Change Your Image
jihhwood
Reviews
Bach of the Antarctic (2009)
Off-beat but timely
OK, so you found your way to a strange video with an odd title. Well, be advised: the video is more than that. If you've ever watched a documentary on the History Channel or the Discovery Channel, you'll recognize and appreciate exactly what this video does. By revealing startling and ground-breaking historical information in a way that is compelling, it will make you re-think what you've always believed -- not only about Bach, but about historical documentaries as a genre. Ancient Aliens may have been responsible for the Egyptian pyramids, the Mayan calendar, and the Masonic symbols hidden on the dollar bill, but those historical facts are almost nothing compared with the discovery reported and supported in this video. It's time to open your mind, to believe what may have been, and to trust the experts who know far more than we ever can. Most important, it's time to appreciate Bach for more than his music.
Art/Work (2006)
Nicely done interview piece
For a brief video, the creators manage to do a great deal. Each interviewee is shown performing his/her "day job" -- for example, a dancer is shown working as a wait-person to make ends meet. This visual is silent, but accompanied by an audio overlay of the person speaking about his/her dilemma as an artist. These "self-commentaries" are thoughtful and candid. In their own way they are both moving and informative. The two together (silent video and voice overlay) create a wonderfully, almost-complete "picture" of the interviewee. Where appropriate, music is introduced to add further interest. Note that at no point is the voice of the interviewer heard. Each person just presents the story that is their life. No one is maudlin. No one is naive. All the artists interviewed are serious, but realistic. In general, I would say there was a terrific level of enthusiasm, intelligence, and sensitivity that went into making this film. Perfect it's not. But it's a damn-sight better than a lot of other videos I've seen on this kind of topic.
The American War (2011)
A model documentary in almost all respects.
This documentary is as close to perfect as any filmmaker could make it. Production values are strong throughout. Visually and in other ways (excellent sound, for example), the film is second to none. Effective camera techniques add to the impact of the film. The filmmakers make outstanding use of archival footage as well as taped interviews with contemporary people whose knowledge of Viet Nam and experiences with the Vietnamese people are presented simply and effectively. Brief, "Q&A"-type Interviews with American young adults and others are extraordinarily well done, well chosen, and well integrated into the film. I could not imagine a documentary of this type having more impact than this one. Nevertheless, there are flaws, in my judgment, though these may be more a matter of personal taste than anything else. Judicious editing of some of the rather self-indulgent scenes involving one "on-screen" persona (Trent) would have strengthened the film slightly. On the other hand, I was moved by the candor and utter honesty of the woman who directs the film (Miaken). In sum, this film demands your attention and that of a wide audience.
The Gift (2007)
A woman and her grandson pass a "low key" day together, but a great deal happens.
Nicely done video essay. Simple and touching. None of the events in the story are themselves of any great importance. But they add up to more than might be expected. Interesting that there are only two characters, and they do not speak with each other, although one of them is heard speaking in the film. The interactions that occur between them are visual, and carry real punch. High production and aesthetic standards are maintained throughout. The background music chosen for the film is more than it seems. It carries its own message and adds a great deal to the film. The video shows, in an inspiring way for all would-be video-makers, how much can be done with relatively little.