Review: 'The Midnight Swim'
A mysterious death tests the relationship between three half-sisters in this eerie, genre-blending feature film debut from director Sarah Adina Smith in The Midnight Swim. Part mystery and part drama, the film tows the thematic line while keeping a cohesive and familiar feeling. Shot from the point of view of one of the sisters (acting as a documentarian), the feel of the film is extremely personal and intimate, a tried, yet welcoming concept that sets this film apart from the rest.
After the drowning of their mother in Spirit Lake, a lake familiar to the girls growing up, as their mother was an activist for its conservation, the three sisters reconnect at their childhood home to bring closure to her untimely death. The personalities range from sister to sister, making it easy to identify with at least one of them; Annie (Jennifer Lafleur) is the oldest and the mature one of the group. Isa (Aleksa Palladino) is the free spirited one whose talks of reincarnation form a central theme within the film. Lastly there's June (Lindsay Burdge), who we don't literally see much because she is the one "documenting" the film as it unfolds. This strong female cast produces engaging performances that translate over the films varying themes.
This strong female cast produces engaging performances that translate over the films varying themes.
While reconnecting with each other after living separate lives for the past few years, the sisters hear about a small-town folklore of the tale of the seven sisters. The legend goes that all seven sisters drowned in Spirit Lake while trying to save each other after a late night swim. Their souls are represented in the sky as stars, but eerily enough, there are only six stars visible to the eye, bringing up questions about that "seventh" sister- like perhaps she still remains at the bottom of the lake. It's haunting, and the girls spend a large amount of time working together trying to figure out if this story is true, and if it could have anything to do with their late mother.
An important thread that runs through the film is Isa's belief in reincarnation. She explains, more than once, that before one is born, your soul has to cross over the river of forgetting, which wipes its memory clean of the life it had just lived. Then, one goes on to the next life and this process keeps happening until all of life's lessons are learned. It's a very meta idea and serves as a cause for contemplation on the part of the audience.
There is one moment in the film that I can only equate to the visual of nails on a chalkboard. In between somber moments of self-reflection at the dock of the lake and subdued quietness, Smith decides it's a good time to incorporate a dance break into the film. Set to the New Seeker's song, "Free To Be You and Me," the girls lip synch and sing into the camera, dancing like girls without a care in the world. While it's a cute scene, it comes at completely the wrong time and will take anybody out of the moment.
The Midnight Swim is a good first attempt from Sarah Adina Smith, after all she chose a fantastic cast and visually, the film is stunning. Unfortunately, the direction seems weak, or even lost at times; a stronger script could have helped guide her toward mastering the simplicity the film desperately needed. However, I definitely wouldn't write off this film, there are a lot of little gems to be appreciated.
http://vimeo.com/98087074
Review: 'Merchants of Doubt'
Director Robert Kenner is no stranger to culturally provocative documentaries, past films include the Oscar-nominated fast food take-down Food, Inc.- and this time he's turning the lens toward big business and their not-so-publicly-known corporate agendas. In Merchants of Doubt, Kenner looks under the veil and into the world of advertising and the spin doctors who manipulate the public perception of various companies. Cigarettes, climate change, and flame retardants are just some of the topics covered in this highly informative and unnerving documentary. Don Draper, avert your eyes.
To drive the point home, Kenner incorporates a magician (who performs in front of a studio audience at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles) into the film- using the analogy of his tricks to better explain the "sneaky" work done by hired hands. The use of the magician, who is actually quite impressive, makes it both easy to understand and fun to follow along.
They say a magician never reveals his tricks, but Kenner does just that once again in Merchants of Doubt...
We quickly discover that this subject is no laughing matter. For years, corporations have hired public relations firms to create and shape trustworthy and honest (honest-enough) company personas for the public interest. How else would they attract customers? The problem is, what was going on behind closed doors was terrifying; by concealing the whole truth about a certain product, it would become misrepresented, usually not in the consumers favor. This is what is described as "honest lying," only revealing facts that paint the company in a positive light. Case in point, archival footage from courtrooms show major cigarette company executives swearing, under oath, that they don't have enough research to conclude that smoking is dangerous, all the while back at the office, hundreds of reports show that smoking kills. If cigarette companies had it their way, there would never be enough research to confirm or deny that fact.
