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This Month
May 2006
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FootCred & Shayda
FootCred seemed good except I couldn't hear it properly.  Bad sound was problem that plagued more than one doc I saw.  I'm not sure why this doc wasn't mixed better since it was a completely studio product.  Documentary makers please do not under estimate the importance of audio quality.

Shayda
Excellent doc!  This was a compelling story of an Arab-Israeli (an Arab Muslim who holds an Israeli passport) young woman Shayda who competes in Karate championships with the Israeli team.  Shayda faces personal decisions as she tries to continue Karate after she marries.  A very personal examination of many issues - the treatment of Arab-Israelis, and the role of women in an Arab-Israeli family.  Highly recommended!

Maquiapolis: City of Factories
Excellent doc!  This doc covered the women who work in the Maquiapolis - the factories on the Mexican side of the US - Mexican border.  Under NAFTA raw materials can be imported into Mexico and finished goods exported out.  The jobs are well paid for Mexico but the local conditions in Tijauna are terrible.  The doc used footage recorded by the women themselves which was excellent.  This doc had an excellent soundtrack.  Two docs from Mexico in 2 days and both had great soundtracks.  Highly recommended.



Once in a Lifetime
Its always good to see at least one sports documentary at Hot Docs.  Once in a Lifetime describes the rise of the New York Cosmos and its star player Pele from Brazil.  I really enjoyed the watching the footage of Pele playing, he was an incredible soccer player.
This doc was fun to watch and had a great soundtrack.  Its an interesting story to see how Warner basically bought a winning team, a practice that was frowned upon at the time but regularly done now.  Enjoyable doc.  Watch for it in wide release.

Total Denial
This doc explores the human rights violations committed by the Burmese military while an oil pipeline was being built through Burma.  The oil companies chose to use the military for security in a country ruled by dictatorship.  The doc follows how the Burmese human rights activists successfully sued a US company for compensation.  Excellent doc, well made and tells the story excellently.  Highly recommended.

In The Pit
This doc examines the building of a bridge in Mexico City.  Imagine building the Gardiner expressway over a city 10 times the size of Toronto.  This was a great doc.  Particularly excellent sound track and the last five minutes of a continuous shot over the near completed bridge was amazing.  Highly recommended.