azanti0029
Joined Aug 2010
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azanti0029's rating
I remember sitting with my parents when the news bulletin came in about Lockerbie, an event which shocked our nation. I had returned from my first trip to the USA that summer, working on a summer camp near Syracuse. A number of students from Syracuse had also worked there over the holiday. A group of them were on that flight, returning from a trip to London. I would not find out that friends of friends had lost several people on board that flight, several from one class alone, until many years later.
The narrative presented to the public about who & why was responsible was always confusing & convoluted and I was never entirely convinced by the official version.
Here we finally get the television drama this story deserves, told, perhaps wisely (though I am sure some will think it unfair) primarily from one family's perspective searching for the truth. I consider myself fairly educated on this subject, but this show brought several things to light that I was previously unaware of. What is very clear is that these families were lied to from the outset and facts were deliberately withheld from them.
Catherine McCormack gives the performance of her life as the grieving mother, with Colin Firth doing what he does best in the leading role. This series is not an easy watch, but as I have said before about similar productions, it is absolutely 100 percent essential viewing. Another stand out performance is that of Sam Troughton as the intrepid reporter chasing all the pieces of the jigsaw, while newcomer Jemma Carlton holds on her own against the heavyweights. Remember under Thatcher (don't get me started) there was no Public Inquiry into Hillsborough, Marchioness nor Lockerbie.
Naturally any drama taking on a topic as emotional tragic as this must be handled with care, sensitivity and respect for those directly impacted by the events. I won't presume to know their views, but I think they would be very satisfied with the powerful results we have here.
The crash itself is especially well handled. We see enough to know the utter horror of what they went through both in the air and on the ground but no more than is required.
This sequence is extremely well directed by Otto Bathhurst.
I urge you to watch it. The main theme here is everyone should always be held accountable for their mistakes. Otherwise those damaged by such events can't even begin to heal.
I highly commend the entire production team.
First class drama - watch it now.
The narrative presented to the public about who & why was responsible was always confusing & convoluted and I was never entirely convinced by the official version.
Here we finally get the television drama this story deserves, told, perhaps wisely (though I am sure some will think it unfair) primarily from one family's perspective searching for the truth. I consider myself fairly educated on this subject, but this show brought several things to light that I was previously unaware of. What is very clear is that these families were lied to from the outset and facts were deliberately withheld from them.
Catherine McCormack gives the performance of her life as the grieving mother, with Colin Firth doing what he does best in the leading role. This series is not an easy watch, but as I have said before about similar productions, it is absolutely 100 percent essential viewing. Another stand out performance is that of Sam Troughton as the intrepid reporter chasing all the pieces of the jigsaw, while newcomer Jemma Carlton holds on her own against the heavyweights. Remember under Thatcher (don't get me started) there was no Public Inquiry into Hillsborough, Marchioness nor Lockerbie.
Naturally any drama taking on a topic as emotional tragic as this must be handled with care, sensitivity and respect for those directly impacted by the events. I won't presume to know their views, but I think they would be very satisfied with the powerful results we have here.
The crash itself is especially well handled. We see enough to know the utter horror of what they went through both in the air and on the ground but no more than is required.
This sequence is extremely well directed by Otto Bathhurst.
I urge you to watch it. The main theme here is everyone should always be held accountable for their mistakes. Otherwise those damaged by such events can't even begin to heal.
I highly commend the entire production team.
First class drama - watch it now.
If someone was scrolling through titles online to watch they might be forgiven for thinking this film is a true crime documentary. While that in a sense, would not be entirely inaccurate, the narrative here is not about a single crime, but about a single individual dedicating her life to addressing a succession of crimes committed over history on the Cherokee Indian Nation and its people.
Mankiller, directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl tells the true story Wilma P Mankiller, a woman of the Cherokee nation who became its first prominent female activist in modern times. The documentary first explores the origins of the tribe, which always was a female driven society, the devastating effects of colonisation and the impact it had in destroying and fragmenting Chereokee culture and traditions.
Then we to Wilma's early upbringings and her first steps into activism. First within the 1960s social political movement of San Francisco, where she involved in protests against local government oppression and policies, later becoming one of several people to occupy Alcatraz prison for 19 months. A staunch activist of self-determination for the Cherokee Nation, the documentary follows her return to Oklahoma and her involvement in the Pit River protest, as well as the Bell Waterline Project. Driven to give her people the power and means of self-determination, this is the story of a relentless and truly unique woman, and it makes for compelling viewing.
But this is more than just a by numbers documentary, this is the story of an incredible individual who dedicated her whole life to a single cause - her people. Such people made with this type of moral fibre are a rare breed indeed. The meat of the narrative is presented from an incredible amount of archive and personal footage depicting Mankiller's life from her early years right through to her life in political office in the 1990s. There is no need for a guest voice over here, for Wilma herself is very much front and center throughout, and rightly so.
This is footage is interspersed with a plethora of personal interviews from those who worked alongside her, to those influenced by her actions. Her husband, her friends, political colleagues and family members, discussing everything from personal anecdotes to debating the nations involvement into the gaming and gambling institutions that provide a huge source of income today. This is simply a very powerful story about a passionate and driven woman who would not quit, even when her body began to give in. There has been a 2015 film drama which covers a small portion of her life, but I feel the story of Wilma P Mankiller should be told on a far broader canvas. If anyone deserves a six part mini series about her life on Netflix its this incredible warrior. Among her last words were 'I don't think I left any great legacy, I hope it will be said that she did what she could...' - Never has a person been so humble about their range of impactful achievements. If you want to know the story of Wilma P Mankiller then this film is where you should start. Humbling and essential viewing for every American and beyond.
