Louis Theroux in My Scientology Movie
Louis Theroux’s career as a documentary-maker was honoured by the Grierson Trust at the 44th British Documentary Awards, which were held in London last week. Theroux’s films have included explorations of celebrity culture, the penal system and cults.
Over the past 20 years Theroux’s work, mainly for the BBC, has included the Weird Weekends series and a series of profiles of people who have been in the media, including the DJ Jimmy Savile, publicist Max Clifford and the disgraced MP Neil Hamilton. This year he revisited When Louis Met Jimmy… in the wake of revelations of the DJ’s prolific sexual abuse. Theroux’s latest project, My Scientolology Movie, is currently on theatrical release.
The Grierson Trustees’ Awards were presented at London’s Mermaid Theatre on 7 November. The event saw awards presented to factual reports made for both theatrical relase and television.
The evening also celebrated The Grierson Trust’s training and mentoring scheme DocLab, which is now in partnership with Bertha DocHouse. DocLab participants are recruited from across the UK, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, not just culturally, but also socio-economically and geographically.
The DocLab initiative has given opportunities to 48 young people to explore documentary making, offering them access to leading filmmakers, production companies and commissioning editors at Sheffield Doc/Fest. The scheme also matched them with industry mentors and sourced paid work placements with production companies and broadcasters, proving an invaluable first taste of the profession.
The trust was established in 1974 to honour the British documentary director John Grierson (1892-1972).
44th British Documentary Awards: The winners
Grierson Trustees’ Award: Louis Theroux
“There is nobody else quite like Louis Theroux,” said BBC Director of Content, Charlotte Moore. “Over the past 20 years, he has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in filmmaking, winning critical acclaim, legions of international super-fans and a rake of awards. But Louis has never been one to rest on his laurels. He may have cut his teeth on the bizarre and the extreme, hanging out with porn stars, survivalists, revivalists, swingers and celebrities, but by the time everyone else started latching on to the power of celebrity, Louis had already graduated to more serious territory, turning his attention to some of the most complex issues we face in the modern world – addiction, paedophilia, rehabilitation, justice and collective guilt. He ploughs his own furrow, and never stands still.”
Best Cinema Documentary: Cartel Land
Director: Matthew Heineman (first shown: General theatrical release)
Jury chair
Morgan Matthews said: “Terrifying, compelling and epic. Cartel Land is a film with a twisting and twisted narrative, capturing shocking and extraordinary scenes, whilst painting a layered and complex portrait of dangerous characters in a seemingly lawless world.”
Best Arts Documentary: Amy
Director: Asif Kapadia for On The Corner (First shown: General theatrical release)
Jury chair James Quinn said: “Amy is a film that lives and breathes in a way that is relentlessly and powerfully emotional.”
Best Natural History Documentary: The Hunt: The Hardest Challenge
Director: Huw Cordey for Silverback Films, BBC, BBC Worldwide, BBC America, The Open University, CCTV9, NDR Naturfilm (First shown: BBC One)
Jury chair Liz Brion said: “The Hunt has superb, jaw-dropping photography combined with compelling storytelling and a precise narrative structure which ranged in tone and pace. It kept us captivated from the opening sequence.”
Best Newcomer Documentary: Where You're Meant To Be
Director: Paul Fegan for Better Days (First shown: Glasgow Film Festival)
Jury chair Chris Durlacher said: “This a rare example of a filmed journey that really was a journey, both physically and emotionally, as it explores the difficult issue of how the present day deals with the past.”
Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme (Domestic): How To Die: Simon's Choice
Director: Rowan Deacon for Minnow Films, The Open University (First shown: BBC Two)
Jury chair Lorraine Heggessey said: “This winner stood out as a film that has incredible access to its contributors and really tugged at the heart strings making a valuable contribution to the debates surrounding these big issues. It was clear that there was a relationship of trust between the filmmaker and Simon, his family and friends resulting in a deeply moving and terrific film.”
