500 Years

"500 Years" is a palpably passionate if somewhat less contained effort than the two films preceding it.

Yates's films, like the world itself, have no template — they're messy, rich with feeling, liberated from simple theatrical structures, always honest about what is possible. That one of hers ends with hope is a gift.

You may find yourself championing its subjects even while feeling confounded by the omission of details by its filmmaker.

Made by a woman, featuring women as movers of mountains, 500 Years exemplifies movies matter and can make a difference in our social and political milieu.