The smoking issue, while important and harrowing, only introduces the film's seemingly larger issue- climate change. This is where Kenner focuses most of his attention, and is where the film gains its strength. Republican Congressman (or as the film shows, soon enough Ex-Congressman) Bob Inglis confidently, and openly, talks about his initial thoughts regarding global warming. The thought that human activity would be even at least partly responsible for planet-warming seemed ridiculous; that is, until he did some independent research and came to the conclusion that humans are very much responsible for this current global warming crisis. Very publicly, Inglis retracts his initial thoughts and becomes an advocate for climate control. His life-altering epiphany is an exception, however, it serves as proof that given unbiased information, tools, and willingness to learn, people are equipped to make educated decisions independently without corporations telling us what they think we want to hear.
They say a magician never reveals his tricks, but Kenner does just that once again in Merchants of Doubt, while also including some of the top scientists and skeptics from the various fields who, although camera-shy (they are renowned scientists and thinkers, after all) are still eager to expose the truth behind various companies claims and their influence on public safety. Once seen, never forgotten, this film does a good job of planting that activism seed in the minds of the audience which, to me, makes it a film worth watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ii9zGFDtc
Review: 'The Theory of Everything'
I am usually drawn to biopic films on the whole. I admire any actor's attempt to become another, real-life person, and for their willingness to be overly-critiqued for taking on said part. More often than not, we unabashedly pick out the flaws in the performance since, well, since exists a literal person to reference against. And I was getting ready to do just that when I watched the trailer for the new Stephen Hawking biopic, The Theory of Everything. The trailer, as did the film, left me with visible chills down my arms; in fact, this is not just another typical biopic. Powerhouse performances from its lead actors, beautiful camerawork, and palpable emotional intensity make this film so much more.
The Theory of Everything begins when young Stephen, (Eddie Redmayne, delivering a revelatory performance) meets young Jane (Felicity Jones) at a University gathering. Wide-eyed and naive, the two quickly and early on fall in love. It is a case of "opposites attract"-Jane being an artistic and religious girl and Stephen being the nerdy astrophysicist and atheist, the couple soon discover their chemistry and future will know no bounds. But with a sudden (and subtly built) diagnosis of motor neuron disease (ALS, or, Lou Gehrig's disease) at 21 years old, with a diagnosis of having only two years left to live, Jane doubles down on her commitment to him, and the pair are soon married, with children to come, as Hawking continues to work towards his life's educational purpose- discovering an equation to explain the creation of the universe as understood by time's mathematical properties. His motivation to determine the relationship between space and time keeps him distracted from his debilitating disorder, but it's easy to see that it is Jane's love and support that keeps him alive.
Redmayne in this film is like Michael Jordan in the NBA Finals-I was awestruck at the execution and mastery on display. His portrayal of an aging and debilitating Hawking, one of the smartest men in history, is exacted and fully realized. His look, his mannerisms, his body language, and the light in his eyes, with complimentary soft-lit lighting and gorgeous camerawork to add, seems so personable and true. Redmayne is undeniably charming, his cuteness coupled with his raw talent makes him extremely attractive to watch onscreen. As Hawking grows older, his body continues to deteriorate and worsen, but his mind is still very much alive. Redmayne captures this challenging period in time with real bravado; he finds the humor in the grim, the joy in the sadness, and the brilliance in the silence.
Redmayne captures this moment so well; he finds the humor in the grim, the joy in the sadness, and the brilliance in the silence.
Not to be outdone is Felicity Jones, who grounds the film with her selflessness and agitated yet calm demeanor. She is relatable as a woman who commits as the caretaker, who stays with the love of her life despite the bleak outlook on their future together, not in the least of times when they bring in a Church music teacher Jonathan (Charlie Cox) to assist with Stephen and the family's life. Jane is a woman to be admired, and Felicity plays her with poignant sensitivities and warmth, driving the film ever forward.
To praise for this ambitious and heart-driven attempt is director James Marsh, whose previous films include documentary work such as 2009's Best Documentary winner Man on Wire. His approach to the film primarily focuses on the lovely, yet complex relationship between Stephen and Jane; his academic achievements and growing successes are circled back to, but it is not a distraction to the focal point of the film. Marsh humanizes the man we have all come to know as a somewhat mythical figure in history and paints him in a new, more vulnerable and unseen light. Much to our delight, this film isn't a giant history lesson meant to educate audiences about the work of Stephen Hawking; but rather, to give us a realistic look into his personal life.
