The Documentary

Mar 13, 2024 — This year’s edition opens with Amrou Al-Kadhi’s Layla, and Elliot Page will be on hand to talk about Close to You.

Sep 28, 2022 — Sarah Maldoror’s only completed narrative feature tracks the Angolan struggle for independence from Portugal and reckons with the interlocking systems of colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy.

Feb 22, 2022 — Acting, that undefinable amalgam of technique, persona, and plain hard work, dominates this month’s roundup.

Jan 27, 2021 — A film that centers on a transgender person or storyline enters the culture like any other movie. The difference lies in the discourse around it. A pervasive disregard for the realities of trans experience beyond the screen is evident in...

Apr 7, 2020 — How a festival responds to this crisis says a lot about how it perceives its role.

Jan 31, 2020 — This week: Scorsese’s actresses, Paul Schrader’s plans, Lynne Sachs on Godard, Ritwik Ghatak’s rising reputation, and Bong Joon-ho everywhere.

Mar 29, 2018 — New York. “Billed as a ‘meta-soap opera,’ Personal Problems is nothing less than an explosion of the television form,” begins Chuck Bowen at Slant. “Directed by Bill Gunn, the two-part, nearly three-hour miniseries was shot on video for a low...

Mar 28, 2018 — Even if you won’t be anywhere near Ghent from today through Sunday, you’ll want to know about the Courtisane Festival. The program for this year’s edition alone will likely have you making mental notes on films to add to your...

Dec 20, 2017 — During the silent era, Hollywood’s approach to narrative structure was rapidly evolving. But while dramas were soon employing complex plot devices and lengthier running times, comedies lagged behind, focusing mainly on episodic slapstick. That changed when pioneers such as Charlie...

Dec 19, 2017 — While he was in town with Call Me by Your Name at the New York Film Festival in October, Luca Guadagnino stopped by our office to talk about inspirations, style, and dancing.