Documentary of the Week

Journalist Robert Fisk, who died at 74 this week, is profiled in “This Is Not A Movie” covering his long career in the Middle East. Filmmaker Yung Chang follows Fisk on reporting trips to Syria, Lebanon, Palestine’s West Bank, and more.

Official Trailer:

The film is currently screening at Anthology Film Archives.

Master documentarian Frederick Wiseman continues his 50-year project of observing institutions with a look at Boston in “City Hall.” At the center of the film is Mayor Marty Walsh as he takes on issues of immigration, racial justice, and job creation.

The film is now streaming at Film Forum. Here is the official trailer.

The documentary “Time” focuses on Fox Rich, an ex-convict turned successful entrepreneur, as she raises her family and struggles to get her husband Rob freed from prison. Filmmaker Garrett Bradley draws upon 20 years worth of family archives for a poetic and profound look at the impact of incarceration on a family.

Official Trailer:

“Totally Under Control” takes a sobering look at why Covid-19 had a more devastating impact in the United States than in other countries. Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney leads a film team that interviews Trump administration insiders and frontline health experts to understand what went wrong.

The official trailer: 

Filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz travels the United States to explore a broad spectrum of political perspectives for "The Latino Vote." He covers different nuances between the young vs old, light-skinned vs dark-skinned, and how religious convictions can skew either liberal or conservative.

“Kingdom of Silence” explores the life of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered by Saudi operatives on Oct. 2, 2018. Filmmaker Richard Rowley investigates the politics behind Khashoggi’s life and death with contributions from journalist Lawrence Wright, human rights activist Mohamed Soltan, former U.S. Deputy of National Security Ben Rhodes and others.

“Women Make Film” is a 14-part documentary series narrated by Tilda Swinton and others that showcases the immense contribution of women filmmakers from around the globe. Turner Classic Movies is rolling out the series every Tuesday from now until December, alongside a collection of 100 related films directed by women.

In the Showtime series “Love Fraud,” filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady conduct an investigation into a con man who has romanced women and stolen their money for twenty years. We watch his former victims band together to seek justice, turning their pain into a purpose.

The whimsical documentary “The Mole Agent” looks at an amateur spy in Chile who’s recruited to investigate a nursing home. Acclaimed filmmaker Maite Alberdi (“Tea Time”) combines humor and poignancy to study an older generation searching for connections.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers

For more information, click here to visit the film web site.

The documentary “Mr. Soul!” profiles Ellis Haizlip who hosted a ground-breaking television series about Black culture starting in 1968. He was the uncle of filmmaker Melissa Haizlip who covers his life with nuance and complexity while serving up an astonishing archive featuring a Who’s Who of Black musicians, writers, activists, dancers and others from that era.

— Raphaela Neihausen and Thom Powers 

For more information, click here to visit the official film web site.