Marsh could have easily turned The Theory of Everything into a grandiose, superficial film with the motivation to rack up countless awards, especially with such a grand title. Luckily for us, this film disposes of superficiality in all the best ways. In fact, the storyline is extremely accurate (and had the blessing from the real Hawking himself). The accompanying score by composer Jóhann Jóhannsson is the threaded heartbeat of the film, cinematic enough to transport us to another place and time, but not so apparent that it takes away from the film itself.
The Theory of Everything has all of the right components to be acknowledged come this awards season: an Oscar contender in many categories for sure. There's no doubt in my mind that Redmayne will receive praise for his work as Hawking. With all of this praise comes some critique; rushed storylines and incomplete emotional journeys cause the film to fall just short of perfection. With so much invested in our characters, it seems an injustice to rush them, although I understand Marsh's decision given the film's 2 hour run time. Overall, I am extremely proud of the film and Eddie Redmayne himself, whose career I've followed since the beginning. Yes, I'll admit it, a couple tears came to my eyes during one particular scene where, in the film's final act, Hawking tells Jane he is traveling to America, a sign of their ultimately distancing between them. If there's anyone who doesn't shed a single tear during that scene, please comment below. I'd love to know how that is humanly possible.
The Theory of Everything opens in theaters this Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Cl_KOO-sE
Review: 'CitizenFour'
This screening was like every other; after the film ended I got my parking validated, grabbed a lollipop for the road and walked to my car. After leaving the parking structure, I turned on my phone and opened the Waze app. A message on the screen appeared, asking if I would like to go "Home." I hit "OK," and began following the directions. Then it dawned on me: I was leaving a screening about the total disillusion of privacy and here I was, putting out private information about where I was and where I was going. Although it was too late, I immediately closed the application, but the knots in my stomach remained. CitizenFour has that effect; its powerful and poignant story will leave you terrified, but on the same coin, it is absolutely stunning and fascinating. Before he was the infamous whistleblower, 29-year-old Edward Snowden, Ed (as he likes to be called), or CitizenFour (his online alias), was an infrastructure analyst at the NSA. In 2013, famed cinema verite director Laura Poitras documented, "A week in the life of Edward Snowden," which has now become her latest truth-bomb film, CitizenFour.
The burning question on our minds is simple, "Why?" Snowden tells the cameras from his hotel room in Hong Kong that it just hit him one day- while working at the NSA he realized he was getting paid to create ways to attain people's private information without their prior knowledge or consent. He couldn't believe this was the current operation standard and imagined a future where this type of "big brother" behavior would become more invasive. So he left; he took whatever documents he could to expose the truth about the government and its protocol. With the conscious intention not to put the country or citizens at risk, he took to the media. Speaking primarily to director Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald, Snowden raises alarming facts, like 300 million AT&T records a day are being monitored and drone feeds from abroad can be live streamed from the desktops at the NSA. New phones, like the one in the hotel room he is interviewed in, can actually be tapped into even when the receiver is down. Snowden literally unplugs the cord from the phone, saying, with the hint of a smile, it's the only way to ensure privacy. The information he shares is relayed from Greenwald to the major networks, claiming an "unidentified source" has proof of domestic intelligence abuse. For now, Snowden remains anonymous, but in a couple of days his identity is revealed, and obvious aftermath follows.
Laura Poitras took on a massive project when she set out to make CitizenFour, and she succeeds in capturing and unveiling this extraordinary moment in journalism that we, on the outside, never see.
To say this is just a "film" feels like a discredit to director Laura Poitras. It's hard to critique; there is no saying whether it is "good" or "bad," rather, it seems like an extraordinary glimpse into this secret world that must be seen, and not just by Americans. To this, I say the documentary is beyond expectations, a superior feet in cinema verite filmmaking. Poitras doesn't let the camera dictate the story, rather, she lets her subject be the only point of attention. She uses single long takes over voice overs to saturate the audience in the location while feeding us a bevy of information. An example of this can be seen in the film's trailer- Poitras narrates an email she received from Snowden while visually, we are staring into a black tunnel. This visual, mixed with those words, are beautifully haunting.