Mankiller, directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl tells the true story Wilma P Mankiller, a woman of the Cherokee nation who became its first prominent female activist in modern times. The documentary first explores the origins of the tribe, which always was a female driven society, the devastating effects of colonisation and the impact it had in destroying and fragmenting Chereokee culture and traditions.
Then we to Wilma's early upbringings and her first steps into activism. First within the 1960s social political movement of San Francisco, where she involved in protests against local government oppression and policies, later becoming one of several people to occupy Alcatraz prison for 19 months. A staunch activist of self-determination for the Cherokee Nation, the documentary follows her return to Oklahoma and her involvement in the Pit River protest, as well as the Bell Waterline Project. Driven to give her people the power and means of self-determination, this is the story of a relentless and truly unique woman, and it makes for compelling viewing.
But this is more than just a by numbers documentary, this is the story of an incredible individual who dedicated her whole life to a single cause - her people. Such people made with this type of moral fibre are a rare breed indeed. The meat of the narrative is presented from an incredible amount of archive and personal footage depicting Mankiller's life from her early years right through to her life in political office in the 1990s. There is no need for a guest voice over here, for Wilma herself is very much front and center throughout, and rightly so.
This is footage is interspersed with a plethora of personal interviews from those who worked alongside her, to those influenced by her actions. Her husband, her friends, political colleagues and family members, discussing everything from personal anecdotes to debating the nations involvement into the gaming and gambling institutions that provide a huge source of income today. This is simply a very powerful story about a passionate and driven woman who would not quit, even when her body began to give in. There has been a 2015 film drama which covers a small portion of her life, but I feel the story of Wilma P Mankiller should be told on a far broader canvas. If anyone deserves a six part mini series about her life on Netflix its this incredible warrior. Among her last words were 'I don't think I left any great legacy, I hope it will be said that she did what she could...' - Never has a person been so humble about their range of impactful achievements. If you want to know the story of Wilma P Mankiller then this film is where you should start. Humbling and essential viewing for every American and beyond.
The kidnapping and murder of 13 year old girl Yara Gambirasio could turn out to be one of the most important cases in international criminal history. As one of the pioneers of DNA evidence, Peter Gill has said - 'DNA should never be used alone to convict a criminal, but with a combination of other evidence.'
Never before has a better case been made than in this tragic case, where a very likely probability is that there is currently an innocent man languishing in an Italian for a crime he may well not have committed.
Despite almost shooting itself in the foot, by presenting the facts of the case with two non linear time lines, this documentary never the less presents a balanced view of a case that Italy was so desperate to have an answer for, an innocent man may well have gone to prison for the crime.
The more likely scenario is that a serial killer is still on the loose in Italy who may have been responsible for more than one murder.
The victim, who quite rightly is often at the forefront of this story, was a bright dance student from a normal middle class Italian family. Yara disappeared on a cold winters evening while walking back from the local sports hall to her house, a walk which only would have taken 10-15 minutes.
From the word go several vital mistakes were made in the case. A proper search was not carried out of key premises, nor key potential witnesses including the janitor of the gym until some time later. The victim herself wasn't found for three months, in an area that was already searched several times, suggesting it was highly probable she was placed there at a later date.
A DNA profile was completed from a sample found on the victims body but the way in which was constructed appears to be flawed and convoluted, it was also evidence which later denied to the defence, and an order was given that would effectively destroy the last remaining samples. Other potential scenarios and perpetrators were not followed up, and the entire prosecution was flawed and evidence was manufactured to favour their case.
You really need to see this series for yourself and draw your own conclusions, but I have a feeling history will not be kind to those in this case who have put a local brick layer in prison.
But please, enough with the non-linear narratives.
Never before has a better case been made than in this tragic case, where a very likely probability is that there is currently an innocent man languishing in an Italian for a crime he may well not have committed.
Despite almost shooting itself in the foot, by presenting the facts of the case with two non linear time lines, this documentary never the less presents a balanced view of a case that Italy was so desperate to have an answer for, an innocent man may well have gone to prison for the crime.
The more likely scenario is that a serial killer is still on the loose in Italy who may have been responsible for more than one murder.
The victim, who quite rightly is often at the forefront of this story, was a bright dance student from a normal middle class Italian family. Yara disappeared on a cold winters evening while walking back from the local sports hall to her house, a walk which only would have taken 10-15 minutes.
From the word go several vital mistakes were made in the case. A proper search was not carried out of key premises, nor key potential witnesses including the janitor of the gym until some time later. The victim herself wasn't found for three months, in an area that was already searched several times, suggesting it was highly probable she was placed there at a later date.
A DNA profile was completed from a sample found on the victims body but the way in which was constructed appears to be flawed and convoluted, it was also evidence which later denied to the defence, and an order was given that would effectively destroy the last remaining samples. Other potential scenarios and perpetrators were not followed up, and the entire prosecution was flawed and evidence was manufactured to favour their case.
You really need to see this series for yourself and draw your own conclusions, but I have a feeling history will not be kind to those in this case who have put a local brick layer in prison.
But please, enough with the non-linear narratives.