Follow the Money   In the wake of the worldwide financial crisis, a particularly fascinating group of films has emerged that might help explain the mess we're in. In the Vancouver International Film Festival's Follow the Money series, various sectors of the economy (and aspects of human nature) are examined in illuminating, scarifying and perversely entertaining detail.   It's worth remembering that last year's VIFF took place in the midst of the very worst stret...

The titanic struggle between American oil interests and the rights of native peoples creates a mosaic of political corruption and corporate greed that is at the heart of CRUDE, the latest cinematic essay by acclaimed American documentarian Joe Berlinger that is having its West Coast Premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival this week. The prolific filmmaker is best known for his collaborative projects with partner Bruce Sinofsky on the award-winning documentaries BROTHER'S KEEPER...

  The titanic struggle between American oil interests and the rights of native peoples creates a mosaic of political corruption and corporate greed that is at the heart of CRUDE, the latest cinematic essay by acclaimed American documentarian Joe Berlinger that is having its West Coast Premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival this week. The prolific filmmaker is best known for his collaborative projects with partner Bruce Sinofsky on the award-winning documentaries BROTH...