Joel Whitaker

Image shows a red wall with hole in it, which a child stares through. Over the wall are the words Can't Get You Out of My Head.

Top of the Docs #42 – Can’t Get You Out of My Head (2021)

By: Joel Whitaker 4th Mar 2021

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Renowned for his breadth of research and incisive analysis, Curtis’ documentaries usually focus on an aspect of history, exploring its cultural, social and political impacts.

Image is from the documentary 'Les sorcieres de l'Orient'. It shows a female volley ball player, animated in the style of 1960s anime, preparing to spike a ball.

Top of the Docs #41 – IFFR Special: ‘Les sorcieres de l’Orient’ (2021)

By: Joel Whitaker 25th Feb 2021

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This year at IFFR, Faraut returns with his new film, Les sorcieres de l’Orient, a story of triumph, dedication, and perhaps Japan’s most iconic sports team.

Image from the documentary Archipelago. Image depicts an animated road lined with trees and mountains in the distance.

Top of the Docs #40 – IFFR Review: Archipelago

By: Joel Whitaker 18th Feb 2021

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Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s documentary takes a poetic approach to what makes up “place” and the result is perhaps one of the most interesting psycho-geographic documentaries in recent years.

Image is from the film Madelena (2021). It shows a mid-shot of a woman staring enigmatically at something off-camera.

IFFR 2021: ‘King Car’ (2021), ‘Madalena’ (2021), and the Power of Brazilian Cinema

By: Joel Whitaker 13th Feb 202110th Feb 2021

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After an impressive 2019 in Cannes, with Bacurau earning such deserving praise, and The Invisible Life of Euradice Gusmao picking up the Un Certain Regard, this year’s IFFR proves that it has one.

The image from the documentary All Light Everywhere. It shows two separate images layered over each other. The first a yellow hued image of the sun, and the second a man with scientific equipment attached to his head.

Top of the Docs #39 – Sundance: All Light, Everywhere

By: Joel Whitaker 11th Feb 2021

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One of the hidden gems from this year’s Sundance, Anthony has quietly made one of the most vital documentaries of the year, one that shows nearly 50 years on that Harry Caul’s breakdown in trust was more than justified.

Image shows Ron and Russell Mael, the eponymous Sparks brothers, holding up window frames.

SUNDANCE REVIEW: ‘The Sparks Brothers’ (2021) is a Fantastic Celebration

By: Joel Whitaker 8th Feb 20215th Feb 2021

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Wright’s sense of humour combined with the Mael brothers’ helps the film shine and really brings out the joy in their music.

Image shows the silhouette of an axe wielding man in a misty forest.

SUNDANCE REVIEW: ‘In the Earth’ (2021) is Anything But Minor

By: Joel Whitaker 3rd Feb 202131st Jan 2021

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Gruesome, gigantic, and abrasive – In the Earth is a shining example that British horror is still going strong.

Image from the documentary Time (2020). It is a black and white image of a couple kissing in a car.

Top of the Docs #36 – LFF Special: ‘Time’ (2020)

By: Joel Whitaker 29th Oct 202028th Oct 2020

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Garrett Bradley, a first-time filmmaker, brings us perhaps the most damning indictment of the system yet, with her film Time.

Image from the film 'The Year of Discovery'. A car is on fire in a city street, with a large gathering of people stood away from it.

Top of the Docs #36 – Berwick Special: The Year of the Discovery (2020)

By: Joel Whitaker 8th Oct 20208th Oct 2020

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Luis Lopez Carrasco’s second feature explores this supposedly glorious year in Spanish history through the lens of Cartagena.

Image from the film The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On. A man peers out of a window holding a microphone.

Top of the Docs #35 – The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On (1987)

By: Joel Whitaker 24th Sep 202024th Sep 2020

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The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On follows Kenzo Okuzaki, a sixty-two-year-old veteran, who took part in Japan’s campaign in New Guinea during World War Two.