Peter Jackson, the wacky kiwi behind Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners and Meet the Feebles, is one of my favourite filmmakers. Jackson likes twisted things; thus it came as a bit of a surprise two years ago when he released Forgotten Silver, a hilarious but uncharacteristic mockumentary. In it, Jackson weaves a ludicrous but somehow almost believable story about some ancient film stock being found in a garden shed, uncovering a never-before-told bit of New Zealand film history. Jackson, playing himself in the film, examines the newfound stock, working to uncover the life of the never-before-discovered filmmaker Colin McKenzie. Jackson artfully juxtaposes the fake stuff with interviews with heavyweights like Sam Neill, Leonard Maltin and Miramax chair Harvey Weinstein. An outrageous and crazy doc spoof.

In the kiddies' department, there is Whitewash, the highly praised half hour show originally produced for U.S. cable. Though the filmmakers do an extremely good job and bring a triumphant spirit to the tale, the story alone might just be too upsetting for some young children. A young black girl is accosted by white supremacists while on her way home from school one day. In a horrifying twist, they spray her face with white shoe polish. Whitewash has the girl dealing with the emotional fallout from the trauma.

--Matthew Hays