Point and Shoot
Winner of the Best Documentary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival, POINT AND SHOOT follows Matt VanDyke, a timid 26-year-old with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, who left home in Baltimore in 2006 and set off on a self-described “crash course in manhood.” He bought a motorcycle and a video camera and began a three-year, 35,000-mile motorcycle trip through Northern Africa and the Middle East.
While traveling, he struck up an unlikely friendship with a Libyan hippie, and when revolution broke out in Libya, Matt joined his friend in the fight against dictator Muammar Gaddafi. With a gun in one hand and a camera in the other, Matt fought in -- and filmed -- the war until he was captured by Gaddafi forces and held in solitary confinement for six months. Two-time Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker Marshall Curry tells this harrowing and sometimes humorous story of a young man’s struggle for political revolution and personal transformation.
Director:
Marshall Curry
Cast:
Matthew Vandyke
Screenplay:
Marshall Curry
Screening Date:
Oct 18, 2014
Studio:
The Orchard
Running Time:
83 min.
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33.9% | 26.8% | 19.6% | 10.7% | 8.9% |
“An excellent documentary. Excellent editing of footage taken independently on location in wartime situations. I question the guest for Vandyke’s definition of manhood. There seems to be no clear definition of why he participated in Libya’s war for independence.”
“Too Long.”
A somewhat intriguing story of a troubled kid with a camera, but his high-definiition footage in Kodak color was remarkable. Beautiful sky and endless Arabian landscapes where death can occur at any second – a far cry from the dust and grays of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or Brad Pitt’s FURY.
“Extraordinary opportunity to be in real-life war situation. Amazing.”
“This film is good for PBS, but not to be shown in theaters.”
“One wild and crazy guy!”
“Powered by an almost pathologically mad desire to explore and find who and what he is. His filming is vibrant.”
“Interesting saga and some real insights both into life in the Middle East and war experience. Some real characters!”
“Footage of Matthew surrounded by knives and guns, footage of Lauren shot in the kitchen!!! Sexist? A cinematic counterpoint pun of her with all those kitchen knives behind her?”
“I object to making a movie about war while it is going on. Hope people trying to find their manhood/womanhood move independently and not by joining a fight that they don’t understand.”
“An eye-opening, heart searing journey through the life of a man that makes you go wow. The filmmaker/star is a fascinating figure with an unbelievably deep self-awareness and openness that fills you with admiration. He narrates his life so effortlessly and naturally you want to sit down with him over dinner but you hope you can stay with him through breakfast (and not only because he is movie star handsome but because he is an engrossing story teller with a great story to tell). Bravo to all involved.”
“Perhaps the film should be retiled TRAVELS OF A SELFISH PRICK. Mr. Vandyke’s cared only about himself with no regard for his loved ones. He obviously indulged and doted upon his life and I found him self indulgent and obnoxious. If he truly wanted to become a man, perhaps the marines would have been a better choice! He wasted US efforts to rescue him. And where is he now? Perhaps still searching for his manhood!”
“Curry’s decision to not only package and present Matthew’s story and footage, but also question the camera’s role in capturing events elevates this from a quirky vanity piece to remarkable filmmaking.”
“This is the type of stuff Hollywood loves - a 3rd Academy nomination?”
“This documentary is amazing but having OCD I will tell you it’s truly remarkable. A young man searching for his manhood without hurting himself or others. This movie is different and engrossing for us. We also need to understand the Middle East culture.”
“Rich, spoiled boy with large ego plays war games.”
“Interesting story; crazy extraordinary venture. Put a camera in the middle of any situation and the story changes the way people act. They would not act if the camera wasn’t present. His touches on this briefly. Would have been interesting to see (more of) Lauren’s life just to get a sense that her whole life wasn’t about waiting. How did he get his camera back? Loved the segment that was animated.”
“It was a good film with in-depth shooting style. It effectively portrays how a film can produce emotions.”
Fascinating. Great guest too.”
“Excellent and thrilling. What a real action movie is like. A lot of insight. A lot of things to think about.”
“This will leave a lasting impression on me!”
“Superb!”
“Matthew Vandyke might be the most egotistical self indulgent person I’ve ever encountered! If he weren’t handsome, this film would be unwatchable except for the stunning cinematography. You asked the question that kept running thru my mind: where’s mom? How selfish of him! An only son of an only daughter of an only daughter. His illness of OCD and self doubt were magnificently represented.”
“He’s pretty egocentric. I was surprised that they were still together. Very engaging film. At times I thought he was so naïve, made incredibly reckless choices. He didn’t think out consequences of his choices. Did he find manhood? What is his definition of that now? I liked the way Mr. Curry put this film together, the footage and the interviews. Why did the opening have the shots of him and his knives and flack jacket in front of a white background? Reminded me of a model shoot for a magazine.”
“Very interesting but the height of self-indulgence. A truly flawed individual.”
“The camera changes everything starting with home movies.”
“Wow totally engaging film and brilliantly edited. Matthew Curry’s Q & A with us after was also so rich and informative.”
“I still do not get war.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Here are selected entries by Matthew Vandyke posted onto the Huffington Post; with an attachment to the award-winning documentary "Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-vandyke/
Here you will find the official website of Matthew Vandyke. Loaded with a complete bio, a shortcut to his films and written books, and a fundraiser to help aid Christians in Iraq who have been forced to flee from their homes because of ISIS.
