AFI Docs 2021: The Story Won’t Die
afi docs 2021One of the many responses to conflict comes in the form of cinema. For example, coming out of a year of lockdowns and isolation there is a skyrocket of films either directly dealing with this event or dealing with these themes. Another clear modern example of this is the conflict within Syria. Specifically in the documentary genre, there have been countless films both of feature and short length capturing various perspectives of this conflict and giving a voice to those affected. Screening as part of the 2021 AFI Docs Film Festival, David Henry Gerson's The Story Won't Die gives a voice to the refugees who fled Syria, but specifically gives focus to one unique group: the artists.
From musicians to visual artists, The Story Won't Die is an artistic expression in and of itself of those who communicate with the larger world around them through artistic expression. Deeply personal and charming, The Story Won't Die immediately becomes a standout film of the festival overall with its authentic emotion and subjects. Seeing these artists attempt to find stable ground to stand on and witnessing their emotions bleed into whatever they are working on, it is impossible not to feel empathy and understanding not just for them but for the larger immigrant experience.
When focusing on immigration within the documentary genre, it is very rare for the actual perspective of immigrants attempting to find their place in society to be captured. The majority of media focuses on the daunting physical journeys they take and the few films that do focus on what comes next often focus on a very certain type of perspective. While there is nothing wrong with this and films have found tremendous power from these points of focus, The Story Won't Die does feel fresh for its change of perspective.
The impact the film can have is also undeniable. Going past simply asking for sympathy, the film turns its subjects into points of inspiration and power that feel special. If the film managed to work its way into the queue of someone with a harmful stereotype of immigrants, it truly feels like this film could open a previously closed door, which signals to it becoming something larger than simply an 83-minute feature.
As far as negatives, it honestly is hard to find much to complain about. The one issue would be some of the pacing throughout the film as it switches between its 10-subjects, but this is rather minor. The main thing holding the film back from being a true masterpiece isn't something it does wrong but more something it is missing. With a shorter runtime and only brief encounters with these artists, it does feel like some emotions are left untouched that could have given the film a needed gut punch to truly stay with the audience, but again, this is a more minor issue that only holds it back from being a masterpiece rather than pushing it to be a negative experience.
Personal and important, The Story Won't Die is not only a needed piece of cinema but is also a quite rewarding one. While no thesis or emotional moment might hit with the intensity found in other films, the authentic perspectives found within the feature not only deserve but demand to be heard, and the film showcases them in a beyond competent manner.
