After getting over a sudden and most unwelcome case of Manflu, my next festival outing is a bit more productive - and a damn sight more enjoyable!
Three wildly diverse topics in the documentaries that I picked for viewing today. From an absorbing look into the inner machinations of the church of Scientology, then to a very personal overview of the effect of life in Iraq in the last century, ending with a great, funny and candid look at how two seemingly mismatched guys without any real concrete plans, made an ugly bunch of Londoners into the world class rock band The WHO.
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
Wow! what a stunning revelatory document this is, giving us an unprecedented insiders view of exactly how the Church of Scientology operates. Getting in seems to offer the unwary and naive a potential panacea to all their worldly burdens, a place where they will be welcomed, accepted, cherished, and thrive in this new found heaven on earth.
Except the real script doesn't quite read like that...
Not when you have former high profile celebrities and high ranking apostates who are incredibly courageous in revealing why the church is so secretive and protective of its controversial policies and for its extremely questionable processes for dealing with anyone outside the church.
The combined testimonies of their personal experiences (from both the victims and the perpetrators) give serious credence to the idea that this group's actual philosophy now is the only real common denominator that transcends all borders - money. And the active pursuit of it. If people threaten to leave, then they hold the countless hours of very personal taped 'audit sessions' against them. This is suggested as a possible reason why they continue to have a stranglehold on their prize celebrity, the mega-grinning Hollywood superstar Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
It's no surprise then to hear that the church has come out all guns blazing, denouncing this documentary and seriously attacking director Alex Gibney. Sadly though, you know the people who most need to watch this are gonna be the ones that will be barred from doing so - their current followers.
Why on earth you would want to join this bunch of money grabbing fruit loops is beyond me! There are far better religions to be involved with, many that will not enslave you or degrade your sense of self-worth.
...................................................................................................................................................................
IRAQ ODYSSEY 3D
This movie has provided me with perhaps my most personal and intimate festival experience that I have ever encountered. I had no idea it was happening until midway through when I began to pay a little attention to the trio next to me. I could tell that they were possibly from the middle east when they sat down, but other than your usual reserved ever so slightly awkward kiwi-ish kinda greeting acknowledgement, I left them to it. It was after hearing one of the main characters talking of one of her recollections, that my moment of clarity happened.
I'm actually sitting next to this incredible woman (Samira) who is also appearing many times onscreen! She has seen and experienced things that most of us never will in our lifetimes.
What an incredible story her nephew Samir has constructed, framing it with the effect it has had on his extended generational family group who, as a consequence of successive oppressive governments, dictators and foreign occupation that have severely blighted this once prosperous and proud nation, no longer live there.
I suggested to Samira and her daughter afterwards that the people who would most benefit from seeing this rare documentary would be the Iraqi people, but sadly both agreed that as of right now, this is not even remotely possible. Maybe in 2-3 generations Samira thought might be a more realistic time frame.
Thank you Samira and your wonderful extended family for sharing these compelling but very human tales of the life of being an expatriate, when clearly, if all was well in Iraq, you would seriously consider returning to your beloved country.
...................................................................................................................................................................
LAMBERT AND STAMP
Confession, yes, I am a big fan of The WHO, so when I saw (rather happily I should add!) that this was going to be on of the films on offer, it was a 'no-brainer' as to my attendance. Whichever session worked in best in my schedule, I made damn sure I wasn't going to miss this one.
Was it worth it? Of course! It's the mighty WHO! How could it not fail to be anything other than funny, entertaining, insightful. revealing, dramatic, comedic, uncensored?
"Lambert and Stamp" tracks how two seemingly mismatched lads met one day in a coffee shop, got yakking, then decided they were going to be filmmakers. All they needed was an up and coming band to be the central focus for this new found project. Neither party could have fully understood the potential ramifications of this fledgling alliance that gave birth to one of the worlds most enduring and loved rock bands.
Sadly Kit Lambert is long deceased, but the footage reveals an incredible character, who fully devoted himself into making the Who something quite special. It's entirely conceivable that "Tommy" might not have ever happened were it not for both Lambert's own musical failings (his father was British conductor/composer Constant Lambert) and his drive to get Pete Townsend to create a piece that was way beyond the three minute pop structures of the times.
Chris Stamp though, is a real character and a half! A witty raconteur, regaling us with the many tales of life with both Lambert and the combustible personalities that were the WHO.
If your a WHO fan, it's unmissable, if you're just a fan of a tale well told, it's still a bloody good yarn!
