Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

A man striking a dramatic pose with arms raised, wearing only white trousers against a plain background.
Review

Ailey

by Marina Ashioti

This ten­der and affect­ing doc­u­men­tary on a vision­ary of con­tem­po­rary dance offers a glimpse of the man behind the genius.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two figures, profile view, in black and white. One person appears to be gazing intently at the other.
Review

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

by Emma Fraser

This inti­mate doc­u­men­tary sees the trail­blaz­ing Hol­ly­wood icon tell her remark­able sto­ry in her own words.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A woman with long, wavy blonde hair in a pensive expression, looking away from the camera.
Review

Adrienne

by Emma Fraser

Andy Ostroy’s doc­u­men­tary is a heart­break­ing por­trait of a film­mak­er gone too soon and those she left behind.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A group of musicians performing on stage, with various instruments such as guitars, drums, and microphones. The image has a warm, vintage colour palette with hints of pink and yellow.
Review

The Beatles: Get Back

by Elena Lazic

Peter Jack­son unearths and re-edits footage of the Bea­t­les’ last hur­rah, with euphor­ic and exas­per­at­ing results.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Silhouetted figure in dark suit stands before TV screens displaying various images and patterns.
Review

Rebel Dykes

by Marina Ashioti

This fit­ting­ly rad­i­cal doc­u­men­tary chron­i­cles the fem­i­nist punk sub­cul­ture which sprung in Lon­don in the 1980s.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man in a suit waves from a yellow submarine with a smiling face design, while two men work on the craft.
Review

Becoming Cousteau

by Marina Ashioti

An enter­tain­ing deep dive into the adven­ture-filled tra­vails of famed oceanog­ra­ph­er and film­mak­er Jacques Cousteau.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
An elderly man with greying hair and glasses, wearing a black jacket, standing against a rocky wall.
Review

Keyboard Fantasies

by John Dunning

This tour doc­u­men­tary-cum-biog­ra­phy cel­e­brates the remark­able life and career of cult musi­cian Bev­er­ly Glenn-Copeland.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A person in a beige coat looking out of a car window in a desert landscape.
Review

The Nowhere Inn

by Emily Maskell

Annie Clark (aka St Vin­cent) and Car­rie Brown­stein set off on an uncon­ven­tion­al road trip in this pithy meta-documentary.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman with short dark hair wearing a pink zip-up top, looking directly at the camera.
Review

Quant

by Lillian Crawford

Sadie Frost directs this illu­mi­nat­ing pro­file doc on the 1960s fash­ion icon and prog­en­i­tor of the miniskirt.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Smiling male musician in denim jacket playing acoustic guitar on stage.
Review

Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers

by Greg Wetherall

This new­ly unearthed chron­i­cle of the mak­ing of the Amer­i­can singer-songwriter’s favourite album is a gift for fans.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect