The nominations in the best documentary category at the 2016 BAFTA held on Sunday had drawn the attention of most of the Asians. Of the five nominations made in this category, three of the documentaries were in some way or the other related to Asia. This was the year, which had the most interesting collection of documentaries themed on diverse topics.
'Amy', the acclaimed documentary about the late British origin singer Amy Winehouse picked up a top award for best documentary at the 2016 BAFTA, held on Sunday. Born in North London, into a Muslim-Indian origin family, Asif is a well known filmmaker known for his previous work including acclaimed movie titled ‘The Warrior’, shot in the Himalayas and Rajasthan. ‘The Warrior’ had won Best British Film award in 2003 while his movie Senna, which was about the Brazilian motor racing champions was widely applauded.
While accepting the award, Asif Kapadia paid tribute to the singing star ‘in the end it was all about Amy.’ The documentary was reviewed as the most ‘a tragic masterpiece’, ‘heart-breaking’, ‘awe-inspiring’ kind of narration. It also invited the ire of Amy’s father Mitch Winehouse, who described it as the ‘most hurtful’ movie. The Indian origin filmmaker had drawn the interest for his documentary on an exceptionally talented singer who went wayward and ultimately met a tragic end.
The movie was about the popular singer, who died in 2011 at the young age of 27 after a difficult battle with drink and drugs, which were widely discussed. Amy is also one of the top rated documentaries in the Oscar race.
Another documentary that Asians keenly watched was about Pakistani teenager and youngest Noble Peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai titled ‘He Named Me Malala.
Directed by David Guggenheim, Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, the movie tracked the journey of a simple Pakistani girl from Swat Valley, campaigning for girls’ education while she was shot at by the Talibani militants. The documentary that also features Malala’s famous speech made at the UN stressing the requirement of education everywhere. All eyes from India and Pakistan were on the documentary on Malala’s inspiring story, which failed to hit the theatres in her home country and also in India.
Any reference of Mount Everest draws the interest of the Asian audience and Sherpa was the most interesting presentation based on Everest expedition. An exhaustive presentation by Jennifer Peedom, Bridget Ikin and John Smithson, this is based on an incredible fight on the Everest. The documentary is based on 2013 news channel reports on the ugly brawl at 21,000 ft between European climbers and angry Sherpas. In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Napelese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. Now, climbers and Sherpas were trading insults.
The other two documentaries could also be a delight for those who have an affinity to explore new topics and enjoy creative narration on unusual topics.
Matthew Heinemanand and Tom Yellin’s ‘Cartel Land’ based on citizen uprising led by a small town physician Dr Jose Mireles against the murderous drug cartels in Mexico.
‘Listen to Me Marlon’ by Steven Riley, John Battsek, George Chignell and RJ Cutler, which has delighted movie lovers. This is a documentary on legendary actor Marlon Brando, the makers have brilliantly utilised hundreds of hours of audio that Brando recorded over the course of his life to tell the legend’s story.
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