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Saturday 4 April 2015

The Underdog Awards 2015: Part 2



The Underdog Awards

Best Documentary Feature/Best Foreign Language Film




Welcome to the Second Annual Underdog Awards!

The first awards we will begin with are for the feature film category.

Every year the Academy Awards tons of great Documentaries and Foreign films, so why should the Underdog Awards stay behind?

I'd like to first give a special mention to the documentary Life Itself based on the life and times of renowned critic Roger Ebert. I was sadly unable to watch this gem, which was lauded around the world but didn't secure an Oscar nomination.

Of the foreign language, you already know the rules. 

Anyways now onto the bigger things...

 
Underdog Award for Best Documentary Feature

Of the five Oscar nominees at this years Academy Awards, I have only seen one documentary (Finding Vivian Maier).

But of the five nominated here, all are a terrific mix of structures and stories that revolve around vastly different concepts. So enjoy, but before that

Honorable Mentions: Citizen Koch and To Be Takei


SuperMensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon


 
 
One of the finest things that director Mike Myers (Austin Powers) does with SuperMensch is that his documentary isn't focused on a wider scope of a subject or dealing with questionable facts on a profound issue.

It makes it easier to swallow the film and enjoy it for what it simply is; a celebration of a career of a man behind the big careers.

Shep Gordon is a talent manager who has stood behind some successful artist such as the likes of Alice Cooper and Pink Floyd. It's a sweet and saccharine (Despite all the mentions of Shep's wild lifestyle) portrait of this charismatic and smart man, and a retrospective of the careers he was behind.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Myers definitely admires Shep and it shines out in his work.  He details every aspect of his life, never shying away or making Shep feel regretful for his past wild life, yet also highlighting the man's true heart as he becomes spiritual in a way he can and adopts four young children of his own.

It's in the best words a wondrous love letter worth watching. The breezy atmosphere of it all, making for an easy watch. 


Ivory Tower




Taking on a documentation structure, Ivory Tower focuses itself on a major issue that is threatening to explode and already has in some cases in the USA; Education, specifically higher education.

As the tag line puts it, is college worth the cost. Andrew Rossi probes deep and wide into the issue, sifting through multiple forms of higher education whether it be the traditional or non-traditional. He tries to craft a well in tune argument for both sides, if not a particularly well balanced one. His stance against being much stronger and questionable to personal experience, opinion and bias.

But that is what makes this through documentary a debatable point. Rossi provides cold hard facts that reiterate the huge rising cost of higher education in America, and really gets down and dirty to the little problems (e.g. the increasing salaries of the Board, issues with government aid etc) that affect the people involved within the sphere of the education system.

He however is unable to give perfect solutions, but the problems persist and that's where he clinches you.

His look at alternate education possibilities such as a farmhouse system employed somewhere in the US and also rising costs and student revolutions of such make for a documentary that never pauses and always relents.

Ivory Tower is somewhat flawed, but majestically eye opening.


Jodorowsky's Dune




(I spoke at length about this one; here)

Dune is probably the greatest film that has never been made. It is by and large very influential to the genre of sci-fi and more than anybody could ever comprehend. This is all thanks to the visionary brilliance of Alejandro Jodorowsky, who took the Frank Herbert novel and dreamed a dream.

Indeed, Jodorowsky's passion just grows out of the screen, enveloping the audience in the understanding of a man and a project that has and still could have changed the landscape of blockbuster cinema, even though he himself was making something artistic and profound.

The documentary through interviews with the men involved in the project and those outside of it (but experts on the story) delves deep into the works of Alejandro and then the film that was never made. I mean imagine this; Alejandro Jodorowsky had men like H.R. Giger (who designed the whole look of Alien), music from Pink Floyd (During their Dark Side of the Moon heydays) and talented performers such as Orson Welles, Salvador Dali and Mick Jagger behind him.

Dune was indeed a wet dream for any sci-fi or movie buff. One that got unfairly struck down and the most fascinating thing behind it is Alejandro himself. Director Frank Pavich never shies away from showing the rough edges of this eccentric film maker and the demands he puts on his people and the efforts and cuts he takes to get the right people for the job.

Yet you never feel alienated because Jodorowsky even during the heartbreaking moments speaks with such intensity and love for his work, that no matter what it feels like a success.

