Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

Person in red top holding camera stands beside single tree with dense canopy against blue-grey sky and water backdrop.
Review

My Grandmother Trelotótó review – a world of beautiful nostalgic imagery

by Nathan Lewis

Through various creative uses of non-fiction filmmaking, Catarina Ruivo crafts a poetic space to reanimate the memory of her beloved grandmother.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Man in grey baseball cap and hoodie sits at table, looking down whilst writing or reading documents in dimly lit room.
Review

Stans review – mostly the same old thing

by David Jenkins

A novel but ultimately unsatisfying look at the life and art of Eminem through the eyes of his most obsessive fans.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Group portrait of a band, with 10 individuals shown in black and white. The group is arranged in two rows, with members making various facial expressions.
Review

Pavements review – a trailblazing docufiction without borders

by Luke Hicks

Alex Ross Perry creates a unique docufiction about cult indie band Pavement, blurring the lines between real and fake to excellent comedic effect. 

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two people with the Sudanese flag painted on their face at a night-time event, with colourful lights and a crowd visible in the background.
Review

Sudan, Remember Us review – extremely powerful stuff

by Leila Latif

Hind Meddeb’s documentary poignantly captures the activist spirit of post-revolution Sudan.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman in hijab and keffiyeh speaking into multiple microphones amidst crowd.
Review

The Encampments review – inspiring portrait of collective action

by Josh Slater-Williams

Kei Pritsker and Michael T Workman chronicle the student movement for Palestine through the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University. 

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Black and white image of a person lying in a bed, surrounded by snow-covered furniture and decor.
Review

Bogancloch review – film and landscape are as one

by David Jenkins

The lure of the Scottish wilderness was too much to resist as Ben Rivers returns there for his latest feature.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Cluttered room with computer screens, shelves, and two people at a desk.
Review

Seeking Mavis Beacon review – Delightful search for missing icon

by Thomas Boyd

This inquisitive and thoughtful doc takes the massively-popular digital typing school programme as its cue for adventure.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people embracing on stage, a woman with long dark hair holding a man with curly hair and a guitar.
Review

One to One: John & Yoko review – another day, another Beatle doc

by Michael Leader

Macdonald and Rice-Edwards immerse in the famous power couple’s lives in NY, but this estate-approved doc struggles to deliver intriguing insight.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Empty indoor swimming pool with toys scattered on the floor, yellow and black swimsuit on person standing next to the pool.
Review

The Stimming Pool review – a unique, enchanting experience

by Alex Hopkins-McQuillan

The Neurocultures Collective and Steven Eastwood present a world perceived through autism in this wonderfully experimental, hybrid endeavour.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two young men with intense expressions, one gesturing forcefully.
Review

Dig! XX review – the original version is still the best

by David Jenkins

Ondi Timoner revisits her classic 2004 rock doc with an extended version that doesn’t add much to the greatness of the original.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two people sitting on the floor surrounded by scattered papers and documents.
Review

Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other review – a portrait of love and resilience

by Marina Ashioti

The beautiful, complex bond between acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz and writer/​artist Maggie Barrett is the subject of this artful doc.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Segregation sign on building stating "Net blankes. Whites only. Net nie-blankes" and two men standing on steps, one holding a bicycle.
Review

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found review – a vital piece of cine-portraiture

by Lucy Peters

Filmmaker Raoul Peck unearths the searing social realist photographs of an artist whose work was thought to be lost.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect