As a young, idealistic and impressionable seventeen-year-old, Gea became the pen pal of Bryan Jennings, a man on death row in America. Over a sixteen-year correspondence that covers everything but the circumstances behind his incarceration, Gea becomes emotionally attached to the sensitive, introspective man Bryan has become. Frustrated by her helplessness, she compiles and publishes
Beginning with Aristide’s tribute to liberty, fraternity and equality at the Haitian bicentenary celebrations in January 2004, this enthralling documentary tries to uncover the historical reasons behind Haiti’s constant and bitter cycle of political tragedy and poverty. Concentrating on the real problems that have plagued this island country since its revolutionary independence in 1804, Najman
In this despairing, yet enthralling view of the Brazilian justice system, Ramos’s fly-on-the-wall documentary covers all aspects of trial in Rio’s overcrowded judicial system; pristine courtrooms contrast dramatically with the vile and heaving remand conditions where prisoners chant songs on the many merits of justice. Perceptively filmed, Ramos interviews a career-oriented judge, a sympathetic and
As modern life becomes increasingly unreal and reality becomes banal and boring, the “experience” economy has sprung up, dedicated to offering authentic experiences. Struggling with this and acknowledging her own experiential weaknesses, Bergman delivers a humorous investigation into the clichéd illusion of authenticity. Successfully touching on very complicated themes, Bergman tries to unravel the true
To describe Il Palio as a horse race is to liken Table Mountain to an inconsequential hillock. Held in the very heart of medieval Siena, Italy, this ancient annual event inspires extreme commitment, dedication, and emotion, but mostly indomitable pride. Although incredibly dangerous, this battle is not fought between the jockeys; it’s an event that