Welcome to another dual reviews edition. This time, I’m reviewing two gut-wrenching documentaries vying for Oscars this year.

The Perfect Neighbor

Watching this movie really makes me feel grateful for the awesome neighbors I have. There are tons of kids in my area, and during the summer, they often play outside, just like the kids in Ocala, Florida, where Susan Lorincz lived. She was angered by their presence that she kept calling the police on them, even though the grassy area they were playing on across from her duplex wasn’t even hers.

This remarkable true crime documentary, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, is primarily shot using police body cameras. The tragic event hits close to home for Gandbhir, as the victim, Ajike “AJ” Owens, was a friend of a family member of her creative partner, which motivated her to delve into the case. I’m not too familiar with this story, so it was quite enlightening to see how a small disagreement escalated to Lorincz firing the deadly shot through a locked door that struck Owens in the chest. While the shooting itself isn’t depicted, the reaction from one of Owens’ children is absolutely heartbreaking. What’s truly devastating is how he felt responsible for not being able to save his mom.

What’s most baffling is why Lorincz decided to live in a neighborhood predominantly filled with African Americans. At her age, in her mid-50s, why not opt for a rental property specifically for those over 55? There are tons of those available in Florida. I usually don’t jump to label someone as racist, but in Lorincz’s case, it fits her perfectly. What’s notable is the way the police respond every time they get called to ‘deal with’ the kids. Despite their frustration over these petty 911 calls over and over again, they managed to keep their professionalism intact. The cops are friendly with the kids, recognizing that it’s a good thing they’re out playing near their homes instead of hanging out on the streets getting into trouble.

The movie covers the timeline from February 2022, the tragic event in June 2023, all the way to the trial and sentencing in 2024. It’s a fresh take on doc filmmaking since it avoids the usual ‘talking head’ interviews we often find in documentaries. Editor Viridiana Lieberman skillfully pieced together more than 30 hours of police bodycam footage, 911 calls, and more to craft a 97-minute film. The editing is what makes the film; it’s engaging throughout, although the shaky-cam shots can be a bit dizzying, especially for someone like me who’s prone to motion sickness.

The Perfect Neighbor can be a rough watch; at times, this true-crime documentary feels like a real-life horror movie that reveals systemic problems and the contentious “stand your ground” laws. This kind of law can easily be distorted and used to mask people’s biases. I’m really glad Gandbhir included Lorincz’s arrest and her eventual guilty verdict. Even while in jail and being questioned before her arrest, she continued to behave as if she were the victim. Given the racially charged nature of the topic, it’s wise to let the footage speak for itself.

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Pavel ‘Pasha’ Talankin did not set out to create a documentary. As the videographer and events coordinator at Karabash Primary School #1, his role was to capture the students during their daily routines and various events. Pasha loved this job, especially since he had fond memories of the school he attended, and his mother also worked there as a librarian. It wasn’t until the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine that Talankin started to seriously document the school activities for the government-mandated ‘patriotic displays.’ From flag-waving ceremonies and state-scripted lessons justifying the war to unsettling visits from Russian private military company Wagner Group mercenaries who taught kids about explosives.

I remember back in Jakarta during the Suharto era, we were made to watch propaganda films and similar stuff, but what Putin is demanding here is on a whole different level. It’s shocking to see young children being taught about the glory of nuclear weapons and having to take part in grenade-throwing competitions! It’s evident that Pasha became increasingly disturbed by these compliance demands and the militarization of the school. Many films have depicted the suffering of Ukrainians due to the war, and that’s completely justified. However, this film also highlights the pain that Russians endure as a result of the awful choices made by their leaders.

Pasha was on the verge of quitting when he connected with filmmaker David Borenstein, who became his co-director for this Czech–Danish documentary. A message he posted on Instagram somehow reached Borenstein, which led him to continue collecting footage. He clearly took a significant risk because if he got caught, he could face imprisonment or even death for treason. Putin made that very clear in his public speeches; there’s really no choice but to back his actions. The Russian president also stated, “Commanders don’t win wars. Teachers win wars,” which is quite ironic since these teachers had to stop educating students and instead feed them propaganda. It’s kind of ironic, yet not really surprising, that the history teacher who told them the biggest lies ended up snagging the state’s ‘teacher of the year’ award.

It’s chilling to witness children who seemed bored and baffled by these new mandatory lessons, but then they start to pay attention. Pasha knew that these programs work because these kids are too young to understand what’s morally right or wrong. If that’s all they’re fed day in and day out, the lies and propaganda will inevitably sink in. Students who once found solace and a safe space in Pasha’s free and democratic office are vanishing. Pasha saw his male friends get drafted and their families’ tearful goodbyes. There’s also a female student whose brothers died in the war, but she was unable to discuss it.

Even though the situation is pretty bleak, the film surprisingly has a funny side, and it’s ironic too. Pasha narrates the story with his sharp wit and a sense of humor. You can really feel his love for the town, even if Karabash is known as one of the most polluted spots on the planet because of over a hundred years of copper smelting that has left the air, soil, and water filled with nasty toxins like arsenic and mercury.

This movie really gets you thinking about what it means to be patriotic, especially given the amount of chaos in America right now and that we’re in the middle of a war right now. Sometimes, dissenting can actually be a form of patriotism when your country is going off the rails. The film shows that Pasha managed to leave Russia, which is a relief, but I really hope he stays safe wherever he ends up.

Have you seen either one of these?