Documentary of the Week
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Technology has made non-fiction film easier to make, more available and more popular than ever before. Here, WNYC selects the best documentaries as they come to screens of any size. 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..
Documentary of the Week
1d ago
'Skywalkers: A Love Story' tells the story of a couple, Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus, who share a passion for illegally climbing to the tops of skyscrapers. The film follows them as they attempt their most daring stunt by climbing the world's second tallest building.
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Documentary of the Week
2w ago
'Sorry / Not Sorry' examines the case of Louis C.K.'s sexual misconduct - from years of rumors to the New York Times' exposure to his subsequent comeback as a Grammy-winning comedian. Filmmakers Caroline Suh and Cara Mones capture multiple perspectives including that of his accusers whose careers suffered for speaking truths.
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Documentary of the Week
1M ago
'The Grab' follows reporter Nathan Halverson as he investigates how wealthy countries seek to control land outside their borders for access to food and water. The film plays like a journalistic thriller when Halverson is leaked over 10,000 emails from a business central to this story.
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Documentary of the Week
1M ago
'Copa 71' tells the story of an international women's soccer tournament in 1971 that took place in Mexico and was erased from history. Filmmakers James Erskine and Rachel Ramsay interview players from six countries who took part, but never told their stories.
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Documentary of the Week
1M ago
The ESPN series 'The Luckiest Guy in the World' profiles basketball great Bill Walton who passed away last month. Filmmaker Steve James ('Hoop Dreams') examines the hurdles that Walton had to overcome - including injuries and a speech impediment - on his way to winning championships and acclaim as a TV commentator.
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Documentary of the Week
2M ago
Filmmaker Chris Wilcha tells a personal story of reckoning with youthful dreams in middle age as he tries to save an old record store in 'Flipside.' The film weaves together the perspectives of many others including Ira Glass, Judd Apatow and Starlee Kine.
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Documentary of the Week
2M ago
'Queen of the Deuce' profiles Chelly Wilson, a Greek Jewish immigrant grandmother who ran multiple adult film theaters around New York City's 42nd Street. Filmmaker Valerie Kontakos evokes the 1970s era when adult film was on an upswing with Wilson at the center.
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Documentary of the Week
2M ago
'A Time to Stir' is a 10-part oral history film focusing on the Columbia University student strike of 1968. Filmmaker Paul Cronin interviewed hundreds of participants to bring multiple fresh perspectives that still resonate today. Hear the director interviewed on Pure Nonfiction ..read more
Documentary of the Week
3M ago
'The Contestant' explores the early days of reality TV in Japan when a man named Nasubi lived naked in isolation living off prizes from magazine sweepstakes for over a year while 30 million viewers tuned in to watch. Filmmaker Clair Titley interviews all the main players in the story and explores what happened to Nasubi after he became famous.
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Documentary of the Week
3M ago
'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.
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