Welcome back to the Cause Cinema Spotlight.
This week, we take to the skies in a star laden period series, then back down to earth to a fig orchard in northwest Tunisia, with an ensemble of non-professional actors. But hey, the Grammy’s are this weekend, so we’ll kick thing off with some music.
The Greatest Night in Pop
The untold story of how the global hit We are the World almost didn’t happen! 46 of the biggest pop music stars had only one night to turn chaos into magic. As told by stars who were there, this film reveals the rollercoaster ride to write and record the groundbreaking song that would go on to raise millions for famine relief in Africa, win 2 Grammys and become a global sensation.
You can see The Greatest Night in Pop on Netflix.
Masters of the Air
Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff, Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen, and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all. Starring Austin Butler and Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan.
See Masters of the Air on AppleTV+.
Under the Fig Trees
On a hot summer day, a crew of workers -- men and women, young and old -- arrive at dawn at a picturesque fig orchard in northwest Tunisia. We eavesdrop, through the sun-dappled leaves of the fig trees, on the young women stealing away precious moments from the foreman's watchful gaze. Meanwhile, the older women, tasked with the careful job of packing the tender fruit, watch and reminisce together as well. They joke, argue, debate, gossip, flirt, all the while painting an unhurried but riveting portrait of everyday life in the rural society, where class, gender, and circumstance often don't allow for such personal freedoms.
You can see Under the Fig Trees AppleTV, Amazon and Vudu.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Cause Cinema Spotlight.
Pop Stars, Air Masters & Fig Trees