Snowden is extremely articulate and keeps a calm demeanor throughout the film despite the high stakes, and with a voice like Seth Rogen, he comes across as a likable guy. We feel like we are sitting on the bed next to him, experiencing the anxiety he feels. As the story unfolds, in real time Snowden is communicating with his girlfriend back in Hawaii who has no idea where he is or what he is doing. Keeping her in the dark was the only way to ensure her safety, and even though Snowden admits that he doesn't regret anything thus far, he does seem reclusive after hearing his house is being kept under surveillance.
Laura Poitras took on a massive project when she set out to make CitizenFour, and she succeeds in capturing and unveiling this extraordinary moment in journalism that we, on the outside, never see. Clearly, this film tells the story from a one-sided perspective but Poitras does her best to make a film that doesn't push a political agenda and just states the facts. And the fact is, privacy is gone.
The expectation of every American citizen is the right to freedom, however, the word "freedom" has morphed into the word "privacy." What was once the freedom to engage with the internet now comes with a price; it is virtually impossible to not leave a digital footprint everywhere. It's this reason why Edward Snowden reached out to Laura Poitras to tell his story, to bring awareness to this national and international story. In a sense, he gave up his life for the American public's best interest, and Poitras was there to capture it. If there is any one film worth catching this weekend, let alone this year, make sure it's CitizenFour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiU2zinfotI
Review: 'The Overnighters'
What is the American Dream worth to you? Would you be willing to leave your current life behind by uprooting to a rural town in North Dakota for just a shot at gaining employment in some factory? For many Americans, unfortunately, they have no choice but to risk it all with no guarantee of a better future. It's a struggle that no one should experience, but as director Jesse Moss artfully captures in his documentary The Overnighters, this situation is all too familiar to many people. With help from Paster Jay Reinke, those who wander onto the doorstep of his church are given shelter, food, and much needed emotional support. Pastor Reinke's "Overnighters" program changed the lives of hundreds, however, the ultimate effect it had on the community was too much to bear. In a captivating story, Reinke and the overnighters face a harsh reality with dire consequences, as they discover that no good deed goes unpunished.
The town of Williston, North Dakota is the definition of a rural country community and the perfect visual companion to the desperation of the migrants. North Dakota, in general, isn't portrayed much in films, and it's not hard to see why this lone state is not the desired location for prospective projects, or people, for that matter. North Dakota attracts a wide spectrum of people hoping for their last shot, those who have struck out "back home" and are looking for a clean slate. Criminal history and sketchy pasts are overlooked by Pastor Reinke, who literally houses strangers in his family's home, which he shares with a wife and children. A naive move on his part, skeptical audience members (including myself) will find it extremely uncomfortable when the Pastor invites a registered sex offender to stay at his home. In his mind, he is living the word of God, but in the eyes of his neighbors, friends, and the community in general, he is one step away from a devastating outcome.
The motivational undertones make one want to invest the time to watch it- although it is hard to silently sit through Pastor Jay's naive actions without saying out loud, "Are you crazy?"
A timely film that shows the struggles men and women of all ages encounter trying to stay afloat in today's economy may hit pretty close to home, but this is a story about perseverance, not one looking for sympathy or a handout. The motivational undertones make one want to invest the time to watch it- although it is hard to silently sit through Pastor Jay's naive actions without saying out loud, "Are you crazy?"
Jesse Moss struck gold with this documentary; he tells the story that many people have experienced without exploitation or loss of dignity. To find a story this compelling in the tiny town of Williston is like finding a needle in a haystack, and while Moss does an excellent job with 95% of the film, it's the last 5% that really resonates with me. Without spoiling this unforeseen twist at the end, there is a loss of direction by trying to incorporate too many hot button topics into one film; the 'surprise ending' seemed forced and rushed. Though I can't take away its shock factor, nor doubt its credibility, however, I don't see how it helps propel the story that The Overnighters originally set to tell.
