Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

Two bearded men in glasses seated at a desk, with a colourful illustration of a character on the wall behind them.
Review

Long Live My Happy Head

by David Jenkins

Austen McCow­an and Will Hewitt’s warm­ly mov­ing por­trait of a lovestruck com­ic artist with an inop­er­a­ble brain tumour.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Aerial view of a dramatic horseshoe-shaped canyon with vibrant orange and turquoise colours.
Review

River

by Marina Ashioti

Not even Willem Dafoe’s nar­ra­tion can save this mean­der­ing doc­u­men­tary with tired colo­nial overtones.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Crowded street scene with large statue in the background, surrounded by a large number of protesters holding placards and banners.
Review

Rebellion

by Adam Solomons

This fly-on-the-wall doc­u­men­tary is a dicey, dis­ap­point­ing look at the incen­di­ary eco-rebels known as Extinc­tion Rebellion.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Monochrome sculpture of a person's head and a person in formal attire kissing the sculpture.
Review

The Metamorphosis of Birds

by David Jenkins

Cata­ri­na Vas­con­ce­los’ hybrid doc­u­men­tary explores fam­i­ly lin­eage in an inven­tive and soul­ful manner.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Subway carriage interior with passengers seated and standing, including a person wearing sunglasses, vibrant clothing, and dreadlocks.
Review

Rebel Dread

by Marina Ashioti

William E Bad­g­ley trains his cam­era on cult fig­ure Don Letts, chron­i­cling the col­li­sion between the UK’s punk and reg­gae scenes.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men, one wearing a blue shirt and the other a dark shirt, embracing in a kitchen setting with kitchen utensils and a decorative sun shape on the wall.
Review

Flee

by Ella Kemp

A gay Afghan man leaves his home for a new life in Den­mark in Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s mov­ing documentary.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Three persons in costumes standing outside a building, one person sitting on a barrel. Colourful clothing includes green jacket, striped tops, and clown outfits.
Review

Jackass Forever

by Hannah Strong

John­ny Knoxville, Steve‑O and the gang return to the big screen for lewd, crude antics with a sur­pris­ing­ly sweet centre.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Lush overgrown garden with person tending to the plants, surrounded by trees and vegetation.
Review

Taming the Garden

by Emily Maskell

This obser­va­tion­al doc­u­men­tary is an ethe­re­al ode to nature and its fight to sur­vive in the hands of human greed.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Man playing piano on stage, with drums and other musical equipment in the background.
Review

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road

by Charles Bramesco

Rolling Stone edi­tor Jason Fine poo­tles around Cal­i­for­nia with the Beach Boys leg­end in Brent Wilson’s lack­lus­tre documentary.

3
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Cow in dark, muddy barn aisle between wooden beams and metal walls.
Review

Cow

by Marina Ashioti

Andrea Arnold’s long-await­ed fifth fea­ture is a remark­able and vis­cer­al assault on the senses.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect