Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

Large windows with "Hustle" written in orange on the glass. Interior of a building with red furniture and radiators visible.
Review

WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn

by Flora Spencer Grant

This behind-the-scenes look at the ill-fated workplace startup buys into the capitalist ideals of its subject.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Weathered man with stubble, furrowed brows and piercing eyes gazing directly at camera against desert landscape.
Review

Val

by Leigh Singer

Part playful scrap book, part poignant confessional, this documentary self-portrait reveals plenty about its subject.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Shirtless person seated on sandy riverbank, surrounded by lush vegetation.
Review

El Father Plays Himself

by Matt Turner

This rich meta-documentary follows a father and son on a deeply personal filmmaking journey into the Amazon jungle.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Clasped hands resting on a person's abdomen, highlighted by warm lighting.
Review

Pray Away

by Emily Maskell

This devastating documentary exposes the shocking truth of one of the world’s largest gay conversion therapy schemes.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men in dark clothing peer through window frames made of white curtains.
Review

The Sparks Brothers

by Ed Gibbs

Edgar Wright’s tribute to two of his musical heroes is an exhilarating look back over a unique pop career.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Black and white image of a volleyball match, with players jumping to spike the ball over the net while spectators watch from the stands.
Review

The Witches of the Orient

by Kambole Campbell

This riveting sports documentary tells the stranger-than-fiction story of the famed Japanese women’s volleyball team.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
An elderly man wearing a hat and blue jacket sits on the ground in a forest, petting a shaggy white and brown dog.
Review

The Truffle Hunters

by Jake Cunningham

This charming documentary pays tribute to a group of elderly foragers and their trust canine companions.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Vibrant red and orange stage lighting; silhouette of a performer on stage.
Review

WITCH: We Intend to Cause Havoc

by Josh Slater-Williams

A charming and insightful docu-journey to rediscover one of the great pioneers of the ​‘Zamrock’ movement.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three young men, one wearing a checkered cap, another with a beard, and the third with a 'Thug Life' hat, posing together against a background of graffiti and artwork.
Review

Last Man Standing

by Thomas Hobbs

Nick Broomfield rakes over the coals of the Biggie vs 2Pac saga but doesn’t find anything particularly new.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman in black face mask relaxing in a bathtub full of water and bubbles, surrounded by bath products and decorative wall hangings.
Review

The Filmmaker’s House

by Anton Bitel

Marc Isaacs’ docu-fiction hybrid has fun subverting the sit-com format, but feels glib and exploitative.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect