Hot Docs 2019 Reviews: Our Godfather, Toxic Beauty, and The Hottest August

Apr 29, 2019- Permalink

Our Godfather

Our Godfather, from directors Mark Franchetti and Andrew Meir, tells the story of Tommaso Buscetta a.k.a. Don Masino. Buscetta turned state’s evidence after eleven members of his family were murdered and his testimony led to the conviction of over 400 Mafiosi in Italy and the United States. He know leads a life in witness protection and with archival photos, video and home movies we see his story unfold. It’s quite interesting seeing the court proceedings where former associates of Buscetta try to threaten him while simultaneously proclaiming that they’re innocent businessman.

Phyllis Ellis’ Toxic Beauty takes a look at the health implications of the beauty products many people use every day for years. It also traces a class-action lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson that argues the company knew that its popular talcum powder contains carcinogens. One side of the film follows a group of women in the U.S. and Canada as they pursue the case and try to show that J&J has known the danger lurking in their powder for decades.

The beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. They claim everything is safe. But is it? Another component of the doc follows Mymy Nguyen, who has an elaborate routine of creams and makeup but begins to search for answers about product safety after she discovers a benign breast tumour.

You’ll find yourself looking at you or your loved one’s bathroom cabinet after watching this one.

I ended the day with The Hottest August, from director Brett Story. It traces the month of August 2017. While wildfires and hurricanes hit one part of the country, others celebrate or recoil from the new Trump administration and heightened white supremacist activity. The blistering heat serves as a backdrop as the filmmaker talks to people just trying to make it through the hot month while wondering what the future holds.