Historical Documentary: Attacking the Devil
Directors: Jacqui Morris and David Morris for Frith Street Films (First shown: General theatrical release)
Jury chair Tom McDonald said: “This is a beautifully crafted film, full of passion, fire and insight. And a timely reminder of the necessary pursuit of truth."
How to Change the World team with their trophy
Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme (International): How To Change the World
Director: Jerry Rothwell for Met Film Production, Insight Productions, Daniel Films (First shown: Sundance Film Festival 2015, London)
Jury chair Alex Cooke said: “The winner stood apart as an extraordinary film which tells a big story. It blends the brilliant use of unseen archive footage and skilful storytelling whilst capturing the spirit of idealism and friendship.”
Best Entertaining Documentary: Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds
Directors: Teresa Watkins, Emily Lawson and Nicola Brown for RDF Media; (First shown: Channel 4)
Jury chair Amy Flanagan said: “We were unanimous in our decision about the winner - which was perfectly pitched in being informative, educational and hugely entertaining. It was positive, celebratory and had a broad appeal.”
Best Student Documentary: Women In Sink
Director: Iris Zaki for Royal Holloway, University of London (First shown: UK Jewish Film Festival)
Jury chair Emma Hindley said: “The jury were impressed with this hopeful portrait in a complex reality, offering great insight into a heated and controversial international issue. The filmmaker had clearly thought about their practice and craft as a documentary maker in an innovative and unusual way.”
Best Documentary Presenter: Paul Mayhew Archer for Parkinson’s: The Funny Side
BBC South (First shown: BBC One)
Jury chair Liesel Evans: “What sets our winner apart is his use of humour in tackling a complicated subject in a way that felt genuine and persuasive whilst being completely charming and insightful.”
Best Current Affairs Documentary: The World - Outbreak: The Truth About Ebola
Director: Dan Edge for Mongoose Pictures and Quicksilver Media (First shown: BBC Two)
Jury chairs Christopher Hird and Clare Handford said: “The winning film told an important story powerfully with outstanding investigative journalism, compelling scenes and revelatory insights, which combined to produce an exceptional and thought-provoking piece of filmmaking.”
Best Science Documentary: Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor
Director: Nic Stacey for Furnace TV (First shown: BBC Four)
Jury chair Sanjay Singhal said: "This is a delightful watch, full of surprises, beautifully crafted, technically immaculate and packed with information. It made you fall in love with the subject, finding yourself asking all the way through: who knew? A lovely film.”
The Real Marigold Hotel team with their trophy
Best Constructed Documentary Series: The Real Marigold Hotel
Director: Tom Currie for Twofour (First shown: BBC Two)
Jury chair David Dehaney said: "Beautifully observed and exceptionally executed this winner stood apart as charming and heart-warming. And funny."
Best Documentary Series: The Murder Detectives
Director: Dave Nath for Films of Record (First shown: Channel 4)
Jury chair Andy Whittaker said: “The judges had an interesting and lively debate about the four final films. It was a closely fought argument before they settled on an eventual winner. The jury felt that the overall standard this year has really raised the bar which was already set high. This is great news for the documentary community as it pulls everything and everyone up. In particular, the excellence of the access gained to communities and contributors is moving forwards incredibly.”
Lorraine Heggessey, chair of The Grierson Trust said: “These winning films demonstrate the vibrant and innovative ways in which the UK documentary industry is the world leader and they give such optimism for the future of the genre. From the provocative to the heart-warming, the funny to the simply astonishing, our award winners deserve the accolade and recognition a Grierson bestows upon them.”
The event was hosted by impressionist Jon Culshaw and awards presenters included: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Ed Balls, Ed Miliband, Dr Chris van Tulleken, Ant Middleton, Idris Elba, Lucy Cooke, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Mangan, Mark Dolan, Tyger Drew-Honey, Sophie Morgan and Nina Nannar.