 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sydney Morning Herald
Australia
November 25, 1996
By ALISON STEWART
YOU'LL have to excuse me -- I'm going to rave extravagantly about this one. Every complimentary epithet imaginable is applicable to Troublesome Creek a documentary about the rise and fall of a small American farming dynasty.
Filmmakers Jeanne Jordan and Steven Ascher are intricately bound to their little work of art. It is Jordan's family which features here; it is her family dynasty that survived 125 years of the Depression, two world wars and Ronald. Reagan. Until now, that is.
Troublesome Creek has collected a host of awards, including best documentary at the recent Sydney Film Festival, a best documentary nomination at the Academy Awards and Grand Jury Prize plus Audience Award at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.
It is a complex, poignant piece, not merely about the harshness of contemporary culture which has come to value material thins over people, but also about the intricacies of family, marriage, aging, loss and survival.
In short, this film does what most great works of art do — it reflects the human condition with humour, candour, compassion and grace.
Don't miss it.