Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

Group of women and girls wearing traditional Middle Eastern dress, including headscarves, standing in a garden setting.
Review

Sonita

by David Jenkins

Say hello to one of 2016’s most likeable documentary subjects, as she overcomes misogyny with angry hip hop.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A person in a transparent plastic helmet against a blue background, with their arm raised.
Review

Kate Plays Christine

by David Jenkins

This unique not-quite-doc chronicles an actor striking up a morbid relationship with her latest character.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Young person in orange robe holding red book, standing on floor with debris.
Review

Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang

by Adam Woodward

China’s foremost proponent of large-scale pyrotechnics is the star of this engaging documentary from Kevin Macdonald.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Three Asian individuals, two women and one man, standing in a hallway lined with metal lockers.
Review

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

by Matthew Eng

Steve James captures an upsetting instance of American institutional oppression in compelling fashion.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A man in a white shirt and tie, with glasses, looking serious and focused.
Review

My Scientology Movie

by Gabriela Helfet

The UK’s most cordial muckraker heads over to the US to look into the Church of Scientology.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Four young men in black and white; one man in the foreground wearing glasses and a button-down shirt.
Review

Supersonic

by Adam Woodward

Peak Oasis proves an irresistible force in this explicit and invigorating documentary snapshot.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two police officers restraining and apprehending a person in an intense scene.
Review

13th

by Joseph Pomp

Ava DuVernay equates the US prison system to modern day slavery in this harrowing, urgent documentary.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Antique dress on mannequin surrounded by intricate floral wallpaper, person crouched on floor.
Review

The First Monday in May

by Beth Perkin

It’s a case of style over substance in this behind-the-scenes look at the 2015 Met Gala.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Aged, gruff-looking man with wild, unkempt hair and beard; carries a long walking stick; figures of smaller, frightened-looking people behind him.
Review

The Vanquishing of the Witch Baba Yaga

by David Jenkins

A grotesque Slavic fairy tale is compared to the realities of modern Eastern Europe in this intriguing miniature.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Closeup of a man's face in a dark setting, with his hands covering part of his face.
Review

A Good American

by Lauren Thompson

Could a mass wiretapping programme have prevented the attacks on the World Trade Centre?

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect