The series Rialto Presenters continues on Wednesday evenings throughout April, and this month Judy Bailey, one of New Zealand’s most respected journalists and presenters, introduces a diverse collection of human-interest documentaries.
The series begins with the charming Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, where filmmaker Lydia Smith follows a group of individuals attempting to trek the Camino, an ancient pilgrim path from France to the shrine of St. James in Galicia, Spain. It’s an extraordinary 800 km journey filled with many emotional, mental and physical challenges, and yet it will have you throwing on some sneakers and thinking about your own pilgrimage.
This journey of self-discovery is followed by Burn, a fascinating film that looks at the tragic affect the demise of the Detroit motor industry has had on the city through the eyes of its firefighters.
The series Rialto Presenters continues on Wednesday evenings throughout April, and this month Judy Bailey, one of New Zealand’s most respected journalists and presenters, introduces a diverse collection of human-interest documentaries.
The series begins with the charming Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, where filmmaker Lydia Smith follows a group of individuals attempting to trek the Camino, an ancient pilgrim path from France to the shrine of St. James in Galicia, Spain. It’s an extraordinary 800 km journey filled with many emotional, mental and physical challenges, and yet it will have you throwing on some sneakers and thinking about your own pilgrimage.
This journey of self-discovery is followed by Burn, a fascinating film that looks at the tragic affect the demise of the Detroit motor industry has had on the city through the eyes of its firefighters.
The series then moves on to something different again with the true crime mystery Who Took Johnny, a respectfully made documentary that examines an infamous thirty-year-old cold case, the disappearance of Iowa paperboy Johnny Gosch. Directed by David Beilinson, Suki Hawley, and Michael Galinsky (whose previous features include Battle for Brooklyn and Horns and Halos), The Hollywood Reporter called Who Took Johnny, “Timely, shocking and relentlessly compelling”.
Wrapping up April’s Rialto Presenters is the brash, up front documentary The War On Kids, that looks at public education in America and explores the origin and effect of it’s zero tolerance policy on children today.
It’s a thought provoking collection of documentaries curated by Judy Bailey, who kindly took the time to have a quick chat about her love of the genre, and why these films resonated with her.
Rialto: Hi Judy. What is it you love about the documentary genre?
JB: I love a good documentary. They broaden the mind, introduce you to new concepts, and expand your knowledge. They’re an oasis in a sea of ‘reality’ TV ….yet I guess in essence they are the ultimate in reality!
Rialto: What makes a good documentary?
JB: A good documentary should make you think. It should draw you in and cause you to care in some way about its subject.
Rialto: Once upon a time documentaries were thought of as stuffy and educational, but these days they’re part of mainstream culture. How have you seen the documentary genre change over the years?
JB: Many documentaries used to be presenter driven but now you see more of a fly on the wall approach, people telling their own stories. This has probably come about because the general public is now so much more comfortable with cameras. Shorter sound bites, snappy editing have all added to a pacier end product.
Rialto: Would you like to see more New Zealand stories on screen?
JB: There are so many wonderful local stories waiting to be told. I think New Zealanders are hungry for quality documentaries that reflect their world. Yes I would definitely like to see more on screen.
Rialto: Which of the documentaries you’re introducing resonates with you and why?
JB: They are all so different and I found each of them compelling in their own way. But if I had to choose I think Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago resonated most with me….mainly because a close friend had walked the Camino not long ago and he’d told us what an extraordinary experience it was. It is life changing for many of the people who attempt it and I find that intriguing. Its also incredibly beautiful, part travelogue part social documentary!
Rialto: Would you contemplate walking the Camino trail yourself, and if so, what was it about Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago that inspired you?
JB: My husband Chris and I are definitely talking about doing the walk. We found the documentary inspiring in that it helped many people focus on what was important in their lives … I like the idea of that. I think I would also enjoy the people we met on the way. It is 800 km though, so first we have to find the time!
Rialto: Burn is a fascinating documentary about Detroit’s fire fighters, but it’s also a modern day parable on the demise of the great American city. Were you surprised by the state of Detroit?
JB: Sadly not surprised, given the state of Detroit’s motor industry. This was such an engaging documentary because of the people it focused on …. the firemen. They were so honest and open with their stories. They’re great characters and two in particular had very poignant tales to tell.
Rialto: Who Took Johnny covers a very delicate subject. Do you think the filmmakers approached it with the appropriate level of sensitivity?
JB: I think they approached the story with great sensitivity. It’s every mother’s nightmare to have a child disappear without trace. I thought it was also significant that Johnny’s mother never gave up and ended up taking on the establishment and making a difference for other families with missing children.
Rialto: I don’t think I could have survived in an environment of zero tolerance as seen in The War on Kids – what about you?
JB: I can understand the reasoning behind the policy, given the horrific gun crimes that have taken place in American schools but it has ended up turning schools into virtual prisons. One of the most disturbing aspects of this documentary is the increase in the medication of children to make them ‘behave’ by giving them mind altering drugs. I found that chilling. We already have increased surveillance here and drug dogs are used in some schools ….are we on the same path? I hope not!
Don’t miss:
Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago – Wednesday 6th April, 8.30pm
Burn – Wednesday 13th April, 8.30pm
Who Took Johnny – Wednesday 20th April, 8.30pm
The War on Kids – Wednesday 27th April, 8.30pm