More caps: Patti Smith, Hair, Heavy Metal, Emmanuel Jal, Hidden Face

Patti Smith: Dream Of Life This is an impressionistic portrait of the artist; though I would’ve preferred a more linear take on her story, this film is probably a better representation of her own outlook/aesthetic. Smith narrates in her wonderfully distinctive voice, which, heard along side clips of her in her younger days, only gets better as she ages. It’s as if you’re alongside her as she rummages through her past; pulling out baby clothes, playing an old guitar, proudly showing off her parents’ yard with her dad in tow. There’s a lot of good performance footage too, with Smith having become increasingly political as the years go by; especially good to hear during this year (note to whoever the Democratic nominee is: take Smith along as a motivational speaker!). (May 25, Egyptian, 9:30 pm; May 28, Egyptian, 4 pm).

Hair: Let The Sunshine In I was disappointed in this, as it’s far too short to tell what must have been an epic tale of how this landmark musical came together (it was apparently put together for TV, but should’ve been expanded for feature film release). It was perhaps the last time a Broadway show had such a cultural impact; Rent came close, but it didn’t quite span the generations in the same way. You get bits and pieces of interesting interviews (I didn’t know the touring cast got death threats, for example, and there’s an interview with a pre-Rocky Horror Show Tim Curry), but you want more. Other sequences are left hanging; we see a contemporary cast rehearsing for a new staging of the show — how did it ultimately come off? What did the cast think about this show so rooted in the ‘60s? And why wasn’t Milos Forman asked more about his movie version? Like I say, you want more. (May 24, SIFF Cinema, 1 pm; May 26, SIFF Cinema, 4 pm).

Heavy Metal In Baghdad Yet another film that makes you realize whatever your problems, you still have it pretty good. Especially in comparison to the Iraqi metalheads who formed Acrassicauda (“Black Scorpions”). It was hard enough to play metal in Saddam’s Iraq, but under US occupation it’s virtually impossible — especially when a missile destroys your practice space and instruments. But the members endeavor to keep going, though it’s more dangerous to wear a t-shirt plugging a US metal act now than it was before the war of “liberation” began. A sobering look at a dire situation. (May 24, SIFF Cinema, 9:30 pm; May 25, SIFF Cinema, 11 am)

Emmanuel Jal This documentary’s protagonist started life with great disadvantages, yet was able to overcome them through his inherent pluck. Born in Sudan during the civil war, he was a child soldier, before being taken to Kenya, where he discovered hip-hop and now tours the world rapping about the plight of his native land. Hard for me to watch in places, as the sheer scope of the poverty and misery that exists in the world I find overwhelming. A bit dry as well, so it’s not quite as engaging as it could be. But there’s no denying Emmanuel’s charm (May 28, SIFF Cinema, 7:15 pm; June 14, SIFF Cinema, 9:30 pm).

Hidden Face This is the kind of film I can’t imagine being made in America. It’s a slow-paced, thoughtful look at the minutiae of a relationship of a French couple; nothing happens, but everything happens. It certainly made me think that people aren’t meant to live together forever and ever, as well as reinforcing the idea that you can really know another person. It’s a film that grows on you, if you give it a chance. (June 13, Pacific Place, 7 pm; June 14, Pacific Place, 4 pm).