This past year there was a bumper crop of powerful enlightening documentaries to screen.
In fact, at every Film Festival I attended this year – three over the summer months in the Los Angeles area – a handful of docs were presented which resonated with filmgoers thoroughly.
In the old days (my youth) the documentary was usually a dreary poorly-produced production, which focused on social issues for teens such as the horrors of VD, the humiliation of being busted on lover’s land for a DUI after some heavy-duty petting and necking the back seat of a car, you name it.
Today, documentaries are slick – with solid production values - and put the spotlight on a myriad of subjects.
Unlike yesteryear, the doc is capable of competing with feature films at the box office today, thanks to pioneers in the field such as Michael Moore, Martin Scorsese, and others.
In fact, a well-received documentary often turns out to be a stepping-stone for filmmakers anxious to get their foot in the door with studios and independent film producers with a high-profile in the industry.
Now that the Oscars are on the horizon, Academy members are in the trenches ferreting out hopefuls that are worthy to compete in the upcoming race in the documentary field.
According to insiders at the Academy, a short list has been rustled up in recent days, which includes “Bully”, “How to Survive a Plague”, and “The Imposter”.
A few serious contenders are biting at their heels such as “The Invisible War” (loved it!), Ethel (a love letter from Dory Kennedy to her parents), Searching for Sugar Man (a favorite of filmgoers at festivals this past year) and Chasing Ice (a film about global warming).
I was saddened by the fact that “Queen of Versailles” wasn't in the running because I found it to be a vastly entertaining insightful doc (about a wealthy couple who set out to build their dream home – and get waylaid – when the economic crisis of a couple of years ago pulls the royal red carpet out-from-under them).
When the nominees for docs are announced in January 2013, I’ll be saying a prayer for “The Invisible War” (on the gripping subject of rape in the military).
How ‘bout you?
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