DOC NYC — A–Z of films

Despite his besst intentions, James never really fully achieves the cinematic element that would lift this above being a well-illustrated encyclopaedia article.

Kindness and joy not always come to mind when one thinks of the fashion world. This is the rare portrait where they do. As the documentary unfolds, we marvel at the diversity, the celebratory mood.

The director makes judicious use of old family photos and voice-over along with some strong nature photography that anchors the documentary in terms of place.

Bull knows what he's doing when it comes to the action.

Heineman's film inevitably includes some tough-to-watch footage but he recognises the power in not always showing death.

The director talks about a "sense of play" in the press notes but are the audience really playing if they don't know the rules ahead of time?

What emerges is a warm profile of two people who love each other, working a damned sight harder than many neurotypical couples to get over the humps in the road.

The issues presented here go far beyond the question of whether or not it's fair to animals to use them as a food source.

Whether she is probing at the ideas of the ties that bind us to a home or considering the morality of goat horns, she constantly nudges us to move around and, perhaps, get a better view.

Where the film is strong is in its exploration of the relationships between politicians (from both major parties), regulators and college owners.

Rachel Drezin treads a careful line between the risk of appropriating other people's struggles and the importance of giving a voice to parents, of understanding that they can struggle too.

At its best, this is a film that has something to say about democracy itself.

Icarus is a multi-layered and compelling piece of work.

Morgen infuses new life into Jane Goodall's groundbreaking wildlife study that took place over half a century ago.

Religion can often become the whipping boy for problems, especially in the Middle East, but Kohn's documentary shows how the real issue lies in the sexist traditions not Islam.

Torun, who spent much of her childhood in the city, lets us get supremely close to seven exquisitely different felines.

Director Tiffany Bartok doesn't shy away from the depressing aspects of Kevyn's story, nor obfuscate his responsibility for parts of what went wrong.

It also serves as a sharp reminder how any minority, when under-represented in the media, is at risk of being stereotyped and how too many creative teams are still dominated by white, middle-class males.

Anybody who has ever run a business will relate.

It is magical, a trove.

Goes against the grain of modern crime documentaries.

What emerges in Tolmach's documentary is shocking but, on another level, unsurprising.