Documentaries get their fair share of accolades at film festivals, and this year’s LA Film Festival (LAFF) is launching a strong selection. Celebrating its 21st year at its new primary venue in downtown Culver City, the LA Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, has selected twelve world premiere documentaries from the U.S. and around the world that will compete in the Documentary Competition. Previous editions have witnessed such successes as LAFF Audience Award winners “I Am Thalente,” “Meet the Patels,” and “Code Black.” This year’s group looks particularly competitive.
Here are five docs to put on your radar.
“Company Town” (Directed by Natalie Kottke and Erica Sardarian)
“Company Town” focuses on the community of Crossett Arkansas, home to Charles and David Koch-owned Georgia-Pacific pulp, paper and chemical manufacturing plant. An employer to many, the community faces the horrible realization that too many of the town’s citizens are hit with respiratory problems and dying of cancer due the G-P’s collateral pollution. Natalie Kottke and Erica Sardarian's film looks to be a “David and Goliath story.”
“Dr. Feelgood” (Directed by Eve Marson)
Examining Dr. William Hurwitz, a preeminent pain specialist in the documentary “Dr. Feelgood” couldn’t be timelier. Sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking, Dr.
Hurwitz had no qualms about over-prescribing opiates to patients who desperately needed to fight their chronic pain. But losing pain also created life-shattering addictions and even death. Director Eve Marson looks closely at Hurwitz and the opiate-crisis sweeping America.
“The House on Coco Road” (Directed by Damani Baker)
Oakland was not a place to raise a family during the racial violence sparked by Reagan’s war on drugs.
So Fannie Haughton, an activist and teacher, decided to move her children to the island of Grenada to participate in an Afro-centric revolution of a utopic socialist society. Director Damani Baker chronicles his mother, Fannie’s desire for a better society. Me’shell Ndegeocello composed the film’s score.
"Olympic Pride, American Prejudice" (Directed by Deborah Riley Draper)
A film timed with this summer’s Olympics, “Olympic Pride, American Prejudice” chronicles the historic 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, where Jesse Owens won gold. But director Deborah Riley Draper’s informative documentary focuses on the other 17 Black men and women athletes who participated in these games, only to return largely forgotten, except by their proud communities. Draper has been named by Variety as one of the “10 Documakers to Watch.” Blair Underwood narrates “Olympic Pride, American Prejudice” with interviews by Isiah Thomas, Carl Lewis, Lonnie Bunch and Joanna Hayes.
“They Call Us Monsters” (Directed by Ben Lear)
With unprecedented access to the juvenile facility called “The Compound,” director Ben Lear chronicles three youths accused of violent crimes and who await trials as adults in “They Call Us Monsters.” Through a screenwriting workshop, Lear’s documentary allows audiences to know Juan, Jarad and Antonio, as well as the debates surrounding SB260, a bill that allows for the possibility of children (14-17) to have a second chance with parole after 35 years.
A challenging subject that is sure to spark an emotional response.
Other documentaries screening at LA Film Festival worth noting are “Political Animals,” and “Jackson.” The LA Film Festival runs from June 1 to 9. For more festival information, including schedules and tickets, visit the LA Film Festival website.
