Change Your Image
m_galinsky
Reviews
Who Is Lydia Loveless? (2016)
initiate portrait of a song writer on the rise
Gorman Bechard is a documenter of those that history has forgotten and those it has not yet discovered. He finds creative ways of working his way into an artist's life like a puppy. Hanging around long enough to be endearing, and then long enough to become a part of the furniture. The truths start to boil to the surface and we get to see the true face of the artist. It helps that Lydia is a powerful songwriter and performer. If you haven't heard of Lydia before seeing this film, by the end you'll feel like you've known her for a very long time.
In the Hills and Hollows (2016)
A soulful look at the impact of fracking in West Virginia
Everyday we hear about the impacts of fracking as well as the need for gas and oil. In fact just today I heard a story on the radio about a family whose son was severely harmed by fracking chemicals in his bath. Films that tell these stories and bring them into the light in a thoughtful and human way are important. In the Hills and the Hollows does just that. By telling the stories of many families affected by not only fracking- but also by land use policies that remove people's rights to their own land - the film educates the audience about important issues.
More importantly though, it's just a well made film. Rather than preach about numbers, or facts, or policy, it brings us into people's lives in a way that makes us care. I very much appreciated this film.
Skips Stones for Fudge (2016)
An empathetic look at an outsider competition
I was lucky enough to see Skip Stones For Fudge at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana. I was aware of the filmmaker's previous film "Freeload" the year before. Like that film, SSFFudge treats all of the characters with respect and dignity even as they purse goals and passions outside of social norms. It's a well paced, well shot, well constructed film about a stone skipping competition- yes a stone skipping competition- which is surprisingly intense. As the skippers continue to push the envelope in their quest for ever more skips the pressure grows.Instead of focusing too much on the sport the filmmakers wisely make it about the skippers. It's a tight heartwarming romp.
Exile Nation: The Plastic People (2014)
a humane look at a relevant problem
Media that examines complexity is devastatingly important. In our current environment in which the President wants to build a massive wall and end meals on wheels because it "hasn't proved it is useful" films that deal with humans in an empathetic way is essential. A powerful film. The photographer Chris Bava makes stunning portraits and they add to the film. Understanding how people, and families, are affected by policy is necessary.