Review: Pip & Zastrow is a documentary that demonstrates the power of friendship through turbulent times. Audiences are able to witness a film that chronicles this bond as it was forged during segregation, solidified during the riots and carried on into the present day. It’s a documentary that for the most part works well, but there’s enough hiccups to limit the story from truly becoming great. Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes’ story is, of course, a commonly heard one and it’s difficult to say that this particular encounter is truly any different then previous tales. The main meat of the story is found during the riots, where the white mayor uses his friendship with an imprisoned African-American friend to calm the city of Annapolis from rioting. This is where, seemingly, the prominent portion of the filmmakers time should lie, but unfortunately the story strays from this into the present day, where the two friends have sorta moved on to face other problems. These two have their moments, but it’s harder to see the power of this friendship there then way back in the 1960s. The coolest part of this documentary though is the animations. Still photos have added depth and layers and black and white cartoons turn stories from the past into lively events. Without question, this is clearly where the directos’ strengths lie. It’s a shame the camerawork couldn’t keep up with these animations because they truly are impressive to witness. Unfortunately, the animaitons and effects are used more heavily in the beginning and sorta trickle out by the end. This dwindling use of photos highlights the directors’ main challenge: they grew too close to the characters they interviewed. It’s a hard to call this a fault, because Bruce and Hayes obviously sincerely care for each character and their views, but they do so at the expense of the story. You can tell the more recent events are placed in the film are there not because they add to the original story (because they don’t) but because they want this other story to be told. There is value in this care and sympathy, but unfortunately, it’s not found in this film. It would have made a great sequel, but as it stands, two stories are trapped in one film. Pip and Zastrow (the documentary) does survive these pitfalls to highlight a very touching friendship. The film’s end is just as rewarding as it’s early sections and will remind audiences of the value of facing challenges with someone you can trust. There are moments where you will feel the presence of an exceptional film, but in the end result is a quality film that doesn’t quite live up to expectations. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 3 – plenty of knowledge can be gleaned, but its not focused Entertainment: 3 – I worry about you if you find friendship boring Technical: 3.5- though the animations are amazing, everything else seems rather simple Overall: 3- two good story ideas crammed into one makes the whole thing a bit disjointed
Pip
and
Zastrow
Format: Theater Year: 2009 Running Time: 79 Min Distributor: Urcunina Films Producer: Janice Hayes-Williams, Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes Director: Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes Date Reviewed: 6-10-2009 Story: In 1948, Pip Moyer and Zastrow Simms were the top high school athletes in their segregated schools in Annapolis, Maryland. A competitive nature drove each boy to scope out the other, and the two became fast friends. By 1968, Pip, who had become the town's young mayor, and Zastrow, who was in jail, came together in the streets of Annapolis after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The trust they'd built over the years enabled the two men to save the city from riots that erupted across the country. In 2005, 71-year-old Zastrow turns politician and campaigns for his first "official" public office. Pip tries to help his old friend, even as he succumbs to the devastating effects of Parkinson's disease. As their lives crisscross over six decades, what emerges is a life-long friendship full of humor, compassion and heartbreak that realizes the vision of a truly united America (from AFF website).