Attending IDFA

It's IDFA time in Amsterdam - the International Documentary Film Festival. Probably one of the best times in winter in the dam. It happens every year and normally involves me running from film to film trying to see as many as possible, or sitting in a theatre an entire Sunday watching the 10hour "best of the fest" marathon.

This year I've been pretty moderate, only going to see 5 screenings, a couple of which are double screenings, so I'll see 8 in total. I've seen 7 already and there have been some awesome ones among them.

il Capo

A film about marble mining in Italy, and particularly the hand signals used by the "conductor" who shows the diggers where to push and pull the marble. The questions afterwards focused on the type of marble, what it is used for, and about the diggers. I didn't get to ask my question about whether there was any protest against the mountains being ripped apart for rich peoples floors and kitchen counters. This film made me want to protest mining in any form. Our comfort should not come at the cost of ripping apart the earth.

My Playground

A Danish film about free running or Parkour, people running up and down buildings, and urban design for more than just one use. I enjoyed it and it made me want to use my body to the fullest all the time, and of course become a free runner!

Maswife: Life in Camp Pinchinat

About life in one of the camps set up to accommodate homeless people following the earthquake in Haiti. It captured the grimness of life in the camp very well. People living in truly diabolical conditions, and the kinds of structures and hierarchies that spring up out of these conditions. I didn't feel good eating popcorn during this one.

MINUSTAH Steals Goats

Another film about Haiti - this one about the UN mission (known as MINUSTAH) there that begun in 2004. Primarily a peacekeeping mission, the film posed questions about whether there was need for economic "development" as a more sustainable way to bring peace. I think the film tried to include everything, and could have done with more focus. It made me wonder about the ideas of development and what it would take for organisations like the UN and countries to rethink what development is and what aid should be.

Into the Belly of the Whale

This was less a documentary and more a reconstruction of life in the smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Just before this film I heard the voice (cries) of my new niece for the first time.

Abu Jamil Street

Another film about the smuggling tunnels, this one was an actual documentary and did well not to take sides, but just to show the people working in these tunnels. Often just trying to make money in a way that is presented to them. The last thing the film showed was them smuggling a Lama through the tunnel for the Gaza Strip zoo. This film made me not want to live in a place where explosions are routine. I think we dismiss the value of peace.

Al-Halqa - In the Storyteller's Circle


I love telling stories and wish I could be a lot better at it. This was the film of the festival that I really wanted to go and see. It was brilliant, all about Moroccan storytellers and particularly a father teaching the art to his son. How to assemble a Halqa (a circle of people listening to the story), use the words and remember the stories (some of which can go on for four years like a mini-series). Such a wonderful tradition, and way to build and bind community, something I long for and think we are continually moving away from as opposed to towards. This film made me want to tell stories even more, and become good at it!

The last film I'm going to see is on Tuesday and is called Cane Toads: The Conquest. Many have said I am weird for wanting to see a film about cane toads. Perhaps true, but it seems really interesting, and it's about a country I have grown a sudden affiliation too, and I am really looking forward to seeing it, and hopefully learning about cane toad whispering.