camp Jened was a camp for disabled teens. Directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht (a former Jened camper himself) deliver a rousing film about a group of campers turned activists who shaped the future of the disability-rights movement and changed accessibility legislation for everyone.
Filled with the spirit, music, and humor of the era, Newnham and LeBrecht speak firsthand to the seeds of empowerment that were planted at Camp Jened. Incredible camp footage from 1971 captures how the campers were finally seen beyond their disabilities. Milestones in the disability-rights movement intersect with LeBrecht's personal story and the stories of several Camp Jened alums, including then-counselor Judy Heumann. Heumann goes on to drive the effort for disability rights, playing an indispensable role in historic protests leading to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Crip Camp shines a bright light on a paramount and overlooked civil-rights battle, emboldening us to come together and spark great change."
*** This doc got to me in a different way than most. I felt kind of ashamed watching it for not fully knowing or paying attention to the struggles of those with disabilities. And what they had to go through to get the ADA passed. Such a well done documentary.
******************************************************
Rebuilding Paradise
"Early in the morning of November 8, 2018, a spark flies into the parched brush of the Sierra Nevada foothills. With little warning, flames are everywhere. Fierce diablo winds shower burning embers as house after house becomes a violent inferno. Propane tanks explode as desperate citizens grab their most precious possessions and jump into their vehicles hoping to escape.
With unfathomable, harrowing footage, Academy Awardwinning filmmaker Ron Howard pulls the viewer into the driver's seat to experience the terror and the helplessness of devastated refugees from a town with the ironic name of Paradise. Eighty-five lives are lost in what ultimately becomes the most destructive wildfire in California's history.
Over the course of a year, survivors from Paradise cope with shared trauma, displacement, and uncertainty about the future. Yet slowly, with sheer grit and determination, they begin to rebuild their lives and redefine the meaning of home. Rebuilding Paradise is a testament to the power of the human spirit from one of our most gifted filmmakers."
*** Don't think I took a breath for the first 30 or so minutes of this. Really puts into perspective what these people went through. I left feeling very thankful for my life and how in just an instant so much can change. I love that the focus of this was the people and not overly political. After the screening, 4 of the residents came to stage and the theater of around 1,000 people gave a standing ovation for about 1-2 minutes. Was a really powerful moment and one I won't forget. Loved this doc!
******************************************************
Haven't seen this one yet, but it is getting a lot of buzz. Hopefully can score some waitlist tickets for the Friday screening.
Boys State
"Strap up your saddle and get ready for a wild ride. Boys State is a political coming-of-age story, examining the health of American democracy through an unusual experiment: a thousand 17-year-old boys from across the state of Texas gather together to build a representative government from the ground up. High-minded ideals collide with low-down dirty tricks as four boys of diverse backgrounds and political views navigate the challenges of organizing political parties, shaping consensus, and campaigning for the highest office at Texas Boys Stategovernor.
Documenting impeachment threats, dramatic debates, underdog victories, and even nefarious internet memes, filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (The Overnighters, 2014 Sundance Film Festival) chart the dramatic twists and turns of these intersecting stories to reveal profound truths about our political choices and civic obligations and to remind us, ultimately, that democracy is not a spectator sport. With cunning insight that will have audiences buzzing, Boys State holds a mirror up to our divided country. This is a film for the ages in every sense of the term."
*** For anyone who went to Texas Boys State I'm sure this will be especially interesting to watch. I went but had no interest in politics...and still don't really. But this looks like a very interesting one. And many people are talking about it. I'll report back if I'm able to score some tickets.