Eight documentaries showing at BIFF this year:

‘Beyond the Call’ (d. Adrian Belic, United States, 82 minutes)

In an Indiana Jones meets Mother Teresa adventure, three middle-aged men, former soldiers and modern-day knights, travel the world delivering life-saving humanitarian aid directly into the hands of civilians and doctors in some of the most dangerous yet beautiful places on Earth — the front lines of war. Their personal convictions and courage drive them to places such as Afghanistan, Albania, Chechnya, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Rwanda and the southern Philippines, often when few if any other humanitarian aid organisations are around. The camera follows them as they take us on a journey into the heart of humanity and the soul of courage.

‘The Cats Mirikitani’ (d. Linda Hattendorf, United States, 74 minutes, subtitles) Jimmy Mirikitani, an 85-year-old Japanese-American born in Sacramento and raised in Hiroshima, is living on the streets of New York in January 2001. When a neighbouring filmmaker stops to ask about Mirikitani’s art, a friendship begins that will change both their lives. In sunshine, rain, and snow, she returns again and again to document his drawings, trying to decipher the stories behind them. The tales spill out in a jumble — childhood picnics in Hiroshima, ancient samurai ancestors, lost American citizenship, Jackson Pollock, Pearl Harbour, thousands of Americans imprisoned in Second World War desert camps, a boy who loved cats... But what began as a simple portrait of one homeless man was transformed by events, and the filmmaker’s generous spirit, into a beautiful and moving film that is a heart-warming affirmation of humanity that will appeal to all lovers of peace, art and cats. Winner, Audience Award, Tribeca Film Festival.

‘Golden Lotus, The Legacy of Bound Feet’ (d. Joanne Cheng, China, 60 minutes) Against the backdrop of China’s modernity, and from along the banks of the northern Yellow River to remote Yunnan Village in southwest China, the filmmaker searches for the last survivors of Bound Feet — China’s 1,000-year-old tradition of erotic beauty, mutilation and female survival. Told through the first person narrative of the filmmaker, who was raised by her bound feet grandmother, the film records otherwise lost voices and the haunting memories of 12 Chinese women with bound feet. This poignant film reveals a dark secret about Chinese civilisation and women’s changing destiny in a society once, and perhaps still, dominated by men.

‘A Hebrew Lesson’ (d. David Ofek and Ron Rotem, Israel, 120 minutes, subtitles)

This delightful, thought-provoking documentary chronicles the lives of several immigrants to Israel who meet in a Hebrew language Ulpan (language class). Chin left her daughter in China and travelled to Israel to make a living. She cleaned Ehud’s house, and they fell in love. Sasha never considered living in Israel, but four years after his woman left Russia with their child, he understood that life without his child is worthless. He left a thriving business behind only to find himself living in Tel Aviv’s worst neighbourhood. Marisol grew up as a Jewish Princess in Lima, Peru — and comes to Israel to learn something about life. An unexpected pregnancy alters her plans. The film, at times funny, and at other times sad, paints the daily reality with irony. But beyond the obvious differences, the human common denominator of longing and love, triumphs time and again.

‘Living With Lew’ (d. Adam Bardach, United States, 88 minutes)

Scott Lew is a funny guy. The first to share a joke, a wry smile or an amusing observation, Scott has always had a keen eye and ear for life’s many absurdities. In 2003, at the age of 33, Scott was tragically diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Despite this devastating news and the rapid progression of his disability, Scott forged ahead and made the choice to direct his first feature film, a heartfelt comedy entitled, ‘Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas’ from a script he wrote. Over the next three years, as Scott worked tirelessly to achieve his goal, trusted friend and filmmaker Adam Bardach set forth to document Scott’s trials and triumphs. ‘Living With Lew’ is the story of one man’s indomitable spirit, relentless lust for life, dogged pursuit of a dream and his wild, subversive sense of humour that shines like a beacon through the bleakest of prognoses.

‘Row Hard, No Excuses’ (d. Luke Wolbach, United States, 90 minutes)

The Transatlantic Rowing Challenge, a two-person, 3,000 mile race across the Atlantic Ocean from Tenerife to Barbados that takes between 50 and 100 days to complete is the backdrop of Row Hard, No Excuses. The race drives the story, but this documentary is about the people. John Zeigler and Tom Mailhot, the Massachusetts team, are determined to win the race.

These two men are over 40, have trained for three years for this competition, and are both searching for something in their lives. The challenges of the race, wind, water, sun, exhaustion, and injury boil each team member down to his/her essence. John and Tom learn more about each other and about themselves than their imaginations ever conjured.

‘Sleeping Island’ (d. David Martin de los Santos, Spain, 59 minutes, subtitles)

This rich, evocative, lyrical documentary speaks to a hidden Cuba, a magical, mystical place full of mystery and quiet beauty. With vibrant cinematography and incredible interviews the filmmakers get to the heart of Cuba’s Afro-Caribbean heritage. Cuba is a land of dichotomy, of potential, of inspiration. The secret religious life of Cuba is a complex amalgam of Catholicism and pantheism, of squalor and civility, of hope and despair.

The Cuba in this film is not a simple backdrop of old cars and cracking paint, it is the pivotal character of the film as seen in the hopes and beliefs of its people. Music, nationalism, sexuality, art, immigration, ambition, all are brought out of the hothouse of Cuba and shared as tropical delicacies with the spectator.

This fast-paced, hypnotic, beautiful film will capture those who view it and sweep them into the dream that is Cuba,e Sleeping Island.

‘Storm of Emotions’ (d. Yael Klopmann, Israel, 106 minutes)

An unusual story that captures and holds your attention, ‘Storm of Emotions’ documents the removal of Israeli settlers from the Gaza strip. In 1982, following the peace accord between Israel and Egypt, the terms of which included the evacuation of the Sinai desert, thousands of settlers had to leave their homes and one option was a move to Gush-Katif, on the outskirts of the Gaza strip.

Years later, the Israeli government has decided to pull back from the Gaza strip and this unleashes a storm of political and social turmoil. At the front line are the men and women of the Israeli police force, tasked with the delicate, complex and sensitive job of forcing their fellow citizens to move — again — without violence or loss of life. The filmmaker follows key police personnel as they train for and execute the “disengagement”.

Their struggle is a balance emotions, beliefs, conscience and a sense of brotherhood is at times heart-rending and the pain is visible. ‘Storm of Emotions’ is a singular opportunity to witness the unique impact of Israeli politics on its own people.