At the heart of the film, The Overnighters is not just about the nation's poor economy or the universal stereotype against the unemployed, rather, it is a film about humans and how our beliefs attempt to make the world and each other, better. With constant talk of how poor the economy is, and the hardships of the job market, it's clear that this film is an answer that serves as both entertaining and insightful about the current state of our nation from the perspective of those affected. The Overnighters has already screened in a variety of festivals and has taken home a slew of awards, including the Special Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival. This is one documentary not to be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5ER9Yo5Bfg
Darryl Roberts on 'America The Beautiful 3'
From the very beginning of our talk, passion and enthusiasm illuminates from Darryl Roberts. Extremely articulate with the voice of a radio DJ, it is soon clear that this award-winning director has found his calling in the America The Beautiful documentary series, and we are talking about his third film which opens today, America The Beautiful 3: The Sexualization of Our Youth. He is known in the documentary world for making films about beauty and superficiality, and in this film, he specifically targets the media and its effect on society. Roberts is not making these films for just a paycheck, in fact it's quite the opposite. During our exclusive interview, he tells me his plans to screen the film for free to anyone who wants to see it, and hopes that Emma Watson will be among those in the film's audience. We begin:
I KNOW THIS IS THE THIRD INSTALLMENT IN YOUR DOCUMENTARY TRILOGY, BUT WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN THIS SUBJECT MATTER?
It started around October 2002, I was having dinner with a friend of mine at McDonald's in Chicago and we were just talking about women and beauty, and that kind of stuff. From that conversation, I realized that beauty played a large part in how we relate to other people, which is just shallow and superficial. I remember asking him, why does beauty have to play such a big part of attraction? Relationships would be much deeper if we could get past that. Why are we obsessed with beauty? And that question, 'Why are we so obsessed with beauty' is what made me do the first documentary.
IN YOUR APPROACH TO THIS THIRD FILM, HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE TOPIC OF THE SEXUALIZATION OF YOUTH?
The American Psychological Association released a report on the sexualization of girls, and they made a statement that this level of sexualization is creating a mental health crisis. My first thought was [disbelief], so I kept reading the report and they talked about depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. About two weeks after [I read the report], some guy at a university made this flyer called "Ten Ways To Get Away With Rape." He hung it in the bathrooms all over the campus of Miami University in Ohio, and initially [the administration] wouldn't do anything about it, and that's when I knew I wanted to do something. Things were getting out of hand.
EMBARRASSINGLY ENOUGH, IN COLLEGE, I WORKED AT AN ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I QUICKLY REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE TYPE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT I WANTED TO BE IN, AND I'M GRATEFUL YOU CALLED THEM OUT IN YOUR FILM.
This is what I want to tell people: We do have a voice. When you look at the protest that 17 year old Cali Linstrom did, Abercrombie now has reduced their sexualization in ads by 70%, they added larger sizes, and they're totally committed now to being a socially responsible company. I thought it was important to show that they could do it, because 10 years ago they were seen as the worst perpetrators of sexualizing young girls, and if they could change, then we have hope for society.
What we're doing now is throwing the parents into the child's world so they can see the culture in which their child is living in.
TOTALLY, IT'S ONE THING TO ACCOMPLISH MAKING A FILM, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF YOUR MOVIE SO QUICKLY MAKE THIS CULTURAL CHANGE. AS A FILMMAKER, YOU MUST BE REALLY PROUD.
I'm going to be honest with you, the commitment from Abercrombie [is huge], they're doing this big anti-bullying campaign and getting rid of the perfume in stores. Seeing that change in them, based on where they came from, was almost more gratifying than doing the movie itself.
OUT OF ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE FILM?
The actress, Emma Watson. She spoke at the U.N. three weeks ago. She did a campaign called "He For She," which is the [same message] I had with this film. I want men to watch it and start to get more of an understanding of what women go through and start becoming allies for women.
I HEARD THAT THE PRESIDENT OF MONTE NIDO, CAROLYN COSTIN, IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SEE THE FILM IN THEATERS FOR FREE BECAUSE THE MESSAGE IS SO IMPORTANT.
I was doing a regular theatrical tour and back in May, Carolyn and her husband saw the film. They asked me about the film's distribution [plan] and they told me they don't think people will go to the movies if it costs $12, so they were like, 'What if we made it so anybody who wanted to go, could go and it didn't cost them anything?' I thought that was a great idea so we made free premieres across the United States... 14 free screenings in the top 14 cities. I think their hunch is working because we're almost full in all of them.
HAS ANYTHING CHANGED IN YOUR LIFE SINCE MAKING THE FILM?
Before doing the film, I didn't realize how pervasive sexual assault and abuse towards women was; it's just not something I've ever personally been exposed to. One of the goals I have with this film is to use it to bridge parents and children. What I'm seeing is when parents bring their children to these screenings, they have these conversations afterwards that, without seeing the film, may have been too awkward and not have ever come up in conversation. What we're doing now is throwing the parents into the child's world so they can see the culture in which their child is living in.
