The Things I Learned at Hot Docs

Blogtastic Voyage XXV

Watching documentaries is obviously an educational experience. I feel like attending a festival dedicated to the genre has taught me so much more than the films’ subject matter alone. For instance, I have learned that Americans can be real jerks; not exactly a news flash but confirmed by the gentleman who continually attacked my armrest until he had full control of both. Maybe he thought there was oil in my seat and that is why he had to occupy it. Secondly, I found out if you are ever having an “I feel uncool” day, you can just go see a documentary about astrophysics…coolness restored. And who still wears top hats? Lastly, I learned that there is something more irritating than “movie talkers.”  At first I thought it was someone’s cell phone ringing (equally annoying) but who would use a baby crying as a ring tone? It just doesn’t make sense. Well, it might make more sense than bringing your newborn baby to a movie theatre. I am sorry parents…congratulations for creating life, that’s amazing…but you have given up your movie privileges until your child is old enough to be left with a babysitter.

As you can see, there were many lessons learned. Here are some very educational films I watched over the last few hours (or days…I am losing track):

Betrayal

I mentioned above how Americans are jerks. This film cemented that opinion…strangely nothing would make me happier than getting a green card. Anyways, ‘Betrayal’ is based on a family’s struggle to survive after the U.S. government abandoned Laos during the Vietnam War. A once neutral and peaceful country, Laos was used by the U.S. as strategic military front to fight the North Vietnamese. Laotians even formed their own guerilla army (funded and trained by America) to help the cause. Then one day the Americans left and without their help, Laos fell under communist rule. Anyone involved in the anti-communist army or government was executed. This film chronicles one family’s journey out of that hell and their struggle to find a new life in the U.S. after escaping Laos. This is an eye-opening look at the innocent victims of war and the strength of the human spirit.

BLAST!

The title is an acronym for Balloon-borne Large Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope. See, don’t you feel cooler already. The film follows a group of astrophysicists trying to launch this telescope on a NASA high-altitude balloon so they can examine light from early-formed galaxies. (I am talking about galaxies that are ten billion years old.)  Pretty awesome stuff if you are a geek like me. Beyond the pure science, there is a very human side to the story. The director shows the sacrifices made by the scientists as they travel to both poles of the earth to realize their goals of launching this telescope. They pay the price in their personal lives to help find the answers to where life began.

On a more personal note, the University of Toronto had a large part in the development of the telescope and all the related research. I have a friend who is an astrophysicist at U of T. She was not in the film but I know she was involved. I would like to say, “You rock, MacTavish!”

So, that was my day. Until next time…and thanks for reading.

Jeff

Comments

Not that it makes things better, but just to clarify that we are not inconsiderate parents: that 6 month old child WAS left with a babysitter, who decided that she would like to see the movie too. I couldn't hold it against her, she was the P.I.'s mother. Even though I am the mother of that child I claim no responsibility for the irritation it may have caused the viewers. I was "allowed" to watch guilt free (although I was hiding in my seat every time she made a fuss). Thankfully she took the child out and I relieved her of her after the show.

Glad that you were still able to enjoy the movie though. It was a great representation of the sacrifice those researchers made for science, I thought.

Haha, what a small world. I miss Toronto!