Into the Abyss; Bully; Searching for Sugar Man

Into the Abyss – Dir. & Scr. Werner Herzog
Bully – Dir. Lee Hirsch; Scr. Lee Hirsch & Cynthia Lowen
Searching for Sugar Man – Dir. & Scr. Malik Bendjelloul

Recently, at the Wellington International Film Festival, I took in a documentary threesome. All three reminded me how documentaries can move an audience and how powerful a voice a documentary filmmaker can have. And, no, I’m not talking about the likes of Michael Moore, who is too fond of seeing himself on scene for my liking. A good documentary doesn’t force a message down your throat. And while all filmmakers have a bias, a good documentary filmmaker owns up to it but doesn’t let it overpower the story. Into the Abyss, Bully and Searching for Sugar Man – three very different films – succeed to varying degrees. And when they do truly succeed, it’s quite something.

Into the Abyss is the latest from Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World) and is an examination of why people kill and, in turn, why the state kills. Following the story of death row inmate Michael Perry (who is scheduled to die within days of filming), his crimes and those affected by his crimes, Herzog explores murder and capital punishment in a very personal way.

Bully is Lee Hirsch’s look at peer-on-peer bullying in American schools. He tells the tragic story of youngsters who take their own lives because of the trauma they experience at the hands of other kids. He also follows a few victims of bullying in their day-to-day lives, notably a socially awkward teenage boy called Alex. We are asked to not only examine and question the actions of the bullies, but the inaction of parents, school administration, law enforcement and communities.

Searching for Sugar Man is Bendjelloul’s debut film and follows the story of two South Africans who set out to discover what happened to 1970s singer/songwriter Rodriguez. Virtually unheard in the US, his homeland, Rodriguez is a legend in South Africa. A mysterious legend who they know next-to-nothing about. That’s all the description I’m willing to give. Trust me, the less you know about this movie going in, the better.

The filmmakers in each of these movies are largely invisible – just a voice asking a question. And, in my mind, the relative success of each film is largely based on how much they attempt to direct our outrage or opinion. Or, in the case of Sugar Man, how much they choose to reveal to the audience as the story is told.

For my money, Into the Abyss is the most successful of the three. Perhaps it is helped by having a seasoned pro at the helm. Herzog is a master. But even I was surprised by how little he seeks to colour proceedings. We know very early on his bias – he tells Perry he does not think the state should kill. And I know from interviews with Herzog that he is vehemently opposed to capital punishment. But he does not preach to the viewer. Into the Abyss is a grim, powerful, poignant film in which we are left to make our own judgments and reach our own conclusions. Without question, one of my films of the year.

The least successful is Bully. It is compelling and moving, for sure. But I felt hammered by the director. It’s hard-hitting and, I suppose, that’s the whole point. Hirsch’s aim, it seems, is to shame as many of the “baddies” of the story as possible. At times, it is less a film, more a campaign. But in its quieter moments – as we follow Alex in his efforts to simply blend in, or when we are introduced to a mature-beyond-his-years boy whose best friend killed himself – Bully is extremely human and utterly powerful. Just too selective and manipulative for my taste.

Somewhere beyond Bully but not quite in the same league as Abyss, is Searching for Sugar Man. A film I hadn’t even considered seeing until hearing an excellent and extremely cagey review by BBC Radio’s Mark Kermode. And, boy, I’m glad I did. And I’m even gladder he was so unforthcoming with the details. If you know Rodriguez and his music, this film will be a treat. And, if you don’t (as I didn’t) you’re in for a lovely surprise. Bendjelloul tells the story of the singer, weaving his music throughout the film, through the eyes of some of his biggest fans. And what a story it is. Sure, I’ve no doubt Bendjelloul has been somewhat selective (in fact, I now know this isn’t the whole truth and nothing but the truth). But I simply didn’t care. Sugar Man is an uplifting, amusing, rewarding film. And technically so good that I can’t wait for Bendjelloul’s next outing.

There are a lot of very bad documentaries out there. Preachy, predictable, tedious. These three films have a lot to offer and help to bolster my faith in the genre. I recommend them all.