Essential Doc Reads

Actors Mona Maris and David Newell in a production still from the 1934 film ‘White Heat.’ From Anthony Banua-Simon’s ‘Cane Fire.’ Courtesy of Cinema Guild.

Fri, 06/03/2022 - 17:03

Essential Doc Reads: Week of May 30, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Still from Super 8mm video footage of a young Jasmin Mara López held by her mother, Sandra. From Jasmin Mara López’s ‘Silent Beauty.’ Courtesy of Hot Docs.

Fri, 05/20/2022 - 12:41

Essential Doc Reads: Week of May 16, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Luma is a cow with black-and-white patches on its body. She is standing in a cowshed and we can see only the front portion of her body. From Andrea Arnold’s ‘Cow.’ Courtesy of Cow Films Ltd. An IFC Films release.

Fri, 05/13/2022 - 17:58

Essential Doc Reads: Week of May 9, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

A silhouette of a woman holding a child against a sunset sky. From Hnin Ei Hlaing’s 'Midwives,' which recently played at Hot Docs. Courtesy of Hot Docs.

Fri, 05/06/2022 - 15:26

Essential Doc Reads: Week of May 2, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Members of the film crew—consisting of three white men and two women—of ‘Who We Are’ filming Jeffery Robinson—a Black man in a black blazer and pants—in front of Memphis’ Lorraine Motel. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

Sat, 04/09/2022 - 11:44

Essential Doc Reads: Week of April 4, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Shaista is a young Afghan man singing and dancing along with two other male friends in a refugee camp in Kabul. From Elizabeth and Gulistan Mirzaei’s Oscar-nominated short, ‘Three Songs for Benazir.’Courtesy of Netflix.

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 00:00

Essential Documentary Reads: Week of March 14, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft are a white couple seen here wearing blue jackets, against volcanoes emitting smoke. From Sara Dosa’s ‘Fire of Love.’ Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Sat, 03/12/2022 - 18:21

Essential Doc Reads: Week of March 7, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

A black-and-white archival photograph of two young Black customers at the Automat. From Lisa Hirwitz’s ‘The Automat.’ Courtesy of Film Forum.

Fri, 03/04/2022 - 15:17

Essential Doc Reads: Week of February 28, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Mr. Bachmann is an elderly German school teacher, seen here with two smiling female students. From Maria Speth’s ‘Mr. Bachmann and his Class.’ Courtesy of Madonnen Film

Sat, 02/26/2022 - 00:00

Essential Doc Reads: Week of February 21, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...

Stunt performer Johnny Knoxville is seen getting hit by a bull in a stunt. From Jeff Tremaine’s ‘Jackass Forever.’ Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Fri, 02/18/2022 - 14:37

Essential Doc Reads: Week of February 14, 2022

Essential Doc Reads is our curated selection of recent features and important news items about the documentary form and its processes, from around the internet, as well as from the Documentary...