“In a way you’re on a serendipitous journey, a journey which is much more akin to the life experience. When you see somebody on the screen in a documentary, you’re really engaged with a person going through real life experiences. So for that period of time, as you watch the film, you are, in effect, in the shoes of another individual. What a privilege to have that experience.”
—Albert Maysles, documentary filmmaker
Runners Up:
– One Child Nation
– Bedlam
– The Legend of Cocaine Island
– David Crosby: Remember My Name
– Pavarotti
– Fyre
– Maiden
– Ask Dr. Ruth
– Knock Down the House
– Hail Satan?
– Apollo 11
– Penguins
– The Great Hack
– The Black Godfather
– Stuffed
TOP 5
FIVE:
MIKE WALLACE IS HERE
Using amazing archival footage, director Avi Belkin puts Mike Wallace and all of his fearlessness front and center – and in his own words tells us his evolution, his insecurities and the feeling of being unworthy. His hard-hitting, take no shit approach was refreshing, yet opened the flood gates to cheaper copycats that we hear today. This is an astounding doc about a legendary newsman who through his illustrious career altered broadcast journalism while probing relentlessly for the truth. He was the end of an era that’s in need of a big time comeback.
FOUR:
AMERICAN FACTORY
A fascinating and absolutely absorbing documentary of two worlds colliding in Dayton, OH that finds itself in a modern global economic experiment. From directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, an auto glass factory represented a bright future for American and Chinese workers, but cracks soon show as it’s a culture shock for both sides. And the mutual understanding needed doesn’t reach far enough once the endless possibilities appear restricted.
Underneath the language barriers and work ethic, there’s the ongoing tug-of-war between employee and employer, safety and profit. At the same time, it’s a remarkably revealing look at people doing the best they can at a job they can’t live without. All that we witness is compelling and complex, while the filmmakers never pick a side. That’s left up to us. Still, no matter which one we choose, this is the world we live in.
THREE:
TELL ME WHO I AM
As a teenager, Alex Lewis gets into a motorcycle accident and wakes up with no memory of his life. The only person he recognizes is his twin brother Marcus. And it’s him who fills in the pieces of Alex’s life – giving him memories of a childhood that didn’t exist. This incredibly moving story is disguised as a suspenseful mystery with dark secrets to tell.
But beyond the lies, its core is two brothers confronting child trauma and how much detriment comes from being silent. No matter how startling, complicated, and intimate this is, director Ed Perkins could’ve gone even further. It’s clear he had the subjects’ unwavering trust, albeit who needs to hear all of the dirty details? Cathartic for the twins and consuming for the audience, this devastating documentary crawls through the horror to stand up and let the healing start happening.
TWO:
REWIND
A miraculous memoir documentary that took an unimaginable amount of bravery to not only make but to share with the world. We will be forever grateful for Sasha Joseph Neulinger in doing so. Using home footage that captures the good times and the bad, he tells a stunning story of survival where trust, violation, fear, and remarkable resilience all play a pivotal part. As Neulinger retraces his steps back to his childhood days, the shocking, sadistic truths of what occurred is drawn into a painful picture. Atrocious acts that we’re doomed to be repeated. It’s a strong punch to the gut.
Through his powerful and personal telling as a victim of child sexual abuse, Neulinger has heartbreaking talks with his family that no one should have to have. And while there’s no avoiding the damage that’s been done, there’s healing that comes from saying the unspeakable. It takes the control out of Neulinger’s abusers hands and back into his where it belongs. That’s real-life heroism.
ONE:
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
An L.A. couple and their dog set out to live their dream as farmers who live off the land in this fascinating, immersive documentary about the challenges of co-existing with nature. Director John Chester allows the audience to experience his and his wife Molly’s trials and tribulations of making their farm flourish, and celebrating when one connection is made that turns one problem into a solution.
It’s sheer bliss to watch the beauty and magic of the people working with wilderness in sweet harmony as it was originally intended. Their patience may be put to the test, but what an extraordinary, eye-opening adventure this becomes as we see the land go through breathtaking changes along with the animals who bring it to life.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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