Three wildly diverse topics in the documentaries that I picked for viewing today. From an absorbing look into the inner machinations of the church of Scientology, then to a very personal overview of the effect of life in Iraq in the last century, ending with a great, funny and candid look at how two seemingly mismatched guys without any real concrete plans, made an ugly bunch of Londoners into the world class rock band The WHO.
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
 |
| What will it be suckers! Your money? Or our lies! You decide! You have the freedom to choose! (er no - they don't...) |
Wow! what a stunning revelatory document this is, giving us an unprecedented insiders view of exactly how the Church of Scientology operates. Getting in seems to offer the unwary and naive a potential panacea to all their worldly burdens, a place where they will be welcomed, accepted, cherished, and thrive in this new found heaven on earth.
Except the real script doesn't quite read like that...
Not when you have former high profile celebrities and high ranking apostates who are incredibly courageous in revealing why the church is so secretive and protective of its controversial policies and for its extremely questionable processes for dealing with anyone outside the church.
The combined testimonies of their personal experiences (from both the victims and the perpetrators) give serious credence to the idea that this group's actual philosophy now is the only real common denominator that transcends all borders - money. And the active pursuit of it. If people threaten to leave, then they hold the countless hours of very personal taped 'audit sessions' against them. This is suggested as a possible reason why they continue to have a stranglehold on their prize celebrity, the mega-grinning Hollywood superstar Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
It's no surprise then to hear that the church has come out all guns blazing, denouncing this documentary and seriously attacking director Alex Gibney. Sadly though, you know the people who most need to watch this are gonna be the ones that will be barred from doing so - their current followers.
Why on earth you would want to join this bunch of money grabbing fruit loops is beyond me! There are far better religions to be involved with, many that will not enslave you or degrade your sense of self-worth.
...................................................................................................................................................................
IRAQ ODYSSEY 3D
This movie has provided me with perhaps my most personal and intimate festival experience that I have ever encountered. I had no idea it was happening until midway through when I began to pay a little attention to the trio next to me. I could tell that they were possibly from the middle east when they sat down, but other than your usual reserved ever so slightly awkward kiwi-ish kinda greeting acknowledgement, I left them to it. It was after hearing one of the main characters talking of one of her recollections, that my moment of clarity happened.
I'm actually sitting next to this incredible woman (Samira) who is also appearing many times onscreen! She has seen and experienced things that most of us never will in our lifetimes.
What an incredible story her nephew Samir has constructed, framing it with the effect it has had on his extended generational family group who, as a consequence of successive oppressive governments, dictators and foreign occupation that have severely blighted this once prosperous and proud nation, no longer live there.
I suggested to Samira and her daughter afterwards that the people who would most benefit from seeing this rare documentary would be the Iraqi people, but sadly both agreed that as of right now, this is not even remotely possible. Maybe in 2-3 generations Samira thought might be a more realistic time frame.
Thank you Samira and your wonderful extended family for sharing these compelling but very human tales of the life of being an expatriate, when clearly, if all was well in Iraq, you would seriously consider returning to your beloved country.
...................................................................................................................................................................
LAMBERT AND STAMP
Confession, yes, I am a big fan of The WHO, so when I saw (rather happily I should add!) that this was going to be on of the films on offer, it was a 'no-brainer' as to my attendance. Whichever session worked in best in my schedule, I made damn sure I wasn't going to miss this one.
Was it worth it? Of course! It's the mighty WHO! How could it not fail to be anything other than funny, entertaining, insightful. revealing, dramatic, comedic, uncensored?
"Lambert and Stamp" tracks how two seemingly mismatched lads met one day in a coffee shop, got yakking, then decided they were going to be filmmakers. All they needed was an up and coming band to be the central focus for this new found project. Neither party could have fully understood the potential ramifications of this fledgling alliance that gave birth to one of the worlds most enduring and loved rock bands.
Sadly Kit Lambert is long deceased, but the footage reveals an incredible character, who fully devoted himself into making the Who something quite special. It's entirely conceivable that "Tommy" might not have ever happened were it not for both Lambert's own musical failings (his father was British conductor/composer Constant Lambert) and his drive to get Pete Townsend to create a piece that was way beyond the three minute pop structures of the times.
Chris Stamp though, is a real character and a half! A witty raconteur, regaling us with the many tales of life with both Lambert and the combustible personalities that were the WHO.
If your a WHO fan, it's unmissable, if you're just a fan of a tale well told, it's still a bloody good yarn!
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