DOC NYC — A–Z of films

The smoke, the blasts, the spinning of ejecting shell casings, yells that become cries, the front-line as it becomes frantic.

Rosi expertly paints a picture of a community with all its widely varied facets.

Successfully finds insight and social commentary

Gibson’s modesty about language is among the film’s most moving qualities

The idea of her as a lone voice is emphasised by striking cinematography, often of her riding her bike across the landscape, which has the wide-open quality of a western.

Strømdahl keeps us within the apartment for virtually the whole film, watching as Mikal tries to negotiate the unpredictability of Tonya and Jason or retreats into a world of video games.

Her experience is, of course, only that of an individual, and cannot represent what happened to all of the other hostages, but it still has significance.

This is a consistently interesting film and a good exercise in navigating historical narratives, even if it’s not exactly what its UK title might have viewers expecting.

Manizha Bakhtari may not be a household name but after watching Natalie Halla’s documentary you’re likely to think she ought to be.

Ahmed doesn’t need to include war footage for us to feel its weight and understand its shadow.

A film that is built upon patience and which takes a philosophical rather than judgmental stance.

Despite the depressing nature of what’s happening at the school, Talankin’s affection for his students and his resilient sense of humour ensure that the film is always engaging.

Offers food for thought in the realm of a slightly ungainly and sprawling all-you-can-eat buffet rather than a satisfying sit-down feast.

In what is probably Côté's most straightforwardly observational film to date, the fictions come baked in.

The film is a triumph of editing by Viridiana Lieberman, in terms of storytelling

The film doesn’t answer every common question that people have in this situation, but it does provide some context.

The documentary celebrates the early days when members of the public really didn’t know what was going on.

Kotevska leans into the metaphor with the full force of a Disney film – but it is hardly inappropriate given the state of many modern farming communities who find their livelihoods dwindling and their younger family members forced to fly the nest in a bid to provide for their own children.