In November, the American Film Academy announced a list of 166 documentaries that will compete for the Oscar. Among the contenders is also a Ukrainian-American documentary directed by Oles Sanin and Mark Harris, “Tipping Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine.” In mid-December, a special Academy committee will narrow the field of applicants and select 15 worthy documentary works, of which five will subsequently become nominees. But no matter who the esteemed Oscar jury chooses, we have selected 10 works that are definitely worth your attention.
Will you be my neighbor? / Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Director: Morgan Neville
Millions of American children grew up watching Our Neighbor Mister Rogers, hosted by Fred Rogers. The film by Oscar winner Morgan Neville (“Two Steps from Glory”) features memoirs and interviews with Rogers’ relatives, archival materials and the story of the kindest man in America. After all, it was Fred who, in a humorous manner, raised complex issues that adults usually kept silent or did not know how to explain to children. For example, what is war, divorce, etc.
RBG / RBG
Directors: Julie Cohen, Betsy West
RBG are the initials of one of the most influential women in America, the second female Supreme Court justice in US history, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Documentary filmmakers conduct a series of interviews with Justice Ginsburg and explore the phenomenon of her popularity in modern culture. The film also shows her as a wife, mother and just a woman.
McQueen
Directors: Ian Bonhote, Peter Ettedgui
The star of British designer Lee Alexander McQueen burst brightly on the horizon in the mid-90s and tragically ended in 2010, when he was found hanged in his own apartment. If you’ve seen Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video, then those frilly outfits, makeup and boots are his work. The film not only contains archival footage of screenings, family recordings and interviews, but also a stunning visual frame, divided into parts. And the film is accompanied by a magnificent musical score by Michael Nyman (“Piano”).
Three Identical Strangers
Director: Tim Wardle
Thanks to an incredible coincidence, three strangers learned that they were born triplets. But at birth they were separated and given to different foster families. Their story instantly became a sensation and turned the guys into stars. However, along with the fame, the terrifying truth about the psychological experiment to separate families was revealed.
Free climb alone / Free Solo
Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasareli
The film shows the unique life story of American Alex Honnold. It was he who was the first in the history of rock climbing to make a high-speed ascent to the top of Mount El Capitan without belay or rope.
Fahrenheit 11/9 / Fahrenheit 11/9
Director: Michael Moore
The director of the film, Michael Moore, is a famous documentarian working in the genre of sharp social and political satire, as well as a winner of various awards – from the Oscar to the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. If his film “Fahrenheit 9/11” gave a caustic characterization of the presidency of George W. Bush, then in the sequel the documentarian goes through Donald Trump with a steamroller.
Whitney
Director: Kevin McDonald
The story of Whitney Houston is not only about songs that conquered the charts, a charming voice and a success story, but also one of the most tragic destinies in American show business. Drug addiction, a painful marriage with singer Bobby Brown, who suffered from alcohol and drug addiction and repeatedly beat his wife, as well as childhood violence.
Closing the Gap
Director: Bing Liu
A documentary about the relationship between three skateboarding friends from the Rust Belt. This is the name of the part of the Midwest and East Coast of the United States in which steel production and other heavy industries were concentrated from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution until the 1970s. Since childhood, Bing Liu loved to make short videos about the antics of his comrades. An entire film subsequently grew from this idea.
Truants / Shirkers
Director: Sandy Tan
In 1992, Sandy Tan and her friends Jasmine and Sophie, while studying at film school, made a film under the direction of their mentor George Cardone. But for unknown reasons, Cardon disappeared along with all the materials. 20 years later, Sandy receives a letter from George’s widow, who reports that she still has tapes of the unfinished film, but without the sound. Sandy decides to follow through.
Crime + Punishment
Director: Stephen T. Mahing
Documentary chronicle of how a group of New York City officers risk everything to expose illegal activities and corruption in police departments. Events cover the period between 2014-2017. The film deals with such high-profile events as the death of Eric Garner and the riots in Ferguson.