Deserved to win best documentary Oscar more than 20 Feet from Stardom
I know Darlene Love personally and I love her, so I was really happy when 20 Feet won because of the recognition it gave to her, Lisa Fischer, and Merrie Clayton, and to the music. But I wasn't all that happy THAT it won. Cutie & the Boxer is so superior as a documentary, made with so much more skill and imagination, better edited, more profound, and more moving. Unfortunately it didn't get the hype that 20 Feet got. (Could that have anything to do with their agent? In the movie he didn't come across as that great a promoter.) Anyway, I haven't yet seen all of the other documentaries nominated but from what I did see and hear of, for example, the one that depicts the Cambodian killing fields with clay figures, I'd venture to assume that there's more filmmaking genius in that one, too. 20 Feet of Stardom was great for its subject matter, and especially because it was about time that the singers and subject matter got recognition. And maybe that's just as valuable a criterion for winning the best documentary award as filmmaking skill - that it brings something to the public's attention. Still, after watching Cutie & the Boxer and loving every minute of it, my impression was that it was a better made movie. Its subject matter was profound and presented more tremendous artistry, grace, and rhythm.
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