Dogs Bark

Arm In Arm In Arm - - My Octopus Teacher (2020, South Africa, Color, 85 min) - - 2 May 2021

Strongly recommended. Those who know me are aware I have a particularly harsh view of assigning human emotions to animals. This opinion arises out of love . . . a respect for their uniquely non-human way of constructing reality. Nevertheless, we can always be schooled by Nature without its intent. My delight with this Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher, therefore, doesn't require anthropomorphism. The film depicts beautifully interactive exchanges between diver/filmmaker Craig Foster and a female octopus he photographed daily off the coast of South Africa. Through that consistent, non-threatening presence, the creature appeared increasingly unafraid of - - and even playful towards - - Foster. Underwater filmmakers Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed (Jago: A Life Underwater) assembled footage shot by Foster and additional cameraman Tom Foster to create a remarkably charming film. Foster gives the octopus the respect it deserves, while revealing the therapy, enlightenment, and education its life offered him . . . and perhaps us all.

Monkey Wrench Girl - - Kona Fer Í Stríð [Woman At War](2018, Iceland/France/Ukraine, Color,101 min) - - 28 April 2021

Recommended. The English title of this film bothered me until I used Google Translate. They recommended “A Woman Goes To War,” which is subtly different. The hero, Halla, played by Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir (Metalhead), is a 50-year-old, choir leader and not particularly Amazonian. She is, however, an eco-terrorist and seems more driven by morality than a love of the martial. But the Icelandic sense of humor is very dry . . . so perhaps other linguistic turns are involved. The plot turns when Halla unexpectedly is allowed to adopt a Ukrainian orphan and faces a crisis of devotion. Is she a warrior or a mom? Where is the greater need? Benedikt Erlingsson has directed and co-written a clever and honest story, nicely acted and photographed (Bergsteinn Björgúlfsson, The Deep), with an amusing score (Davíð Þór Jónsson, Of Horses And Men) that's played by a strange trio of musicians randomly popping-up in the background.