Best Documentary Feature
Some might suggest that mentioning the film “Ascension” on the cover page of The CampChuck Reviewer increases its chances of winning the Best Documentary Feature Oscar. More likely, mentioning it merely boasts that I actually know someone who was nominated for an Academy Award.
More likely than that, mentioning it responds to two (2), comments by the father of the “Ascension” co-producer, Kira Simon-Kennedy. One of my college roommates from 50 years ago, Alan Kennedy, said, “Maybe front-page news in your Oscar newsletter?” Proud father aside, “Ascension” deserves the nomination and has a descent chance of winning against stiff competition.
Fond memory aside that I have of a young child who I couldn’t possibly imagine would become a filmmaker, “Ascension” assembles a fresh, contemporary mosaic. It captures work life in China – government-throttled, capitalist-communist China. It manages a point of view that is both biting and non-judgmental – all with a strangely resonant vitality.
“Ascension” bopping visits to dozens of workplaces could be its ticket to Oscar if voting embraces the film’s style and vision. However, “Flee” may offer a more clever version of innovation that may turn voters’ heads. “Flee” starkly softens its account of a harrowing Muslim refugee story in the form of an animated documentary. Though very well done, this frontrunner seems a touch more like gimmick than Oscar scarfing technique.
“Attica” deals a classic documentary approach, classic and rough to watch. Voters may latch on to its more traditional style, crediting its harsh truth-be-told reporting. Prisoners take over Attica prison until the powers that be could assert their power.
Also in the classic documentary tradition, “Writing with Fire” is video journalism about journalists. It’s in India, and the shoestring, independent journalists are women, women chasing hard-hitting news. This film might have the documentary facets to win. (I did not see this film.)
The easiest choice for Best Documentary is “Summer of Soul” – a feel-good, culturally rich, and informative buried treasure. It’s about a music festival that happened in 1969 (essentially sidelined into oblivion by Woodstock happening the same summer). This Harlem, New York festival parades a surprising range of different kinds of Black music through a single venue.
Should Oscar’s Best Documentary go to the tastiest, most digestible content (“Summer of Love”)? Should the title Best bend to a fresh turn at classic documentary (“Attica,” which won the Directors Guild Award, or “Writing with Fire”)? Should Documentary Gold go to animation -- a calculated delivery mechanism (“Flee”)?
No, I proffer a CampChuck bump. Kiki (Kira Simon-Kennedy), the little girl I knew way back when, grew up to be an Oscar-winning co-producer (“Ascension”). hat’s what I predict, and I’m sticking to it.
Note: The five Best Documentary Feature nominations this year reminds that documentaries are a very rich way to go for enlightening and satisfying film watching.
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