Doc Edge: The must-see movies at this year’s annual celebration of documentary film-making

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New Zealand’s annual celebration of global documentary making has returned, again in a form that offers the best of both worlds.

As well as in-cinema seasons in Auckland and Wellington, Doc Edge Festival’s 2023 line-up will also be available to stream from virtually anywhere in Aotearoa.

In all, the Oscar-qualifying festival’s programme features more than 70 features and shorts selected from submissions from across the planet.

Sex with Sue, Love to Love you, Donna Summer and The Pawnshop are among the must-see movies at this year’s Doc Edge Film Festival.

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Sex with Sue, Love to Love you, Donna Summer and The Pawnshop are among the must-see movies at this year’s Doc Edge Film Festival.

Festival director Alex Lee says the 18th edition will not only showcase “an incredible line-up of thought-provoking films”, it also features innovative XR projects and honour the work of documentary luminaries like Ans Westra and Annie Goldson.

“This year’s festival promises to be a celebration of documentary storytelling at its finest and we look forward to welcoming audiences to be inspired, challenged and entertained.”

After looking through the line-up and previewing a selection, Stuff to Watch has come up with a list of nine tales we believe are well worth seeking out.

Ted Hall was the youngest physicist on America’s Manhattan Project.

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Ted Hall was the youngest physicist on America’s Manhattan Project.

A Compassionate Spy

Perfectly timed for those after a Manhattan Project primer ahead of the debut Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer in July, Steve James’ (Hoop Dreams, Life, Itself) look at the life of the American atomic bomb programme’s youngest physicist Ted Hall is fascinating and frightening in equal measure.

Through archival footage and interviews with experts and family members, you’ll learn how Hall was increasingly concerned at his country’s behaviour towards sharing its information with its World War II-ally the Soviet Union and the resulting potential for Armageddon. So he reached out – and did the unthinkable.

Deep Rising is a celebration of the unique marine life that dwells amongst the dark depths of our oceans, as well as a look at those who plan to exploit the ecosystem.

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Deep Rising is a celebration of the unique marine life that dwells amongst the dark depths of our oceans, as well as a look at those who plan to exploit the ecosystem.

Deep Rising

Everyone’s favourite honorary New Zealander Jason Momoa narrates this deep dive into the parts of the ocean we’re only just beginning to truly explore – and seeking to exploit.

While it celebrates the unique marine life that dwells amongst the dark depths, Matthieu Rytz’s tale also highlights the possibilities and threats that mining this ecosystem might bring.

Could it be a more sustainable answer to our exponentially growing need for certain metals for clean-energy batteries? One man certainly thinks so – and has set up a business to prove it.

Blandine Massiet du Biest is the director of Frances Hodgkins, Anything but a Still Life.

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Blandine Massiet du Biest is the director of Frances Hodgkins, Anything but a Still Life.

Frances Hodgkins, Anything but a Still Life

A Dunedin-to-Dorchester look at the life of one of our – eventually – most-celebrated painters.

Using the artist’s own letters to family and friends, director Blandine Massiet du Biest’s feature debut creates an intimate portrait of a creative who really thrived once she left our shores, but was a little frustrated by the lack of acclaim for her work back home.

Interviews with experts and fellow creatives help put her works and legacy in perspective, while also attempting to shed insight into her intriguing private life.

The Cinema Woman takes a pre-Piano-to-Power of the Dog look at the life and career of Jane Campion.

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The Cinema Woman takes a pre-Piano-to-Power of the Dog look at the life and career of Jane Campion.

Jane Campion, The Cinema Woman

A chronicle of the double Academy Award-winning Kiwi director’s career, this might feature previous little new material, but it’s a highly effective compilation of her 40 years of cinematic storytelling.

Particularly fascinating is footage of her early years at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Janet Frame biopic An Angel at My Table and extended coverage of her Palme d’or experience with The Piano while eight months pregnant.

Simone Young has been a trailblazing, glass-ceiling busting conductor.

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Simone Young has been a trailblazing, glass-ceiling busting conductor.

Knowing the Score

Cate Blachett herself executive produced this intriguing and entertaining look at a real-life Lydia Tar.

Australian Simone Young has been a trailblazing, glass-ceiling busting conductor, who has overcome struggles, disappointments and considerable opposition to become one of the most revered baton-wavers in the game.

Director Janine Hosking skilfully blends archival footage with new interviews to add plenty of colour and depth to someone who is already, clearly, a fascinating character.

Donna Summer’s initial breakout hit was a 20-minute version of Love to Love You Baby that was banned by the BBC for its explicit lyrics and multiple “orgasms”.

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Donna Summer’s initial breakout hit was a 20-minute version of Love to Love You Baby that was banned by the BBC for its explicit lyrics and multiple “orgasms”.

Love to Love you, Donna Summer

Following in the footsteps and format of Brett Morgan’s audacious David Bowie audio-visual montage Moonage Daydream, Roger Rees Williams (Life, Animated) explores the life and times of the gospel singer who became a disco queen (her initial breakout hit was a 20-minute version of Love to Love You Baby that was banned by the BBC for its explicit lyrics and multiple “orgasms”).

Combining her performances with the late superstar’s own words and memories from close family and friends, this doesn’t shy away from the darker moments in her life.

Wieslaw and Jola are the sometimes strained couple at the centre of The Pawnshop.

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Wieslaw and Jola are the sometimes strained couple at the centre of The Pawnshop.

The Pawnshop

One of the most entertaining fly-on-the-wall documentaries in years, this Polish film takes viewers inside that country’s largest emporium of pre-loved goods.

But if the eclectic mix of curios, sex books, barely functioning small appliances and strange ephemera are fascinating, it’s the tension between tight-fisted boss Wieslaw and his long-suffering workers (especially his long-term partner Jola) that really compels. And that’s before you learn about their grand scheme for saving the shop from seemingly impending financial disaster.

There is plenty of disturbing imagery and testimony in Praying for Armageddon.

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There is plenty of disturbing imagery and testimony in Praying for Armageddon.

Praying for Armageddon

This one will give you nightmares for weeks. Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei’s audacious film explores the “unholy alliance” between US politics and evangelical Christianity.

Featuring jaw-dropping interviews, as well as truly disturbing footage, a frightening picture emerges of the power a few mega church pastors have over a large group of American voters and their right-wing representatives. Particularly troubling is their belief in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and their seeming mission to bring about an apocalyptic “Holy War’ in order to achieve that.

Surely the movie Donald Trump and his ilk do not want you to see.

Sue Johanson became a sensation across North America in the ‘90s and noughties with her phone-in television talk shows The Sunday Night Sex Show and Talk Sex.

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Sue Johanson became a sensation across North America in the ‘90s and noughties with her phone-in television talk shows The Sunday Night Sex Show and Talk Sex.

Sex with Sue

Move over Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Canada has their own famous mature sex therapist – and she was far more hands-on.

Now 93, former registered nurse Sue Johanson became a sensation across North America in the ‘90s and noughties with her phone-in television talk shows The Sunday Night Sex Show and Talk Sex.

Lisa Rideout’s doco rightly revels in the footage of the seemingly unflappable Johanson as she deals with curly questions, while crew members reminisce about their favourite moments and how they were roped in to road test certain “toys”.

Doc Edge 2022 will screen at Auckland’s Capitol Cinema (May 24 to June 5) and Wellington’s Roxy Cinema (June 7 to 18). Films will also then be available to view at vc.docedge.nz from June 19 to July 9.

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