This documents the quest of Ashraf Al-Khaled’s quest to stamp out Muslim-on-Muslim terrorism after his wedding was suicide bombed.
For It (A Little Toast)
Al-Khaled does a stunning job getting a wide array of people to talk about terrorism, including the father of a suicide bomber, the Al Qaeda leader who recruited him, and the wives of other bombers. What they have to say is some f the most illuminating and frightening footage on the subject I’ve ever seen.
Against It (Sip and Wince)
There’s an awful lot of talk about ho wit’s inherently wrong for a Muslim to kill a Muslim, and some show a genuine remorse on that front. Eventually you begin to realize a bone isn’t really being picked with killing everyone else. This is somewhat less than a hopeful sign.
Sun Come Up
Billed as a documentary about the world’s first environmental refugees, this short follows a group of Carteret Islanders as they try to secure a home on a nearby larger Island to escape a home that is sinking beneath the waves.
For it (A Little Toast)
Well, I think I figured out where Don Cheadle’s parents come from… The subject is one that we may unfortunately see more of in coming years, and the islanders have remarkable composure in the face of this, especially considering most of them had never left their island before. This is also the documentary short nominated with the most technical skill employed, especially the cinematography.
Against It (Sip and Wince)
Even at 38 minutes, there’s only so many village meetings where they ask for land you can watch before you mind starts to wander a bit.
Warriors of Qiugang
This shows the battle of a small rural Chinese town to curb the rampant industrial pollution that is ruining the lives of them and their children.
For It (A Little Toast)
Documentaries like Gasland show the environmental abuses of American companies, but China makes them look like boy scouts. Anybody arguing against environmental regulations should take a look at what a world without them looks like. The “warriors” in question also show amazing moxie, especially their leader Zhang Gongli, a farmer with a middle-school education who teaches himself the intricacies of Chinese law.
Against It (Sip and Wince)
The documentary itself doesn’t do a great job of portraying the obstacles these people had to overcome. Most of the information is second-hand, and no matter how compelling it can be hard to keep the mind from wandering.
Poster Girl
An all-American girl who enlisted to fight in Iraq copes with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a sometimes less than sympathetic system upon returning home.
For It (A Little Toast)
If you’ve ever met a young Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who got into the line of fire, this’ll look familiar. Her statement about how she wants to tell Iraqi mothers that she’s sorry that she’s the nightmare for their children is one of the most heartfelt and poignant put to film this year.
Against It (Sip and Wince)
Unfortunately, heavy-handed direction saps some of this short’s impact and verges on exploitation, especially the intercutting of grisly wartime images with her story. One scene in particular, when she’s punching a wall, was a little too convenient and somebody should have known to nix the cheesy freeze frame it ends with.
Strangers No More
This short gives a peek into a fascinating school in Tel Aviv, Israel, which boasts students from 48 different countries, many of them refugees from conflicts all across the globe.
For It (A Little Toast)
The cynic in me was a little skeptical about the Oscar-baity, “inspirational” story, but I was won all the way over. These people do genuinely good work, helping immigrant and refugee children adjust to their new lives and in some cases enjoy the first semblance of an education they’ve ever had. Their stories are heartbreaking and their ability to overcome and passion to learn is, dare I say it, inspirational.
Against It (Sip and Wince)
There are some slight Christian undertones that might hurt it in some circles, but that would be a shame.
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