It’s nearly Oscar time and I’ve now watched all of the Documentary Short Films before the big event on March 10th. Here are my reviews of the films:
The Oscar nominees:
- THE ABCS OF BOOK BANNING – Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
- THE BARBER OF LITTLE ROCK – John Hoffman and Christine Turner
- ISLAND IN BETWEEN – S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
- THE LAST REPAIR SHOP – Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
- NǍI NAI & WÀI PÓ – Sean Wang and Sam Davis
The ABCs of Book Banning
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
US School children review and comment on a set of the books “Restricted”, “Challenged” or “Banned” in US schools.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a PG. This is actually marked as a “12” on Paramount Plus… which kind of makes a mockery of the subject matter! ).
Talent:
Directed by: Sheila Nevins, Trish Adlesic & Nazenet Habtezghi.
Running Time: 27m
“The ABCs of Book Banning” Review:
This documentary provides a powerful campaign to point out the ludicrous action of banning books in American schools. When books like “The Hobbit” and the “Life of Rosa Parks” are on the list, it really boggles the mind. The film has a set of very erudite children being given the banned bookes to read and giving their views. Mostly it is bemused bafflement! My main criticism here is that the documentary is completely one-sided. The kids are asking “BUT WHY are the school boards banning this book about two gay Dad penguins raising a chick?”. And, YES, I wanted the answer to that too! But it never comes from this film.
It is a very topical and hard hitting subject though, and I think it will resonate with the more left-leaning Academy members. So for that reason, I think this is in my top two list of the films that I will consider for my “Will Win” Oscar film.
Trailer for “The ABCs of Book Banning”
The trailer for “The ABCs of Book Banning” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaZ2bLwaeA.
At the time of writing the whole film is available to stream on Paramount+.
The Last Repair Shop
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Four unsung heroes devote themselves to repairing musical instruments to bring music and hope to impoverished kids across LA. Each has their own story to tell as to how they got there.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: TV-PG. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a PG. ).
Talent:
Directed by: Kris Bowers & Ben Proudfoot.
“The Last Repair Shop” Review:
This one (distributed by Searchlight Pictures, so it powerfully has the 20th Century Fox fanfare at the start) stands out as having the highest production values of all of the Oscar Documentary shorts. And it really hits the touchy-feels with the background stories of the repair shop workers as well as touching portrayals of how much the school-kids they help value their musical instruments. The whole thing is rounded off with an especially composed orchestral pieces played by an orchestra including the repairers and the students that we have seen. It’s a really feel-good ending.
Particularly as this one is set in LA, I think it stands a good chance of picking up the Oscar.
Trailer for “The Last Repair Shop”
The trailer for “The Last Repair Shop” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSLeqTWasO8 .
At the time of writing, the whole film is streaming on Disney+.
Nai Nai & Wài Pó
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Chang Li Hua (“Wài Pó”) is 83 but feels like 20. Yi Yan Feui (“Nai Nai”) is 94 but feels like 100! The quirky pair of in-laws live together, farting a lot and dancing and joking with each other to ward off the effects of old-age.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a PG. ).
Talent:
Directed by: Sean Wang.
Running Time: 17m.
“Nai Nai & Wài Pó” Review:
They say that you can never observe anything without changing it and that is surely the curse of the documentary maker! Here, a relative of the old dynamic duo (presumably the director, Sean Wang) visits their home and as a result the pair goof around to the camera in an endearing manner. It’s an ordinary life, but one with shades of darkness in the past and of hope and realism for the limited time they have left. “While I’m alive I’m going to live happily. And if I die, I’ll have no regrets.” What a good motto for life!
The film also closes with a snort-worthy line as the relative leaves that I personally loved.
Trailer for “Nai Nai & Wài Pó”
A clip from “Nai Nai & Wài Pó” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlyYimV6Qqw.
At the time of writing, the film is available to stream on Disney+.
The Barber of Little Rock
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Arlo Washington is a barber in Little Rock whose mission is to reduce the wealth gap between rich and poor. As well as running the Washington Barber College, giving black kids a real skill they can turn into a trade, the self-styled entrepreneur started Arkansas’s first black-owned Community Bank. Think “The Bank of Dave” but Little Rock-style.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a PG.).
Talent:
Directed by: John Hoffman & Christine Turner.
Running Time: 35m.
“The Barber of Little Rock” Review:
I mean, honestly… the Democratic party could do worse than putting Arlo Washington forward for President instead of Joe Biden. What an inspirational guy! In the same way that Dave Fishwick changed the opportunity landscape for the small business owners in Burnley, Arlo has done the same for the poor black communities of Little Rock. A stark statistic is presented at the end of the film: that the average white household is seven times more affluent than the average black household, with that gap widening.
Given that the Academy tend to be more left-leaning in their views and given the feelgood nature of many of the stories in this documentary, this one feels like it might have legs for the win as well! Oh no… decisions, decisions!
Trailer for “The Barber of Little Rock”
The trailer for “The Barber of Little Rock” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRDems-XacU.
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1amOPUn49aM (embedded below).
Island in Between
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Film-maker S. Leo Chiang reflects on his relationship with Taiwan, the United States and China from the islands of Kinmen, just a few miles from mainland China.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but would think it would be a PG. ).
Talent:
Directed by: S. Leo Chiang.
Written by: S. Leo Chiang & David Teague.
Running Time: 20m.
“Island in Between” Review:
Good documentaries should lift a veil and educate you on a subject that you know nothing about, and this one did just that. I was aware of the territorial dispute between China and Taiwan, but never appreciated the detail behind it. I was completely unaware that Taiwan owned the islands of Kinmen, literally within viewing distance of the Chinese city of Xiamen. They even blast propaganda information and music across the strait using a huge stack of speakers: provocation or what?!! I also didn’t appreciate that the Taiwanese have been brought up to believe that they are “Free China” and that they used to believe that one day they would retake the Chinese mainland! Fascinating stuff.
After the first 10 minutes we descend into a number of separate vignettes, which whilst interesting never quite grabbed my attention in the same way as that opening. For that reason, I don’t think this one will win the Oscar. However, this is a well made documentary and is a recommended view, particularly as (currently) it can be viewed for free on Youtube (see link below).
Trailer for “Island in Between”
The trailer for “Island in Between” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQzMHWnJ9FQ.
And (at the time of writing) the whole film could be viewed on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DefVP0mkHZY (and embedded below).
Who Will Win and Who Should Win?
Man, this is a difficult one to call. The one that touched and surprised me the most was “The Barber of Little Rock”, because it turned the spotlight on someone who should be celebrated for a life well lived. However, I don’t think that will win. I think that Oscar honour will go to either “The ABCs of Book Burning” or “The Last Repair Shop” and at the moment I’m really in two minds about that. I will ponder on it some more until I post my Oscar predictions at the weekend.
