You know, I think I like movies in general but I've found a real sweet spot in my heart for documentaries. I haven't seen a lot of them but nearly every one I have I've thoroughly enjoyed. I think the appeal for me is the simplicity and factual-basis of the material. There is nothing contrived, nothing scripted, per se, just reality and one author's take on it. I think of them as visual essays with interesting ideas to ponder. (If you know me, you know I like to think and understand how other people see things. It should come as no surprise that I like documentaries.) Since they are essays, this also means that though they use reality or facts to make a case or an example, they are not necessarily "true". That said, here are some of my favorites because, though I may not agree with the author's conclusion, the ideas are presented well and the films provide great food or thought and discussion.
Supersize Me You'll never look at fast-food (or eating in general) the same way. The simple premise of the author: if I were to become McDonald's favorite customer and eat their food for every meal, every day for one month, how would it effect my health? Without really giving anything away I'll tell you: not positively. Even the three or four doctors this author hires to check up on him periodically were surprised at just how bad things got. Along the way the author also looks at the food industry in the US in general and makes a good case for taking diet more seriously.
The Lost Boys of Sudan A simply remarkable film. The story of a handful of orphans from the massacre in Sudan as they make the transition to life in the US. The author's choose to tell their story by being as uninvolved in the their subject's lives as possible. They just show up with a camera and follow the guys around. The end result is quite remarkable as they are able to get footage and "inside views" that would be hard to do any other way. It takes a little getting used to (no narrator, no guide through the story) but the power of simplicity is evident when all is said and done.
For me, what was most impacting was realizing just how easy it can be to be a helpful to those who come from other cultures. The film is so well done; it is easy to empathize with these young men, fresh from the African bush, as they try to make sense of things like electric appliances and street basketball. The film makes a clear case for ministries that focus on making foreigners feel welcome here in the US. In fact, as the author's point out in their commentary, the churches in these boy's lives were the most active in helping them with getting settled in the US. Too bad more of us in the Christian faith are not involved in this way. I know there are plenty of opportunities here in Wichita that I just haven't made a priority in my life. Yet.
Touching the Void More a docu-drama than a true documentary. A true story told by the men involved in a very serious and absolutely incredible mountain climbing accident. As one of my friends put it, "I get cold just thinking about what they went through." Probably more appealing to the adventure-some male audience but pretty accessible to all.
Voices of Iraq I just saw this the other day and I can't recommend it enough. Unfortunately, distribution is pretty limited right now so, outside of Netflix, I don't know how to get a hold of it. All the footage of the film was provided through the use of ~150 digital video cameras that were distributed around the country of Iraq. Whoever ended up with the camera was encouraged to tell their story, tell people about their lives. The range of opinions and views expressed is incredible and, best of all, the story is told by Iraqis themselves. This is the story of Iraq told by Iraq.
Born Into Brothels Another great, great film. A documentary still-photographer working in the red-light district of Calcutta gets attached to some of the kids of the prostitutes and decides to teach them photography.
If you have a heart for social action and social justice, this is a good film to see. Not only is the need for involvement made clear but the difficulties presented by culture and the people in need themselves becomes evident. What happens when you try to enroll the child of a prostitute in school? What can be done for a child who's family does not recognize the value of education? The problems of "circumstance" and poor decisions cannot be more clearly demonstrated. And through it all, these unwanted children are still kids just like any others. Seeing the world through their photographs is simple wonderful.
Operation International Social Justice
ReplyDeleteA couple initial thoughts: Your post seemed to be a call to reach out to those not like you and me. Fair enough. It deserves consideration, prayer, and some sort of action. I think that it also does need to relate to justice in education; indeed, perhaps education itself should be secondary to this call to social justice.
Hmmm. I will have to think on that and pray about that.
I appreciate the call to international social justice. I think that a good deal of our discussion will be on the how to go about establishing this international social justice. Certainly, we can and we must pray. We must also give of our time, money, and energy. We must give of our hearts and emotions. We must always strive to think beyond our own world and our own situation.
These are most definately good things about which to think and pray. I am challenged. At some point, we need to have a conversation about categories. I believe that the quality of our lives and the scope of our ministries are determined by the questions we ask, the categories and metaphors we use to answer those questions, and the faith and love that we invest into acting on the knowledge that we have.
More later....