New Trends / What Alien life would look like

July 15, 2010 | New Trends | by Casper Johansson |

The pre-eminent scientist Stephen Hawking has envisioned what our most far flung neighbors might look like, using the latest computer technology, for the new documentary series, Into The Universe. Hmm, it’s not too dissimilar to what you might find on the People of Walmart blog. Right? We joke! We joke! Read more

July 9, 2010 | New Film | by Xavier Toby |

Lately, we’ve been gifted a few astounding documentaries with the rare ability to educate and influence opinion, as well as being riveting viewing over their entire length. Documentaries can be a grind with no worthy content omitted as part of an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of a subject. The result is something that’s an essential item for any university library, but at over two hours a mission to watch. Read more

June 18, 2010 | New Film | by Xavier Toby |

Kidnappings, murder, high level corruption and ear reconstruction are all part of life in Brazil’s Sao Paulo. The best documentaries cover all angles of a story, and here, nobody has been left out. The police, the government, potential victims and actual victims, a kidnapper, along with a plastic surgeon, the guy who makes bullet proof cars, and a frog farmer all get screen time. It’s a fascinating look into the endemic corruption that’s part of Brazil’s government, and the way the poor are driven to crime. Read more

May 19, 2010 | New Film | by Gerry Mak |

I actually really liked Until the Light Takes Us, the documentary about black metal by Audrey Ewell and Aiden Aites. I say ‘actually’ because I can see why so many people didn’t like it. It’s definitely not for fans of the genre, as there is not a lot of actual black metal featured in the film, and it focuses on the characters involved with the now mythic beginnings of the scene, namely Gylve ‘Fenriz’ Nagell of Darkthrone and Varg ‘Count Grishnackh’ Vikernes. Read more

January 20, 2010 | New Film | by Gerry Mak |

If you haven’t already seen Tyson, James Toback’s documentary of Iron Mike, do so immediately. Toback’s lack of editorial lets one of the most fascinating athletes ever speak in his own surprisingly introspective and articulate words. Toback heightens the manic contradictions in Kid Dynamite’s personality with schizophrenic, split-screen editing, creating a film that has a profound impact both emotionally and aesthetically.

January 12, 2009 | New Film | by Francis Andrews |

The international release of this film on December 25th 2008 couldn’t really have been more timely, given what unfolded in Gaza as the year drew to a close. At the centre of this docu-animation is a former Israeli soldier who served at the time of the Sabra and Shatila massacre in the 1982 Lebanon War, and the film traces him as he is forced to relive the memory of the massacre and Israel’s complicity in it. The style of animation, some almost photo-real, adds to the horror of the film’s subject.

March 9, 2008 | Video | by Gerry Mak |

Documentarian Jehane Noujaim and TED have teamed up for a rather ambitious film and media event called Pangea Day on May 10th. The conference-film festival invites both amateur and professional filmmakers to submit short films. Read more

New Events / Leah Robertson

February 22, 2008 | New Events | by Zolton |

Melbourne-based documentary and music photographer Leah Robertson has an exhibition of her work running at Prahran’s MP Gallery until March 9th. We got the scoop on the inspirations behind her shots: What’s been the most memorable gig you’ve attended in recent times? ‘Sufjan, Arcade Fire, Bjork and Rufus have all just played consecutively in Melbourne. It’s been one hell of an incredible, horn-heavy experience. Sufjan and Rufus’ respective wings and stilettos were lovely. My favourite local bands, The Drones, My Disco, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and Baseball, are always great live, always memorable’. Read more

February 12, 2008 | Video | by Stuart McPhee |

Likely lad Dave Gorman is never short of a wacky idea. From seeking out 54 other namesakes to traipsing around the globe guided by a unique internet search, Gorman gives a good anecdote. His latest project — America Unchained — is no less peculiar. But this time he may have hit the sweet spot. His attempt to go coast to coast in the U.S. without giving money to the Man has been captured on film and has already won the audience award for best Documentary at the Austin Film Festival. The DVD is out in the UK, with the book to follow internationally in April. [watch also the Construction of the American Dream]