HotDocs continues to present their @Home series of screenings that can be purchased and watched from any laptop or mobile device. Here’s three flicks that are current streaming as theBUZZ top picks. Click on the weblinks below for ticket information.

House of Cardin

Get a rare peek inside the mind of a design genius in this chic and lively portrait of French fashion icon Pierre Cardin. With his geometric shapes, colours and pioneering avant-garde styles, Cardin changed both the silhouette of fashion—and how it could be branded across the world of design, from clothes to furniture to eyeglasses. Taking you behind the scenes of his epic empire, House of Cardin is a globetrotting journey across decades of Cardin’s life, and the modernist styles he pioneered along the way. Featuring in-depth interviews with Cardin himself, along with Jean-Paul Gaultier, Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone and more.

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Pierre Cardin was born on July 2, 1922, and is still out and about today participating in events and keeping a watchful eye over his enterprise.

In English, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese with English subtitles

Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

John Lennon said, “If you tried to give rock ’n’ roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” The guitar legend who set the blueprint for the genre with his indelible combination of talent, style and swagger is remembered in this insightful tribute, featuring an array of star contemporaries, including Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards and Steve Van Zandt. Exploring the musical genius and lasting influence of the prolific craftsman behind “Maybellene” and “Johnny B. Good,” Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll also reveals the man behind the music through rare interviews with his family members. 

In this highly anticipated feature- length documentary, the absolute instigator of Rock and Roll, CHUCK BERRY is truly revealed, with exclusive access. Despite his iconic status, and reverence for his talent by rock’s heroes John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Steve Van Zandt, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper) all featured, Chuck Berry was a family man. He was a prolific craftsman of word and chords; an undisputed and stunning combination of talent and charisma.

Award-winning Film maker Jon Brewer (BB King The Life of Riley, Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark), was personally selected by the Berry Estate to produce and direct this exclusive insight to the man known as the bedrock of Rock n Roll.

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A real bad boy in life who brought a bit of that with him to the stage. Chuck Berry’s guitar playing was phenomenal, never before heard in the blues, or rock worlds. This was before the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, who both took Berry as their music spirit of sorts. He meshed these two genres into what some called hillbilly. This was quite before current civil rights were put in place. He was inspired by seeing Nat King Cole perform, an entertainer on stage that he could fully identify with. He married young, in 1948, six months after meeting the love of his life. They were together until his death nearly 70 years later, leaving behind four children as well.

This doc tells a story about music, and about a man, two different story lines. He didn’t sell any of his properties when upgrading to a larger premise, thereby gathering a good amount of varied real estate. He created Berry Park on one of the properties where his family could enjoy the activities, along with invited guests. It included a stage where bands could perform, and also a guitar-shaped pool, the first ever in North America. He later opened Blueberry Bar, in referenced to the hit, Blueberry Hill. Being recognized early for his accomplishments, Berry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the year it opened. Here’s a video of Charles doing what he does best, grooving on stage with a few of his musician buddies. Definitely what this documentary if you want some more of that. Also, kudos to the production team for creating an almost theatrical like feel to the film, It all works out very nicely by merging rare black and white footage with scripted dialogue amid a film-noir colour scheme. Enjoy!

Meeting the Beatles in India

Filmmaker Paul Saltzman retraces his journey of 50 years ago when he spent a life-changing time with the Beatles at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram on the banks of the Ganges River. In 1968, he discovered his own soul, learned meditation, which changed his life, and hung out with John, Paul, George and Ringo. Fifty years later, he finds “Bungalow Bill” in Hawaii; connects with David Lynch about his own inner journey; as well as preeminent Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn; Academy Award nominated film composer, Laurence Rosenthal; and Pattie and Jenny Boyd. And much of this is due to Saltzman’s own daughter, Devyani, reminding him that he had put away and forgotten these remarkably intimate photographs of that time in 1968.

Narration: Morgan Freeman
Executive Producer: David Lynch (among others)

 

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.