New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

An illustration of two people. On the left is a man wearing a dark suit looking to the left. On the right is a woman with dark hair facing sideways while looking to the front.

Review: ‘Closed Circuit’ fails to examine human condition through its provocative filmmaking

Tal Inbar’s “Closed Circuit,” an international selection at DOC NYC, undermines cinema’s humanist value in exploiting trauma for insincerity and shock value.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy News Editor December 7, 2022

Tal Inbar’s “Closed Circuit” is about as disingenuous as a documentary can be. This isn’t because of its subject matter or lack of atmosphere, but rather its excessively...

Five men stand in front of a background of city lights. They are wearing dark-colored shirts and are looking straight into the camera.

‘Meet Me in the Bathroom’ is a love letter to rock, New York City and the early 2000s

The documentary premiered at the IFC Center on Nov. 3 and will be available to stream on Showtime on Nov. 29.
Ferris Elaraby, Contributing Writer November 29, 2022

New York City has been home to some of the most influential bands of the 20th century, including The Velvet Underground, The Ramones and Blondie. At the turn of the 21st century,...

A desaturated image depicting a light blue warehouse next to train tracks, with a black train approaching it. In front is a white sign with black text that reads “BAD AXE.” There is snow on the ground.

Q&A: David Siev’s American dream lives on in ‘Bad Axe’

Director David Siev spoke to WSN about his newest film, restaurant communities and the American identity. “Bad Axe” will play in select theaters on Nov. 18.
Caitlyn McConnell, Staff Writer November 14, 2022

David Siev’s feature directorial debut, “Bad Axe,” is a heartfelt documentary that follows his family as they struggle to run their restaurant, Rachel’s of Bad Axe, in...

An illustration of a cup of coffee in a white cup and white plate next to a gray laptop. On the screen of the laptop is an image of an elderly Black woman dressed in a light blue dress sitting on a chair on a sidewalk at night.

Off the Radar: ‘News from Home’ captures urban solitude and fleeting memories  

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “News from Home” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Mick Gaw, Staff Writer November 11, 2022

New York City is no stranger to the silver screen. Time and time again, it has set the stage for gritty crime dramas, sappy rom-coms and billion-dollar superhero blockbusters....

A photograph of two girls in a bathroom near the sink and mirror. One girl has curly red hair, black rimmed glasses, black clothes and is looking into the camera. The second girl is wearing black clothes, short black hair and is looking into the mirror fixing her eyelashes.

Review: ‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’ is a stunning portrait of Nan Goldin

Laura Poitras’ documentary about Nan Goldin chronicles her life through art and activism.
Saige Gipson, Staff Writer November 11, 2022

Laura Poitras’ striking documentary “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” juggles many topics without losing sight of the film’s subject: photographer and activist Nan Goldin....

A portrait of an Asian woman in front of a store. The banner on top of the window reads “Wing On Wo & Co.” The woman has black short hair with bangs. She wears a beaded necklace, a black shirt and a military green jacket.

WSN’s guide to the 13th annual DOC NYC Film Festival

This year's DOC NYC includes screenings across IFC Center, Cinépolis Chelsea, SVA Theatre and online nationwide starting Nov. 9. WSN gears up for the festival and outlines must-see titles from the current lineup.
David Melean, Contributing Writer November 7, 2022

For the past 13 years, New York City-based annual film festival DOC NYC has cemented itself as an incubator for the year’s best documentary productions, aiming to expose audiences...

David Bowie with dark eyeshadow and long hair holds a microphone to his mouth while his eyes are closed and is surrounded by neon-colored fumes.

Review: ‘Moonage Daydream’ is an eccentric odyssey into the mind of David Bowie

Director Brett Morgen takes advantage of the IMAX format in his newest documentary to deliver a visual and auditory experience as extravagant as its subject. “Moonage Daydream” opens in select cinemas in New York on Sept. 16.
David Melean, Contributing Writer September 14, 2022

Given unprecedented access to the full David Bowie archive by Bowie’s Estate, director Brett Morgen’s “Moonage Daydream” brings to life an immersive cinematic experience...

A figure dressed in white fire-resistant suit walking away from an eruption of lava.

Review: ‘Fire of Love’ explores the visceral force of volcanoes and passion

“Fire of Love” is a fiery love story. The film will debut at the 2022 New Directors/New Films festival at Film at Lincoln Center on April 27.
Amira Aboudallah, Contributing Writer April 25, 2022

Spoiler warning: This article includes spoilers for “Fire of Love.” “Fire of Love” (2022), directed by Sara Dosa and screening at New Directors/New Films, tells the...

A silhouette of swaying palm trees in front of a burnt orange sunset. In the center of the background is a giant golden sun surrounded by an orange cloudy sky.

Review: ‘Rock Bottom Riser’ rocks

Fern Silva’s feature-length debut is an electrifying documentary on Hawaii. “Rock Bottom Riser” opens this weekend at the Metrograph.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 4, 2022

Through his exploration of myth, Fern Silva brings out the realness of places. His feature film debut, “Rock Bottom Riser,” digs deep into the long and complicated history...

Mario Balmaseda and Yolanda Cuéllar are seen lying in bed during a scene from the Cuban film “One Way or Another.” This film was recently preserved by MoMAs “To Save and Project.” (Courtesy Arsenal – Institut für Film und Videokunst)

Review: ‘One Way or Another’ exposes the phoniness of so-called revolutionary men

Sara Gómez’s “One Way or Another” is part of the MoMA’s “To Save and Project,” a film series devoted to showcasing the latest in film preservation. Gómez’s film expertly documents Cuba’s ongoing crusade to align its citizens with the aims of the revolution.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor January 24, 2022

Sara Gómez’s “One Way or Another” offers a feminist critique of the Cuban revolution that unmasks the so-called revolutionary qualities of the “new men” who supported...

“Procession” is a 2021 documentary film directed by Robert Greene. It comprises six short films made by men who were sexually abused by priests. (Image courtesy of Netflix)

Review: ‘Procession’ is a meta masterwork on trauma

Robert Greene’s portrayal of the painful processing of trauma makes for a profound piece that shows the difficulty and necessity of storytelling.
Sebastian Zufelt, Staff Writer December 6, 2021

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault. Meta and hybrid documentary filmmaking has grown in popularity in recent years. Last year’s “Dick...

In the search for Gabbie Petitio, nine other bodies were found, many of whom were women of color. The media should start reporting the stories of women of color who go missing and bring an end to “missing white woman syndrome.”
(Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Put an end to ‘missing white woman syndrome’

Considering the fact that nine other bodies were found in the high-profile search for Gabby Petito, we should treat missing cases involving people of color with increased importance.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor October 29, 2021

On Sept. 1, Brian Laundrie returned alone to his home in Florida in the white van he and Gabby Petito had shared during their cross-country road trip. By Sept. 19, authorities...