A study of violence, brutality and inhumanity within a nation.
It’s a documentary about gun control, possession and sale of firearms/weapons, mass shootings in the US and in particular the “Columbine High School” massacre as well as corruption of NRA (National Rifle Association). In case you’re wondering about the connection between bowling and Columbine, it’s because the game is very popular in the town culture. Also, it was the very last activity that the killer students did just before they went to commit this horrible murderous act.
Michael Moore’s signature style and distinctive storytelling is unparalleled. So he questions and asks all the hard questions, investigates the roots and origin of this celebration of murder and cruelty in USA. His presence throughout the films and segments is a relief. A witness to all the ignorance, indifference and gread that result in all the atrocities and acts of barbarity. He is the sole director/producer/writer of the film and his narration is sharp, brutally honest and intelligently hilarious in the most subtle of ways.
The techniques of editing intertwine and entwine to create this affecting and unapologetically sincere documentary . The film score is impeccably woven into certain scenes elevating them to pure thought-provoking art.
The naked truth behind a nation: drenched in the white man’s fear of the black community, a culture that loves and practices hunting on a regular basis, where you’re for example gifted a firearm if you would open an account in the bank, breeds communities where mass shootings are shockingly multiplying, the possession and ownership of firearms isn’t at all costly nor difficult in terms of access, bad influence of music and pop culture, foreign policies and interference causing proxy war and other catastrophes etc. It also reveals all the false justifications and arguments of pro gun rights lobbying organizations like NRA in the name of greed and injustice. The maliciousness and wickedness of these powerful governments and politicians.
It starts with former SeaWorld trainers recount their fascination with nature and animals, especially the species of killer whale/orca, as well as circumstances that ended up with them landing the job in SeaWorld.
Everything about SeaWorld seemed fabulous, breathtaking and harmonious, whether it’s the commercials, the professions, the relationships trainers have built with these magnificent creatures, the show and theatrical element for the audience!
So how come a dark side of that reality reveals itself?!
The fatal incident where one of SeaWorld killer whales literally kills one of the trainers.
We go back throughout history to witness all exploitation and how inhumane they have captured these baby orcas, kidnapping and taking them away from their family and from the ocean. This incredible species, named “Blackfish” because ancients believed they had supernatural powers not to be meddled with. They’re scientifically proven to be highly intelligent, with elaborate emotional capacity much more complex than humans, essentially social and have a greater sense of self and belonging.
However, they’re deprived of their natural habitat, kept separate from their babies, psychologically punished in training sessions, lockep up as sperm banks for breeding despite proof of past agressive behavior towards humans , herded up and grouped all together with disregard for differences in enviroments/genes/ communication styles etc.
There was bound to be a traumatic consequence to all that .. sooner or later!
It’s always mind-boggling to me the length humans beings would go to profit and make money!
I found it to be educational and emotional at the same time. I learned about this particular species but also the darkness, ugliness and exploitation behind the glamorous pretentious façade of beauty and joy that the brand SeaWorld or other theme parks promoted.
During World War I “Copper Camps ” in the town of Bisbee, Arizona were crucial and essential for munitions and war effortss and so staggering profits were made.
However, workers were suffering and fed up with the unsafe working conditions, and all the injustices and discrimination. This all led to strikes and conflicts.
This documentary recounts the tale and the ill fate of these activists and strikers, by the townspeople in 1917 “Bisbee Deportation”. Ugly history does still haunt the present and everyday life of the community.
The first shot is of the Bisbee High School, that was built and founded back in the copper era. The film divided into chapters, in terms of storytelling and development of the narrative. I appreciate this artistic choice, it makes it more interesting and structured. Each one of these segments treats a different perspective or angle.
As an audience, we get to experience and witness diverse members of the community, whose ancestors were all a part of this tragic event, be it the strikers or the other opposing team, also revisiting parts of town where particular past events took place. Everyone shares his own view and perception of the whole situation. In fact, there are many community projects about it, even theatrical pieces, a sort of renactment, replaying this event, members of the community incarnate “miners, the notorious Sherrif Wheeler etc.”
I started with no expectations whatsoever to be honest, it was just a random internet recommendation afterall, “Best Docs of All Time” kind of list kind of choice. It turns out to be a lovely surprise and a good film. It’s emotional and human, rather than just being an informative piece of history.
A documentary about the passion for cinema, filmmaking journey, artistic vision.
The opening sequence is of picturesque and magnificent scenery of the Amazon jungle, accompanied by this operatic haunting film score. Basically, it’s a “making-of” documentary where we delve into the filmmaking journey a German filmmaker called Werner Herzeg to create his motion picture “Fitzcarraldo”.
The audience follows the hardships and tirbulations of the whole cast and crew to get this project done. Obstacles and problems such as: bad climate and geographical issues, political context and tribal conflicts and tensions, logistics setbacks, recasting and scheduling drama, issues arising with the recruitment and employment of local community to help with the production etc.
Furthermore, you do witness and experience all the perseverance and discipline it takes to make a movie, all the sweat and hard labor as well as anxiety behind stunning visuals and Hollywood’s glamour and perfection. There’s also the growing frustration of Herzig himself as a result of this disasterous and challenging production as he recounts the superstitious and curse surrounding the project that was four years in the making, ever since pre-production stage.
Honestly, I haven’t enjoyed watching this documentary, however I found it to be enlightening and educational in the sense that I did learn a little bit about the reality of the film industry, the prominent character and spirit of nature in the Amazon jungle as well as the local community of native indians in the region.
(Literary Writings in ARABIC) blog: https://tasneemelsanousi.wordpress.com/
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