It’s an international line-up in the Best Documentary category at the Oscars this year, with all five films coming from across the globe.
As usual, the nominated documentaries cover a wide array of important topics and give audiences insight into issues they may not have known. Below, I give my full, honest thoughts on each documentary in the category.
20 Days in Mariupol
This film is an exceptional compilation of brave, necessary journalism. The documentary tells the story of the siege of Mariupol, one of the early events in the ongoing war launched by Russia on Ukraine.
That story is mainly told by Mstyslav Chernov, a war correspondent with the Associated Press who provides narration over the footage he and other journalists captured. What’s documented is harrowing, as the film shows the initial shelling on the outskirts of Mariupol, up through the final days they were there when the fighting moves inside the city.
The documentary has a rather straightforward format, using a mix of the AP’s footage and subsequent news coverage from its circulation, as well as the Russian propaganda that follows. However, despite a simple structure, this documentary is a powerful piece of work that’s a testament to journalism and gives viewers insight into the damage caused by this war.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Robert Kyagulanyi, also known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is not only a singer in Uganda, but also a politician. In 2021, he ran a bold campaign for president against the incumbent Yoweri Museveni, who’s been in power since assuming office in 1986.
The film explores how Museveni has held on to power in the last decade, and follows Wine’s campaign, and the immense number of roadblocks it faced before falling short in a suspicious election.
“The People’s President” is a documentary that leaves a person wanting more, in more ways than one. Cinematically, it’s a rather basic account over time rather than telling a story with more structure and artistry. Additionally, the movie could have provided more information, data and policy ideas from Wine, and the person he ran against.
When he first came to power, Museveni said “the people of Uganda are entitled to a democratic government. It is not a favor from any regime. The sovereign people must be the public, not the government.” His transition from this to the authoritarian he is now would be interesting.
Wine does touch on this a bit, but not enough is added. Give us information about corruption, how much money Museveni has made, what policies he has in place that hold people back, what are the press limitations. Also, what vision does Wine provide that differs himself.
With all that said, this is still a very compelling documentary to watch, as an audience can feel pulled into Wine’s movement and want him to succeed. There’s bravery and resolve on display by Wine, and it’s inspiring.
The Eternal Memory
I want to start off this by saying I truly sympathize with what the characters are going through in this film. It’s truly a sad situation and a definite reminder of how awful Alzheimer’s can be. However, this film was also rather boring. The movie is basically several days in the lives of retired journalist Augusto Gongora, who lives with the disease, and his wife Paulina.
Paulina is taking care of Augusto, and works to help him remember things, and assist him through his struggles, all while trying to keep life going normally. That’s basically it, with director Maite Alberdi taking a total observational approach.
The movie does make somewhat of an interesting connection in the Chilean conflicts Augusto covered in his career which are being lost to time and his own fading memory. However, for people who don’t know much about these conflicts, there’s not much one can draw. As a result, it just kind of blends in with the ongoing activities of the two when they talk about it.
This could have worked as a short film, maybe. It feels too long even at 85 minutes. It could have helped if they brought in more people to talk about Augusto and their feelings on his condition. Perhaps his kids, who are mentioned, or former colleagues. Maybe even journalism students or young reporters who are inspired by him.
Also, how about his doctor? A person who could give insight into how long Augusto’s been living with the disease, what his treatment is like, how has the disease progressed. There are several times where Paulina is questioning Augusto on various things, are these mental exercises recommended by the doctor or is she doing it for herself?
I just need more from a documentary. But maybe this filmmaker just isn’t for me, I didn’t like her previous documentary, “The Mole Agent” from 2020 either.
Four Daughters
Again, I want to start off by saying that I do sympathize with the people in this film, who have experienced incredible hardship. The film tells the story of Olfa, a mother of four daughters in Tunisia, two of which left the family and fled the country to join ISIS in Libya.
The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, attempts to tell the story not only through interviews with the family, but dramatizations, using a pair of actresses as the two departed daughters. There-in lies the problem. The method of telling this story, and in some cases, re-creating it, simply didn’t work.
A big issue is that there’s a large amount of this movie that’s not really dedicated at all to the story of this family, what they went through, and are continuing to fight for. Instead, a big chunk is centered on scenes like the actresses getting to know the two remaining daughters, them getting into character, and sharing their opinions on the overall situation.
I guess there’s something interesting there in terms of how actors learn about the subject they’re working on and how they grew close to the sisters. But as a film, it just isn’t all that captivating to watch.
In all honesty, not much hit me until the very end of the film. In the final moments of the documentary, footage of the two daughters who left and are now in a Libyan prison following military action is shown. It’s a powerful moment. Both women, in full burkas, have very cold eyes, it gives insight into their full radicalization.
On top of that, one of the women was pregnant earlier and that child has grown in prison, as the movie shows. This is so affecting because of how real it felt. Unfortunately, a lot of the film, I think partly because of the actresses, made this feel somewhat artificial.
Had the movie been more of an exploration of this family telling their stories of past abuse, how they saw these two women become radicalized, and subsequently, their efforts to have both of them return to Tunisia, it could have been stronger. Sure, there’s not much footage available, but this is where some dramatization could maybe have been used. As it is, though, the film just doesn’t hold one’s attention.
To Kill a Tiger
Directed by Nisha Pahuja, “To Kill a Tiger” is an upsetting film to watch. Set in eastern India, the documentary centers on a family seeking justice for their 13-year-old daughter who was raped by three men.
Because the family lives in a rural village bound by tradition, though, holding the perpetrators accountable and bringing them to justice is easier said than done. Many villagers oppose any action being taken, some even suggesting the girl marry one of her rapists, based on their views on honor.
Pahuja deserves a lot of praise for the spotlight she shines on this situation. She goes in depth, with several interviews to capture what the family is going through as they pursue legal action and the archaic views many around them still have.
While it’s good to have a well-rounded view, though, “To Kill a Tiger” does go on just a bit too long. For its runtime, I also wish more of the film would have been dedicated to how things develop in the courtroom, which is only lightly described.
Still, it’s an emotionally powerful picture and certainly recommended for a watch.
Matthew Liedke on Film 