Documentary Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Documentary

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
A group of three people - an elderly couple sitting on a bench and a middle-aged man standing next to them, all looking towards the camera. A "Litter Free Beach £1000 Fine" sign is visible in the background.
Review

I Am Martin Parr review – a one-sided artist portrait

by David Jenkins

An unapolo­getic hagiog­ra­phy of the famed British pho­tog­ra­ph­er whose work chron­i­cles work­ing class leisure time.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two people walking together in an ancient stone setting.
Review

Architecton review – taps into the short-order nature of modern construction

by David Jenkins

Vik­tor Kos­sakovsky takes us on a jour­ney through the con­crete and stone that makes up much of our mod­ern world.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men seated outdoors, one with a beard, wearing coats and jumpers.
Review

Merchant Ivory review – an affectionate yet shallow biodoc

by Marina Ashioti

Stephen Soucy delves into the cre­ative and per­son­al part­ner­ship of Ismail Mer­chant and James Ivory which pro­duced some of Britain’s great­est lit­er­ary adaptations.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect