New to DocPlay in May

What Went Wrong – Countdown to Catastrophe (May 10)

Six-part 2019 series about the fraught relationship between man and machine, with each disaster retold through survivors and first responders, focussing on how high-tech, infallible constructions suffered catastrophic failure through engineering errors that were wholly preventable.

• Morandi Bridge: A deep dive into the engineering of the Morandi Bridge and what might have caused it to collapse, killing 43 people, in August 2018.
• Grenfell Tower Fire: The story of the engineering, design and socio-political factors that led to the catastrophic 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people in London.
• Eschede Train Disaster: An in depth review of Germany’s worst ever rail disaster and the engineering oversights that allowed it to happen.
• Challenger Shuttle Disaster: The story of the shuttle challenger disaster and the engineering and operation oversights that caused the shuttle to break apart in the sky as millions of Americans watched live.
• Concorde Air Crash: The story of how the supersonic Concorde aircraft crashed and burned into the aviation history books.
• Malaysia Airlines MH 370: Top aviation experts share their theories about the mysterious whereabouts and final fate of Malaysia Airlines MH370.

Women Make Film (May 3)

This epic, five years in the making, is made up of 40 “chapters” narrated by Tilda Swinton, Jane Fonda, Adjoa Andoh, Sharmila Tagore, Kerry Fox, Thandie Newton and Debra Winger. “The title of Irish film savant Mark Cousins’ sprawling 14-hour follow-up to The Story of Film serves both as a statement of fact and, if punctuated slightly differently, a call to action: ‘Women, Make Film!'” — Variety.

The Leunig Fragments (May 13)

A prismic view of acclaimed cartoonist-philosopher Michael Leunig​ filmed over five eventful years. “Reluctant subject and tentative director unite in a documentary that gives little insight into the cartoonist who ‘weaponised whimsy.’” — The Guardian.

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band (May 17)

A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, blending rare archival footage, photography, iconic songs and interviews with Robertson’s friends and collaborators. “Everything you ever wanted to know about the heyday of the Band but were afraid to ask, courtesy of the legendary rock group’s founder.” — Rolling Stone.

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versaille (May 24)

Documenting the collaboration between world renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi​ and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, a veritable who’s who of the dessert world is assembled as they race against the clock to construct a decadent food gala based on the sumptuous exhibit: Visitors to Versailles​. “Not, under any circumstances, should you watch this on an empty stomach … A visual feast, but doco lacks flavour.” — Stuff.