The Track
Ryan Sidhoo
2025, 90 mins.
What in the luge is this all about?
In 1984, Sarajevo proudly hosted the Winter Olympics with mascot Vučko playfully keeping watch over all. In 1992, the expected length of the war would last not “just a month”, proved to be three horrifying years. During that time, many landmarks, houses and various buildings were ruined—not least of which was the luge track, once the envy of the world, reduced to bullet-pocked walls, covered in filth at every harrowing turn.
Enter Senad. A luge competitor in his own right, he became determined to not only repair the track but painstakingly prepare the next generation of young Bosnian luge competitors.
Meet Hazma. With an infectious round face and love for fun, along with a younger sister who is eager to sing, he willingly “signs up” to help repair the graffiti-covered track and learn how to roar down it on a sled. Alongside him is relatively long-haired Zlatan, eager to spend his off hours just making things, but also honing his breakneck-speed skills. Then there’s the boyish, let’s-take-life-as-it-comes Mirza. Collectively it’s a trio of one for all and all for one in hopes of not only repainting a local landmark, but—under Senad’s unpaid, never compromising guidance—wanting to make their personal marks in the Olympic arena, if only they could find the cash to get there!
Along their quest, including a spectacularly shot sojourn to Calgary and some much-welcome time at a Writers’ Club bar, the young men and their mentor become much more of a symbol of hope for a war-torn country than gold medalists at a future Olympic Games. It’s a journey well worth a look and one can only hope that the sequel will be made in Ukraine, if those current atrocities will ever come to an end. JWR
We Want the Funk
Stanley Nelson, Nicole London
2025, 82 mins.
“Let the groove take over”
Full disclosure: I am 72 so would have been around for most of this documentary’s musical journey (from Watts, 1965, inspiring/fuelling “Dancing in the Streets”, “Black as Me”, through James Brown’s magical talent and following wonderfully captured in TV’s Say it Loud series). All the while in the background, Martin Luther King Jr. was courageously saying what needed to be said before his voice was forever silenced (but NOT his message).
But during all these years, I was enamoured with the likes of Mozart, Brahms, Pete Fountain and my drive towards a career in music: classical and jazz.
That said, I learned an incredible amount about what I had noticed on the periphery of my life but never really delved into.
The evolution of Funk into Hip-hop is wonderfully captured in this film—especially the mantra “Free your mind, your ass will follow you.”
Did I get up and dance once in a while? See it for yourself and I dare you to keep still! JWR