Review: 'Advanced Style'
Those who are into fashion blogs probably know of Ari Seth Cohen, the genius behind Advanced Style Blog. This blog isn't the typical, "What I wore today," attention-seeking site that thrives off of the validation of strangers, rather Cohen turns his attention, and his lens, towards a different crowd, the elderly women of New York City. Women ages 60 and up are Cohen's models and inspirations; their street style being far more eclectic than the average senior citizen. In a brilliant move, Cohen takes his blog and, with help from director Lina Plioplyte, turns it into an even more colorful and joyous documentary, aptly titled, Advanced Style.
Ari is not your typical "fashion blogger." His fulfillment comes not from the latest trends or fashion week, but from the elderly women whom he photographs. These wild, wonderful women use the NYC streets as their own personal runways, it's no wonder why Ari is mesmerized by their glamour.
We laugh with them as they laugh at themselves, which makes for an all around fun movie.
In the film, we are introduced to, and spend time getting to know, seven women and their day-to-day routines. Some run their own vintage stores, others ride bicycles around town to get noticed. While their looks are quite unique, the one who cuts pieces of her red hair and uses it to make her own false eyelashes proves to be the most thrifty. We laugh with them as they laugh at themselves, which makes for an all around fun movie.
Since the Advanced Style blog began around four years ago, the handful of women Ari has captured all have unique stories and backgrounds, but there is one common thread running through them; their positive attitude and outlook on life. They explain that they dress the way they do because it makes them feel good; they are not dressing for anyone else but themselves. This feeling of empowerment will bring a smile to your face as they challenge the notion of getting older and look fabulous while doing so.
Advanced Style is non-offensive and when comparing it to other fashion documentaries it has the ability to hold its' own. Personally, I would be hard-pressed to find anything better than Bill Cunningham New York (which if you haven't seen, you must do so immediately), however Advanced Style does a fantastic job with its subjects and story. In an industry obsessed with youth, these women prove that being yourself is best way to live. What's life without a little glitz and glamour anyway?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oNGfUcS6IA
Review: 'America The Beautiful 3'
By now, we've become so immune to Miley Cyrus' crotch grabbing, pot smoking, and all around vulgar antics, that we shrug our shoulders in defeat. It's hard to believe that Cyrus is only 21 years old, and girls all over the world look up to her as a role model. In Award-winning director Darryl Roberts' America The Beautiful 3: The Sexualization of Our Youth, the third installment in the trilogy of documentary films detailing the effect of society on women today, he focuses on the old-fashioned theory, "sex sells," and the consequences it's having on our youth.
The timing of the film's release is perfect; ironically enough, it's Jennifer Lawrence who is quoted as saying, in the beginning of the movie, "Sex sells… and for some disgusting reason, young sex sells even more." Lawrence is at the center of the nude picture hacking scandal, which couldn’t be a better symbol of a society obsessed with celebrity, attention, and hypersexualization.
In no way does America The Beautiful 3 reinvent the wheel, but it is an important and eye-opening documentary that serves more as educational than entertainment.
This generation is growing up so fast, and a large proponent of the increasing dehumanization and debasing of women stems from the media. Roberts profiles the obvious, if not cliche, advertisers who abide by the "sex sells" theory, like Carl's Jr, American Apparel, and Pepsi. Overly explicit advertisements are no doubt a part of this world, and the television industry knows first hand just how lucrative sex can be.
Aside from the media influence, Roberts also talks to child beauty-pageant moms who are either oblivious to, or suppressing, the fact that these pageants are demoralizing and, in my opinion, just plain creepy. The facts presented in this film aren't necessarily new information, although presented in this condensed fashion, it makes the issue seem hopeless. Through various interviews from mature teenagers who protest against Abercrombie & Fitch for their customer "selectiveness," to grown women recalling the horrors of on-campus rape, it's clear that this crisis is not slowing down.
In no way does America The Beautiful 3 reinvent the wheel, but it is an important and eye-opening documentary that serves more as educational than entertainment. Nonetheless, it is worth the watch. Especially worth noting is the bombshell revelation at the end of the film that we definitely don't see coming. I also have to say bravo to the directing duo (and my friends) the DANIELS, whose commercial for Wheetabix made it into this documentary. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up for debate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oclf9bi9ZC8