Documentary's You Should See

So I've just finished my semester, having taken this wonderful documnetary film class and I thought I'm share the high lights.

Gimme Shelter (1970): This film by the Maysles brothers, is about the Rolling Stones, and the time leading up to the contropversial concert they played at Atltamont stadium which resulted in the death of one of the concert goers at the hands of the Hells Angels, who the band had hired as security. Now alot is missing from this film, for example you never see any of them do drugs, drink or have sex, which lets be honest, is most of what they were doing at the time, but the heart of the films lies In the scenes where Zwerin (the films editor) is showing the band the footage of the concert. Also Tina Turner makes the sexiest cameo EVER!

Following Sean (2005): A follow up to a student film he made entitled Sean, director Ralph Arlyck uses following Sean as a way to catch up with the young boy he knew so long ago, as well as a way to talk about his own life and the experiences they share. More autobiographical then you would expect, but you can't help but be pulled in by the simple lives of these two men and the film that they first made. Try to watch Sean as well as Folowing Sean.

Wrestling With Shadows (1998): Directed by Paul Jay Wrestling with Shadows chronicles the last year of Brett "The Hitman" Hearts last year in the WWF (later the WWE) especially the months leading up to the infamous "Montreal Screwjob". Arguably not the most well made documentary, but extermly entertaining, considering the built in story line and the complexity of Hearts character.

Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003): Life and Death of a Seiral Killer is the second film Nick Broomfield did about famed female serial killer Aileen Wournos, the first being about her trial, and this the second on, about her execution. It is completly impossible to watch this film and not feel a huge amount of sympathy for Wournos. Broomfield, who clearly has a complexe relationship with Wournos (he is one of the only people that she will to see her, and the only one allowed to interview her) plays a large part in the development of the film, and becomes integral to the attempts to stay her execution. A much different portrait of Wournos then Hollywoods Monster.

Touching the Void (2003): Kevin Macdonalds film about one of the most extraordinary climbing experiences of all time, does what no film I've ever seen has ever done: managed to make dramatic recreations completly engaging and compelling. This is one of those movies where you know the ending, yet the you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. The film is the retelling of two mens attempt to climb Siula Grande when one of the men gets injured. The sound for this film is amazing, and I defy anyone not to feel every excuritating second of this film.

So those were some of my favorites! Enjoy!