Judges Comments

TV JOURNALISM CATEGORY

Alyosha (67mins) Estonia
(Intercultural Dialog Category)
Ethnic Estonians and Russian Estonians express their differences as the Bronze Soldier statue in memory of fallen Russian soldiers is
desecrated. But were the dead heroes or villains? Did they liverate Estonia or enslave it? Restrained camerawork and a good eye (and ear) help
us to understand the depth of feeling and also experience moments of moderation in the hostile atmosphere. Winner of the Grand Prix for the Festival.

The Long March (18mins) USA
(student)
The story of the American Civil Rights Movement is told with the aid of new interviews, video and still photographs from the 1960s.
This is the first episode of a series on The Long March made by student Don Birney and is premiered at this DocumFest.
It is simply constructed, effective and timely - with last week's election of a black President of the USA.

Far Away From Here (29mins) Germany
A Uruguayan hairdresser with a young child experiences the boredom and lack of hope living in Montevideo while her father lives
in the USA and send back money. There are some touching domestic moments but not enough to sustain interest.

Giuseppe Castiglione: Painter of Quiet Horses (52mins) France
In the early 18th century a 24-year-old Jesuit from Genoa moves to the court of the Emperor of China. He takes with him exceptional skills
as a painter and becomes a close associate of the Emperor. The story is told with shots of his pictures and interviews. It is well filmed but
one paced and with only one layer of interest.

Himalaya: Land of Women (52mins) France
A 29-year-old French ethnologist portrays life in the isolated village of Sking, 4000 metres high into the Himalayas. Here children do not even understand
what a camera is or what it does and life revolves around cutting grass and watching over sheep. This is Marianne Chaud's first film and her camerawork
is superb.

Mark of a Scalpel (29mins) Estonia
Sofia Ionescu is believed to be the first woman in the world to be a neuro-surgeon. She worked in hospital for 47 years, saving hundreds of lives. This ws
her final interview and she tells the story of her life. Although she is a true heroine of her age, the construction of the documentary is overly
chronological and there are intrusive visual gimmicks.

Pedra: Reporter without Borders (61mins) Switzerland
Jean-Pierre Pedrazzini is a photo-journalist for Paris Match magazine in the 1950s - one of a dying breed as the TV camera replaces the still camera
as the public's eye witness on the world's great events. His story is told by his own pictures and the letters between him and his wife.

People of Romania (21mins) Romania
A series of short features which tell the story of small minority groups living in Romania. The information is a fascinating study of the great variety
of peoples and their lifestyles, simply and effectively told. However, these are really short features rather than a constructed documentary.

Railroad to Nowhere (70mins) Estonia
A fascinating rediscovery of the enthusiasm and energy of the Komsomol youth who helped build the Baikal-Amur (BAM) railroad through Siberia in the
1970s - the last "great hurrah" of Russian socialism. Excellent archive footage is available with comments from those who built the railroad and reflect on the
achievement and its place in Russian history. This is a fresh and informative piece with good atmosphere and music, carefully edited. A Special Mention from the judges.

Rule of Law (99mins) Austria
A fascinating opportunity to see the problems of establishing an impartial legal system in Kosovo, replacing the rule of revenge with the rule of law.
We follow the drama and tension of court proceedings against Kosovan muslims accused of killing two Serbians. UN-supported judges and lawyers struggle
with the clash of culture and we share their thoughts as they have a western-style dinner party during a power blackout, chatting about the issues in this
metaphoric darkness. The western judge recommends local custom and law must be legitimised as part of the new legal system. Gripping and thought provoking.
The Winner of the Journalistic TV Documentary category.

The Camp (26mins) Romania
Historians and local people tell about the horrors of the Todt forced labour camp near Timisoara. Their testimony is important, especially when they compare
the change of control from Nazi to Soviet camp managers. The structure is traditonal and themes have been explored many times.

The Day Theo van Gogh was Murdered (56mins) Germany
Why was it that controversial filmmaker Theo van Gogh was shot dead and almost beheaded by a Moslem radical in the streets of Amsterdam?
This well-shot film explores the mind of the killer, his alienation from Dutch society and the circumstances which led to the death. It is a
competent and professional film with a gripping storyline.

The Hero and the Queen (47mins) Canada
Joe Boyle is a "bum" who becomes Canadian Ambassador to Romania and is alleged to have had a passionate affair with Queen Marie. This story has everything:
passion, drama, intrigue, adultery, royalty, gold - even spy mystery. There is exceptionally good and relevant archive video and photographs. However,
the structure is disappointingly chronological, building too slowly to the point of the film.

Nagy Imre (52mins) Romania
This is a top-class piece of work studying the forced exile of Imre Nagy after the failure of the Hungarian revolution of 1956. We hear from historians
and from young members of his family and those of other politicians imprisoned to an isolated mansion in Romania. There is thorough research, excellent use
of archive and extensive post-production. A Special Mention from the judges.

The World's Unseen Book (52mins) Romania
The story of the creation of the school for the blind and how the blind communicate with literature. There is a promising start as one blind man
tells his story of how he conquered his blindness to be a musician and teach others, also blind. But there is some fussy camerawork, with too much movement.

