Displaying items by tag: Alex Gibney

THE BIBI FILES

US, 2024, 115 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Alexis Bloom.

There is only one BiBi, Israel’s Prime Minister since 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu. Here is a documentary made by reputable directors and producers, director Alexis Bloom and Oscar-winning, prolific producer and director of so many telling documentaries, Alex Gibney. They are offering 115 minutes of intense scrutiny of Benjamin Netanyahu.

The film was in production prior to the Hamas attack and its massacre of Israeli citizens, taking of hostages, October 7, 2023. The reduction continued then until July 2024, incorporating the attack, the war on Gaza and the consequences. Audiences will watch the principal issues of the film with their perspective on Netanyahu and his handling of the situation in Israel and Gaza.

The film is highly critical of Netanyahu, the focus on the charges of corruption, interrogations, witnesses, testimonies, and the preparation of the trial. However, with the war, Netanyahu has no time for a trial – with many critics, including Israelis, stating that he is using the war and its prolonging, as a means of avoiding trial and imprisonment. In fact, Benjamin Netanyahu did not what this film to be released.

There are flashbacks to Netanyahu’s inauguration as prime minister in 1996 as well as his surprise victory for a fourth term in 2015.

But, the focus is on the issues of corruption, statements from witnesses reminding audiences that politicians should not accept gifts, perception of bribes, of undue influence for outcomes. The film surprises its audience with so many sequences in Netanyahu’s office, quite small, two officials interrogating the Prime Minister at some length and in great detail, particular episodes and contacts, Netanyahu preferring to say acquaintances, social acquaintances rather than friends, the listing of the range of gifts over the years and their financial value, the implications of the gifts and the consequences.

One of the first witnesses interrogated is the movie producer, Arnon Milchan, his career, contacts with Netanyahu, visa issues, his being a go-between for those wanting personal contact with Netanyahu. And his connection with gifts, especially for Netanyahu’s wife, supportive of her husband over the years, very influential on him, also being seen interrogated, as also their son, Yair, who identifies with the right wing.

The film is hosted by Raviv Drucker, speaking straight to camera and to us, a credible and persuasive compere, analyst. And he has quite a number of talking heads, substantial interviews with them at some length, including childhood friends of Netanyahu, his press manager whom d he enounces in his testimonies, advisers to previous politicians speaking of political integrity, and former Prime Minister, extremely forthright in his criticisms, Ehud Olmert.

It is very evident in the film sequences that Netanyahu frequently states that he does not remember situations, but that critical witnesses referred to his accurate memory. And, his commentary on most of the witnesses against him is the frequent repetition of “Lies”. Then there is the issue of the plans to change the judiciary, favouring his legal situation, and the enormous protests in Israel against the proposed changes.

As well, there is the focus on the two members of the Likud, extreme right views, seen in speeches and actions, and the Arabs, wanting possession of the West Bank…

Then the Hamas attack, some very graphic scenes presented here, the destruction of Gaza and the many deaths, also some graphic scenes. A young Israeli survivor, aged 20, is interviewed, the deaths she witnessed of friends, but her response to the events of the war, calling it not a war but a massacre.

There are scenes of the release of hostages, and Netanyahu and his wife greeting them, despite criticisms of his slowness and lack of effort to have further hostages released. Then there is a repetition of his mantra “total victory”, and his speech to the U.S. Congress, for total victory and their upstanding applause.

With the war and the determination of total victory and the support of the right wing, the incursions into Lebanon, subduing of Hezbollah, issues with Iran, audiences will have their opinions on Netanyahu in 2025. However, whatever the outcome of the war, the accusations against Benjamin Netanyahu over the decades for corruption still remain.

IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON

US, 2023, 209 minutes, Colour.

Directed by Alex Gibney.

With the title quote from Sounds of Silence, and Paul Simon immediately named, and with directors, Alex Gibney (more than two decades of outstanding documentaries), we know where we stand and what we want to see and hear. Actually, that may be true of older generations (this reviewer included and overhearing on entering the cinema someone noting that he was the only one under 50!). But, this is an opportunity for younger audiences to get to know and appreciate Paul Simon and his music.

And, we get our money’s worth, music, lyrics, career and life, and the film runs 3 ½ hours.

Alex Gibney opens his film in 2021, the year that Paul Simon turned 80, visiting him at his home and studio in Texas where he lives with his wife of over 30 years, Edie Brickel, support and collaborator. Simon explains that he had a dream in 2019 which had influenced him to work on a poetic ensemble of songs, Seven Psalms – the film returning throughout the history of Simon’s career to the studio, to the presence of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, friend and collaborator, the creation of the lyrics, the ways of creating the music, specific sounds, a choir, so that by the end of the film, this work is complete.

And, of course, throughout, we are returning to the chronological development of Paul Simon’s life and career, from Queens, New York, Jewish background (though, interestingly, no religious influence specifically on his lyrics all music), a friendship from school days, aged 10, with Art  Garfunkel, the early singing together, his early songs, not entirely successful, his going to England and singing in clubs in London, and in his first failed album, Sounds of Silence.

In fact, the first half of the documentary covers the period from 1963 to 1970. And, one of the values of Paul Simon being in show business, there is an abundance of photos to draw on, an abundance of television appearances and interviews, interestingly incorporated throughout the film. And, those popular songs of the time, Feelin’ Groovy, I am a Rock, Scarborough Fair (and a glimpse of Simon accompanying a screeching Miss Piggy on the Muppet Show), and some detailed explanations and visuals of creating the score for Mike Nichols The Graduate, and some detail about Here’s to you, Mrs Robinson.

Then, the break with Art Garfunkel, Garfunkel not being interviewed for this film but the director able to use a great deal of radio and television footage. The reasons, personal, professional, the later reuniting, successful concerts in Central Park.

The film also explores Simon’s solo career, Bridge over Troubled Waters, El Condor Passa, as well as many appearances on television shows, especially Saturday Night Live (with George Harrison, with John Lennon…). And this into the 1980s, although the 1980s were difficult, the failure of his semi-autobiographical film with his son, One Trick Pony, a failed album, in the background to his marrying Carrie Fisher, the collapse of the marriage, Carrie Fisher’s explanations.

The second part of the 1980s was highly significant, a visit to Jamaica, discovering reggae, but also a visit to South Africa, working with black musicians, the creation of the Grammy-winning album, Graceland, and the subsequent criticism of his working with the Africans, arguing that he was not critical enough of the apartheid regime. However, his work was honoured, massive concert in Zimbabwe with prominent exiles, Lady and Hugh.

Listening to Paul Simon’s lyrics, watching them written on the screen, we realise how poetic he was, popular, existential, probing, deeply humane, the touch of the mystical, which is communicated very movingly in the creation of Seven Psalms.

Simon was greatly honoured throughout his career, music awards, humanitarian awards. He is considered one of the greatest of popular American songwriters. And the great value of this film is Simon’s own appearance throughout, vigorous in his 80s, an experience of deafness in one ear, seeing and listening to him in constant close-up, seeing him in action, relating to people, creating in 2021 and the following years. Not exactly warts-and-all, but some warts and limitations. But, seeing him creative, peaceful, agreeable, means a happy ending for him and for us.