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Nonfiction media is vital in today's world. As we navigate a skeptical present and look toward an uncertain future, the masses turn to the media for answers.
Documentaries let us see into the corners and crevices of our society, sometimes exposing its unsavory underbelly. Other times, they seek to uplift us, inspire us, or urge us to bring about change.
The following shorts each take a different approach to the diverse medium, each set within their own corner of the world.
Adas Falasteen
Hamdi Khalil El-Husseini, Samar Taher Lulu | International | Palestine
Adas Falasteen (Palestine Lentils) is a grim portrait of the war-torn Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is also a touching portrait of selfless compassion and the endurance of humanity in the face of tragedy.
Filmed in the early months of the Gaza war, the documentary focuses on a Palestinian chef who cooks soup for his community to combat the famine. It's taxing, relentless labor, but it's a labor of love: Chef Khalil AlNajjar shares that in nourishing those around them, the cooks "feel something incredible."
The images of desperation and suffering are haunting, but now more than ever, this unflinching approach to journalism is desperately needed in the media. The public depends on documentaries like Adas Falasteen to stay informed, educated, and most of all, involved.
While Chef AlNajjar is introduced as the film's subject, he is certainly not the centerpiece. Adas Falasteen is less of a documentary lauding his altruism, and more a selfless call to action; a PSA for international support at this crucial moment.
If anything, AlNajjar's story prompts us to reflect on our own humanist principles, and consider how we might act were we in his shoes. Not everyone could find within them the same unyielding drive. Even in such bleak conditions, AlNajjar claims: "I haven't lost the joy for cooking—now we're cooking with even more passion and energy."
A Small Fortress
Thomas Beug | Cork/Irish | Ireland
In A Small Fortress, director Thomas Beug frames his parents' enduring relationship within the long history of their family cottage. Beug uses the house as his stage, communicating its foundational, steadfast presence in their lives—as his parents are for one another.
A Small Fortress invites us in, shows us around, and treats us as if we're longtime friends rather than guests. Though a documentary by design, the short takes a welcoming approach that almost gives it a home-video-like sincerity. We observe the older couple as they tend to their beloved abode, as though they were nurturing a child. Through the film's tranquil atmosphere and intimate vignettes, the audience feels like they are a part of this small family reunion.
This cozy sense of familiarity is elevated by Beug's creative decisions. Shot in 4:3 with a muted palette and warm color grading, the cinematography evokes a sense of pastoral nostalgia within its rural Cork landscapes and balanced compositions. The idyllic scenery is paralleled by his mother's artistry and keen eye for decor, which breathe life into the old house.
A Small Fortress is a testimony of this couple's shared affection and devotion—as is the fortress itself. It depicts this heartwarming bond with the cherished fondness it deserves, while generously sharing with us their safe haven.
If those walls could speak, this is surely the story they would tell.
Corcaigh Trí Thine
Andrea Foley | Cork/Language | Ireland
Corcaigh Trí Thine—or Cork Is Burning, a title referencing Jennie Livingston's seminal 1990 doc—offers an inside look at Cork’s flourishing drag scene as it enters its golden age. Throughout the 15-minute short, we are introduced to the city’s most celebrated drag stars, explore its history of queer activism, and ponder the future of LGBTQ culture across Ireland.
The documentary centers on Ireland's largest annual drag collective and show, Mockie Ah, and its headlining performers. Coverage of the event is interspersed with segments about Gay Project, an organization dedicated to bringing equality and visibility to Cork's queer community, and Drag School, an intensive, 10-week program tailored to training aspiring queens and kings in everything from voguing to lip-syncing.
At its core, Corcaigh Trí Thine is a story of empowerment. It pays homage to the movers and shakers behind Cork’s queer movements of the 80s and 90s, and harnesses that same bold, unapologetic, empathetic spirit in the present. It further inspires viewers to seek confidence in their identities, and to combat hateful, homophobic ideologies.
Appropriately, the film is largely person-focused, but its individual spotlights result in a less cohesive overarching structure; the chronology becomes disorienting at times as we shift from subject to subject.
Nonetheless, Corcaigh Trí Thine is an entertaining watch. And most importantly, it brings attention to an underrepresented, but rapidly growing and endlessly loving community.
The Last Rooster: Artist Len Zuks
James Hyams | International | Australia
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This is an adage Australian sculptor Len Zuks took to heart, as exhibited through his impressive body of work. Detailing his unique artistic method of repurposing discarded materials, The Last Rooster highlights Zuks’ most notable pieces while exploring his creative journey.
What makes Zuks’ medium different is its ability to transform forgotten, time-worn items into works of art. "Rubbish is my gold," Zuks claims. "Rubbish is my life." Each sculpture is a testament to sustainable innovation, and behind every sculpture is a fascinating story—most notably, the giant metal rooster that roosts in Zuks’ hometown of Boddington.
Functioning as more of a tributary portrait than a full-fledged documentary, The Last Rooster provides only a brief glimpse into Zuks’ process. Given the distinctive, intricate nature of his work, an outsider might like to know more about how he engineers his creations.
Len Zuks is a fascinating character. He has a grand sense of humor, a can-do attitude, and a true zest for life. That said, I feel his achievements and passion for his craft merit a documentary of greater breadth.
