and the oscar for best short documentary goes to

well, damned if i know, but i did see all but one of the nominees monday night at the coolidge, plus last years winner.

Cheerleader A documentary about a jr cheerleading squad (ages seemd to be around 8-12 or so) working towards a bid at the national championships in florida. It examined the role of cheerleading through the years, as well as looking at how cheerleading affects the lives of these young girls. I was more than a little disturbed to see a nine year old flash her *spakies* (those things that cover cheerleaders undies) as part of a cheer, not to mention some of the other more *lavicious* moves. Not to sound like a neo-puritan, but arent we teaching young girls to be overtly sexual a little too early? It seemed a bit gross and disturbing. I find it especially ironic that this kind of stuff (along with those whacked out little miss beauty pageants) happen in those *red states*, where they get all up in a tizy about janet jacksons bare breast while teaching their toddlers to shake their fannies at adult male judges while wearing make-up and come hither looks. i'm just sayin. It was definately interesting.

Autism is a world This movie follows a junior at whittier college who happens to be autistic, and non-verbal. Up until age 13 she was assumed to be mentally retarded. It was amazing to hear her talk about her life, and how facillitated communication allowed for her to come out into the world. It showed some of the struggles she has with every day life, and how her staff helps her navigate in the world. While i don't forsee any of my guys up and going to college someday, it is neat to see someone who has been able to find a way to live the life she wants, even facing the challenges of living in a world not set up for her.

Sister Rose's Passion This was a beautiful and inspiring story of a nun from wisconcin who asked the question *why didnt more christians and catholics stand up and help jews during the holocaust*, and managed to help change catholic teachings the world over. Having been raised protestant in the 80s, i was completely unaware of the roots of anti-semitism in christian, and especially in catholic teachings. Blood Libel (the church teaching that claims when Jesus was crucified, the crowd shouted *may his blood be upon us and our children*, thus cursing the jews in the eyes of the church) was something i only learned about because of the mel gibson passion movie. I was amazed and appalled at the language used in catholic textbooks to teach kids about the jews. Sister Rose made it her cause to fight anti-semitism in the church, and in doing so did research that was used to support the "Nostra Aetate," the revolutionary document that changed the Church's position on Jews from negative to positive. She is this amazing, compassionate and committed woman who really lived up to god's call to love your neighbor. I've kind of turned my back on organized religion, mostly because it seemed to have turned its back on me what with the marginalization of women and all, but woman like Sister Rose make me think.

Hardwood is a documentary by a young man in vancouver about his father, a former harlem globetrotter. The story doesnt really spend much time on basketball, and instead focuses on the complicated relationship the filmmaker has with his father. The dad had two children by two different woman, the filmmakers mother (who was white), and another woman (who he married, and was black). The way the two sons related to their mothers, to their father, and to each other was moving in its honesty and openness. While everyone had been hurt by the fathers actions, they all approached things in a very mature and heartfelt way. It was especially moving to see how the filmmakers half-brother reconcilled the good and bad in his father in a poem he read about how having him as a father made him feel both pain and gratefulness. It is a beautifully shot film, and i enjoyed the music, and how the sound of the dribbling basketball fit in with the jazz score.

The Children of Leningradsky Oy, pass the prozac. This is a half hour *save the chilrden* commercial that made me want to fly straight to russia and scoop up a bunch of these kids and take them home to live with me. It is a documentary about the orphan children who live on the streets and in the train stations of russia. These kids beg for money and sleep in the train stations. They sell their bodies and huff glue to try to forget their hunger and lonliness. They get beaten by their drunken parents who abandon them, then get beaten by the police, and then beat up on homeless adults (who, if they survive that long, they will turn into). To say this film is disturbing and depressing doesnt even begin.

my choice would be Hardwood, because not only is it a beautiful story, but its also beautifully told. i bet its going to go to leningradzky tho. who can say no to orphans?