On the Record (15)
Directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering
★★★★★

IN THE MeToo era, which seems to have been defined by Harvey Weinstein and his white female victims, what is the cost of coming forward for women of colour who have also suffered abuse, sexism and misogyny, in this instance at the hands of powerful and wealthy black men?

That is the eye-opening and searing question explored in Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering's third film in their trilogy of groundbreaking documentaries on sexual assault, first in the US military and then on college campuses.

On the Record focuses on the music industry and it follows Drew Dixon, a rising star at Def Jam Records back in the 1990s, as she wrestles with the decision to go public and share her story with the New York Times.

It is heart-wrenching as she alleges on camera how she was sexually assaulted by Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, known as the godfather of Hip Hop.

For 22 years, Dixon thought she was the only one. But other victims also share their experiences on camera and, like Dixon, describe how they didn't want to betray their culture and fuel racism by coming forward.

In a written statement Simmons, who declined to be interviewed for the film, denies all the allegations.

It is another powerful and illuminating account of abuse of power and sexual discrimination in the workplace by male bosses, but this time against black women.

Dixon was forced to walk away in her 20s from her lifelong passion and an illustrious career after discovering the likes of Kanye West and John Legend and teaming up Method Man with Mary J Blige.

As someone points out in the film: “Where would her career have gone by now? What music did we lose?”

Available on video on demand from June 26.

Ride Like a Girl (PG)
Directed by Rachel Griffiths
★★★

THIS inspirational horse-racing drama is based on the true story of Michelle Payne, the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in its 155-year history.

It highlights the hurdles and the sexual discrimination she faced to become a winner.

The film opens with archive footage of the real Payne as a child being asked what kind of jockey she wanted to be, to which she replies: “I just want to win the Melbourne Cup.”

She was the youngest of 10 children, eight of whom became jockeys. They were encouraged by their father (played brilliantly by Sam Neill) who lost his wife when Payne was six months old.

Teresa Palmer captures Payne's grit, tenacity and determination to become a jockey and race against all the odds, even after a crippling fall. Her scenes with Neill are some of the most poignant, along with Payne's real-life brother Stevie who plays himself.

It is a solid debut feature by actor-turned-director Rachel Griffiths, although you know exactly when it is going to push the emotional buttons in what feels more like a film made for TV.

Available on video on demand from June 26.

The Booksellers (15)
Directed by DW Young
★★★★

THIS enchanting tour behind the scenes of the New York rare-book world will make you fall in love with books again.

In interviews with numerous rare-book sellers, DW Young's documentary examines their obsession and love with the printed word and what makes their dying industry tick.

As one collector points out, back in the 1950s there were 368 book stores in New York and today there are only 79 left.

Another says: “Collecting is about the hunt. You look for 20 years, then you find it, you have your orgasm and you put it [the book] on the shelf and never look at it again.”

They discuss the impact of the internet and Kindle and reveal that the people who read actual books on public transport are 20-somethings, while 40-somethings read them on electronic devices.

This is a must-see for book lovers and, if nothing else, it might make you open a real book again.

Available on video on demand from June 29.

Just Don't Think I'll Scream
Directed by Frank Beauvais
★★

BETWEEN April and October 2016, film-maker Frank Beauvais watched over 400 films, from which he uses clips to illustrate this 75-minute-long monologue about his life at that time.

It is a surreal documentary, in which Beauvais discusses his love of the tiny picturesque Alsace village he lived in for six years, his love life, his father and his rage and anger at the terror attacks at the time, as well as dissecting capitalism and communism.

It's an impressive visual montage and editing feat. The problem is that while you are reading the subtitles you miss out on many of the shots, some of which just fly past.

And the long and never-ending monotone of the voiceover sends your mind wandering off into a stupor.

A must-see for insomniacs.

Available on video on demand from June 25.

The Spy (12)
Directed by Jens Jonsson
★★★

THIS WWII film is based on the true and little-known story of Norwegian actress Sonja Wigert, who was Scandinavia's leading film star in the 1940s and their answer to Mata Hari.

A slow-burning drama, it shows how Wigert (a phenomenal Ingrid Bolso Berdal) was recruited by Swedish intelligence to get close to Nazi commander Josef Terboven (Alexander Scheer) who had taken a shine to her and report back to them under the codename “Bill.” A reluctant Wigert agreed, in a bid to get her father out of Nazi custody.

Terboven felt she would be a wonderful asset to the Third Reich's propaganda machine and in turn made her spy on the Swedes.

It is a fascinating and riveting drama, driven by Berdal's charismatic and mesmerising performance. Wigert's film career took a hit and her reputation was ruined due to her Nazi connections and supposed Nazi sympathies which she simulated brilliantly.

No-one was any the wiser to the truth of her secret war work until 25 years after her death, when Swedish intelligence made their archives public in 2005.

Available on DVD and Digital HD from June 29.