Tracking the White Reindeer (52mins) France
A professionally executed and high class travelogue which examines the everyday life of reindeer hunters in the wildest part of Mongolia.
There are some excellent camera shots and much to learn about the wandering lifestyle. However, we never involve emotionally with the
hunters, even when they chat about the characteristics of reindeer just like other men would talk about their footb all teams.

9 Days and 9 Nights that Quavered Raciula (52mins) Moldova Republic
This tells the story of how villagers and nuns opposed the KGB's attempt to shut a convent in 1959. We hear from one nun who was there at the time and
others who were involved. There is extensive reconstruction to look like archive footage. We involve as viewers in this specific and tragic story.

Adela and Agnetha  (31mins) Romania
(student)
(Intercultural Dialogue Category)
An interesting issue of of inter-marriage between Roma and Saxon families living in Transylvania. Adela is a gipsy married to a Saxon and Agnetha a Saxon
woman married to a gipsy. However, there is a lack of knowledge of how to tell the story by means of a documentary film.

Broken (4mins) Turkey
(student only)
A very short piece - and perhaps not definable as a "documentary" - about the urbanisation of slums in Turkey.

Being Free  (28mins) Holland
(student only)
A 40-year-old prisoner leave jail and is forced to come to terms with all issues of his freedom. It is a learning experience for him. This is a throughly well made
film which follows his resocialisation by the Dutch welfare system and a religious community. It is a warm portrait of the main character.

Exile Family Movie (94mins) Austria
(student only)
This is a compelling and often amusing study of how an Iranian family spread across the world tries to organise a reunion in Mecca. There are many problems - both
legal and cultural to be overcome. This is a deep film which uses the style of home movies to tell the story with a sophisticated structure. We share with the
family the emotions of love, sadness and laughter. Rightly, the film has won many awards.

 

CREATIVE CATEGORY

Balkan Digest (27mins) Romania
(Intercultural Dialogue Category)
The Aromanian Vlach culture has survived turmoil in Europe in the mountains of south Albania. The people tell their own history but there is little
questioning of the men who speak. It is an interesting issue but there is a lack of cinematic knowledge, with shaky camerwork, and repeating metaphors
(of a curled snake) which help very little.

Migrators (55mins) Romania
(Intercultural Dialogue Category)
A strong and convincing story told by a woman member of the European Parliament in Brussels. She fights for the improvement of anti-discrimination laws
With her, we travel around Europe to meet Romanians who have migrated, tried and succeeded to overcome social and cultural boundaries.
Others, though, follow the same road and fail. 

The Story of a Golden Coin (61mins) Canada
(Intercultural Dialogue Category)
This tells the story of a small Roma community living in Canada after emigrating from Romania. The film is based on a theatre project for children and there
are interviews on how they have (or have not) integrated. Sometimes this verges on sentimentality but there is some strong music.

Viva Constanta! (43mins) Romania
(Intercultural Dialogue Category)
A vivid and refreshing portrait of a teacher in a Roma village in the north of Romania who is obsessed by Elvis Presley. He struggles to succeed as an Elvis impersonator in
national contests and at a music festival in Constanta. He makes gipsy versions of the Elvis hits and hopes to become famous. This is the director's first work
as a video journalist after finishing study - and this is her master's degree submission. This is the  judges' Winner of the Intercultural Dialogue category.

Being Free (28mins) Holland
This is a thoroughly well done observation of the "re-socialisation" of a prisoner who is re-entering Dutch society. How hard is it for him to learn how to be free again?
again? We follow him through the process of the Dutch social welfare institutions and settling in a religious community. Step-by-step this becomes a warm
portrait of the protagonist.

Exile Family Movie (94mins) Austria
This is a unique creative film about the family as the emotional basis of human relationship. An Iranian family is spread all over the world and has difficulty
getting together again in Iran after an absence of 20 years, so go to Mecca. The film is both funny and deep. There is use of the syle and look of home movies to construct a
sophisticated narration on emotions like love, sadness, and laughter. There is a fascinating clash of Moslem and western attitudes.

Transylvanian Timber (42mins) Germany
(student only)
A sensitive exploration of the nature of state boundaries, in this case the Romanian-Ukrainian border. We take a five hour train journey into the forest and
meet shepherds, border guards and many others. The film gives us a deep impression of how and why these people are there living in a space and time
so different from our own. This is the Winner of the Student Award.

Mociornita Building (33mins) Romania
This depicts the life of people living in an apartment block in the centre of Bucharest. It shows how they struggle with changes in society and the economic
circumstances of life. Unfortunately, we do not go deep enough and there is the usual superficial phenomema we know from many such films dealing with
the same global issue of change.

To Make an Example of (48mins) Turkey
A powerful film about the death penalty in Turkey. More than 700 have died since the creation of the republic, many for political crimes. We hear from all
those involved, both criminals and judges. It is a rare example of a film on a human rights issue which can remind us of suffering in a pseudo-democratic society.
However, there are some visual cliches. The judges are sure this film will win an award on the international festival circuit and they give it a Special Mention.

