Click to see a larger image.

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has arrived in Missoula again this year. There are so many films I’d like to see, but with a limited budget, I can’t afford to see all of the films on the agenda. One way that I’ll be able to see many of the films is by volunteering at the festival. Thursday, I volunteered for a little over six hours. During the volunteer time, it is permissible for volunteers to sit in on films during our shifts, if we have a few minutes between duties when we don’t have passes to the films being shown. This is great on some levels, but frustrating on others because we never are able to see a complete film in this way.

However, by volunteering, we earn passes to see films when we are not working. Below are a list of some of the films I was able to see thus far, either in part or in their entirety, and some quick impressions of them.

First Lesson in Peace - A Jewish father films his six year old daughter as she attends an integrated Arab-Jewish primary school in Israel. A compelling movie which shows how deeply rooted the Arab-Jewish conflict really is. Takes complex issues and breaks them down so that even children can understand. (Viewed only part of film.)

Who the F**# is Jackson Pollack - A seventy three year old retired woman truck driver buys “an ugly painting” at a thrift shop for $5. The painting may be a Pollack, she learns. She doesn’t know who Pollack was, but works to prove that the painting is genuine so that she can sell it for millions. The film was a good one, but at seventy-four minutes, ran longer than it could have. The story would have been more effectively told in fifty minutes.

Montana Meth - Made in coordination with the Montana Meth Project, this film will be shown on HBO as part of its “Addiction” series. Montana ranks second in the nation for methamphetamine abuse in the nation. The story of meth in Montana is effectively told by the addicts themselves in an amount of time longer than the thirty second soundbites heard on the radio or seen on television.

The film also illustrates the efforts of law enforcement’s attempts to deal with the meth problem in Montana. This is a story that needs to be told, although the dramatic use of music was slightly overbearing. Remembering that the film is intended to be a part of a larger HBO series on addiction, this one fault is forgivable.

Silver Spurs - A man obsessed with the “Old West” opens a home for the mentally disabled and gives it an Old Western theme. A story about patients in an institution is given a twist with the added Old West theme. The patients’ stories are interesting ones, as is the story of the proprietor and his family, but this film also suffers from lack of editing. At eighty-five minutes, I was looking for somewhere closer to between sixty and seventy minutes. Silver Spurs had not been previously viewed publicly in any venue. It screened without press coverage and is not part of the competition. Hopefully, it is unfinished and will later be further edited.

Saddam Hussein: The Trial - The story of Hussein’s trial from before the trial occurred until after it ended as told by a French director. The trial is made out to be a sham that was more for show than justice and fairness. An excellent film which adds to one’s understanding of the current situation in Iraq.

The War Tapes - National Guardsmen from Charlie Company, 3rd of the 172nd Infantry (MOUNTAIN) Regiment, spend a year in Iraq and film their lives. Powerful film which was at times difficult to watch. A must see for all Americans to better understand the war and how it affects soldiers and soldiers’ families.

FUCK - From the same folks who brought us Awesome — I Fuckin’ Shot That, the Beastie Boys concert documentary, comes FUCK, a story about the origins of the word itself and a study about how the word is currently used and viewed in our society. Told in part via man-on-the-street interviews, animated shorts, and interviews with people in the media industry/music industry/comedy industry, FUCK was humorous and well-paced. Could have been more effective as a documentary if it was a little lighter on the celebrity views and a little more focused on the common man. Overall, a good movie.

The Forrest for the Trees - The story of the bombing of Judi Bari, her survival, and her 12+ year struggle to clear her name as having bombed herself. After the bombing, she, and by association EarthFirst!, was viewed as terrorists. Before viewing the film, I knew only vaguely of EarthFirst! and their history. I, like many of you probably do, viewed them as wacko environmentalists who use terrorist tactics to get their way. This is, as the film portrays, simply not true. Excellent movie which tells a story worth telling in a succinct and compelling way.

How is it with Phooie - A man in his mid thirties explores his relationship with his record and film collecting father, and, by extension, his role as a father to his daughter. The reason for the story about the director’s daughter was not immediately apparent. It seems that the director has a choice to make: Is this movie about his relationship with his father? Is this movie about the relationship with his daughter? Is this movie about the process of discovering himself as a father by exploring his relationship with his own father? How it is with Phooey had not been previously viewed publicly in any venue. It screened without press coverage and is not part of the competition. The director was present for the screening and has already said he is considering revisiting the film. I found watching the process fascinating, and did not mind the slight confusion.

Trans - Told from the perspective of a passenger aboard the Trans-Siberian Express railroad. This film has no dialogue and is a good meditation on travel, specifically on this particular train.

…And Then There Were Four - A seventy-seven year old raises four of her grandsons, ages five through eight, whose parents have been unable to care for them. Heartwarming movie that shows the hardships of being a primary caregiver for unruly kids when the deadbeat parents can’t get it together.

Yellow Ox Mountain - Two Chinese artists show how The Cultural Revolution helped shape their work. Excellent movie which sheds light on two individuals’ creative process.

The Giving - “…chronicles the difficult journeys of five women from the time they learn of their pregnancies to the signing of adoption papers.” Each woman very gracefully and bravely shares her story. Very well told by the women and by the director. Excellent film.