The Best of SXSW 2021
CLERK
Courtesy of Bruce Lee Roberts III
Director Kevin Smith got his start with the seminal 1994 indie film “Clerks” and has made a career out of telling stories ever since. From filmmaker to podcaster, he’s a great raconteur so it makes sense that the documentary that finally tells his life story is deeply personal and entertaining. Most fans of his work may already know the highlights of Smith’s career but director Malcolm Ingram makes sure to keep those repeated details hysterically engrossing as well as premiering brand new anecdotes. Career highs and lows are discussed in equal measure, making for a candid look at one of independent cinema’s most prominent figures.
HERE BEFORE
Courtesy of SXSW
Laura is still grieving the death of her young daughter from an accident that left many unanswered questions. When new neighbors move in next door with a child of their own, awkward similarities start to surface and Laura begins to question her own sanity. Is the young child a reincarnation of her deceased daughter or is she just trying to force a square peg into a round hole? Actress Andrea Riseborough (“Mandy”) doesn’t play Laura like an unhinged psycho but more like a curious observer who feels things may be too good to be true. This approach works in the film’s favor when things escalate in the final third, leading to a surprising and satisfying finale.
INBETWEEN GIRL
Courtesy of Ivy Chiu
When Angie’s parents suddenly announce their divorce, the introverted teenager’s life is turned upside down. She’s not the type to rebel in the usual high school ways of alcohol and self-destruction but sex is not completely off the table for this curious teen. That impulsive decision leads to a casual affair with the school heartthrob who happens to be dating someone else close to Angie, making things very complicated. “Inbetween Girl” works mostly due to lead actress Emma Galbraith, her nuanced portrayal of the confused and struggling Angie, gives the character a depth that most films of this type wouldn’t bother to show. That difference grounds the film and makes it a true standout.
NINJABABY
Courtesy of Motlys
Party girl Rakel can’t be bothered with adulthood, she’s too busy drinking and getting high to care about what lies ahead. But the future comes crashing down hard when she unexpectedly finds out she’s pregnant. Making matters worse is the fact that she’s not sure who the father is, sending Rakel and her friends on a crash course of consequences and growing up. “Ninjababy” moves at a brisk pace and delivers big laughs through tough subject matter. When one problem for Rakel is solved, three more pop up, making things hilariously interesting for the mother-to-be.
OUR FATHER
Courtesy of Nate Hurtsellers
After a long time apart, estranged sisters Beta (Baize Buzan) and Zelda (Allison Torem) have just been forced to reconvene following the death of their father. But after some confusion and bickering, an overlooked clue leads the duo on a search to find their mysterious uncle who may shed some light on their family drama. “Our Father” is a road movie at its core and works due to the strong chemistry of Buzan and Torem. They feel and even fight like real sisters, making the overall experience of their sibling rivalry more relatable.
WEWORK: OR THE MAKING AND BREAKING OF A $47 BILLION UNICORN
Courtesy of Hulu
It may seem hard to blow through billions of dollars in six weeks but somehow upstart company WeWork made it happen. Not only did they do it but they made it look easy to spend so much money and have little to show for it. That kind of quick crash and burn is nothing new for an online hopeful but what makes the WeWork story stand out is the way they crashed and burned. This documentary shows the many lows of this painful process, from inflated egos to mistrust amongst friends, everything here depicts a recipe for disaster.
WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA
Courtesy of Emily Kunstler
Lawyer and activist Jeffrey Robinson gave a seminal talk on systemic racism in 2018 and that message continues to echo to this day. Directors Emily and Sarah Kunstler have expanded that presentation to a full-length documentary, allowing Robinson to travel to different problematic areas in an effort to educate and better understand what makes race in America such a delicate subject. Candid conversations from both sides of the issue as well as Robinson’s well researched arguments make “Who We Are” required viewing.
WOMEN IS LOSERS
Courtesy of Look at the Moon Pictures
San Francisco in the 1960’s was a very different time for women and “Women is Losers” makes that painfully clear from its opening moments. Lorenza Izzo (“The Green Inferno”) stars as Celina, a young mother dealing with an abusive stepfather at home and a dead-end job. Fighting to escape poverty will prove difficult for the dedicated dreamer but not impossible, thanks to helpful strangers she meets along the way. Traditional methods are turned upside down in Celina’s quest to build a better life for her family, making “Women is Losers” a crowd-pleaser amongst this year’s lineup.
