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Movies and TvShows featuring "essay-film" theme.

Night and Fog
Movie

Night and Fog(1956)

8.6
32Minutes

Night and Fog is a powerful and haunting documentary film that explores the horrors of the Holocaust. It provides an unflinching look at the atrocities committed during World War II, particularly in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Through a combination of archival footage, photographs, and interviews, the film examines the role of the Nazis, the experiences of the prisoners, and the lasting impact of the Holocaust on humanity. It serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities of war and the importance of remembering history.

2 or 3 Things I Know About Her
Movie

2 or 3 Things I Know About Her(1967)

6.5
tomato94%
NR
87Minutes

2 or 3 Things I Know About Her is a dark comedy that delves into the life of a housewife who leads a double life as a prostitute. Set in 1960s France, the film tackles themes of consumerism, urban development, and the struggles of modernization. Through a story of occasional prostitution, the movie provides a satirical commentary on societal norms and the impact of commercialization.

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F for Fake
Movie

F for Fake(1973)

7.7
tomato88%
PG
89Minutes

F for Fake is a documentary film about the life and art of notorious art forger Elmyr de Hory. Directed by Orson Welles, the film explores the blurred line between reality and fiction, as well as the themes of deception, manipulation, and illusion. The film also delves into the world of art forgery and the scandal surrounding it. With a nonlinear timeline and innovative storytelling techniques, F for Fake is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of authenticity and the concept of truth in the art world.

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Sans Soleil
Movie

Sans Soleil(1983)

7.7
tomato88%
NR
100Minutes
Capitalism: A Love Story
Movie

Capitalism: A Love Story(2009)

7.4
tomato74%
R
128Minutes

Capitalism: A Love Story is a documentary film that examines the influence of capitalism on American society. It explores issues such as economic inequality, corporate malfeasance, and the global economic crisis of 2008. The film also delves into the concept of the American Dream and the ways in which it has been undermined by corporate greed and corruption. Through interviews, archival footage, and personal stories, it presents a critical perspective on the impact of capitalism on the lives of everyday Americans.

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The Image Book
Movie

The Image Book(2018)

6.2
tomato90%
NR
88Minutes

The Image Book is a non-narrative film that delves into the history of cinema, art, and human existence. It combines various visual and audio elements such as archival footage, literary quotes, and references to create a poetic and thought-provoking exploration of the medium.

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Naked Nations – Tribe Hong Kong
Movie

Naked Nations – Tribe Hong Kong(2024)

6.9
161Minutes

Naked Nations is a deeply human, joyful, poignant and heartbreaking film about freedom and its many manifestations, fragility and limits, a film about life, depression and difficult decisions. But above all, a film about love.

News from Home
Movie

News from Home(1976)

7.3
tomato100%
89Minutes

News from Home is a documentary film that explores daily life in New York City through urban exploration and footage. It provides a glimpse into the mundane routines and experiences of its inhabitants, offering a feminist perspective on the city's street life, traffic, and subway cars. The film adopts an essay-film style and incorporates correspondence in the form of letters from home. With long tracking shots and a focus on the city's vanishing aspects, it captures the essence of New York City and its urban landscape.

Twilight | ContraPoints
Movie

Twilight | ContraPoints(2024)

173Minutes

Join me on the path to Twilightenment.

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Film Socialisme
Movie

Film Socialisme(2010)

5.7
tomato58%
NR
102Minutes

Film Socialisme (2010) is an avant-garde movie that delves into topics such as philosophy, family relationships, politics, and justice. Through a unique film-essay style, it presents a thought-provoking exploration of these themes. The story meanders through different scenarios, including a cruise ship, a garage, and historical events like the French Revolution. The film touches upon the resentment, struggles, and complexities of human existence, all while offering a critical reflection on society. With its unique blend of elements, Film Socialisme invites viewers to engage in a profound and philosophical journey.

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The Lovely Month of May
Movie

The Lovely Month of May(1963)

7.8
tomato94%
NR
165Minutes

The Lovely Month of May is a documentary essay film that takes an intimate look at the lives of various French-speaking individuals during the month of May in 1963. Through a series of long-takes and nonlinear storytelling, the film delves into the personal journeys and experiences of a young man, a young woman, and a young soldier. It touches on themes of identity, class differences, social criticism, and the impact of politics and literature on French society.

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Transgender Nuclear Suicide Sojourner
Movie

Transgender Nuclear Suicide Sojourner(2023)

17Minutes

Lies can kill. Transgender Nuclear Suicide Sojourner is an exploration of propaganda, lies, and the overwhelming urge to end it all.

Histoire(s) du Cinéma 1b: A Single (Hi)story
Movie

Histoire(s) du Cinéma 1b: A Single (Hi)story(1989)

7.1
42Minutes

Histoire(s) du Cinéma 1b: A Single (Hi)story is a documentary film that delves into the evolution of cinema and its significant influence on culture and society. Through a unique blend of experimental narrative and vigorous analysis, the film dissects the art of filmmaking, presenting a thought-provoking examination of the medium's history and its implications.

With the lack of personal video archive, Youhanna (the filmmaker) creates false memories using lost home videotapes shot between the 1990s and 2000s in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with the help of an Artificial intelligence programme, until a real, personal video archive surfaces, transporting him into the past to relive one more memory with his late mother.

Letter from Siberia
Movie

Letter from Siberia(1958)

7.4
62Minutes

A letter from filmmaker Chris Marker to his friends in France, narrating his observations and thoughts during his trip to Siberia. The film combines real footage with animated sequences, offering a unique perspective on the region.

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A documentary film that delves into the societal challenges faced by the gay community in 1970s Germany, highlighting the struggles, activism, and persecution. It sheds light on the illegal status of homosexuality and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.

Statues Also Die
Movie

Statues Also Die(1953)

7.5
30Minutes

Statues Also Die is an essay film that explores the cultural significance and controversial history of African art and statues. It delves into topics such as neocolonialism, post-colonialism, racism, and the impact of art in African society. The film uses unsynchronized sound and a mix of archival footage and interviews to provide a thought-provoking examination of the subject.

The So-Called Caryatids
Movie

The So-Called Caryatids(1984)

7
NR
12Minutes

The So-Called Caryatids is a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the profound history and significance of caryatids in art. Through fascinating interviews and captivating visuals, the film highlights the enduring impact of these iconic statues.

Taon Noong Ako'y Anak sa Labas
Movie

Taon Noong Ako'y Anak sa Labas(2008)

7.4
100Minutes

Filmmaker John Torres describes his childhood and discusses his father's infidelities.

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The Future Tense
Movie

The Future Tense(2022)

6.9
tomato100%
89Minutes

Staged as a series of voiceover sessions, written with gloriously off-balanced precision and dipped in the color green, THE FUTURE TENSE unfolds as a poignant tale of tales, exploring the filmmakers’ own experiences in aging, parenting, mental illness, along with the brutal history that lies submerged beneath Ireland’s heavy, moist earth.

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Explore a curated collection of movies and TV shows that embrace the art form of essay film. Dive into thought-provoking narratives and visually stunning compositions that challenge traditional storytelling techniques. Discover the power of the essay film genre and its unique ability to capture personal experiences, examine cultural phenomena, and provoke intellectual discourse.

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