Documentary of the Week

Every week, WNYC tells you about the best documentaries as they become available on screens of any size. Our hosts are Thom Powers and Raphaela Neihausen, co-founders of the Pure Nonfiction podcast and the DOC NYC festival, the largest non-fiction film festival in the U.S.

  • 1 minute 40 seconds
    'Uncropped' profiles photographer James Hamilton

    'Uncropped' profiles the the photographer James Hamilton who has an eclectic career spanning street scenes, celebrity portraits, war coverage and more. Filmmaker D.W. Young crafts the documentary as a love letter to a bygone era of New York journalism.

    Ā 

    26 April 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 minute 48 seconds
    'Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story' profiles a Chinatown hero

    'Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story' profiles the New York photographer who dedicated himself to covering the Asian American community for five decades. Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki chronicles the emergence of Asian American activism through the lens of Lee.

    Ā 

    19 April 2024, 12:00 am
  • 1 minute 50 seconds
    'Kim's Video' is film history as a heist movie

    Filmmakers Ashley Sabin and David Redmon explore the mystery of what happened to the famous collection of VHS tapes and DVDs from New York's beloved rental store Kim's Video that closed in 2008. The documentary is made with the same outlaw spirit as the original store known for its bootleg editions.

    Ā 

    5 April 2024, 4:00 am
  • 2 minutes 7 seconds
    Exploring the career of Paul Simon

    'In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon' explores six decades of the musician's career while following him in the studio for the making of his recent album, 'Seven Psalms.' Filmmaker Alex Gibney delivers a wealth of insight into a monumental career.

    Ā 

    29 March 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 minute 34 seconds
    'Carol Doda Topless at the Condor' profiles a trail blazer

    'Carol Doda Topless at the Condor' profiles the San Francisco dancer who broke taboos with nude performances starting in 1964. In this documentary from filmmakers Marlo McKenzie and Jonathan Parker, feminist scholars unpack questions of empowerment and exploitation.

    Ā 

    22 March 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 minute 54 seconds
    'Frida' profiles the Mexican painter in her own words

    'Frida' profiles the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo by drawing upon her own words from diaries, letters and interviews. Filmmaker Carla Gutierrez taps into a rich archive of visuals and collaborates with Mexican animators to bring movement to Kahlo's autobiographical paintings.

    Ā 

    15 March 2024, 1:00 am
  • 1 minute 48 seconds
    'A Revolution on Canvas' profiles Iranian artists in exile

    'A Revolution on Canvas' explores the complicated history of Iranian artists Nicky Nodjoumi and Nahid Hagigat who are exiled in the United States. Their daughter Sara Nodjoumi and her co-director Till Schauder revisit hard choices made over art, revolution and family.

    Ā 

    8 March 2024, 1:00 am
  • 2 minutes 4 seconds
    'God Save Texas' challenges preconceptions about the state

    The HBO series 'God Save Texas' presents three films bringing fresh perspectives on the state, inspired by the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright. In theĀ episode 'La Frontera,' filmmaker Iliana Sosa reflects on her hometown of El Paso.

    1 March 2024, 12:00 am
  • 4 minutes 56 seconds
    'Breaking the News' follows the journalism team at The 19th*

    'Breaking the News' follows the start-up of The 19th*, a non-profit journalism outlet focused on people marginalized by gender and race. The film, streaming from PBS' Independent Lens, captures the organization's successesĀ and internal struggles.

    Ā 

    23 February 2024, 12:00 am
  • 1 minute 52 seconds
    'Island in Between' looks at tensions between Taiwan and China

    In 'Island in Between,' filmmaker S. Leo Chiang reflects on geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China. He takes a personal journey to the Kinmen islands that are on the front lines of conflict between the two countries.

    Ā 

    16 February 2024, 4:00 am
  • 1 minute 58 seconds
    'Bobi Wine: The People's President' follows a pop star turned politician

    'Bobi Wine: The People's President' follows a Ugandan pop star who enters politics to oppose the authoritarian regimeĀ that's held power for over three decades. The Oscar-nominated film covers several tumultuous years as Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie stand up to violence and intimidation.

    Ā 

    9 February 2024, 4:00 am
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