Even When I Fall, as the title suggests, is a tale of redemption. The subjects of the documentary, the real life issues rampant affecting them, and Tibet as a country all go through redeeming journeys through the course of this documentary.

The doc starts on a low and ends on a massive high. First, we learn about the circus industry through Tibet and India, and how it’s a big front for smuggling children and women away from their families and into a gypsy-like community where they are forcibly married and bred. As these women are rescued and rehabilitated, their inner psyche is fascinating as they come to grips with the outside world. It’s a triumph to see them rise above their challenges and perform to crowds of thousands, even making it to Glastonbury Festival in a very moving performance.

Sheetal was married to the ringmaster’s son, and enjoyed a relatively privileged life in the circus. After she was rescued, she goes through many stages of anger, denial, even wistfully remembering her old life where she didn’t have to worry about anything, but now, being a single mother and needing to support two boys, life legitimately becomes a lot harder. We forget that she is actually a teenager (the girls do not know their exact ages), and of course would have this reaction. A poignant scene of her playfully interacting with two girls, showing them photos of her old life, and the sassy jokes that follow show a relieving turn to normalcy from a  girl who, two weeks ago, wouldn’t speak to anyone at the refugee facility.

If anyone wants an inspiring feminist story, this is the doc for you. There is a brutal scene in which the group who was rescued has formed a legitimate circus of their own, Circus Kathmandu, to earn their living with the skills they have and the community they share. The women in the circus lament that they are immediately branded as prostitutes and gypsies, despite having no choice in their previous life. They are slandered and treated like lepers, and their frankness in these truths show how difficult breaking these stereotypes are.

Even When I Fall shows that being yourself, and living your life, is enough. For everyone. It’s about rising from your own ashes and creating your own fate. As Tibet goes through massive challenges – the 2015 earthquake showcased in the doc is one – Circus Kathmandu faces it’s own disaster and rehabilitations. The resilience of the people and the country is enough to show anyone that, even when you fall, life can still pick you up.

How do you rebuild from nothing? How do you carry on when there is no place to go on to? These are the questions asked in DESTINATION UNKNOWN, a sobering documentary about twelve Holocaust survivors. The documentary tells their story (in their words exclusively) from childhood – to liberation. This was the only question Llion Roberts, the producer, asked the survivors in their interviews. Their answers narrate and shape the entire documentary, creating an immersive, intense atmosphere as we revisit the horrors of the past through the victims’ eyes.

I had the chance to interview Dir. Claire Ferguson and Prod. Llion Roberts about the film.

In our interview, Claire and Llion both recollected poignant moments during filming that provided a rich and insightful backdrop to the film. Roberts first felt the spark to tell this story when he was at Auschwitz-Birkenau and was observing portraits on the wall, after visiting the snow covered barracks. He saw a 13 year old girl on the wall, named Kristina, that was the spitting image of his daughter, who was also 13 at the time. This flash of humanity and connection is a common theme throughout the documentary – it is the only hope the story gives us.

Stanley, one of the survivors, was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau and by chance, the sommerkommander (a Jew forced to work with the Nazis to run the camp) knew him. He told him he had buried his mother’s and sisters’ ashes outside Crematorium 2: when Roberts was able to show Stanley the exact spot, he broke down and wept (along with the camera crew).

This did not make it in to the film: imagine what has.

Ferguson stated that she did not want the film to be retrospective. She wanted it to be happening to the viewer, just as it happens to the victims every single day: they remember, they live with it. Small details the interviewees recall: a bird flying away outside the attic he was hiding in (“the bird is free, and we humans are not free”), moments that they unsure why they even remember (“Schindler used to stroke my head, and tell me I would be free: to remember the Jews in Egypt”)  – it all serves to create a very intense and confronting experience – one that is not to be missed.

DESTINATION UNKNOWN is in cinemas 16^th June.

This review has been reposted for the DVD release.

A clashing orchestra of heartache, triumph and the absolute will to live and die on stage.

We are X is a fascinating documentary – encompassing classical music, rock n roll, the mixing of cultures and deep personal tragedy. So goes the story of Yoshiki X and his revolutionary band X Japan, and the trials of a man constantly struggling but also constantly overpowering his demons –  told primarily though in depth interviews and archival footage.

We Are X is critically one of the most successful rock bands ever. And yet the West has barely heard of them. I certainly hadn’t. But 10 minutes in to this documentary I fell down this emotional landslide which showcases personal heartache within the band – including the harrowing story of Toshi, the vocalist, being brainwashed and then escaping a cult.

The reunion of these two childhood friends is something that grips you so hard in it’s bittersweet embrace, you’ll be remembering it for a while.

In terms of story, the band is preparing for their reunion show playing at Madison Square Garden, and the doco opens the curtain to what has led them (or nearly derailed them) from this point. Hard-hitting interviews, emotional confrontations and powerfully inspiring messages make this very tasty for the soul. Yoshiki has never given up on his music – his own physical health won’t even stop him. The band has had trials and triumphs – their fanbase is incredibly ardent and uncommonly fanatic, even for a rock band – but it’s Yoshiki and his iron will to play and give his music to the world that makes this film so gruelling, so sad yet so satisfying.

We Are X is available on exclusive Steelbook and DVD on 22nd May

http://wearexfilm.co.uk