By Gregory Crofton What does it feel like to live in a fascist state ruled by a dictator named Alexander Lukashenko? Directors Alexander Mihalkovich and Hanna Badziaka show in their 92-minute film “Motherland” that it makes life painful and confusing,…
‘Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence’ is a Devastating Look at Mind Control
By Gregory Crofton Director Zachary Heinzerling (Cutie and the Boxer) assembled this three-part documentary is one of the best I’ve seen. I watched it in one sitting despite being bored with the over-done “cult documentary.” It is a devastating look…
Total Grunge: Love and Depression Glow in Beautiful ‘How to Save a Dead Friend’
By Gregory Crofton Marusya Syroechkovskaya first picked up a camera as a teen to capture her disaffected life in Butovo, Russia, just south of Moscow. As a 16-year-old she wanted to die on a daily basis. She smoked Pall Malls…
Poet and People Connector Rose Styron Savors Each Summer on Martha’s Vineyard
By Gregory Crofton Rose Styron has a natural elegance about her. While she describes herself as maybe a little “pollyannaish,” others just call it being “In the Company of Rose.” That’s the name of a new documentary on her life…
DOC NYC: ‘LAST FLIGHT HOME’ Brings the Right to Die Issue into Your Living Room
By Gregory Crofton Eli Timoner was a successful man in charge of his life. He also cared about the people around him and didn’t dodge difficult fights, even if they were political in nature. But then something bad and unexpected…