To be honest, prior to this documentary I had no idea of who Jodorowsky was, but he won me over and introduced me to a world of wacky, surreal cult classics like El Topo and Holy Mountain.  A tip of the hat to this wonderful eccentric man.


The Internet's Own Boy: The True Story of Aaron Swartz




It's the greatest and kindest men that leave the world early, cause we don't deserve them. The tragic true story of Aaron Swartz is dictated in this wonderfully assembled (Despite the terrible sound design) biographical.

Aaron Swartz a computer programmer and Internet activist, fought for one thing; the right to free access. Free access to information, information that is meant to be public property. Through a series of interviews with family, friends and loved one and even stock footage of Aaron we get to learn about a genius, who decided to fight for the right cause and for the well of others.

It might not sound important, but the information withheld by the government took a big struggle from Aaron to fight for. His activism resonated and made waves in his sphere of influence. His fight eventually succumbing the man to depression and an eventual loss of his life (through suicide) at the hands of those who betrayed him (MIT) and those who attacked him (FBI and the government).

His works including those such as the Open Library allowing users free access to information from the Library of Congress to PACER giving free access to public court documents that were expensive, pertaining to their needs.

His life, his work and his death giving us a detailed and emotionally stirring account on a man who definitely didn't deserve such a short life.


The Final Member




It's fitting that we end with The Final Member. The story of the historic Icelandic Phallological Museum that houses the largest collection of male penis from every species available. Created and manned by a somewhat  quirky but chirpy and enthusiastic man; Sigurour Hjartarson.

The feature follows Hjartarson's near impossible quest to find the last piece to his magnificent collection; a human penis. It details the story of Hjartarson and brings out his making of the place, revolving itself around the museum and then finally going back and forth between this man and the four contenders for a piece of history by donating their organ.

The four men range from an oddball American whose Penis has a personality of its own known as Elmo to a local old man who was a former playboy at his time and more. Their clashing ideologies and as well as the struggle to really find that healthy penis worth displaying in this grandiose museum.

Hjartarson's quest to be honest seems weird but the documentary never questions it or ridicules him, instead crafting a portrait of a soulful man who has left his mark in this world with his utter brilliant and madcap idea.

Thus the film becoming a great celebration of one of the finest and most unique historical landmarks; the Icelandic Phallological Museum.


And the Winner is...


Jodorowsky's Dune!



Underdog Award for Best Foreign Language Film


Foreign films always get better and better than their American counterparts. To be fair this year's Oscar winning Polish film Ida, could have trumped any of the top three Oscar nominees (Birdman, Boyhood and Whiplash).

World Cinema is not only the pearl but the whole oyster itself, shining bright. So it's a challenge when all the countries around the world send a movie to compete for the coveted Oscar, to select the five that will be fighting for it.

This year I did one thing, find five films that didn't try and compete for the Oscar this year but are majestic underrated masterpieces. Three of the films here never went as their countries representatives for the Academy and the other two were just to hard to ignore despite this.

Making for top class five contenders, and here they are (but first honorable mentions)...

Honorable Mentions: We are The Beast! (Sweden), The Grandmaster (China), Ernest and Celestine (France)

Special Mention: Haider (India)...couldn't put this one, due to the chance of personal bias clouding my judgment


The Raid 2: Berandal (Indonesia, Language: Indonesian)




Take a innovative Welsh filmmaker, some brilliantly choreographed Indonesian martial arts known as Pencak Silat, one hell of a plot influenced by Internal Affairs and The Departed and a game martial artist cum actor...and what do you get?

Raid 2!

The sequel to the bombastic 2011 action film Raid: Redemption. Raid: Berandal moves a few years away from the tower block based original and director Gareth Evans bursts the floodgates open.

With some of the most breathtaking action sequences to one sublime chase and an array of terrifically crafted characters such as Hammer Girl and Prakoso. Raid: Berandal is probably the most exciting action film you'll see.

Despite it's lengthy run time and moments of heavy psychological weight, the film moves at a breakneck speed never once losing hold of its thin but powerful narrative. The films center of course revolves around these amazing set pieces, from a prison yard brawl to a car chase within which a fight is happening inside one car!

Raid: Berandal is a symbol of how great action is in the East and how uniquely it can still be depicted; giving us possibly the best action franchise of all time, and that too in just two films.



