Film-Forward

Documentary

Framing Agnes

An ultra-meta, hybrid documentary that pursues too many different ideas, characters, and conceits.

Tantura

A bold attempt to confront the past—in all its ugliness.

2nd Chance

The story of the man who invented the modern-day bullet proof vest is a classic American tale: a not-quite rags-to-riches beginning, followed by success that swells until it gets out of hand.

The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile

The banally descriptive title aside, Kathlyn Horan has made an engrossing account of the recording of 2019’s While I’m Livin’, the first album of all-original material in 17 years by country star Tucker.

1946, Queen of the Deuce, Casa Susanna | DOC NYC 2022

Three films offer fascinating looks at recent times or, in the case of one documentary, the ancient past, with two of three winning top festival prizes.

Retrograde

Director Matthew Heineman chronicles the process, and the aftereffect, of President Biden’s decision to pull the U.S. military out of Afghanistan.

Bad Axe

Do we need another documentary covering the pandemic and the George Floyd protests? Yes, and it’s one of the most surprising films of the year.

Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams

Luca Guadagnino profiles footwear designer Salvatore Ferragamo’s admirable achievements in this fawning yet dry tribute.

Meet Me in the Bathroom

A breathless reminiscence and recollection of the Brooklyn music scene in the early aughts.