Toronto – Surely by now you have heard the collective buzz that is going around. It’s the last weekend of Hot Docs. Have you had been hit with the films of truth yet? If not, you should check out some of these flicks this weekend.
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey
Fri, May 6 7:15 PM @ Isabel Bader Theatre
Sat, May 7 7:15 PM @ Isabel Bader Theatre
Sun, May 8 4:30 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
A fun and happy documentary that is as much a tribute to Jim Henson and Sesame Street as it is a tale about a young boy who dreams of becoming a puppeteer. It’ll be like the dessert after your meals of harsh truthful films. Who doesn’t love Elmo? Certainly not Ricky Gervais:
Senna
Fri, May 6 9:00 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
A rip roaring documentary about the life of Ayrton Senna, who died tragically in a F1 race in 1994. This Brazillian driver is still revered in the motor racing world nearly twenty years after his death due to his personality, flamboyancy and skill. All fans of racing will want to check it out.
Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour
Friday May 6 9:30 @ Tiff Bell Lightbox 3
One of the better rockumentaries out there, check out iconic electrolash band Le Tigre as they go on their final tour. If you are a music fan, you have to see this. My review here.
Restrepo
Saturday May 7 3:00 PM @ Tiff Bell Lightbox 1
The death of Tim Hetherington in Libya on April 20th has stunned the documentary community. In tribute of their fallen comrade, Hot Docs will be airing a special screening of his esteemed documentary Restrepo, a documentary about the Afghanistan war. Gary wrote a review about it here.
The Chocolate Farmer
Sat, May 7 7:15 PM @ Cumberland 2
Sun, May 8 1:15 PM @ The ROM Theatre
This film from filmaker Rohan Fernando will make you think twice the next time you gaze upon your hot chocolate. This beautifully shot film takes you into the heart of Belize to meet a Eladio, a chocolate farmer who farms on a little plot of land. As with a lot of films about indigenous people, it’s a film about the struggle these proud people go through to adapt to the rapidly changing land and culture around them.
Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
Sat, May 7 9:00 PM @ Bloor Cinema
An amazing documentary that combs the Swedish video archives for exceptional footage about the civil rights movement in the United States in the 60s/70s. Highly recommended. Read my review here.
There are many more great docs out there, go out and explore!
