Documentary Archives | Otaku No Culture

Preserving Nature in IMAX: America Wild National Parks Adventure

NationalParksAdventure_KeyArt_500 MacGillivray Freeman’s America Wild National Parks Adventure truly spotlights the beauty that Mother Earth has hidden away. When Theodore Roosevelt came to discover the majesty existing in certain areas of America instead of remote corners and became an advocate to create a system of national parks, perhaps a small detail was glossed over quicker than catching a prairie dog peeking out to wonder why mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl are intent on capturing them on their respective medium for prosperity.

Yellowstone was the first national park created to preserve the beauty that exists on this planet. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill, and more time could have been spent to reinforce the importance of how money needs to be set aside to protect and manage these parks back in the day. It took time for that to develop to what it presently is.

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Recognizing the Last Man on the Moon, A Documentary

I teared up when he admitted to his mistakes, and the notes he makes in The Last Man on the Moon are all the more poignant

The Last Man on the Moon Movie Poster Andy Kaufman is not the only man on the moon. His fame is different though. In the movie The Last Man on the Moon, director Mark Craig recognizes Captain Eugene “Gene” Cernan, the last person who stepped foot upon that ball of luminous glory we see in the sky, waxing and waning in a regular cycle.

Some lunar observers say it can influence people’s emotions. In this documentary’s case, it’s the feelings Cernan had in achieving his dreams. He was one of twelve men to be selected to be part of NASA‘s Apollo Space Program (1961 – 1975).

This film is a very personal one for Cernan. These days, he spends his time directing projects to further space exploration and he attends shows to inspire new generations to fly to the moon, but when or if that will happen will depend on NASA getting off their collective ass. These days, perhaps inspired by the movie The Martian, the goal is to reach Mars instead of figuring out a way to establish a lunar colony.

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[VFF ’16] “Forever is [Not] a Long Time” to see The Smalls Reunited Documentary Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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Victoria Film Festival 2016
Fri 12th 6pm
Sun Feb 14, 4pm
The Vic Theatre
808 Douglas St,
Victoria, BC

In 2014, the Albertan punk-metal-country band The Smalls reunited for a true farewell tour and for directors Trevor Smith and John Kerr, they nicely captured the rawness and love Western Canada has for this group in their documentary The Smalls: Forever is a Long Time. Through candid interviews with the band and industry observers, viewers come to understand where each member has come from, where are they now, and why they decided to perform one last time. Whatever the reason was behind the break-up, the explanations are alluded to instead of spelling it out point-blank.

This documentary does not focus on the negative. It sweetly looks at the positive. This product also nicely works as a primer to those who have not grown up with The Smalls. Not everyone was exposed to their music when they were at their height in the 90’s and to follow the scene means being a die-hard enthusiast.

In what this movie presents is a very great look at their work from their rise to their sudden disappearance in the scene. A few conversations include why they did not do as well in Eastern Canada, and as for whether they had a world-wide influence, that’s for the fan to decide. Not every detail is spelled out for viewers to take note of, but at least in terms of how they ended it, the framing of this narrative is on the nose. The Smalls were indeed a phenomenon and when the music ends, what they have given are fantastic, lasting memories. That’s no easy feat.

4 Stars out of 5

[VFF ’16] To Boldly Go Where No Elephant Has Gone Before, An Interview with Patricia Sims

Technically, Patricia Sims’ When Elephants Were Young is an achievement. From the camera work done by Michael Clark, to its surround sound mix and the soundtrack, much of it can be heard on the album Acoustic for Elephants where 100% of the proceeds are donated to World Elephant Day

Playing at the Victoria Film Festival on

Feb 08, 7:00pm
Star Cinema, 9842 Third St, Sidney, BC

Feb 10, 6:30pm
Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas
780 Yates St, Victoria, BC

Filmmaker and environmentalist Patricia Sims always knew she wanted William Shatner as the master storyteller in her two documentaries examining the Asian elephants plight. He’s more than just Captain Kirk of a highly loved science fiction franchise; he is an advocate for animal rights and he provides the narration in Return to the Forest (2013) and When Elephants Were Young (2015). The former is freely available online and the latter is getting a hometown premiere in Victoria, BC at the 2016 Victoria Film Festival. Plans for a wider theatrical release is coming and It’s most likely going to take place close to, if not on World Elephant Day on August 12th in 2016. A streaming and video release will no doubt follow, but when will mean either waiting patiently like this creature or time travelling to the future to see the product.

She started making wildlife films in the 90’s, starting with examining the impact hunting whales and dolphins for its meat (or sale to marine parks) are having in a cultural level. Her examination also includes looking at the scientific studies made of these mammals. They are sentient creatures with cognitive abilities. Fortunately, the practice of using them as a resource is slowly being put to the past, and thankfully, present-day attitudes wants to see the species survive.

“In the 90s, there was a cultural awakening predominantly among the younger generation about what shouldn’t be done. Animals of all kinds are very intelligent and [their survival is] important for the health of the environment,” remembered Sims.

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[VFF ’16] When Elephants Were Young, Their Role in Asian Societies, A Review

One night in modern Bangkok will not make any member of the native Thai tribes heralding their mammoth pet around the streets humble after watching When Elephants Were Young.

Available to view on Vudu (Updated Sept 2022)

One night in modern Bangkok will not make any member of the native Thai tribes heralding their mammoth pet around the streets humble after watching When Elephants Were Young. This documentary made by local filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, and narrated by William Shatner is excellent at showing how these creatures should be treated with respect instead of used. People revere this gentle beast, but sadly, they view the old traditions without truly understanding the native culture that once accepted keeping them “as pets.” Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are a-Changin’” is one way to sum up the how the film moves and this film nicely reveals where attitudes are headed.

World Elephant Day (August 12, 2016) is championing preventing the Asian elephant from going extinct. Large steps are being made by the government to see the animal get saved. Ever since they got domesticated for warfare during Ancient Greek times, if not used in jungle warfare in India, their relationship with man has been an uneasy one. Are they working animals, creatures to be paraded around in zoos, or what? This film looks at their roles in human society today, focusing specifically in the relationship Wok, a mahout (elephant guardian), has with Nong Mai, an elephant he’s taken care of for at least a decade. He’s part of the Kui tribe and they have to adapt to modern times.

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[VFF ’16] A Highlight from the Indigenous Program – Stories from the Sierra Madre – A Preview

Time may be limited, and hopefully their ongoing efforts, with thanks to this film, will get the Sierra Madre’s established as a national park instead of land to be exploited.

Victoria Film Festival 2016
Sun, Feb 7, 6pm
The Vic Theatre
808 Douglas St,
Victoria, BC

Stories from the Sierra Madre is a cultural film that looks at how important the San Pedro River is to two local villages. This product is just one of five films made by Indigenous filmmakers. This special program within the Victoria Film Festival is back for a second year!

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