Amy Winehouse, Nina Simon, Michael Moore, Laurie Anderson, Scientology, Malala, Marlon Brando are among the filmmakers/subjects of the 15 documentaries on this year’s Oscar short list. How to pare them to five? It’s going to have to be a mix of politics, entertainment, and culture. The Michael Moore film has to be in, that’s a cinch. Amy vs. Nina? I can’t choose. Malala? So important. Ukrainians? Also. “The Hunting Ground”? Great song by Lady Gaga and Diane Warren. “Best of Enemies”? So enjoyable. Tough choices.
“Amy,” On the Corner Films and Universal Music
“Best of Enemies,” Sandbar
“Cartel Land,” Our Time Projects and The Documentary Group
“Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” Jigsaw Productions
“He Named Me Malala,” Parkes-MacDonald and Little Room
“Heart of a Dog,” Canal Street Communications
“The Hunting Ground,” Chain Camera Pictures
“Listen to Me Marlon,” Passion Pictures
“The Look of Silence,” Final Cut for Real
“Meru,” Little Monster Films
“3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets,” The Filmmaker Fund, Motto Pictures, Lakehouse Films, Actual
Films, JustFilms, MacArthur Foundation and Bertha BRITDOC
“We Come as Friends,” Adelante Films
“What Happened, Miss Simone?,” RadicalMedia and Moxie Firecracker
“Where to Invade Next,” Dog Eat Dog Productions
“Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom,” Pray for Ukraine Productions
