Film
It’s Pete Buttigieg’s Turn to Get a Fawning, Uncritical Documentary
Mayor Pete tries to make the case for the bland presidential candidate whom few voted for as some kind of gamechanger.
Documentary
Art
For Shigeko Kubota, Video Lived in the Moment of Its Transmission
The Museum of Modern Art's retrospective exhibition Liquid Reality showcases how Kubota turned video art into sculpture.
Film
Princess Diana’s Return to the Pop Culture Spotlight
The ‘People’s Princess’ features in multiple documentaries, trendy fashion lines, prestige TV, and now a biopic starring Kristen Stewart. What’s behind the new Diana mania?
Film
From Catchy Commercials to Hollywood Think Tanks, the Evolution of Military Recruitment Ads
As long as wars have been fought, wars have needed to be sold. And just like with weapons, the US armed forces have long been on the cutting edge of propaganda.
Film
Ava DuVernay Tells Colin Kaepernick’s Life Story with a Mix of Documentary and Sitcom
The Netflix miniseries Colin in Black & White takes an unusual approach to the controversial football player’s biography, but ends up more odd than anything else
Film
Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s Unusual Approach to Filmmaking
The Japanese filmmaker’s international profile has skyrocketed over the past year thanks to his new films Drive My Car and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, both of which are now hitting theaters.
Film
Who’s Getting Rich Off of Kids Getting Killed?
Todd Chandler’s documentary Bulletproof looks at the many people monetizing the societal rot of school shootings.
Opinion
How Both Paris Hilton and Martha Rosler Satirize Domesticity
In Cooking with Paris, Hilton capitalizes on her portrayal of being a competent woman, while highlighting its anachronism through her absurd performance. Rosler manipulates the camera in the same way.
Film
Why Do People Keep Finding Their Lives Onscreen Without Their Consent?
A man says Blue Bayou took details of his life without his permission. Several women who appear in the documentary Sabaya say they did not consent to be filmed. How can filmmakers avoid these ethical pitfalls?
Film
The Loneliest Whale Tries to Find the Internet’s Favorite Whale
“The 52-hertz Whale,” which sings a song at a frequency no other whale uses, is a social media phenomenon. But this film shows that the phenomenon says more about us than whales.
Film
The Velvet Underground Brings the New York of the ’60s Back to Life
With dense split-screen use of period artifacts and a killer Velvets soundtrack, Todd Haynes’s documentary is a loving tribute to his favorite band.
Film
New Anthony Fauci Documentary Shows Why His Hero Image Is Flawed
Fauci is not quite a hagiography of “America’s doctor,” but it comes close. It ignores or twists the flaws in his responses to both AIDS and COVID-19.