i guess i was tired last night and didn't make it to the rest of the day's posts on the thread. Verite, looks like i have few films to catch up on
This is a rushed list, and I'll edit if I have the time to approach this more thoroughly.
First, an incredible contemporary one which I urge you all to see is Bus 174. Sadly couldn't fit it into my ten.
Second, Sans Soleil is, like, one of the ten greatest films of all time, but I see it as dominantly an essay film rather than a documentary, though, it does have documentary aspects, for sure. Gleaners and I is another essay-documentary, but I feel that there's enough documentary in it to count it. My memory has been proven to be very faulty so perhaps my recollection of those two are off.
1. Warrendale
5. The House is Black
9. Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment
10. Two Laws
and
what else i am forgetting?
Harlan County, U.S.A.?
I recommend Johan van der Keuken's stuff as well as Robert Gardner's Forest of Bliss (I haven't seen Dead Bird yet). Heddy Honigmann's Forever is coming out on DVD soon as well as Marker's A Grin Without a Cat. I loved Forever. Can't wait to watch it again. Black Harvest is essential.
i have a lot of work to do
i should revisit
Harlan, i do love it, but it doesn't strike me as Top tennish. i'll also revisit
174, which i liked, but i don't remember it as standout
on the essay film, i consider them docs. if not clear, i like pushing at the boundaries of what that might mean - see also my Benning and Warhol mentions, as well as my desire to think of
Mishima as one; i reckon some folks might even question Greaves,
LAPI,
Portrait,
What Farocki Taught (i think
Far From Poland is also pretty great, perhaps in my 25),
F for Fake, and
Furnaces...
a few more popped into my head:
something from Akerman
something from Yvonne Rainer, i've only seen her
Film About a Woman Who, worthy of consideration
Sink or Swim (not seen)
roujin's
The Revolution Will Not be Televised reminds me of Farocki's
Videogram of a Revolution which is very similar, and i think much better (and maybe in that Top 25ish area)
i also should check-out
Don't Look Back