If you're at IDFA over the next 2 weeks, go see Armand Tufenkian's In The Manner of Smoke. Starting tomorrow night, it has five screenings over the next week. Prime yourself by reading my interview with Armand about his film and career for Public Parking. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaking…
Today on my newsletter, Dark Optimism, I'm republishing an interview I did with Courtney Stephens 2+ years ago about her feature length essay/lecture film, Terra Femme. This Sunday (11/16), Metrograph is hosting Stephens for another live performance of the film. I'll be there!
t.co/Wmvrnw0PnH
In July I met Armand Tufenkian and gushed to him about his debut feature, In The Manner of Smoke. At the end of August we had a very long lunch to talk about the film and his artistic practice that has spawned a very meaningful friendship. Enjoy. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaki...
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
For my neglected newsletter: a conversation with Lee Anne Schmitt, director of Evidence -- one of the best docs of the year, and a brilliant mediation on parenthood, inheritance, and the Conservative movement's ongoing coup of the legal system. Subscribe !!! open.substack.com/pub/chriscas...
Keep forgetting this place exists oops
hey, actually, fuck this sentiment and you!
I wasn't very pleased with John Maclean's TORNADO, a thin and unimaginative homage to Kurosawa's samurai films, too reliant on simple psychology, heavy atmosphere and a needlessly non-linear plot, and desperately lacking in true feeling. t.co/ieBqEPNAPH
A couple weeks ago, I reviewed Graham Swon's stunning AN EVENING SONG (FOR THREE VOICES) for InReview Online. There's magic going on in this thing that I can't fully explain, but is much better to watch, anyways. I hope it gets more opportunities to screen publicly outside of NYC. t.co/2aAEqr63hB
Putting it out there that I would like to write about the Pierre Creton retrospective running at BAM at the end of June. Editors...I am so available it's embarrassing.
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
I'm publishing a new interview on my Substack in a few minutes. You can subscribe now so it's sent to your inbox: chriscassingham.substack.com. This is the most fun I've ever had interviewing a filmmaker, and I'm excited to share it with you all.
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Notorious
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt
Rear Window
North By Northwest
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
In the meantime, feel free to subscribe :)
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
oh my god I just realized this was playing Cannes. desperate to see it.
It was the 30th anniversary of Wild Reed's US release last week, so I took the opportunity to share my thoughts, parse out what it's doing that other coming-of-age films don't seem to attempt. It's a remarkable film, and very important to me. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/16/w...
I'm thrilled to say that TO USE A MOUNTAIN, the second feature doc produced by my sister this year, has just won the Special Jury Prize of the International Competition at Visions du Reel. So very proud of her and everyone who worked on this film.
From the jury: “A patient, rigorous road trip across a continent and it’s buried subterranean secrets. An epic journey in memorializing topography of stolen lands. Six intimate portraits of communities impacted, displaced, betrayed by the government.”
I'm thrilled to say that TO USE A MOUNTAIN, the second feature doc produced by my sister this year, has just won the Special Jury Prize of the International Competition at Visions du Reel. So very proud of her and everyone who worked on this film.
stunning lineup