With one week left in the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival it can be a bit daunting to look at the schedule and choose some films to see. Below are my top picks and some special mentions.
Check It: Tired of being physically and verbally abused a group of LGBT youth in Washington D.C. form a gang to defend themselves, and soon the numbers grow to 200. Even the trailer is alive with their energy and defiance. Although I doubt it will be as funny, I’m picking up some serious Paris is Burning vibes.
Cheer Up: This film looks at Finland’s worst cheerleading team. Tired of losing the coach travels to Texas, USA to visit the best cheerleading team in the world. At home she begins to implement strategies to turn the team around. Although the premise sounds funny, this looks like it will be equal parts sports film and coming of age story that takes place in a country we don’t usually accord much thought to.
Diving Into the Unknown: This Finnish film looks more nail biting than most Hollywood thrillers coming out this year. After a dangerous cave dive goes wrong, a group of divers plan their mission back into the cave to recover the bodies of their two friends. The depths are dark and the stakes are high as they once again endure the waters that already took two of their group.
The Last Laugh: This film takes on the difficult subject of the Holocaust and humour. Comedians, many of them Jewish, from Mel Brooks to Sarah Silverman and real Holocaust survivors discuss when and how jokes about the Holocaust can be made, and if they can without disrespecting the history of the people who experienced those atrocities. Sure to be both funny and enlightening.
Sonita: Just the trailer for this film insights anger and pride. Sonita is an Afghan refugee living in Iran, where rap music, and female performance, is prohibited. Yet Sonita uses this musical form to address her personal and political views on being a woman in an oppressive society and to encourage other young girls to challenge the system in and out of the home.
Special Mention: Ukrainian Sheriffs will either be very depressing or very funny, possibly both; I’m willing to take that chance. The Sex Temple looks like it’ll be lots of fun, but not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m also hoping to make time for Ovarian Psycos, Raving Iran, Cheer Up, and Starless Dreams.