The Business of Being Born

I was delaying watching this documentary (despite the great reviews) because frankly, I have always been squeamish about childbirth. My mother, god love her, has regaled me with somewhat graphic descriptions of my own natural birth, which left me with the impression that -- if and when I ever pop one out myself -- I'll definitely opt for drugs.

This film opened my eyes.

As the title suggests, the age-old practice of childbirth is undergoing a radical perversion in this country. In the New York metro area, where this was filmed, Cesarean births now account for more than a third of all hospital births. Why is this? Based on what I've seen here, I've concluded it's because The Man will not be satisfied until he has total control over women and their bodies. He's losing the anti-abortion war, but unfortunately, he's winning the baby birthing war.

The Man, in cahoots with The Media, has convinced women that childbirth is a painful, messy, dangerous, excruciating process. This is so we will fear it, and submit to our doctor's whims (such as, induced labor or - if that doesn't make something happen by doc's dinner time - a c-section.) Don't get me wrong - I'm sure giving birth hurts. I mean, I've never done it, but it looks pretty uncomfortable. But is pain really its defining feature? I challenge you to watch the footage of home births featured in this documentary (all of which are presided over by a midwife) (and show the women moving around, squatting, etc. - not strapped to a bed like they're undergoing surgery) and not draw a different conclusion. Namely, that childbirth -- providing it's free of complications -- should be empowering, euphoric, and a vital bonding experience between mother and baby.

This should be required viewing for anyone with plans to procreate.

Sesame Street: 20 Years... And Counting...

What a delightful way to start my morning!

I've tried watching recently broadcast episodes of Sesame Street, but couldn't get into them. Too much Elmo, and not enough late 70s/early 80s fashion. This documentary, however, was just what Dr. Teeth ordered. First of all, it was made in 1989, when Jim Henson was still alive. Seeing and hearing him speak gave me a warm "fozzy."

Bill Cosby hosts this special retrospective of Sesame Street past. (1989 also pre-dates the tragic murder of Cosby's only son, so he's still happy and dewy and cute, not ((justifiably)) angry and bitter like he is now.)

This doc is only an hour, but boasts some terrific clips (such as Ray Charles' rendition of my favorite song, "It's Not Easy Bein' Green," and the heart-wrenching scene in which Big Bird learns of Mr. Hooper's death.) It also features some on-the-street NewsFlash! spots with intrepid reporter Kermit the Frog, who catches up with a few of the Sesame kids now that they are all grown up.

For a more in-depth look at Sesame Street and its counterparts around the world (like Rechov Sumsum and Plaza Sésamo) I highly recommend "The World According to Sesame Street," which is available on disc from Netflix.

Bastards of the Party

This 2005 documentary aired on HBO and played a couple of festivals, but was otherwise overlooked, which is a shame. Directed by former gang banger Cle Sloan, Bastards of the Party presents a decade-by-decade history of South Central L.A.'s African-American street gangs, from their unassuming origins in 1950s, to the aftermath of the Black Panther Party's demise in the 70s, to the unprecedented "black-on-black violence" of the 90s.

Interviews with Sloan himself provide most of the audio track, which -- given his long-standing personal history as a member of the Athens Park Bloods -- humanizes the conflict and lends a shit-ton of credence. He also speaks with black community leaders, OGs (that's original gangsters in layman's terms), and City of Quartz author Mike Davis, whose book inspired Sloan to begin his critical inquiry into the roots of his neighborhood's gangs. (City of Quartz was required reading for one of my intro Anthropology classes in college. Now I kind of wish I'd actually read it.)

What I liked about this documentary (in contrast to the more exploitative "A&E" or "True Hollywood Story"-types of street gang docs) is that it doesn't sensationalize any aspect of the life. It acknowledges the violence, the drugs, the money, the power-- but its core message is one of reform. It's not "Hey, look how hard we are!" but instead, "Look at how fucked up we are. Here's how it's happening and why. Now how can we start to fix it?"

Sloan's inexperience as a filmmaker shows, especially in the frenetic editing, which moves from soundbite to soundbite so quickly that it's often difficult to digest what's being said. But his charisma and ability to talk sense are what makes this film work. The soundtrack is pretty dope, too.

Gordon's Great Escape: India

Episodes 1 - 3

If your only exposure to Chef Gordon Ramsay has been through loathsome American shows like Hell's Kitchen, then you are sorely missing out. Unlike the one-note hothead he plays on FOX, Ramsay's actually got some depth to him, and is likable as hell. We already know that he is incredibly passionate about cooking. What I loved about this series, which follows him on a culinary journey throughout several regions of India, is that it highlights his remarkable ability to connect with all people, regardless of status or language, through a shared love of food. (Given Ramsay's intense pottymouth, it's probably better that most of the people he meets don't have a full command of English.)

His main reason for coming to India, Ramsay says, is to grow his skills as a chef. He's always loved curry ("Britain's Favourite Dish"), but has a nagging feeling that what Britons recognize as biryani and korma are dumbed-down perversions of the real thing. And from what we see here, he'd be right.

Gordon's travels take him from Delhi and Lucknow in northern India, to the remote northeastern states of Assam and Nagaland, to Mumbai and on to the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Not only does he eat in all of these places-- he cooks, too. Whether he's learning to prepare sambar from a master street chef in the Dharavi Slums, or concocting an original Indian feast for Bollywood stars and dignitaries, Ramsay puts his ass on the line again and again.

Indeed, Chef Ramsay's cajones are on full display here. (Um, not literally. Although he does at one point wear a rather flimsy muslin kurta that barely grazes his knees.) What I mean is, dude is ballsy. He makes Anthony Bourdain look like a spineless wimp. Whereas Tony whines when his No Reservations producers force him into things like roller skating and surfing, Gordon gleefully volunteers himself for stunts that are truly crazy. Like Bull Surfing in Kerala. Or facing off against dozens of Indian housewives in a cooking competition. Or "tapping" a palm tree for toddy by shimmying up its trunk with a tea towel between his feet. (One thing Tony does have over Gordon is a fondness for the drink. In one scene, Gordon spits out a mouthful of the esophogas-searing palm wine and asks his fixer, "Are you trying to fucking kill me?")

That's my favorite thing about Gordon -- he is an open book. There's no onscreen brooding or ironical, self-deprecating voiceover. His honest response to most situations he's faced with in India is "Oh shit" or "Shit shit shit shit." But he says it with a smile on his face, and while you're watching him, you're sure to have one on yours, too.