Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: PHOENIX JONES - THE RISE AND FALL OF A REAL LIFE SUPERHERO [SXSW Film - Austin Texas]
The aspect of community policing is nothing new but the concept of superhero mentality in a modern sense takes on an interesting context when people try to apply it practically. Having not heard of "Phoenix Jones" before this documentary, the perspective of this man....one with flaws like we all have....and what he tries to accomplish is a neat path but one not without its setbacks and real life drama. No one is perfect and he doesn't claim to be but Phoenix Jones (aka Ben Fodor) had a vision and, for all intents and purposes, especially in the inlay in his 20s really seems to have had a great idea at hand...while also a dangerous one. "Phoenix Jones: The Rise & Fall Of A Real Life Superhero" [Documentary Feature Competition], directed by Bayan Joonam, is a fairly comprehensive approach of this man from all sides. People will have their perspectives and while the one most important one (Purple Reign) is absent, it is interesting to see Jones' estranged brother as well as his son talking about his path as well as fellow superheroes he recruited in their initial outlay. Joonam seemed to take this path over more than a couple years so it does have a sense of time and consequence. The film is executive produced by Jami Gertz who obviously is one of the richest actors on the planet because of her business interests with her husband but doesn't often attach her name to a project so it would be interesting to know the context. She is smart so it is interesting to see what drew her. She might have a connection to Seattle or to the director. That said, this is a much more personal story than the one examined in "W/T/O 99" (DOC NYC 25).
This is Jones' story by far but it takes many different sides while also letting him speak after he wanted to set the record straight. He seems reticent at first and then warms to the idea though always guarded until more towards the end. He is defensive at times and combative but also very intelligent. He gives way to bouts of emotion but he also is human like any other. There are discrepancies in timelines and certain aspects he says happened differently. Jones wants to control his story understandably but this documentary is also objective because it is about him but also about the movement. It is engrossing and Joonam shoots it in a way that shows how using bodycam and perspective influences the narrative. But there are also other people masquerading as superheroes that want a piece of the pie and say what they mean (even though they are shrouded in masks). That is a real outlay is the one of retribution. Jones did reveal his true identity a couple years back which was more forced by a case against him but tried to make it his own. The reality is that some of his compadres are a little kooky while others are dangerous. "El Callabero" understands the power of story for example but takes it too far but that actually might be because Jones helped exaggerate it as well. The turning point is a particularly tragic occurrence which would change anybody. The reality is that fighting crime is not a movie. A former detective in Seattle, where the film is based and where there have been extensive protests on many things, brings to bear the actual police elements surrounding Jones but also where the law lies. Jones is correct that the law can only do so much because they have to stay within the law. The path of Jones goes from his childhood to present day so it shows how the intensity of youth moves forward to maturity. But the path of life only changes if the person sees different. Jones still has much to prove but there is always someone else nipping at your heels. B
By Tim Wassberg
