American Fugitive
An interesting doc about Hassan, an African American, who assassinated an Iranian official of the Shah's regime just after the Iranian revolution and then fled to Iran. The doc looks at the political theories that the US government started to cooperate with the Revolutionary Iranian government in secret to secure the freedom of the American hostages in Tehran the day of Reagan's swearing in ceremony. An interesting aspect of this doc is that it looks at what the Islamic revolution of Iran would have meant for African Americans who had joined the Nation of Islam. This documentary was one of the best that I have seen at HotDocs in terms of its editing, presentation and story. The film maker was Jean-Daniel Lafonde, husband of our current Governor General.
Alimentation General
Ali runs a small grocery store in an apartment block in suburban Paris. Alimentation General presents life in Ali's shop to us over the days. We meet all the children, who Ali greets by name, as they buy his penny candy and the elderly women who sit and have coffee with Ali. He then sends his assistant with them to carry their groceries home. Alimentation General really illustrates how a small commercial centre is critical to creating a sense of community. This doc was timely to watch with the riots that happened in Paris last November. I really enjoy this style of documentary. The film maker took 60 hours of footage and reduced it to 1.5 hours of a doc. She filmed conversations rather than directing a series of interviews.
Bombay Calling
Bombay Calling was an almost sold out show at the Bloor. The film makers were there and seemed to have brought an extra large group of guests because about six rows were reserved. It was initially hard to find a seat!
I thought I would really enjoy this doc as the topic material is interesting. Call Centres are huge business in Bombay as young Indian graduates get good jobs with the only requirement being the ability to speak English. The doc focused on one call centre and we got to know a few of its employees. The film makers showed some scenes of Bombay in an attempt to contrast its poverty with its small but growing middle class. I think the doc should have had a stronger contrast or should have followed fewer call centre employees to have a stronger focus. This was a great material but the film makers needed to have tighter editing to create a great doc.