A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (America/Iran, Language: Persian)



 
Taking out the political subtext hidden in the layers of the desolate Bad City in this vampire flick. Ana Lily Amirpour makes this one hell of a genre bending mood piece, bolstered by some terrific visuals and framing.

A black and white feature with enough tones that will rivet the audience and make them believe that they are indeed watching a future cult classic. The movie is the story of a lonely woman, a vampire who stalks the residents of this city and falls in love with one hard working young man. Yet the threadbare narrative never relents, Amirpour moves from a psychologically haunting drama to full on scares and some slow moving romance and quick strange thrills.

It's as entertaining as it is artistic.

Her work shining brightest when the lead character is hard to read and her next actions a flowing consequence of the next. The narrative though never sticks or overpowers any situation, instead making the focus this desolate town and the people that basically haunt it like she does them.

Despite it's dreary moods, the film will keep one on the edge of the seat for this reason alone.



Mommy (Canada, Language: French)




What can one say about the 25 year old, five movie old director Xavier Dolan, that hasn't been said, shocked over or remarked at. The young prodigal genius, has made some of the most terrific features of the past decade, lining up quite possibly the best future prospects than anybody in the industry worldwide.

His works are a wonder to behold. They are visually mesmerizing but what's equally brilliant is that they are narrative tight, strong and emotionally powerful. 

His latest is about a widowed Mother and her hard to deal with son striking an unusual friendship with the next door neighbor (a mother of one herself) and the clashes that come with their lives. Each character leaves an impact thanks to the heartfelt quotient of their singular arcs and how they develop from the emotional soul of the plot between all three of them.

Andre Turpin shoots the film like a magician, using wonderful tricks and a great ratio to keep the viewer focused. The films performers are all sublime and worth a huge round of applause. Special mention to Antoine Olivier Pilon, who pulls of the troubled violent child with aplomb. 

Dolan also has a sharp ear for music, that rounds out a near perfect picture.



Two Days, One Night (Belgium, Language: French)


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The latest Dardenne Brothers film at its core is a simple but profoundly effective emotional story. Its crux point revolves around one woman moving from door to door begging for the safety of her job, from her co-workers.

It's easy to understand and emotionally resonates, as we see this woman; Sandra, struggle against all odds, fighting for something she should not have too. The complexities of her character and those around her shine in the simple format with which the brothers shuffle the film.

One of its finest reflecting points being that heartbreaking but moving climax as Sandra is voted out of her job. Sandra is then given another shot, her boss wants to remove another worker and would be willing to take her in, Sandra must choose to let go the job or get a man's position who ostensibly has been by her side. She chooses to let it go.

Some people will claim that the writers should have allowed her to save the job of someone we knew voted against her, making it a heroic gesture. However Sandra saves the job of a person who backed her, in a way returning the favor to all her co-workers. It's not a heroic gesture, but a human one and that's how Cotillard plays it.

Broken, fighting, layered and heart wrenchingly complex. Yet through all of it, she is natural, she is not a character but an actual fully realized human thanks to her performance. Each scene of her begging and struggling, is performed with masterful subtle shifts in tone, body language and emotion that one realizes Marion Cottilard is just a cut above the rest.

And hinging on her powerful shoulders is this power packed film.


  
Why Don't You Play in Hell (Japan, Language: Japanese)


 

A macabre and manic celebration of genre cinema, and it's multiple eccentricities.  This fun filled outrageous near two hour movie never pauses for a single breath, moving along a particularly weaved narrative into a film chock full of cinematic details and hilarious moments that will blow your mind.

All of this climaxing towards one hell of a movie within a movie that is reality (what?! Huh?!) cocktail, engaging the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seat. Everything is just non-stop hilarity and brutality mixed with some wacky characters and arcs.

Why Don't You Play in Hell isn't some safe conventional film, it's creative and features dollops of entertainment that the Academy just wouldn't understand. The craft that director, writer and composer Sion Sono brings is so magical, you can't help but fall in love.

The best way to describe it; a genre bending entertainer meets one hell of a music video. It's a god damn Japanese fiesta!



And the Winner is...

 
 Mommy!


So that's it for this years big winners in these two categories. Let the awards show continue!

Up Next: Great music is all around us...what will be? The Best Soundtrack and Score for the Second Official Underdog Awards?

'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia


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