September 7th 2024
A Horse Named Winx
In Restless Dreams (streaming on DocPlay)
Origin (streaming on Foxtel)
An excellent new Aussie documentary is in cinemas, while my other two films reviewed are to be found on streaming channels. Remember, documentary lovers, DocPlay costs less than the price of two cups of coffee per month, and has all the docos you'd ever be able to watch in a lifetime!
A Horse Named Winx
Dir: Janine Hosking
Length: 117 mins
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© Transmission - surprisingly excellent doco
on the best racehorse ever |
I've never had an iota of interest in horse-racing, but this beautifully produced documentary drew me in and held me spellbound throughout. The doco traces the life of the record-breaking mare Winx, considered the greatest racehorse ever, through the eyes of the humans who were closest to her. We meet the hopeful buyers of the young foal, then her dedicated trainer Chris Waller, and of course her jockey Hugh Bowman. Surprisingly there is also much drama throughout, not just in watching each race, where the mare often hit the front after being stuck behind the pack. No-one imagined a horse could win the Cox Plate four times, but, to everyone's astonishment Winx just kept delivering. After her retirement, the mare showed she had as much determination off the racecourse, as she battled severe illness and pulled though. The doco certainly gave me a deep insight into how much time, effort (and money!) goes into making a horse a winner, and of course it showcases the absolute beauty of these magnificent animals. All of this makes for both inspiring and moving viewing, in a story that actually transcends sport, and speaks to the power of perseverance, faith and commitment.4 - highly recommended
In Restless Dreams
Dir: Alex Gibney
Length: 216 mins
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© DocPlay -Paul Simon's genius showcased -
a must for lovers of music |
Now there's a photo to bring back memories! This documentary is predominantly about the music and creative genius of Paul Simon. However any telling of his story cannot exclude the fabulous duo that were Simon and Garfunkel, the folksy-turned-mainstream phenomenon of the late 1960s. You can see the runtime is ultra-long, yet for a diehard Simon fan like me, the entire film had me spellbound. The timeline moves between recent times when Simon was composing his latest album Seven Psalms (released last year), and the 1960s, beginning with his friendship with Art when they were 10-year-old boys, and inspired by the Everly Brothers to sing harmony. With so much footage of Simon's creative process, especially as he collaborates with other musos in his latest venture, this doco is an incredible insight into a songwriter's mind and methodology. The film is also a far-reaching tribute to an extraordinary collection of songs that not only feature great melodies, but have lyrics that resonate with one for a lifetime. Gibney, veteran director of countless insightful documentaries, has assembled a stunning array of footage, and uses it creatively with the music, as Simon's six-decade career is honoured. Fans of Simon solo, and of the wonderful duo, should not miss this one. 4.5 - wholeheartedly recommended
Origin
Dir: Ava Duvernay
Length: 141 mins
Streaming on Foxtel
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© - wonderfully engaging handing of
some pretty heavy subject matter |
In 2023 author Isabel Wilkerson wrote Caste: The Origin of our Discontent, in which she challenged traditional ideas of racism and bigotry, proposing that oppression may be more about a caste system than something based upon race. After all, Indians are all the same race yet the caste system rules. And caste is all about slotting people into certain immutable stations in life and on this basis treating them accordingly. Hence Jews in Nazi Germany were treated as a lower caste, as are coloreds in America, so she posits. It's hard to imagine making a film about such conceptual ideas, but this story of Masterson's life and ideas is beautifully executed with Aunjanue Elllis-Taylor magnificent in the lead role. Wilkerson used stories and examples from American history, from Nazi Germany and from India, with the film episodically recreating these stories and interspersing them into the narrative of Wilkerson's life, which had many tragedies. Jon Berthal shines in the role of her husband Brett, a white man who exemplified lack of bigotry. This award-winning film is unafraid to tackle really large questions, but not in an overtly academic way. It is deep intellectually, and yet manages to remain constantly engaging and so emotionally powerful. Truly a worthwhile film to get your hands and eyes on.4 - highly recommended
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