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Hot Docs Day Three!

Considering this is only the first weekend and third full day of screenings at Hot Docs, the Sunday schedule is remarkably weak. Or perhaps my taste is terrible? Either way, instead of going to screenings I spent the day drinking vodka and lemonade with a friend, then vodka and whatever in the park, then some wine in whatever club for whatever festival party that was. I extracted myself just in time to race down to the Bloor to catch The Fall at midnight. When I take my seat in the theatre I realize I am, unsurprisingly, wasted. I have to summon all of my strength to keep from shouting at the screen during The Fall. It is not even that its a bad movie! In fact, its a terrific time capsule of sixties radicalism. But holy shit, do I hate the director.

The film, shot over 1967 and 68 in and around New York City, features Robert Kennedy, Stokely Carmichael, The Deconstructivists, and other remarkable artists and figures of sixties radicalism. The mod pastiche structure of the film is interesting to begin with, but filmmaker Peter Whitehead inserts himself into the film often and unnecessarily. Yes, you are very cool with your long golden locks and your cool naked girlfriend. Unfortunately, the narrative he imposes into the film comes off as clumsy, narcissistic , and loaded with cues that reinforce race and gender stereotypes aplenty. There is more than enough terrific rare footage in this film to make it worth seeing, but be on guard when you do so you can be reminded that middleclass 'radicals' were self-serving and morally bankrupt jerk offs.

Bed time!

Posted on 04/23/08 by: Aaron 04:35 PM