The Pantry of Szekelyderzs (42mins) Romania
There is a monument in Darjiu, a town in Romania, which stands as a defiance against the Ottomans who once ruled the area. It depicts the slaughter of a pig.
What is more pork and bacon are air-dried inside the church tower and the townspeople store other groceries in the tower. The film would have been
improved with stricter editing.

The Potter from Binis (27mins) Romania
Stepan Ionica is 80 and the seventh generation of a family of craftsmen in Binis, Romania. This is a beautiful, warm hearted and painstaking film with
brilliant camerawork over a period of two years. We learn about the potter and we also learn much about his society. It is a near perfect example of how
such a ethnographic film should be made. This is worthy of Special Mention by the judges.

Humoresque (16mins) Romania
Maria is 94 and living in a village in Romania. She needs money for her funeral and she gets it by marrying and claiming a 200 euro government grant. This is
a surprising and unexpected film of an old couple, filmed in a poetic manner with a smart and slightly comical commentary. There is a fine sound track and
music score.

All the Children but One (40mins) Germany
(Kids and Teens Issues category)
This shows boys happily playhing together as they grow up in a village in Hungary. They "fly to Mars", they hunt gorillas, they have play fights, they go on bike
rides. But their idyll and their innocence is shattered when one of them dies just before his 10th birthday. In shock and sadness, they reflect on this loss of
childhood. It is a film made with deep sympathy but without sentimentality. This is the Winner of the Kids and Teens Issues category.

Broken (4mins) Turkey
(Kids and Teens Issues category)
A very short piece - and perhaps not definable as a "documentary" - about the urbanisation of slums in Turkey.

HaBiBa (12mins) Belgium
(Kids and Teens Issues category)
This short film seeks to express in filmic ways the work of a group of artists living in Creahm-Liege. The judges think this is a valuable initiative and a good
attempt. However, we never go beneath the surface enough and it is too light and too sentimental.

Homeless Kids (52mins) Belgium
(Kids and Teens Issues category)
This film deserves a Special Mention from the judges. It gives protraits of children at a reception centre for asylum seekers and we are shown their life in
"limbo" while their future is decided. The documentary is hopeful, cheerful and positive. The judges give this a Special Mention in the Kids and Teen Issues category.

La Sortie d'Ecole (13mins) France
(Kids and Teens Issues category)
The days of starting and leaving school are rites of passage for us all. Here children leave the village school of Agen in the south of France. The children are,
as ever, the stars of the show but this is too slight a film for great credit.

A Mother from the Kingdom of Shadows (28mins) Moldova
This is the tragedy of mothers who are apart from their children because they have been out in jail for their misdeeds. They suffer deeply from the
separation and it is an extra burden to their captivity. They reach their children only through letters. It is a strong story but suffers from stereotypes and is
sometimes over-dramatic.

Birth and Building (24mins) Serbia

This is a documentary about the mysteries of the creation of art. It achives this without commentary. However the choice of music and the final sequences
fail to help and, indeed, seem to destroy the mystery.

Brancusi: Roots and Branches (28mins) Portugal
Constantin Brancusi,a Romanian, is one of the world's most distibuished sculptors. His use of wood and simple shapes has made him distinctive. This film looks at the
forests and the fields around Brancusi's childhood home to examine the roots of his ideas. We feel the atmpsphere of these places and understand the feelings
his work can invoke. The film is never didactic but translates subtle and sensitive feelings to a cinematic form. Winner of the Creative Documentary category.

The Steps (54mins) Montenegro
This is a meditiation on "time". There are three stories of three men - all taking long walks in which to think about their lives. The judges find this an
exciting idea but are not sure it stretches to this length. Clocks repeat to give the metaphor of passing time.

Sisters of Lilith (42mins) Turky
These are the stories of three women in Turkey. One is a shepherd, one a fisher, the third a farmer. The idea of these independent women in Turkey is
appealing. The construction is interesting but intensity is lost somewhere along the line. This is the European premiere.

Stella (77mins) France
Stella lives with her husband and hers sister in a poor suburb of Paris. She keeps alive by begging, as do so many illegal immigrants. There is a classical
construction and a well told story. The issues it raises are important but it never quite matches our expectations. This is the debut documentary of Vanina
Vignal as a director.

Sunday in Pripiat (26mins) France
Pripiat was once a modern city inhabited by 50,000 people. It was built in the 1970s but is now a ghost town. This film tells how the lethal dust forced
the people to quit. The judges were impressed by the strong feelings of hypocrisy and technically by the quality of the sound and sound effects. This
documentary is highly praised.

Testimony (90mins) Romania-Germany-Finland
An outstanding film in which the director studies those who face the prospect of untimely death. He does so from a personal threat of death from a brain
tumour: he is given just three years to live. In this live, he argues, every minute and every second counts. The artists he interviews communicate well the
sense of trepidation and courage faced with death. It is, strangely, a hopeful and encouraging film. The director, Razvan Georgescu, wins the Special Jury Award.

Trumpets Republic (48mins) Italy
Serbia is the land of the trumpet. It is everywhere. We hear it as a player from a village orchestra prepares for a brass band competition.
We hear it when children are born and when people move house. In the end, there are too many occasions to give the film any focus.