The documentaries are sure to shine at the 20/21 Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival. We are very excited about the diverse, outstanding collection of short and feature-length documentary films in this year’s festival. The line-up includes films that delve behind-the-scenes for compelling insight into typically inaccessible subjects, while others tell stories that are deeply personal and close to home for the filmmaker.
Here’s a look at four of the nonfiction films that you won’t want to miss.
Five Years North
Five Years North follows two compelling stories documenting unique personal experiences on the issue of immigration. Luis, an undocumented Guatemalan teenager, arrives alone in New York City and struggles to work, study and cope to help support his family back home. Judy, an NYC-based ICE officer, navigates pressures from shifting federal immigration policies and concerns from her own Cuban-American immigrant family. The filmmakers’ impressive and unfiltered access to these subjects sheds new light on the challenges surrounding America’s immigration system. The film won the Metropolitan Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC 2020.
Far Out West
The former members of the Kerista Commune in San Francisco share their experiences with the commune and its charismatic leader, Jud Presmont. Kerista offered members an alternative lifestyle with communal living, multiple sexual partners, its own religion, and a highly successful Apple Computer sales business. But was Kerista a commune, or was it a cult? Far Out West was directed and produced by a pair of Chicago filmmakers.
When All That’s Left is Love
Eric Gordon’s award-winning documentary shares a personal story about his father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and his mother’s determination and frustration with her difficult role as caregiver. Gordon interviews other primary caregivers and explores how they cope with the emotions, hopes and overbearing challenges that they share. The subjects in this film are strikingly honest. The stories will likely feel relatable to viewers who have shared similar experiences with their own loved ones. It is no wonder that this film has found awards and praise from numerous festivals and audiences.
Resisterhood
Resisterhood follows the journeys of four female activists and the family of one Chicago-area former US Congressmember as they organize, march and fight for women’s rights, beginning with the historic 2017 Women’s March to the 2018 midterm elections. If any specific events from the densely chaotic politics of the last four years might feel – maybe for a moment – like ancient history, the film is sure to remind viewers and that any progress toward social justice is long and hard fought. Resisterhood celebrates the passion and perseverance of the kind of “ordinary”, yet extraordinary, grassroots leaders who see a problem and decide to do something about it.
