If you’re anything like me you have probably never heard of M.K.O. Abiola, the man who won the democratic elections in Nigeria in 1993, (due to the military regime not wanting to give up power was never recognised by them as being president), and you will not have heard of his wife Kudirat (one of M.K.O.’s 4 wives) who upon his post-election imprisonment took over the pro-democracy campaign until she, like her husband, was killed. Continue reading
documentary
Finding Vivian Maier
In 2007 John Maloof bid on a box of negatives looking for some photos to accompany a history book he was writing, what he unwittingly discovered was some of the work of an unknown street photographer called Vivian Maier. Continue reading
The Dog
This documentary is about John Wojtowicz; who? The guy that Al Pacino played in Dog Day Afternoon (and if you are still asking who? stop reading this and go rent it right now).
John is famous for holding up a bank to pay for his lover’s sex change operation – and playing up to the media and the police the whole time. Continue reading
Vessel
Dr. Rebecca Gomperts sails a ship around the world, providing abortions at sea for women with no legal alternative. Because the ship is registered in a country where abortion is legal, Norway, as long as she moors in international waters she can offer women from countries where abortion is illegal or difficult to access the ability to take control of their own lives and fertility. Continue reading
Pulp: a Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets
This is a bit of a love letter to Pulp and Sheffield. It’s funny and quirky and there are quite minimal talking heads with the band members themselves. Continue reading
Mistaken For Strangers
This is a film by Tom Berninger, you don’t know him, but you might know his older brother Matt who is the lead singer of indie rock band The National. Ostensibly a documentary about The National, the film is actually about Tom; his search for meaning, purpose, and his own success in the shadow of his older taller more popular brother Matt. Continue reading
Teenage
At just 78 minutes this film fair flies by; it sets such a glorious pace that you are whirled through the first half of the 20th century with barely time to blink before writer/director Matt Wolf grabs your hand and spins you around once more. Continue reading
Hasta La Vista (Come as You Are)
I had a real sense of déjà vu as I first got stuck into this film by Geoffrey Enthoven and when I read the press notes I realised it was because this film is based on the real life experiences of one Asta Philpot which the BBC made into a documentary a few years back. Born with a lifelong condition that causes joint contractures before birth Asta is a strident campaigner for the rights of people with disabilities to enjoy an active sex life. Continue reading
Smells like Fox’s glacier mints – The Thorn in the Heart
Michel Gondry is a French director of one of my favourite films; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He has made this wonderful documentary about his aunt, the matriarch of the Gondry clan. Continue reading
Smells like Doors are on fire – When You’re Strange
This is a lively fresh paced film by Tom DiCillo. As documentaries go it manages to show off how amazing the band were without descending into blind hero worship. Continue reading
siren lane 