The Reel World: Happy Not Scary
Take a break from the scary season with happy and heartwarming documentaries. From the ultimate Pez collectors to people grooming show chickens, these fascinating, quirky stories will make you smile. Documentaries are an entertaining way to learn about people, animals and hobbies that aren't part of your daily world. These films are all available to stream free from Kanopy in addition to the check out options linked below.
Two French artists work on a fun and unique art project to create large (side of buildings) outdoor photographic galleries of everyday people. Agnes Varda is an octogenarian filmmaker and JR is a young street artist, photographer and muralist. They laugh and share stories as they travel around rural France in a custom photo-booth truck, taking portraits, making friends and installing their giant artworks. We also learn about Agnes personal and professional history.
This is an intriguing look at two artists with very different styles, ages and backgrounds who form a partnership and appreciation for each other and their work. I laughed and smiled as my spirits were lifted watching Agnes and JR create and connect with their subjects.
This heartwarming film may give you a sense of nostalgia for your own middle school days. In the early 2000s filmmakers followed several NYC middle school students preparing for a city-wide public school ballroom dance contest. Most of these kids had never ballroom danced before. You experience of awkwardness of the kids’ first dances with partners of the opposite sex – oh no, holding hands! You'll also relate to their challenges of learning the steps and the uplifting moments when they start to really enjoy the dance.
I'm always fascinated by watching ballroom dancing and I appreciate the courage it takes these kids to step completely out of their comfort zones.
Ease into the quirky, colorful, fascinating and heartwarming world of chicken shows. Much like dog shows these chicken owners breed, raise and groom their animals to be part of a hugely competitive world I didn't know existed. I was amazed by the variety of chickens and the lengths owners go to for competitions. I was also surprised at how quickly I was invested in these stories and rooted for the chickens and owners to win.
Like all hobbies, a wide variety of people participate in chicken shows. We get to follow three top competitors throughout one year, but we also get glimpses and comments from other chicken show participants. This is such an entertaining film for chicken lovers and for those of us who know almost nothing about chickens.
I had no idea the level of Pez collecting that exists across the world. Grab your favorite movie candy to watch this fascinating film about collectible Pez dispensers, the quirky collectors and the man who found a way (legally questionable) to make a fortune and quite a reputation as a major Pez distributor.
Eccentric Pez collector Steve Glew made connections in Eastern Europe in the 1990s and then made millions smuggling rare Pez dispensers into the U.S. You'll hear from Steve, his wife Kathy and his son Josh about this strange time in their lives. The documentary also includes interviews from other Pez collectors some who are fans of Steve and others who are not.
There is a whole Pez collectible community out there that most of us know nothing about. Watch this film for a surprising look at the hobby and business of Pez dispensers.
