International

I've been expanding my doc horizons over the past several months, catching a number of noteworthy international (sub-titled) films at various festivals and screenings. It beats airline travel these days.

Kings of Pastry screened over the summer at the LA Film Festival. For foodies and chefs, it is a gastronomic feast - documenting the rigorous Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (M.O.F.) competition among pastry chefs to attain the Best Craftsman in France designation. It is also an edge-of-your-seat nail-biter, I kid you not. The woman next to me jumped out of her seat more than a few times. The film explores the thrill of victory and agony of defeat - all wrapped up in phyllo dough and topped with creme anglaise. Pounds gained just by viewing: 10.

I checked out a recent German film festival screening of Autumn Gold a few weeks ago. What an inspirational and moving film. It follows five athletes competing at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland - which would seem rudimentary, except for the fact that all of these world-class athletes are between the ages of 80-100+!! Check out the trailer at the link above to put a smile on your face all day.

At Docu Weeks LA a few months ago, I caught an engrossing and intimate documentary about coming of age in the 1980s Soviet Union. My Perestroika follows several ordinary Russians as they reflect on growing up during an age of political and societal upheaval, and the state of post-Soviet Russia. For everyone who also grew up in the Reagan era when these changes were happening, it is fascinating to get some deep insight into the last generation brought up behind the Iron Curtain.

I'm also planning to check out Passione at an upcoming Italian Festival in town. Actor John Turturro explores the exciting music scene of Naples in this new film. The doc recently had its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival - on my list of festivals to check out when I feel like travelling again.

But with all of these wonderful docs, do I really need to? :)

Politics

Yesterday, I decided to tackle the stack of political propaganda that makes its way to my mailbox every election. I am an active voter (you are too, RIGHT?) and try to set aside quality time to review the current issues and candidates on the ballot. In California, we generally have a good share of hot topic issues to ponder each election and this year seems to be no different.

I came across a DVD mailer for the documentary film, Gerrymandering, about the same time that I glanced at a Los Angeles Times article on the film - so I figured it must be one of the aforementioned hot topics this time around. Plus, I was impressed at the savvy marketing job - sending it directly to voters while concurrently screening it in selected theaters.

If you don't remember from your school civics or poly-sci classes, gerrymandering is the act of redrawing electoral districts for political gain. It is referred to in the film as the "blood sport of politics", which is saying a lot. The film documents the problems inherent in letting politicians draw their own districts - which seem fairly obvious, but the film highlights a number of crazy, recent examples of this practice in action across the U.S. Like a NY state assembly election wherein an incumbent gerrymandered his opponent's street right out of the district and thus, the election. Say what? The issue bubbles up after each census' Congressional reapportionment, so here we are.

The film is quite one-sided, but not partisan, and I am glad to have this enlightening documentary reminder of how to help keep our legislative houses in order.

Baseball

For a lifelong NY Yankees fan, George Steinbrenner's death this summer was the end of an era. Love him or hate him, the Boss changed the game of baseball and reinvigorated the most storied team in sports history (and certainly elicited more than a few Bronx cheers from baseball fans over the years!). His legacy will continue to impact the sport for years to come.

ESPN's 30 for 30 series continues this fall, and tonight's film directed by the famed documentarian Barbara Kopple explores The House of Steinbrenner. I've already set my DVR in anticipation of reliving the days of George at the helm of my beloved Bronx Bombers.

In other baseball news, I had the fantastic privilege to meet one of my documentary heroes, Ken Burns, last month at a Dodgers game reception honoring him and his upcoming PBS film with Lynn Novick, The Tenth Inning, which airs 9/28-9/29. What a thrill and I am looking forward to viewing the new chapter to his treasured PBS Baseball series of 1994.

I'm going to go settle in now to enjoy the early days of fall baseball. America's pastime continues to delight, and what better way to relive all of the thrills than through documentaries!