“In a way you’re on a serendipitous journey, a journey which is much more akin to the life experience. When you see somebody on the screen in a documentary, you’re really engaged with a person going through real life experiences. So for that period of time, as you watch the film, you are, in effect, in the shoes of another individual. What a privilege to have that experience.”
—Albert Maysles, documentary filmmaker
RUNNERS UP
– Pray Away
– The Rescue
– El Father Plays Himself
– Val
– At the Ready
– Procession
– In the Same Breath
– The Sparks Brothers
– Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
– Try Harder!
BEST DOCUMENTARIES OF 2021
#5: Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
Fans of Billie Eilish won’t need a single reason to instantly immerse themselves in director R.J. Cutler’s stellar musical documentary of the amazing artist’s journey through life while making When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? For all others (myself included) who only know one or two songs – you’ll be invested just the same. Her artistry and overall creativity is screaming to be unbound, and it’s simply a pleasure to watch as her debut album begins to take shape through her and her brother, Finneas, in his bedroom.
Effectively revealing, audiences are right there with Eilish in her process, performances, self-doubt and emotional and physical pain. At the same time, Cutler repeatedly reminds us that she’s still a regular teen who’s excited about getting her drivers license and falling head over heels for a boy. Eilish’s super supportive family is a blessing and her interactions with Justin Bieber are hilarious/heartfelt. There’s not a false note in this, which is not much of a shock considering the singer-songwriter is unquestionably the real deal.
#4: Lily Topples the World
A joyous and motivational documentary about Lily Hevesh – an amazing domino artist and YouTube sensation – whose passion has changed her life in extraordinary ways. Being adopted from China at one years old, she grew up feeling different, shy, and scared of being abandoned again. But what she found and creates in the world of dominos has helped her find herself, and it’s more than evident she’s happier than ever before. Watching the master at work, doing what she loves, will put a smile on your face. Her builds are something special and entrancing. She’s literally made her own line of dominos! And the best part is she’s just getting started.
#3: Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
I bet you’ve never heard of The Harlem Cultural Festival. It happened the same year as Woodstock, except its footage hasn’t seen the light of day in fifty years. QuestLove makes his directorial debut with an electric documentary about this monumental musical event where change was in the air for not just a city but an entire culture. The music, the socio-political bearing, and the buoyant energy can be seen, heard, and felt. No matter if on stage or in the crowd, the festival has left a lasting effect on the thousands of lives who shared in a beautifully transcendent, uplifting experience. They still can’t believe it actually happened. While it will obviously never compare to being there, for the rest of us – this is the next best thing when witnessing history in the making back in 1969.
#2: FLEE
Through its wielding of astonishing animation and actual news footage, this is a memorable and moving documentary of a gay refugee’s journey in finding his home and the family sacrifices that lead him there. Poignant, horrifying, and highly emotional – director Jonas Poher Rasmussen uses striking styles to ambitiously show Amin’s painful past and how deeply it’s affected him as an adult and the relationships he holds dear. The sharing of his story is the definition of courage as he faces his fears in order to live the life he went through hell to finally have.
#1: The First Wave
This documentary of the first four months of COVID-19 in NYC is difficult to watch, yet deeply moving and courageous as we get unprecedented access to doctors and nurses fighting on the frontlines, as well as the patients and their families literally confronting life or death. It doesn’t get anymore intimate than watching a person take their last breath. No matter where you stand on vaccinations and masks, Matthew Heineman – director of Cartel Land – clearly proves this pandemic has devastated so many lives. You can hear it in the hospital workers’ voices and see it in the eyes of those gasping for air. Filled with endless moments of heroism, heartbreak, and hope – this is a must-see for obvious reasons, but what sticks with us the most is witnessing the vulnerability of humanity while never doubting its strength to help one another.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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